Mass transfer performance studies of aqueous blended DEEA-MEA solution using orthogonal array design in a packed column

Abstract

Abstract The mass transfer performance of CO 2 absorption into blended DEEA/MEA solutions was investigated in a lab-scale absorber packed with Sulzer DX structured packing using a standard orthogonal array with an L 25 (5 6 ) matrix. The volumetric overall mass transfer coefficient (K G a V ) was evaluated at various key operating conditions over a amine concentration range of 2.00–5.00 kmol/m 3 , CO 2 lean loading of 0.15–0.35 mol CO 2 /mol amine, over a wide CO 2 partial pressure range of 6–18 kPa, a liquid feed temperature range of 303.15–343.15 K, with liquid flow rate 3.90–11.70 m 3 /m 2 ·h, and 30.47–47.87 kmol/m 2 ·h inert gas flow rate. The results show that these key operating parameters have significant effects on K G a V . Also, based on orthogonal analysis, it was clear that the order of importance for the contribution to K G a V of the six investigated factors was as follows: CO 2 lean loading > CO 2 partial pressure > Liquid feed temperature > Amine concentration > Liquid flow rate > Inert gas flow rate and the optimization of the experimental combination was B 1 C 1 D 2 A 3 E 3 F 2 .