(364z) Development of Algebraic and Topological-Based Structured Packing Model for Rapid Development of Designs

Carbon capture has become one of the most widely studied fields due to the threat of climate change. A commonly studied approach for post-combustion technologies are liquid solvent systems which react with carbon dioxide to separate it from the flue gas. One critical factor in designing these systems is the choice of structured packing that is utilized in the absorber and regenerator towers, which are the source of creating a high interfacial surface area between the gas and solvent phases to facilitate the phase transfer of CO₂. The design of the packing being used needs to balance the interfacial area with pressure drop through the tower to maximize performance and prevent flooding. However, there are only a handful of commercially available packing types, which may not be optimal for every process, and design of new structures is commonly only carried out with the use of expensive computational flow dynamics software which does not guarantee optimal performance.

In this work, we will show an algebraic modeling-based approach for efficiently designing structured packing prototypes by using empirical data of existing packing types and topological concepts for describing the geometry. The method is implemented in the PYOMO optimization suite and solved using a global solver to optimize the balance between the interfacial area and pressure drop in the application of carbon capture with an MEA solvent.

Research Interests: In research, I am most enthusiastic about developing and optimizing rigorous process models to address issues in the fields of carbon capture, energy systems, and beyond. I am interested in opportunities in which I can use and expand my current knowledge in modeling, algebraic optimization, and process intensification to continue solving modern challenges in the field of engineering.