Non-aqueous amine scrubbing for removal of carbon dioxide

US9186617B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY · US

Inventors

• David C. Calabro · Bound Brook, US
• Lisa Saunders Baugh · Ringoes, US
• Pavel Kortunov · Flemington, US
• Benjamin A. McCool · Annandale, US
• Michael Siskin · Dover, US
• Dennis G. Peiffer · Annandale, US
• Quanchang Li

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 9, 2011
• Grant date: Nov 17, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 24, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02C20/40
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A method is described for separating CO2 and/or H2S from a mixed gas stream by contacting the gas stream with a non-aqueous, liquid absorbent medium of a primary and/or secondary aliphatic amine, preferably in a non-aqueous, polar, aprotic solvent under conditions sufficient for sorption of at least some of the CO2. The solution containing the absorbed CO2 can then be treated to desorb the acid gas. The method is usually operated as a continuous cyclic sorption-desorption process, with the sorption being carried out in a sorption zone where a circulating stream of the liquid absorbent contacts the gas stream to form a CO2-rich sorbed solution, which is then cycled to a regeneration zone for desorption of the CO2 (advantageously at <100° C.). Upon CO2 release, the regenerated lean solution can be recycled to the sorption tower. CO2:(primary+secondary amine) adsorption molar ratios >0.5:1 (approaching 1:1) may be achieved.