Molecular Dynamics Simulations To Capture Nucleation and Growth of Particulates in Ethanolamine-Based Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Columns

Insights into Aerosol Emission Control in the Postcombustion CO2 Capture Process: From Cluster Formation to Aerosol Growth

Aerosols produced in the amine carbon capture process can lead to secondary environmental pollution. This study employs molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate cluster formation, amine behavior, and aerosol growth of amines, essential for reducing amine aerosol emissions. Results showed that the cluster evolution process can be divided into cluster formation and growth in terms of molecular content, and the nucleation rate for the present systems was estimated in the order of 1028 cm-3 s-1. CO2 absorption was observed alongside successful nucleation, with CO2 predominantly localizing in the cluster's outer layer postabsorption. Monoethanolamine (MEA) exhibited robust electrostatic interactions with other components via hydrogen bonding, leading to its migration toward regions where CO2 and H2O coexisted within the cluster. While MEA presence markedly spurred cluster formation, its concentration had a marginal effect on the final cluster size. Elevating water content can augment the aerosol growth rate. However, altering the gas saturation is possible only within narrow confines by introducing vapor. Contrarily, gas cooling introduced dual, opposing effects on aerosol growth. These findings, including diffusion coefficients and growth rates, enhance theoretical frameworks for predicting aerosol formation in absorbers, aiding in mitigating environmental impacts of amine-based carbon capture.