Performance investigation of a single-stage metal hydride heat transformer

This article presents the performance analysis of a single-stage metal hydride-based heat transformer (SS-MHHT) working with three different alloy pairs, namely LaNi_4.6Al_0.4/MmNi_4.15Fe_0.85, LaNi_4.61Mn_0.26Al_0.13/La_0.6Y_0.4Ni_4.8-Mn_0.2, and Zr_0.9Ti_0.1Cr_0.9Fe_1.1/Zr_0.9Ti_0.1Cr_0.6-Fe_1.4. The performances of the SS-MHHT are predicted by solving the conjugate heat and mass (hydrogen) transfer equations in cylindrical coordinates. The effects of various parameters such as heat output (T_H), heat input (T_M), and heat sink (T_L) temperatures on the coefficient of performance (COP_HT), specific heating power (SHP) and second law efficiency (η_E) are presented. The effects of overall heat transfer coefficient and mass ratio on the coefficient of performance (COP_HT) and specific heating power (SHP) are also presented. Numerical results are compared with the experimental data reported in the literature, and a good agreement is found between them. The maximum COP_HT of 0.436 and SHP of 54 W/kg are obtained for LaNi_4.61Mn_0.26Al_0.13/La_0.6Y_0.4Ni_4.8-Mn_0.2 pair. For a given operating temperatures of T_M = 358 K and T_L = 298 K, the maximum temperature lift of about 50 K is predicted for Zr_0.9Ti_0.1Cr_0.9Fe_1.1 /Zr_0.9Ti_0.1Cr_0.6Fe_1.4 pair.     

Assessment of the spring water quality in The Shoubak area,Jordan

The present study investigates the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of spring water samples in Shoubak area in the southern Jordan. The samples were collected from May 2004 to May 2005. All samples were analyzed for temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, major cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺), major anions (Cl⁻, NO₃⁻, HCO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, PO₄³⁻, F⁻), and trace metals (Fe²⁺, Al³⁺, Mn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺). Water quality for available springs showed high salinity through long period of contact with rocks. The ion concentrations in the water samples were from dissolution of carbonate rocks and ion exchange processes in clay. The general chemistry of water samples was typically of alkaline earth waters with prevailing bicarbonate chloride. Some springs showed elevated nitrate and sulfate contents which could reflect to percolation from septic tanks, cesspools, and agricultural practices. The infiltration of wastewater from cesspools and septic tanks into groundwater is considered the major source of water pollution. The results showed that there were great variations among the analyzed samples with respect to their physical, chemical and biological parameters, which lie below the maximum permissible levels of the Jordanian and WHO drinking water standards. The results indicate that the trace metals of spring’s water of Shoubak area do not generally pose any health or environmental problems. Factor analysis was used to identify the contributers to water quality. The first factor represents major contribution from anthropogenic activities, while the second one represents major contribution from natural processes.     

Optimisation of rainwater tank design from large roofs: A case study in Melbourne, Australia

Rainwater tanks for larger roof areas need optimisation of tank size, which is often not carried out before installation of these tanks. This paper presents a case study of rainwater tank evaluation and design for large roof areas, located in Melbourne, Australia, based on observed daily rainfall data representing three different climatic regimes (i.e. dry average, and wet years). With the aim of developing a comprehensive Decision Support Tool for the performance analysis and design of rainwater tanks, a simple spreadsheet based daily water balance model is developed using daily rainfall data, contributing roof area, rainfall loss factor, available storage volume, tank overflow and irrigation water demand. In this case study, two (185 m³ and 110 m³) underground rainwater tanks are considered. Using the developed model, effectiveness of each tank under different climatic scenarios are assessed. The analysis shows that both the tanks are quite effective in wet and average years, however less effective in dry years. A payback period analysis of the tanks is preformed which reveals that the total construction cost of the tanks can be recovered within 15-21 years time depending on tank size, climatic conditions and future water price increase rates. For the tanks, a relationship between water price increase rates and payback periods is developed. The study highlights the need for detailed optimisation and financial analysis for large rainwater tanks to maximise the benefits.     

