Optimization of energy requirements and 4E analysis for an integrated post-combustion CO2 capture utilizing MEA solvent from a cement plant flue gas

Carbon dioxide emission through various industries has become a global problem. As a method of reducing CO2 emissions from power plants, carbon capture utilization or storage has gained widespread attention. One of the industries that has a significant contribution to CO2 emissions is the cement industry. Thus, it is of utmost importance for cement industries to develop and improve processes for reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It is possible to lower CO2 emissions from cement plants using amine-based post-combustion CO2 capture technology. In this study, a different configuration of post-combustion CO2 capture process based on amine solvent (30 wt% MEA) has been proposed to reduce CO2 emissions in a cement plant. The proposed technique was simulated, and the solvent regeneration energy, exergy efficiency, techno-economic analysis, and CO2 emission of the proposed structure were compared with the conventional process. The results showed that the solvent regeneration energy in the optimal condition is 2.773 (GJ/tCO2). The proposed process improves solvent regeneration energy by 18.22% according to optimization results. In addition to reducing energy consumption, CO2 captured increased by 6% compared to the conventional configuration. Compared to the conventional technique, the CO2 emission and exergy destruction of the proposed process decreased by 7.25 and 28.5%, respectively. The results of the simulations showed that the proposed process can be justified from an environmental, thermodynamic, and economic point of view.