Use of monoethanolamine (MEA) for CO 2 capture in a global scenario: Consequences and alternatives

Abstract

a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Available online xxxx Keywords: CO 2 absorption MEA Amines Global demand Alternative solvents Alternative technologiesRecent research on CO 2 capture is focusing on the optimization of CO 2 absorption using amines (mainly monoethanolamine-MEA) in order to minimize the energy consumption of this very energy-intensive process and improve the absorption efficiency. Process optimization is always required and this research is worth and necessary. However, the main concern arises when thinking of the overall process: solvent production, solvent use and regeneration, and environmental effects related to its use/emissions. The production of MEA from ammonia involves important CO 2 emissions during the Haber-Bosch process. The regeneration of the solvent after the absorption is also an indirect source of CO 2 related to the use of fuels (i.e., combustion processes for energy supply). Thus, the evaluation of the overall balance of CO 2 emitted and captured is essential to determine the efficiency of the process. In addition, other environmental impacts associated to the toxicity and environmental fate of the solvent have to be considered. The use of MEA and other amines in CO 2 capture is a point of concern and a global application does not seem to be the best strategy. This review aims at giving an overview of the main implications of using MEA as absorption solvent for CO 2 capture together with the last advances in research to improve the conventional absorption process. Furthermore, alternatives of using other solvents and/or using other technology and their advantages and weak points will be briefly provided. An approach oriented to produce CO 2 -based products with economic value that can be reintegrated in a closed carbon loop, reducing the use of fresh materials and decreasing the production cost, should be the final objective of current research on CO 2 capture.

Poly(ionic liquid)s Nanoparticles Applied in CO2 Capture

“…These values are still below of those obtained with ionic liquids funcionalizated with amines (0,15 g CO 2 /g IL) and with MEA (0,36 g CO 2 /g MEA) . However, for a complete comparison its necessary to take into account the costs and energy consumption for solvent production, its use and regeneration, and the environmental aspects …”

Energy Consumption for CO2 Capture by means of the Calcium Looping Process: A Comparative Analysis using Limestone, Dolomite, and Steel Slag

“…However, Boundary Dam (100 MWe) in Canada is up to date the only commercial CFPP that applies CCS using chemical absorption by monoethanolamine (MEA). The expansion of this mature technology for CO 2 capture at a large scale is hindered by a number of challenges such as amine toxicity and degradation, equipment corrosion, and the high energy consumption for sorbent regeneration . Thus, there is a need for developing new large‐scale capture technologies with reduced energy penalty and capture cost, which should rely on environmentally friendly, abundantly available, and inexpensive materials.…”

Investigating the Plasma-Assisted and Thermal Catalytic Dry Methane Reforming for Syngas Production: Process Design, Simulation and Evaluation

“…In this scenario, the excess of CO2 is captured in an absorber using monoethanolamine (MEA) [50]. The WGS reactor outlet stream enters from the bottom of the absorber and comes in contact with an aqueous MEA solution, which enters from the top and flows counter-currently to the WGS reactor outlet stream.…”