Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture: Absorption-desorption capabilities of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), piperazine (PZ) and monoethanolamine (MEA) tri-solvent blends

Abstract In this study, highly concentrated tri-solvent blends containing 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), piperazine (PZ) and monoethanolamine (MEA) were experimentally investigated for their potential capabilities in carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture. The concentration of both AMP and PZ were varied but their combined concentration (AMP + PZ) was kept at 3 kmol/m 3 to limit the possibility of precipitation, the maximum PZ concentration (1.5 kmol/m 3 ), and the total aqueous amine solution concentration (6 kmol/m 3 ). At atmospheric pressure condition, the absorption process was carried out at 313 K and 15.1%v/v CO 2 while 363 K was used for the desorption analysis. Experimental results indicated that all the AMP – PZ – MEA tri-solvent blends possessed higher cyclic capacities, initial desorption rates, and lower heat duties (50–54.5%) compared to the standard 5 kmol/m 3 MEA. For the initial absorption rates, only the tri-solvent blends with AMP/PZ molar ratios of 1 and 2 were higher than 5 kmol/m 3 MEA. These findings, most especially the significant reduction in heat duty by halve reveal the prospects of AMP – PZ – MEA tri-solvent blends for CO 2 capture applications.