COUNTERCURRENT ABSORPTION OF CO2 IN A REAL FLUE-GAS INTO AQUEOUS ALKANOLAMINE SOLUTIONS IN A WETTED WALL COLUMN

The countercurrent absorption of CO2 from the flue gas into aqueous al kanolamines has been studied using wetted wall column equipment connec ted to the stack of a power plant. The absorption rates of CO2 into aq ueous alkanolamines were measured at 40 degrees C, 10kPa partial press ure, and 2m(3)/h of gas flow rate. From the rate of absorption and the absorption equilibrium results, the secondary amines have as large ov erall mass transfer coefficients as monoethanolamine. However the coef ficients of the hindered and tertiary amines are small even though the absorbed amounts of CO2 at equilibrium are large. The CO2 concentrati on profiles in a wetted wall column were estimated, and these results are due to the absorption process in connection with the degree of car bamate formation.