Flat sheet membrane contactor (FSMC) for CO2 separation using aqueous amine solutions. (17th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bougie, Francis; Iliuta, Ion; Iliuta, Maria C.
• Is Part Of: Chemical engineering science. Volume 123(2015)
• Page Start: 255
• Page End: 264
• Publication Date: 2015-02-17
• Subjects: Flat sheet membrane contactors -- Amine solutions -- CO2 removal -- Sterically hindered alkanolamines -- Modeling; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; Chemical engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 660
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2014.10.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-2509

Abstract

Abstract: A new multi-flat-sheet membrane contactor (FSMC) was developed and used to investigate CO2 removal from CO2 /N2 gas mixture using aqueous 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1, 3-propanediol (AHPD) solution in the presence and the absence of piperazine (Pz) as activator. The FSMC was operated under various experimental conditions in order to study the effect of liquid flow rate, gas phase composition, CO2 liquid loading and contactor configuration (number of membranes, type of membrane (PTFE, PP and laminated PTFE/PP) and fluid flow orientation (co- and counter-current)). For comparison purpose, MEA aqueous solution (the benchmark amine used in the CO2 capture process) was also tested under the same experimental conditions. The absorption rates through the membranes were found to increase with the increase of liquid flow rate and CO2 concentration in the gas phase and decrease with the raise of CO2 loading. Pz activated AHPD solution showed better performance than single AHPD solution, and similar absorption fluxes were obtained for AHPD+Pz and MEA solutions. As a proportional increase of the absorption rate with the number of membranes was observed, when required, more membranes can be easily added to a contactor module to increase the absorption performance. A two-scale model accounting for CO2 diffusion in the gas-filled membrane pores, CO2 and amines diffusion/reaction in the liquid-filled membrane pores and CO2 and amines diffusion/reaction in the liquid boundary layer was developed to describe the comportment of the multi-flat-sheet membrane contactor. Highlights: CO2 absorption in a new multi-flat-sheet membrane contactor. Two-scale modeling of absorption process in the membrane contactor. Pz activated AHPD solution showed better performance than single AHPD solution. Membranes addition in the contactor can be easily performed to increase the absorption rate.