Effect of Amine Activators on Aqueous N,N-Diethylethanolamine Solution for Postcombustion CO2 Capture

Blended absorbents composed of N,N-diethylethanolamine (DEEA) and amine activator were comprehensively studied using an improved rapid screening method. A total of nine amine activators, including MEA, DEA, EEA, AMP, AEEA, MAPA, DETA, TETA, and PZ, were assessed based on absorption rate, stripping rate, and cyclic CO2 capacity. The rapid screening experiments for the absorption and stripping were conducted at 40 and 80 °C, respectively. Results revealed how the absorption/stripping performance is affected by the number and structure of −NH– groups in the activators. In addition, all of the 3 M DEEA-based solutions showed improved absorption rate and regeneration rate as well as cyclic CO2 capacity with the use of 3 M DEEA and 5 M MEA individually. Furthermore, experimental results showed that the highest average absorption rate, average desorption rate, and cyclic CO2 capacity of 1.6272 mol CO2/L were achieved by an aqueous DEEA-PZ solution.