Molecular analysis of carbon dioxide adsorption processes on steel slag oxides

This review presents a summary of the main interactions that occur during the carbon dioxide (CO₂) adsorption at the surface of steel slags with basic (CaO, MgO), amphoteric (Al₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, TiO₂, MnO, iron oxides) and acidic (SiO₂) oxides. The high content of metal oxides in steel slags gives them a great potential to adsorb CO₂, reaching a saturation value of about 0.25 kg of CO₂/kg of slag. CO₂ is physisorbed and chemisorbed on the most of metal oxide types. Generally, the CO₂ physisorption on the basic and amphoteric metal oxides involves an electrostatic interaction between the CO₂ and the cation from the oxides while the CO₂ chemisorption rather implicates the basic sites that acts as the electron donor, and which are associated with O^2? ions localized at surface defects. These interactions result in the formation of carbonates (monodentates or unidentates and bidentates). The affinity of oxides for the CO₂ and the carbonate formation principally depend of the strength and number of basic sites at their surface and varies as following: basic oxides > amphoteric oxides > acidic oxides. The basic metal oxides generally represent the best electron donors and thus the best CO₂ adsorbents due to the high basicity and their great number of reaction sites. Hence, it appears that the surface structure of basic and amphoteric metal oxides which may favour their interaction with the CO₂, as well as their basicity is the determinant factor contributing to the formation of carbonate species. The molecular analysis of CO₂ adsorption on steel slag metal oxides will provide useful data to identify rate-controlling mechanisms and should be considered for the development of new effective methods for the capture of atmospheric CO₂ emissions released from industries.     

Catalysts and inhibitors for oxidative degradation of monoethanolamine

MEA solutions were subjected to oxidative degradation at both low and high gas rates. Solutions were degraded with 100 mL/min of 98%O₂/2%CO₂ with mass transfer achieved by vortexing. Solutions were analyzed for degradation products by IC and HPLC. In a parallel apparatus 7.5 L/min of 15%O₂/2%CO₂ was sparged through solution, with additional mass transfer achieved by vortexing. A Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analyzer collected continuous gas-phase data on volatile products.Hydroxyethyl-formamide (HEF) and hydroxyethylimidazole (HEI) are the major liquid-phase oxidation products. In the presence of Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺, HEF, HEI, and MEA losses increase by a factor of 3 compared to Fe²⁺ alone. Cr³⁺ and Ni²⁺, two metals present in stainless steel alloys, resulted in MEA losses that are 55% greater. In terms of oxidative degradation potential (greatest to lowest): Cu²⁺ > Cr³⁺/Ni²⁺ > Fe²⁺ > V⁵⁺.Inhibitor A reduces the formation of known products by 90% when catalyzed by Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺ and by 99% with Cr³⁺/Ni²⁺. Inhibitor B reduces product rates by 97% and MEA losses by 75%, while a 100:1 ratio of EDTA to Fe²⁺ completely inhibits oxidation.     

The role of personal experience in frequency of rainwater tank maintenance and policy implications

Domestic rainwater tanks have a long history in Australia, although more recently they have been common only in remote and rural areas. However, in some urban areas, recent drought conditions have led to the promotion of rainwater tanks to supplement domestic water supplies. Evidence suggests that water tank maintenance may be insufficient in many cases, leading to problems with water quality and the potential spread of vector-borne disease. Drawing on research into the impact of personal experience (i.e. procedural knowledge) relating to pro-environmental behaviour, a survey of urban residents with mandated rainwater tanks (N?=?746) was conducted. The study assessed whether past personal history of living with a tank influenced the frequency of tank maintenance behaviours. Analyses indicated that both childhood and prior adult experience with rainwater tanks were important in predicting adequate tank maintenance behaviour, particularly among males. The results also showed that attitudinal perceptions of water culture did not influence maintenance behaviour, whereas direct past experiences did, suggesting an important role for procedural knowledge. These results are discussed with reference to the promotion of tank maintenance and other pro-environmental behaviours through the development of future environmental policies designed to foster the development of pro-environmental skills to empower citizens.     

