Emission from Amine-Based Post-Combustion Capture Process

Abstract Description: The process that has been commercialized for controlling the carbon dioxide emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels is the CO2 absorption process using amine absorbents. Due to the selective CO2 absorption capability of aqueous amine solutions, the amine absorption process has demonstrated high efficiency in various field applications. As a result, extensive research has been conducted to find amine absorbents that improve CO2 capture efficiency and require less regenerative energy. A typical amine absorbent used for CO2 capture is monoethanolamine (MEA), and various other amine absorbents with different advantages have also been developed and used. However, since aqueous amine solutions are considered hazardous materials, it is necessary to monitor the extent to which these solutions are emitted into the atmosphere. Additionally, because amine solutions can react with CO2 to produce various harmful substances, it is also important to monitor whether any of these generated harmful substances are released into the air. Despite this, there is limited knowledge about the emission of harmful substances from the use of amine absorbents compared to the research on the development of amine absorbents. Therefore, this study investigates the characteristics of various harmful substances emitted during the absorption and regeneration processes of amine solutions. Monoethanolamine was selected as the amine absorbent, and the characteristics of the harmful substances emitted under various operating conditions were investigated.