Coupled Diffusion in Aqueous Weak Acid + Alkanolamine Absorbents

Abstract

Taylor dispersion and differential refractometry are used to measure ternary interdiffusion coefficients (D{sub ik}) for aqueous solutions of acetic acid + triethanolamine (TEA) and aqueous solutions of oxalic acid + TEA at 25 C. The D{sub ik} coefficients give the coupled fluxes of acid and TEA driven by the gradient in the concentration of each solute. Ternary Fick equations with variable D{sub ik} coefficients are integrated numerically to calculate accurate concentration profiles and the moving reaction front produced by the interdiffusion of TEA and acetic or oxalic acid. Ternary diffusion coefficients are also used to predict the rate of dissolution of oxalic acid in 1.00 mol/dm{sup 3} aqueous TEA, a process analogous to the absorption of a diprotic acid gas by an alkanolamine absorbent. The diffusion of oxalic acid drives a significant counterflow of TEA. The resulting buildup of TEA at the surface of the dissolving acid increases the interfacial concentration of TEA from 1.00 to 1.20 mol/dm{sup 3}, which in turn increases the solubility of the acid by 0.20 mol/dm{sup 3}. Nernst-Planck equations are used to predict D{sub ik} coefficients for aqueous weak acid + alkanolamine solutions. The fluxes of these solutes are shown to be strongly coupled bymore » the electric field that is generated by the diffusing ions.« less