Rain Water Harvesting in Bermuda1

Rowe, Mark P., 2011. Rain Water Harvesting in Bermuda. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(6):1219–1227. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00563.x Abstract: Roof‐top rain water harvesting is mandated by law for all buildings in Bermuda and is the primary source of water for domestic supply. The average rate at which rain water is harvested at the typical house with four occupants is, however, insufficient to meet average demand. While just over one‐third of households have access to supplementary water either from mains pipelines or private wells, the majority rely on deliveries from water “truckers” (tankers) to augment their rain water supply. Assuming a reasonably constant daily demand, there is a linear relationship between the “maximum optimum capacity” of a water storage tank and the size of the rain water catchment area, which depends on the characteristics of the rainfall at a given geographic location. A simple spreadsheet model was developed to simulate tank storage levels for various combinations of catchment area, tank capacity, and demand, with an input of actual daily rainfall data for a study period of nearly three years. It was found that for typical cycles of rainfall surpluses and deficits in Bermuda, the tank capacity which there is no benefit in exceeding — the “optimum maximum capacity”— is 0.37 m³ of storage capacity per 1 m² of catchment area. Furthermore, it was concluded that many domestic water storage tanks in Bermuda are larger than necessary, especially so where there is a significant imbalance between rain water supply and demand.     

ZrxMg1-xO supported cobalt catalysts for methane decomposition into COx-free hydrogen and carbon nanotubes

Zirconia-magnesia supported cobalt catalysts with various Zr/Mg atomic ratios were prepared and evaluated for non-oxidative catalytic decomposition of methane to produce CO_x-free hydrogen and carbon nanotube. The catalytic performance of the catalysts was performed in a continuous fixed bed flow reactor at 700°C under atmospheric pressure. The fresh and spent catalysts were characterized by XRD, TPR, BET, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the change in Zr/Mg ratio of the mixed oxide support has a significant effect on the catalytic performance of the active Co metal. The catalyst 30%Co/Zr_0.8Mg_0.2 showed the highest activity and stability within the used series of catalysts with hydrogen yield reached up to 79%. Both Co/Mg_1.0 and Co/Zr_1.0 showed poor stability due to strong Co-Mg interaction and aggregation of Co species on Zr support, respectively. All catalysts produced mainly MWCNTs with different diameters depending on the Zr/Mg ratio. The outer diameter increased with increasing Zr content in the catalyst due to the enlargement of the particle size of cobalt as a result of aggregation.     

Analysis of different criteria to size rainwater storage tanks using detailed methods

Normative and technical documents from Germany, United Kingdom and Portugal recommend the use of detailed methods to size storage tanks in rainwater harvesting systems. These methods are based on daily simulations of the system's operation using daily rainfall data and non-potable demand. However, scarce information is provided by these documents regarding the most appropriate criteria to obtain the rainwater storage tank when making the daily simulations.In this study, six different calculation methods are described and analyzed, including simplified procedures and detailed approaches with different criteria. To apply these methods, two cases of rainwater harvesting systems were used: a dwelling and a public building.Results show that methods based on the Maximum Rainwater Use and 100% Efficiency criteria result in very large storage volumes and very long payback periods. It appears that, amongst the analyzed criterions, the most appropriate to size a rainwater harvesting system through a daily simulation is the 80% Efficiency criteria, once it has the best ratio Economical savings/Installation cost. It was also concluded that Rippl method and the 80% Efficiency criteria lead to similar storage volumes.     

Biosorption of Cu and Zn from aqueous solutions by dried marine green macroalga Chaetomorpha linum

The biosorption of the heavy metals Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ by dried marine green macroalga (Chaetomorpha linum) was investigated. The biosorption capacities of the dried alga for copper and zinc were studied at different solution pH values (2–6), different algal particle sizes (100–800 μm) and different initial metal solution concentrations (0.5–10 mM). An optimum pH value of 5 was found suitable for both metal ions biosorption for both metal ions. At the optimum particle size (100–315 μm), biosorbent dosage (20 g/l) and initial solution pH (pH 5), the dried alga produced maximum copper and zinc uptakes values (q_max) of 1.46 and 1.97 mmol/g respectively (according to the Langmuir model). The kinetic data obtained at different initial metal concentrations indicated that the biosorption rate was fast and most of the process was completed within 120 min. This study illustrated an alternative technique for the management of unwanted biological materials using processed algal material. C. linum is one of the fast-growing marine algae in the lake of Tunis and could be utilized as a biosorbent for the treatment of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ contaminated wastewater streams.     

