Towards an understanding of the oxidative degradation pathways of AMP for post-combustion CO2 capture

Abstract

Aqueous 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) solution and the blends of AMP with other amines appear to be commercially attractive solvents for post-combustion CO2 capture by chemical absorption. To get an understanding of the chemistry of AMP oxidation, oxidative degradation of AMP was investigated in a closed-batch autoclave reactor at 80°C and in an open-batch photochemical reactor in the presence of UV radiation at 55°C. The degradation products were identified or quantified by ion chromatography (IC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The effect of temperature on final degradation product distribution was discussed based on the results of thermally accelerated AMP oxidation experiments. The degradation products of AMP oxidation in the presence of UV radiation were compared with that identified in the thermally accelerated AMP oxidation. A summarized scheme for AMP oxidation is proposed to account for the formation of all of the identified products.