Mass transfer performance of rotating packed beds with blade packings in absorption of CO2 into MEA solution

Abstract

This study investigates the mass transfer achieved using the rotating packed bed (RPB) with blade packings in the absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) using monoethanolamine (MEA) solution. The overall volumetric gas-phase mass transfer coefficients (KGa) were evaluated using 1vol% CO2 and 1mol/L MEA solution in three RPBs with blade packings and the effects of rotational speed, gas flow rate, and liquid flow rate thereon were determined. The rotational speed positively influenced the KGa values for all RPBs. The obtained results revealed that the KGa values increased as the inner radius of the bed was increased, the outer radius of the bed was decreased, the liquid flow rate was increased or the gas flow rate was increased. The KGa values obtained using an MEA solution exceeded those obtained using an NaOH solution. The RPB with blade packings is a more effective gas–liquid contactor than one with structured packings in the absorption of CO2 using MEA solution.