Responses of herbaceous mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa), a new reclamation species, to soil pH

Growth responses of herbaceous mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa Torr. and Gray), a potential new reclamation species in the SE USA and Mexico, to nine soil pH scales were studied under a controlled environment at Nacogdoches, TX, USA. Twenty seeds were planted in each of 40 (nine scales plus one control in four replicates) 20.3-cm pots filled with Tonkawa sandy soil. These pots were treated with H₂SO₄ or Ca(OH)₂ to adjust each pot to its designated pH level. After 15 days of seeding, the emergence rate was at best about 50–70% for pH 4.7–6.6. The plant can survive and grow at soil pH as low as 4.7, but the optimum growth seems to be on soils with pH ranging from 6.2 to 7.1. At this pH range, the plant exhibits higher values of green and dry biomass, longer shoot growth and lower root/shoot weight and length ratios. The survival rate was greater than 90% for all treatments, except for pH 4.1. There were no nutrient deficiencies in plant tissues on soil pH 4.7 or higher. The plant allocated more growth to the shoot under optimum conditions, but more growth to the roots under environmental stress. It is not suitable for herbaceous mimosa to grow on soils with pH 4.1 or less.     

An investigation of a heat pump system using CO2/propane mixture as a working fluid

In order to decrease the heat rejection pressure of heat pump using pure working fluid, CO₂ or R744, other natural component including hydrocarbons (R290, R600a, R600, R1270, R170, R601) and dimethyl ether (RE170) is added to CO₂, respectively, and then six binary mixtures are achieved. By environmental and thermodynamic comparisons, R290 is selected to be the most appropriate component candidate to mix with CO₂, and meanwhile to weaken the flammability and explosivity for pure R290. Then, the system performances of heat pump using mixture of CO₂ and R290 were experimentally studied when R290 is added to CO₂ with a small fraction, and compared with that of the pure CO₂. The experimental test rig is designed and set up for the transcritical heat pump system. When the refrigerant charge is variable, the heating coefficient performance, optimum heat rejection pressure, compressor power, mass flow rate of refrigerant, and total heat coefficient of gas cooler were researched. The variation ratios of heating coefficient performance and heating capacity with deviation from the optimum refrigerant charge were also investigated. The optimum refrigerant charge of CO₂/R290 is obtained and the research results show that the addition of R290 to CO₂ can efficiently reduce the heat rejection pressure and improve the system performance. The results in the present work could provide useful guidelines for the design and operation of heat pump system using CO₂-based mixture.     

Growth and macronutrient removal of water hyacinth in a small secondary sewage treatment plant

Studies have been made of the growth characteristics of water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms, and its ability to remove N, P and K, in a secondary settling pond of a small secondary sewage treatment plant serving both the academic and residential blocks of the Swire Marine Laboratory, University of Hong Kong. The treatment plant consists of, in series, a primary settling tank, a trickling filter compartment and a secondary settling pond from which part of the treated wastewater is recycled to the primary settling tank while the remaining effluent (1 to 2 m³ daily) mixes with and hence is diluted by the outflowing seawater from the aquarium system of the Swire Marine Laboratory before discharge to the sea. Samples of wastewater have been taken regularly from the primary sedimentation pond, the outflow of the trickling filter, the secondary settling pond and the effluent of the treatment plant (before mixing with aquarium outflow) since January, 1992. Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the samples have been determined and are typical of secondary effluents, with a mean pH of about 7.5, total solids 1200 mg L⁻¹, suspended solids 45 mg L⁻¹, conductivity 2000 μS cm⁻¹, salinity 1 ppt, dissolved oxygen 2 mg L⁻¹, BOD₅ 45 mg L⁻¹, Kjeldahl-N 30 mg L⁻¹, NH₄,-N 25 mg L⁻¹, NO₃-N 4 mg L⁻¹, total P 10 mg L⁻¹, K 35 mg L⁻¹ and total coliforms of less than 10⁵ colonies 100 ml⁻¹.Water hyacinth plants have been stocked in the secondary settling pond as an integral part of the treatment plant so as to improve the quality of, as well as to retrieving and recycling nutrient elements from, the wastewater. The plants are periodically harvested to maintain an active growing crop. The growth rate, standing crop biomass, tissue nutrient composition, nutrient storage and accumulation rate of two growth cycles, one from February 25 to March 18 (mean temperature 17.6°C) and the other from 22 April to 12 May (24.8°C) are reported. The water hyacinth assumed a relatively high standing crop biomass of 10 kg m⁻² (5 to 6 t DM ha⁻¹), and growth rates of 48 and 225 g m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively, for the first and second growth period. Nutrient storage capacities were relatively high, at about 20, 7.5 and 16.5 g m⁻² for N, P and K, respectively. The nutrient composition was very high, reaching 5.42% for N, 1.97 for P, and 4.57 for K. Both the stem and lamina accumulated high levels of N, while the petiole had the highest level of P and K. Apart from nutrient removal, the water hyacinth also helped to decrease the suspended solids, BOD₅ value and total coliforms of the wastewater.It is concluded that water hyacinth improves the quality of wastewater in such small-scale sewage treatment plants and it is recommended that frequent harvests of water hyacinth would increase the treatment efficiency, especially during the active growing season with high temperatures coupled with intense solar radiation.     

