Membrane contactor for CO2 absorption applying amino-acid salt solutions

A novel composite solution based on amino-acid salt as a CO₂ absorbent was proposed. Coupling process of membrane contactor and the composite solution was investigated. The performance of the coupling was experimentally compared between the single and composite solution. Overall mass transfer coefficients were determined. Effects of various factors such as flow rates and operation temperatures on mass transfer of membrane contactor were studied. Comparison of prediction for overall mass transfer coefficients using a resistance in series model with experimental values was performed. Results show that, performance of the composite solution is evidently better than that of the single solution. The overall mass transfer coefficient with the composite solution is much higher than that with the single solution. Higher operation temperature can enhance mass transfer of membrane contactor. Operation parameters such as flow rates can promote mass transfer, but the promotion is limited. Enhancement of mass transfer relies essentially on chemical reaction. Model values are in good agreement with experimental ones.