Absorption of carbon dioxide in emulsions of aqueous monoethanolamine/diethanolamine solutions in kerosene/n-heptane

Absorption of CO2 in water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions was investigated in this research. The absorption was studied in various emulsions with different reactants (monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA)) and solvents (kerosene, n-heptane) by applying a batch setup under high pressure (up to 3 bars). The results show higher absorption rate and capacity for MEA emulsion compared to those for DEA emulsion. The absorption rate and capacity are increased by increasing pressure and reactant concentration while the effect of reactant concentration on absorption rate is more significant in the MEA emulsion compared to the DEA emulsion. Increasing the volume ratio of the dispersed phase increases the absorption rate while it decreases the absorption capacity. Analysis of absorption rate data indicates that increasing propeller speed may change the absorption mechanism.

► Carbon dioxide absorption is studied in a batch reactor under moderate pressures.
► Effects of operation parameters on absorption capacity in emulsion are investigated.
► Absorption performance is enhanced using emulsion compared to that of single-phase.
► The effects of continuous phase on absorption rate and capacity are also studied.