Measurement of the interfacial area during CO2 capture with alkanolamines

Absorption process in amine solutions has been identified as the best available technology for post combustion CO2 capture among the available technologies for controlling CO2 release. In this work, a video technique combined with image processing was used to measure gas hold-up, bubble diameter and gas–liquid interfacial area in three sections of a bubble column. The evolution of these parameters as a function of height in the column has been investigated. CO2–alkanolamine systems (MEA and MDEA) were studied at different amine concentrations (from 0 to 1 M) and gas flow rate (10–25 L/h). New data on gas hold-up, Sauter diameter and interfacial area are presented. The experimental measurements showed that amine concentration and gas flow rate have a great influence on interfacial area. Moreover, it was proposed an empirical equation to relate the interfacial area to time and the height in the column for each system.

► We have studied the gas liquid interfacial area in a bubble column in presence of chemical reaction.
► We have analyzed the influence of the reaction on the hydrodynamics.
► The experimental data confirm that bubble size distributin is not constant through the column.
► Few data can be found in literature for this type of systems and different heights of reactor.