Paul Akula

Model Development, Validation & Optimization of Amine-Based Carbon Capture Process

Amine-based PCC technology is the most commercially mature technology for retrofitting stationary sources of CO2 emissions, e.g., power stations. However, the integration of amine-based PCC technology to tackle imminent release of greenhouse gases from industrial centers like power plants inadvertently incurs a high energy penalty resulting to as much as 22.9 percentage points decrease in plant efficiency. It is therefore imperative to examine the capture plant dynamics as this plays an important role in its technical and economic performance. This research focuses on developing models and computational tools necessary for rate-based dynamic simulations of advanced solvent systems for carbon capture.  Once fully developed, these models and tools will enable the synthesis and optimization of advanced solvent systems, supporting their identification, integration, and scale up. 

• Akula P, Bhattacharyya D, Lee A, Eslick J, Miller D C, “A Modified Electrolyte NRTL Model with Analytical Expression for Excess Enthalpy: Application to the MEA-H2O-CO2 System”,  69,  e17395, 1-17, AICHE Journal, 2023

• Akula P, Eslick J, Bhattacharyya D, Miller D, “Model Development, Validation, and Optimization of a MEA-Based Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Process Under Part-Load and Variable Capture Operation”, 60, 5176–5193, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2021

• Isenberg N, Akula P, Eslick J, Bhattacharyya D, Miller D, Gounaris C,  “A Generalized Cutting-Set Approach for Nonlinear Robust Optimization in Process Systems Engineering”, Vol 67, no 5, 1-21,  https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.17175,  AICHE Journal, 2021 

• Akula P, Eslick J,  Bhattacharyya D, Miller D, “Modelling and Parameter Estimation of a Plate Heat Exchanger as Part of a Solvent-Based Post-Combustion CO2 Capture System”, Proceedings of the Foundation of the Computer-Aided Process Design (FOCAPD) 2019, Copper Mountain Resort Co, July 14 - 18, 2019

• Eslick J, Akula P, Bhattacharyya D, Miller D C,  “Simultaneous Parameter Estimation in Reactive Solvent-Based Processes”, Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, 44, 901-906, 2018

• Jonuzaj S, Akula P, Kleniati P, Adjiman C, "The formulation of optimal mixtures with generalized disjunctive programming: A solvent design case study", 62, e15122, 1616-1633, AICHE Journal, 2015 

• Akula P, Eslick J, Bhattacharyya D, Miller D C, “Rate-Based Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of an Amine-Based Carbon Capture Unit for Flexible Operation”, Paper 445g, AIChE Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, November 13-18, 2022

• Akula P, Bhattacharyya D, Miller D C, “Rate-Based Dynamic Modeling and Optimization of an Amine-Based Carbon Capture Unit for Flexible Operation”, Paper 418g, AIChE Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, November 7-19, 2021

• Akula P, Eslick J, Bhattacharyya D, Miller D, “Dynamic Modeling, Validation and Optimization of a Solvent-Based CO2 Capture Process under Flexible Operation”, Virtual AIChE Annual Meeting, November 16-20, 2020

• Akula P, Eslick J, Bhattacharyya D, Miller D C, “Rigorous, Dynamic, Two-Film Model Development and Part-Load Optimization of a Solvent-Based CO2 Capture Process under Variable Capture Rate”, Paper 576e, AIChE Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, November 10-15, 2019

• Akula P, Eslick J, Bhattacharyya D, Miller D C, “Optimal Model Synthesis for Solvent-Based CO2 Capture Systems by Simultaneously Using Multi-Scale Data”, Paper 707c, AIChE Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, October 29-November 3, 2017