Modelling of the absorber and desorber of a CO2 capture process is a challenging and complex task involving a range of physical and chemical phenomena. In this work rate based absorber and desorber models have been developed in the MATLAB (R) programming environment. The models have been created from first principles allowing complete control over the chemical and physical parameters used and are completely based on literature data, with no parameter regression. The transparency of the models allowed detailed investigation of all aspects of the model performance, in particular idiosyncrasies of the desorption process. The model has been validated against absorption and desorption data from CSIRO's PCC Process Development Facility and a pilot plant located at Tarong Power Station in Queensland, Australia. Both processes were operating with aqueous MEA. In terms of absorption the model accurately predicted the location and extent of CO2 absorption in the column. In terms of desorption the model predicted both where desorption was occurring (solvent inlet, column, reboiler) and the total amount of CO2 desorbed. The flexibility of this model will prove invaluable for the assessment of new solvents and process modifications. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.