Test Results of CO2 Spray Scrubbing with Monoethanolamine

CO2 spray scrubbing was tested with Monoethanolamine (MEA) as an absorption solvent. The spray scrubber with a standard stripping unit attached was erected at a laboratory at the University of Leoben. The main goal of the design process was to create a pilot plant, which could operate under realistic conditions. This resulted in a maximum gas flow rate of 160 m(3)/h (STP) and a maximum liquid flow of 2 m(3)/h. The dimensions of the spray tower allow a gas velocity of 2.5 m/s. The concentration of the absorption liquid is adapted to common practice and set to 30w%. During the first test campaign with a single nozzle scrubber the functionality and the behavior of the test facility was studied. A continuous working pilot operation was successfully demonstrated. Some parameters like e. g. liquid to gas (L/G) ratio or different spray nozzles have been varied during these tests and their influence has been analyzed and evaluated. In addition, the influence of altered parameters on the energy required in the reboiler could be observed. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.