Use of CFD for CO2 absorbers optimum design : from local scale to large industrial scale.

Abstract: Post combustion CO₂ capture with chemical solvents is performed in packed columns operating in the counter current mode. Good predictions of the pressure drop and of the mass transfer characteristics is critical for their design. Many experimental works are dedicated to characterization of packings. However, experiments are carried out at a laboratory intermediate scale, with almost no possibility to bring information neither at small scale nor at very large scale. It is shown in this paper how CFD, via an original multi scale approach from the liquid film thickness to the industrial column dimensions, can help in complementing experimental data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]