Reduction of Energy Requirement of CO2 Desorption by Adding Acid into CO2-Loaded Solvent†

TLDR: In this article, the effect of the addition of weak acids such as suberic acid, phthalic acid and oxalic acid on the energy requirement of CO2 desorption was investigated experimentally.

Abstract: The effect of the addition of weak acids into CO2-loaded solvents or rich solvents on the energy requirement of CO2 desorption was investigated experimentally. The commercially available CO2 solvent monoethanolamine (MEA) was used to absorb different amounts of CO2. Subsequently, a few weak acids such as suberic acid, phthalic acid, and oxalic acid were added into the solvents to study the effect of acid amount on the rate of CO2 release. It was found that CO2 could be released much faster and in much larger quantity with the addition of weak acids while the other desorption conditions were maintained the same. The amount of CO2 released was found to be proportional to the amount of acid added. Acid addition could be potentially used to reduce the energy requirement for CO2 desorption from solvent.