Calorimetric measurements with CO2 capture solvents - Heat capacity, Cp, measurements for loaded and unloaded alkanolamine solutions using CPA202 Reaction Calorimeter

Most chemical and physical processes are accompanied by heat effects, which may contain significant information concerning the mechanisms of the processes. Quantitative knowledge of the thermodynamic properties of CO2 capture solvents is important for the design and operation of CO2 capture and solvent regeneration processes. In the present work a particular laboratory equipment for measurement of heat, the CPA202 Reaction Calorimeter from ChemiSens, is used to measure the specific heat capacity of alkanolamines as a function of temperature and solvent composition. The capture solvents studied are Monoethanolamine (MEA), N-Methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) and their loaded (α=0,2 and α=0,4) and unloaded 30 wt% aqueous solutions. In order to observe the temperature effect, specific heat capacities was obtained at 308.15 K, 318.15 K, 328.15 K and 338.15 K. The CPA202 Reaction Calorimeter s reactor vessel, flowmeters, dosing syringes and heat flow measurements was calibrated. As part of the process of developing an experimental procedure for future CP experiments, measures have been made to reduce the effect of intrinsic error sources for the apparatus. The experimental procedure developed was based on procedures recommended by the manufacturer of the apparatus, and validation by heat capacity experiment with ethyl alcohol show an accuracy of 98,53 % compared to existing literature data