Post-combustion CO2 capturing by KOH solution: An experimental and statistical optimization modeling study

A pilot-scale bubble column contactor has been utilized for carbon dioxide chemisorption from simulated flue gas in the temperature range 30 degrees C to 50 degrees C. The influence of the most important operating parameters has been investigated. A total of 25 experiments were designed using the response surface methodology (RSM) and were then carried out in the bubble contact column. The results revealed that the liquid volume in the column, the alkaline concentration, and the temperature had a positive effect, while the gas hold-up had a negative effect on the CO2 removal efficiency. A statistical model has been developed using the RSM D-optimal experimental design method. To achieve the highest CO2 chemisorption, several operating conditions have been optimized. The model predicted that the maximum percentage of carbon dioxide removal would be 86.64%, and under the same operating conditions the experimental removal efficiency was 87.12%.