The effect of potassium salts and ash from biomass combustion on the degradation of monoethanolamine for carbon capture

Using bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) provides the opportunity for negative carbon dioxide emissions from power generation. BECCS has been identified by many academics and advisory groups as an invaluable technology to assist in urgent lowering of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 [1]. Post-combustion capture (PCC) using monoethanolamine (MEA) is often used as the benchmark for solvent comparison. However, research into the degradation of monoethanolamine (MEA) has been mostly focused around its use with coal fired power stations. The combustion of biomass provides a different mix of inorganics present in the combustion flue gases, such as potassium which is particularly high in biomass compared to coal. Therefore, this research aims to examine if potassium species present in biomass flue gas will affect the degradation of MEA.