Evaluation of methods for monitoring MEA degradation during pilot scale post-combustion capture of CO
- Authors: Reynolds, Alicia , Verheyen, Vincent , Adeloju, Samuel , Chaffee, Alan , Meuleman, Erik
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 39, no. (2015), p. 407-419
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Amine degradation is an important and current focus in the development of chemical absorption technology based on the use of aqueous amines for post-combustion capture (PCC) of CO
Primary sources and accumulation rates of inorganic anions and dissolved metals in a MEA absorbent during PCC at a brown coal-fired power station
- Authors: Reynolds, Alicia , Verheyen, Vincent , Adeloju, Samuel , Chaffee, Alan , Meuleman, Erik
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 41, no. (2015), p. 239-248
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Post-combustion capture (PCC) of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power station flue gas is one of many technologies that are being developed to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the medium term. Wet-gas scrubbing using aqueous amines is currently the most mature PCC technology suitable for separating CO2 from coal-fired power station flue gases. In this study, a series of twelve samples of a degraded 30% (w/w) MEA absorbent were obtained over a six month pilot scale PCC campaign at a brown coal-fired power station in Australia. These samples were used to investigate the accumulation of heat-stable salts, inorganics and minerals. The heat-stable salts concentration increased from 0.80 to 2.29% (w/w, as MEA) and organic acids from the oxidative degradation of MEA were the largest component of heat-stable salts. Acid gases such as SOx and NOx, make-up water, ultra-fine fly-ash and corrosion were all sources of the minerals and inorganics that accumulated in the aqueous MEA absorbent. Corrosion was the single biggest contributor of transition metals and the abrupt change in ratios of Fe, Cr and Mo suggests that the dominant corrosion mechanism may have changed towards the end of the campaign. The rapid accumulation of minerals and inorganics during this PCC campaign highlights the importance of continuing research into the interactions between amine absorbents and inorganic or mineral contaminants. The data presented in this study are an important resource for design of laboratory scale experiments to investigate these physical and chemical interactions between aqueous amines, minerals and inorganics.
Degradation of amine-based solvents
- Authors: Reynolds, Alicia , Verheyen, Vincent , Meuleman, Erik
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Absorption-Based Post-Combustion Capture of Carbon Dioxide Chapter 16 p. 399-423
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Degradation of aqueous amines during post-combustion capture (PCC) of CO2 from fossil-fuel flue gases by wet gas scrubbing can lead to reduced energy efficiency, operational instability, increased corrosion, and unwanted emissions to the environment. Oxidative amine degradation and the accumulation of heat-stable salts primarily occur during absorption of CO2, whereas carbamate polymerization (also called thermal degradation) primarily occurs during desorption of CO2 and thermal amine reclamation. Oxidative degradation is closely related to corrosion, catalyzed by dissolved metal ions, and can be exacerbated by intermittent operation of PCC. Other important reactions, such as nitrosation, occur at much slower rates but can produce environmentally sensitive compounds. The ability to measure the concentrations of individual compounds or monitor amine degradation during PCC is important for managing amine degradation during PCC and demonstrating compliance with environmental regulations. Although some suitable analytical methods are available, further work is needed before they could satisfy the rigorous statutory and legal requirements. Strategies for avoiding and managing amine degradation need to be integrated into all PCC activities including: selecting degradation-resistant amines, ensuring adequate pretreatment of CO2-rich flue gas, avoiding severe CO2 absorption and desorption conditions, and the use of anticorrosion and antioxidation additives. Avoiding intermittent operation of PCC processes and choosing nonmetal column packing may also assist in minimizing amine degradation. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.