Performance Evaluation of Monoethanolamine Solvents for Post-Combustion Carbon Dioxide Removal in the Cement Industry

Abstract: This study investigated the modeling and simulation of an MEA-based CO₂ capture process for cement plant flue gas using Aspen Plus. The objective was to evaluate the performance of chemical absorption in reducing CO₂ emissions, given the cement industry’s role as a major source of greenhouse gases. A process flow diagram was developed consisting of an absorber, stripper, heat exchangers, pumps, and separation units. The flue gas composition considered was CO₂ (31.8%), H₂O (4.2%), O₂ (2.4%), and N₂ (61.6%). Monoethanolamine (MEA) was used as the solvent due to its high reactivity with CO₂ and established industrial application. The absorber facilitated CO₂ capture by chemical reaction with MEA, while the stripper regenerated the solvent and released concentrated CO₂ for compression and storage. Rigorous thermodynamic and mass transfer models were applied to optimize operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, solvent circulation rate, and reflux ratio. Simulation results demonstrated a CO₂ recovery efficiency of approximately 93.27%, confirming the process’s effectiveness. The study concluded that MEA absorption remains a reliable and scalable technology for post-combustion CO₂ capture in cement plants, with potential for integration into broader carbon management strategies. Keywords: Aspen HYSYS, Carbon Capture, Cement Industry, Chemical Absorption, Design Expert, Flue Gas, Monoethanolamine, Process Optimization, Process Simulation, Solvent Regeneration. Title: Performance Evaluation of Monoethanolamine Solvents for Post-Combustion Carbon Dioxide Removal in the Cement Industry Author: Patrick E. Okose International Journal of Novel Research in Engineering and Science ISSN 2394-7349 Vol. 12, Issue 2, September 2025 - February 2026 Page No: 31-55 Novelty Journals Website: www.noveltyjournals.com Published Date: 14-January-2026 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18241441 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.noveltyjournals.com/upload/paper/Performance%20Evaluation%20of%20Monoethanolamine-14012026-1.pdf