Euler–Euler model for CO2-MEA reactive absorption on a sieve-tray

CFD studies dedicated to Carbon Capture and Storage are still limited to simple geometries or mass transfer models. In this work, the CO2-MEA system is studied through a three-dimensional, transient, Eulerian–Eulerian model. A sieve-tray is chosen as case study and a global mass transfer coefficient model is implemented. A preliminary validation study in an air-water system is made to assess which drag force correlation provides better results for local clear liquid height, and therefore experimental measures for local clear liquid heights are also taken. Relative errors of about 20% are obtained for total clear-liquid height measures, and the numerical results are qualitatively validated. For the reactive absorption cases, CO2 is fully absorbed and consumed in the liquid phase, while with disabled chemical reaction less than 90% is absorbed. The implemented model physical consistency reinforces the potential of using CFD techniques for process intensification scale-up and design.