A computational study of desublimation tower characteristics for Cryogenic Carbon Capture

Abstract

Cryogenic Carbon Capture™ (CCC) offers exceptional efficiency of capturing CO${}_2$ emissions to combat climate change. Despite its promise, optimizing CCC efficiency, particularly in the desublimation tower, remains a challenge. This article presents a comprehensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling framework to study CCC processes by employing the Eulerian–Lagrangian method with a desublimation mass transfer model. Parametric simulations were conducted to investigate the effect of droplet size on CO${}_2$ capture efficiency. Under a constant spray flow rate, smaller droplets enhance desublimation and heat transfer rates due to their larger total surface area, improving CO${}_2$ capture efficiency and heat exchange. The recirculation region extends gas residence time, further enhancing CO${}_2$ capture in the absence of droplet entrainment. These findings underscore the pivotal role of various factors, including the geometry of the desublimation tower, the shape of the nozzle, and the precise control of gas and spray injection parameters. All these elements are critical in optimizing the efficiency of the carbon capture processes. This investigation provides an important tool for advancing CCC technology, crucial in global climate change mitigation strategies and explores future research directions to enhance the accuracy of simulations and broaden the scope of CCC optimization.