Experimental studies on removal capacity of carbon dioxide by a packed reactor and a spray column using aqueous ammonia

The absorption of carbon dioxide into ammonia aqueous solution using packed reactor and spray column was investigated. The removal efficiencies were evaluated over ranges of main operating variables, including CO2 inlet concentration, gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, concentration of ammonia and temperature. Experimental results showed that the suitable reaction temperatures are 40 degrees C and 35 degrees C for spray column and packed reactor respectively, and the mole ratio of NH3 to CO2 is a key parameter and plays an important role on CO2 removal efficiency. Compared with the absorption of CO2 in the spray column, the CO2 removal efficiency in the packed reactor shows superior performance. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.