Degradation study of new solvents for CO2 capture in post-combustion

Post-combustion CO2 capture in flue gas with solvent is currently the most advanced technology. A major problem associated with chemical absorption of CO2 using the benchmark ethanolamine (MEA) is solvent degradation through irreversible side reactions with CO2 and O-2. So, new amines development with higher chemical stability becomes essential. This work is based on chemical stability study of 17 different molecules: alkanolamines, diamines, and triamines without alcohol function. Effects of temperature, CO2, and O-2 on degradation have been studied. Knowledge of degradation products and main reactions allows a better understanding of amines chemical stability for CO2 capture application. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.