Experimental evaluation of the heat-stable salts purification with feasible porous material from amine-based solvent in carbon capture

Abstract

Chemical absorption with amine-based solvents was treated as a promising route approach for carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture from industrial flue gases. The heat-stable salts (HSS) degraded from amine species is unavoidable and detrimental for CO₂ capture. To solve this problem, 17 porous materials, including anion-exchange resins, macroporous adsorption resins, and activated carbon, were selected for the purification of the hazardous HSS to regenerate the biphasic solvents. The purification performance was thoroughly assessed through experimental tests that examined the effects of various factors, including temperature, flow rate, and pH. Among the materials tested, the macroporous adsorption resin (NKA-9) demonstrated the highest purification efficiency, achieving an adsorption efficiency 92.0% for NO₃^-, and an overall efficiency of 51% for HSS removal. The experimental tests showed that pH was the most significant factor. The decreasing pH value was detrimental to HSS purification. Additionally, a multi-step purification process combining anion exchange resin, activated carbon, and macroporous adsorption resin was evaluated. The multi-stage process effectively removes 82.98% HSS and 62.44% Fe³⁺ ions. The presented work holds significant importance for controlling the HSS concentration in amine-based solvent and maintaining the long-term efficient operation of CO₂ capture process.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

CO ₂ capture / Amine-based solvent / Heat-stable salts / Solvent purification / Porous materials

Highlight

	● The anion-exchange resins material presents high performance for HSS removal.
	● The acid anions degradated from amine could be Selective adsorption.
	● The performance of amine solvent was significant restored after purification treatment.
	● The feasibility of combined purification process was evaluated with various materials.

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