Study of the degradation of amine solvents used in the context of CO2 capture by chemical absorption : development of analytical methods

Abstract

This master’s thesis investigates the degradation of amine solvents used in CO2 capture by chemical absorption, focusing on the development of analytical methods for assessing solvent degradation. The study addresses the pressing issue of global warming and the role of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies in mitigating CO2 emissions. The research is divided into several key areas: the identification and analysis of degradation products of various amine solvents, the application of these findings in real-world settings, and the development of precise analytical methods to measure solvent degradation. Specifically, the thesis examines the degradation of Monoethanolamine (MEA), Methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), and Piperazine (PZ), providing a comprehensive overview of their degradation products and the conditions under which these products form. Analytical techniques such as titration with hydrochloric acid (HCl), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and methods for quantifying CO2 loading were developed and refined. These methods were applied to both fresh and degraded solvent samples to evaluate their effectiveness and reliability. The results indicate significant differences in the degradation patterns of the solvents, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate analytical methods for accurate assessment. Additionally, differences of approximately 2 wt. % between the results of the HPLC and HCl titration methods were observed for highly degraded samples. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the stability and efficiency of amine solvents in CCS applications. The developed analytical methods offer a robust framework for future studies on solvent degradation, aiming to enhance the operational efficiency and environmental sustainability of CO2 capture processes. Future work should focus on extending these methods to other amine solvents and exploring the implications of solvent degradation on the overall performance of CCS systems. This research not only advances the technical knowledge in the field of chemical engineering but also underscores the critical role of innovative analytical techniques in addressing global environmental challenges.