COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MEA AND SELEXOL ABSORPTION PROCESSES FOR CO₂ CAPTURE IN NATURAL GAS USING ASPEN SIMULATION

This study aims to evaluate and compare the performance of two widely used CO₂ capture processes, Monoethanolamine (MEA) and Selexol, in natural gas sweetening, using Aspen Plus simulation software. The purpose of the research is to compare MEA and Selexol absorption processes for CO₂ removal based on various performance metrics, including CO₂ removal efficiency, energy consumption, and solvent regeneration. The research methodology involved developing and validating process simulation models for both MEA and Selexol absorption systems, considering key parameters such as pressure, solvent concentration, and flow rates. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impact of these parameters on CO₂ removal efficiency and energy requirements. The results revealed that MEA provided higher CO₂ removal efficiency (approximately 96%) under baseline conditions, while Selexol performed less effectively under similar conditions, with an initial CO₂ removal efficiency of just 2.56%. However, Selexols performance improved significantly under optimised high-pressure conditions, achieving up to 76.88% CO₂ removal when solvent flow rate and absorber pressure were adjusted. In terms of energy consumption, Selexol showed a clear advantage, requiring significantly less energy for solvent regeneration compared to MEA. The study concluded that while MEA is more effective for CO₂ removal at lower pressures, Selexol offers a more energy-efficient solution, particularly under high-pressure conditions. This research provides valuable insights for selecting the appropriate CO₂ capture method based on operational requirements and energy considerations, contributing to the optimization of natural gas sweetening processes and the advancement of sustainable CO₂ capture technologies.