Absorption of carbon dioxide in aqueous ammonia

AbstractAqueous ammonia can be used to capture CO2 from flue gas of coal-fired power plant with quick reaction rate, high removal efficiency, and high loading capacity of CO2. It is thought to be a promising technology. However, the CO2 absorption rate, diffusion rate and VLE (Vapor liquid equilibrium) in aqueous ammonia have still been rarely researched. More research is necessary for these characters of ammonia solution as CO2 absorbent. The paper will focus on the fundamental characteristics of CO2 in aqueous ammonia.A series of tests were conducted in a semi-batch reactor that has been developed in this paper. CO2 removal efficiencies at different concentrations of aqueous ammonia have been studied in the similar operation conditions to compare their basic characters in the CO2 absorption process. And a small wetted wall column (WWC) with a contact area of about 41.45 cm2 was also built for the study of the absorption rate, diffusion, and solubility of carbon dioxide in the aqueous solution. In the paper, reaction rate and overall gas transfer coefficient were studied. The concentration of ammonia ranges from 1, 5, 10 to 15. CO2 and N2 are used to simulate the flue gas. The concentration of CO2 ranges from 5, 10, 15, to 20%. The reaction temperatures are 20 ∘C and 40 ∘C. It is indicated in this paper that the best concentration of aqueous ammonia should be selected from 5% to10%. And aqueous ammonia has a high Flux in WWC, which is three times higher than that of MDEA+PZ, under the same condition. It is also found that KG is appropriate to be used in the mass transfer process of the carbon dioxide absorption by aqueous ammonia. Alls of these experiments established foundation for the further study of CO2 removal by ammonia