ABSORPTION OF CARBON-DIOXIDE INTO AQUEOUS MONOETHANOLAMINE SOLUTIONS

The rates of absorption of pure carbon dioxide into aqueous monoethanolamine solutions with a surface active agent were measured at 15°, 25°, 35°, and 45°C in a liquid jet column and a wetted wall column. Experimental results were analyzed with the chemical absorption theory based on the penetration model. Physical solubility of carbon dioxide in aqueous monoethanolamine solutions was determined from the absorption rates measured in a near pseudo first‐order reaction regime and was shown to be considerably larger than the physical solubility in water. The measured absorption rates were in good agreement with the theoretical predictions for gas absorption with an irreversible second‐order reaction, when the variation of the physical solubility of carbon dioxide due to the change in the composition of the solution during the absorption process was taken into account. Copyright © 1979 American Institute of Chemical Engineers