Experimental research on the performance of CO2-loaded solutions of MEA and DEA at regeneration conditions

Amine-based post combustion CO2 capture is considered as one of the most advanced technologies to be implemented in new and existing coal-fired power plants for CCS. Although it has proven technically viable, it has not been installed on a large-scale application yet. The main drawback of the process is the high energy requirement for the regeneration of the amine solution. Values around 4 MJ/kg of CO2 for the standard MEA-based process have been reported. The heat duty must be supplied by means of low-pressure steam from the power plant, which causes a decrease in the power plant net efficiency of up to 13%-points. Therefore, improvements in process technology and solvent development are important to reduce the penalty in the power plant efficiency. Results from lab-scale research on the absorption and desorption of MEA and DEA at different concentrations are presented and discussed. Absorption and desorption capacities, as well as the regeneration of the CO2-loaded solutions in a stripper column and the influence of different operating parameters have been experimentally investigated. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.