Pilot plant study of ethylenediamine as a solvent for post combustion carbon dioxide capture and comparison to monoethanolamine

Post combustion CO2 capture (PCC) by reactive absorption is a promising technology to tackle climate change. The application of new solvents enables a reduction in energy demand. The present work describes the testing of a 32 wt% solution of ethylenediamine (EDA) in a pilot plant at the power plant in Dürnrohr, Austria. Through the use of the power plant' flue gas and the well-conceived dimensions of the test facility, industry-related conditions for full scale applications can be provided. The measurements are compared with results of an aqueous solution with 30 wt% of monoethanolamine (MEA) as well as other measurements from literature. The high reaction rate of EDA has especially positive effects at high flue gas flow rates. A reduction of up to 11.5% of the required regeneration energy is possible. This property allows higher flow rates in the same column and therefore leads to a reduction in investment costs. The optimal liquid to gas ratio is 2.5 l/m3 and is thus lower than when using MEA. As a result, fewer pumping and cooling demands are necessary for approaching the optimum operating point.