Application of Solar Photocatalytic Treatment to Industrial Wastewater from a Chrome Plating Unit

The present study is targeted on the feasibility of photocatalytic treatment of industrial wastewater containing metal ions. Photoreductive deposition of metal ions using solar energy irradiated TiO₂, has been investigated in presence of citric acid as a hole scavenger. Treatment studies have also been performed at pH values 2, 4, 7, 8, and 10 to determine optimum reaction conditions. Results showed that at the pH value of 2, 100% reduction was achieved for Cr(VI) in a minimum time period. A maximum removal of 95.5% was achieved for Ni(II) at the pH value of 10.     

Particulates and carbon monoxide pollution on production floor of steel recycling plant

For this study, particulates or particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) levels were monitored at different sections on the production floor of a scrap metal recycling factory. A Met‐One GT331 dust monitor and A Toxi‐Rae gas monitor were used to measure PM and CO concentrations, respectively. The 24‐hr averaging period concentrations of particulate matter having diameters of 2.5 microns or less in diameter (PM_2.5), particulate matter having diameters of 10 microns or less in diameter (PM₁₀), and total suspended particulates (TSP) within the plant ranged between 8.3 and 50.4 μg/m³, 12.0 and 151.3 μg/m³, and 30.0 and 285.0 μg/m³, respectively, while the maximum 8‐hr concentration of CO within the plant was 20.5 parts per million (ppm). The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) limits for PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and CO were exceeded only in the area around the furnace. Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank statutory limit for TSP were also exceeded in the area around the furnace. Toxicity potentials (TP) of the investigated pollutants were greater than 1.0 around the furnace, indicating that work spaces in proximity to the furnace could expose workers to adverse health conditions.     

Evaluating the potential of CNT-supported Co catalyst used for gas pollution removal in the incineration flue gas

This study investigated the use of Cu/Al₂O₃, Co/Al₂O₃, Fe/Al₂O₃, and Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts for the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These CNTs were used as support for Co catalyst preparation and Co/CNT catalysts were applied to a catalytic reaction to remove BTEX, PAHs, SO₂, NO, and CO simultaneously in a pilot-scale incineration system. The analyzed results of EDS and XRD showed low metal content and good dispersion characteristics of the Al₂O₃-supported catalysts by excess-solution impregnation. FESEM analyzed results showed that the CNTs that were synthesized from Co, Fe, and Ni catalysts had a diameter of 20 nm, whereas those synthesized from Cu/Al₂O₃ had a diameter of 50 nm. Pilot-scale test results demonstrated that the Co/CNT catalyst effectively removed air pollutants in the catalytic reaction and that there was no obvious deactivation by Pb, water vapor, and coke deposited in the process. The thermal stabilization at 250 °C and hydrophobicity properties of CNTs enhanced the application of CNT catalysts in flue gas.     

