Carbon dioxide chemical absorption in non-aqueous solvents by the presence of water

Abstract Present work analyzes the role of water in a gas–liquid–liquid absorber using a non-soluble amine (octylamine) in water. The presence of water causes an enhancement in carbon dioxide loading and absorption rate in comparison with the use of the organic solvent. Several issues have been analyzed in present research work: influence of gas flow-rate, water and amine concentration, type of organic solvent and solvent regeneration. The analysis of experimental data and speciation studies by using nuclear magnetic resonance allows to understand the overall behavior with the accumulation of reaction products in the organic phase by the formation of water-in-oil microemulsion. The accumulation of reaction products allows to decrease the solvent flow rate that must be regenerated and it can decrease the cost of this type of operation.