Enhanced carbon dioxide absorption using alcohol solvents in a microreactor: Comparison with MEA + water mixture

Abstract

BackgroundCarbon dioxide absorption using solvents is a critical process in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. The monoethanolamine (MEA) + water (30 wt.%) mixture is the most commonly used solvent, but alternative solvents with better performance are desired. MethodsThis study investigated the effects of temperature, solvent flow rate, and gas flow rate on carbon dioxide absorption and liquid-side volumetric mass transfer coefficient in a microreactor using various solvents. The performance of the tested solvents was compared to the MEA + water (30 wt.%) mixture. Significant findingsEthylene glycol achieved the highest absorption (91.57%) at 15 °C, with a solvent flow rate of 0.05 l.min−1 and a gas flow rate of 1 l.min−1. The maximum klav value of 18.2 s−1 was reached at 15 °C, with a solvent flow rate of 0.01 l.min−1 and a gas flow rate of 1 l.min−1. This value was 1.3 times higher than that of the MEA + water (30 wt.%) mixture under similar conditions, indicating the potential to replace glycolytic solvents with amine-based solvents in carbon dioxide absorption applications.