CO₂ Capture in Cement Plants
This project, developed as part of the 6CPT40 Advanced Separation Technology course at TU/e, focuses on simulating a post-combustion CO₂ capture system for cement production — a major industrial source of global emissions. The aim was to explore how mature technologies like MEA-based scrubbing can be adapted for large-scale decarbonization.
Using Aspen Plus™, a complete absorber-stripper system was modeled with a 30 wt% MEA solution, targeting 85% CO₂ recovery and 98% purity. To enhance energy efficiency, a Lean Vapor Compression (LVC) configuration was implemented, resulting in a 37% reduction in energy consumption compared to the base case.
The project demonstrates the technical viability of MEA-based carbon capture for cement plants, with additional insights into energy integration, process optimization, and solvent circulation strategies. Future improvements may include advanced solvent formulations or wash sections to reduce MEA losses.
For more details, including simulation files, process diagrams, and supporting documentation, click the button below to visit the project’s GitHub repository.