Novel approach for the quantitative analysis of MEA degradation products present in gas effluent of CO2 capture process by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: Development and validation

Post combustion CO2 capture using amine-based solvents is currently a very attractive technology for the treatment of flue gases produced in existing power plants. One of the main drawbacks of the process is a degradation of the solvent resulting in the formation of degradation products. Those degradation products, which are potentially detrimental to humans and environment can be emitted in the treated flue gas. The aim of this study was to develop a Thermodesorption-Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification in gaseous phase of a wide variety of products. A selection of five MEA degradation products is presented in this work: pyrazine, nitrosodimethylamine, 2-methylpyrazine, dimethylformamide and pyrrole. This method was validated using the accuracy profile concept with acceptance limits of 30%. The method involved active sampling on solid sorbents followed by thermal desorption and GC-MS analysis. The calibration was realized with an Adsorbent Tube Injector System at a temperature of 140 degrees C during 3 min. This method was applied to samples from an IFPEN CO2 capture pilot plant: the concentration in the absorber gas effluent of each targeted compound was lower than 300 mu g/m(3) for nitrosodimethylamine and pyrazine, and lower than 30 mu g/m(3) for pyrrole, dimethylformamide and 2-methylpyrazine. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.