Modified GDP Through Health Cost Analysis of Air Pollution: The Case of Turkey

10 and SO₂ levels to the WHO guideline would have resulted in a total of 48.309 × 10¹⁰ and 153.38 × 10¹⁰ Turkish lira savings in 1990 and 1993, respectively. These correspond to 0.12% and 0.08% of 1990 and 1993 GDPs, respectively.     

STRATEGIES FOR SEPARATING METALS FROM ACID MINE WATERS1

ABSTRACT: Strategies for the precipitation and separation of the primary metal ions, Fe(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Mn(II), and Cd(II) in acid waste waters such as those in tributaries of the upper Sacramento River in northern California, are discussed. The strategies exploit the: (1) differential oxygen and hydrogen peroxide oxidation and precipitation properties of the metal ions as a function of pH, (2) the addition of ions, such as Mg^{2 +} and Cl^-, to reduce unfavorable coprecipitation, and (3) the facilitation of oxidation-reduction reactions between metal ions and the stabilization of particular oxidation states. This may be accomplished with specific complexing agents such as thiocyanate, SCN^-, and thiourea (TU), S = C(NH₂)₂ in order to separate copper at low pH as Cu(I) using Fe(II) as a reducing agent.     

Changing effluent chemistry affect survival,growth and physiological function of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nilotica</Emphasis> seedlings in northwestern region of India

Recycling and conservation efforts for water are the need of the day because of the lack of new water sources and the ever-increasing demand for drinking water. Seedlings of Acacia nilotica L. were irrigated with: canal water (T₁, control); municipal effluent (T₂); textile effluent (T₃); steel effluent (T₄); textile + municipal effluent in 1:1 ratio (T₅); steel + municipal effluent in 1:2 ratio (T₆); steel + textile in 1:2 ratio (T₈) and steel + municipal + textile in 1:2:2 ratio (T₇) with views to observe effluents effect on the seedlings and its adaptability and to recommend safe disposal of these effluents. Seedlings in T₆, T₇ and T₈ showed 50% lesser height and collar diameter than those in control. Seedlings in T₂ attained greatest height, collar diameter, numbers of branches and produced 140 g dry biomass seedling⁻¹. Highest concentration of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) and lowest concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the seedlings of T₄, T₆, T₇ and T₈ resulted in nutritional imbalance, mineral toxicity and reduction in photosynthetic (Pn) and transpiration (E) rates and caused seedling mortality. Seedlings of T₃ had highest sodium concentration and low concentration of Ca, Mg and micronutrients resulting in nutritional imbalance, augmented chlorosis and reduced gas exchange and biomass by half as compared to control. Increased growth, Pn and E and biomass in seedlings of T₅ over T₃ and survival period in T₆, T₇ and T₈ seedlings suggested a beneficial effect of effluents mixing. Unscientific disposal should be avoided and toxic concentration of metal ions␣may be reduced for long-term application and harmless disposal of effluents in afforestation and urban development.     

CO2 capture from power plants: Part I. A parametric study of the technical performance based on monoethanolamine

Capture and storage of CO₂ from fossil fuel fired power plants is drawing increasing interest as a potential method for the control of greenhouse gas emissions. An optimization and technical parameter study for a CO₂ capture process from flue gas of a 600 MWe bituminous coal fired power plant, based on absorption/desorption process with MEA solutions, using ASPEN Plus with the RADFRAC subroutine, was performed. This optimization aimed to reduce the energy requirement for solvent regeneration, by investigating the effects of CO₂ removal percentage, MEA concentration, lean solvent loading, stripper operating pressure and lean solvent temperature.Major energy savings can be realized by optimizing the lean solvent loading, the amine solvent concentration as well as the stripper operating pressure. A minimum thermal energy requirement was found at a lean MEA loading of 0.3, using a 40 wt.% MEA solution and a stripper operating pressure of 210 kPa, resulting in a thermal energy requirement of 3.0 GJ/ton CO₂, which is 23% lower than the base case of 3.9 GJ/ton CO₂. Although the solvent process conditions might not be realisable for MEA due to constraints imposed by corrosion and solvent degradation, the results show that a parametric study will point towards possibilities for process optimisation.