Simulating the reaction absorption of carbon dioxide by MEA aqueous solution in the RPB using three-dimensional Eulerian porous media approach

Abstract

Rotating Packed Bed (RPB), as a representative equipment of hyper-gravity technology, is widely used in process intensification of various reactions and separations. This paper constructs a three-dimensional CFD model of RPB by employing the porous media Eulerian two-fluid method, coupling mass transfer, heat transfer, and chemical reaction models. The CFD model successfully simulated the CO absorption process by MEA solution within the RPB, with the simulation results aligning well with both experimental and calculation data. The CFD model predicts the overall gas phase mass transfer coefficient () range of 1.876 to 3.029 s, while experimental data fall within the range of 1.7 to 2.4 s, with deviations ranging from 1.70 % to 26.2 %. Detailed distributions of flow and mass transfer parameters within the packing were obtained, and a quantitative analysis was conducted on the impact of different operating parameters on mass transfer and decarbonization performance. The and CO removal rate first increase (400 ∼ 1500 rpm) and then stabilize (1500 ∼ 2500 rpm) with the increase of rotational speed. The correlation to predict overall gas phase mass transfer coefficient was developed, and the calculated values are in agreement with the simulated values with deviations within ± 26 %. This work provides a novel and practical approach to designing and optimizing processes for RPB in engineering applications.