Experimental study of energy requirement of CO2 desorption from rich solvent

Amine scrubbing has been considered to be the most feasible route for CO2 capture. However, the main drawback of this technology is high regeneration energy. A better understanding of energy requirement of CO2 desorption from rich solvent is required. In this study the regeneration energy and its three contributions is examined at various process parameters through experimental work. The regeneration process parameters include rich solvent flow rate, MEA concentration, feeding solvent temperature, rich solvent loading, reboiler temperature and stripper operating pressure. It was found that the regeneration energy was sensitive to those process parameters. The regeneration energy of a mixed MEA/MDEA solvent was also examined. The results show that the regeneration energy can be reduced by using a mixed MEA/MDEA solution. (C) 2013 Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.