Intensification of CO₂ capture by monoethanolamine solution containing TiO2 nanoparticles in a rotating packed bed

Abstract

This study investigates the mass transfer intensification in the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into a monoethanolamine (MEA) solution enhanced by TiO2 nanoparticles in a typical rotating packed bed (RPB). The overall volumetric gas phase mass transfer coefficients (KGa) were investigated in a counter-current RPB with blade packings. The effects of TiO2 and MEA concentrations, rotational speed, initial concentration of CO₂, gas and liquid flow rates on KGa were specified. The rotational speed had positive effects on KGa. It is deduced that TiO2 nanoparticles led to enhanced CO₂ capture efficiency of over 26.9 % and enhancement in KGa from 7.5%–96.1% for MEA based TiO2 suspension in comparison with MEA solution without nanoparticles. Therefore, TiO2 nanoparticles can augment the mass transfer coefficient and intensify the CO₂ absorption, even in a high-efficiency equipment like a high gravity RPB.