Process Intensification in a Business Context: General Considerations - Process Intensification for Green Chemistry - page 354

Figure 13.4 Costs in euros/ tonne CO 2 for each of the three beakdown sections described.
OPEX is operating expenditure on a net present-value basis. CAPEX is capital expenditure.

the use of stainless-steel column packings, supports and liquid distributors. The OPEX is
the surprising part, since there is no energy use associated with the column itself. The
absorber costs are further broken down in Figure 13.6, where it emerges that the amine
replacement and its associated destruction costs are the contributing factors (based on
published figures for the use of 30% weight MEA solutions). These replacement costs are
to a large extent caused by amine degradation arising from SOx, NOx and oxygen in the
flue gas, and possibly some dust particles. Clearly any process alterations that were to
reduce the absorption of these components relative to the absorption of CO 2 would have an
impact on this issue. The OPEX associated with the fan is associated with the pressure drop
in the process. Any reduction in pressure drop could reduce the fan's need for energy.

Figure 13.5 CAPEX and OPEX of the absorption section. Values are in euros/ tonne CO 2 .