Non-oxidative Thermal Degradation of Amines: GCMS/FTIR Spectra Analysis and Molecular Modeling

Abstract

Aqueous amino solvents, such as monoethanolamine (ETA/MEA), methyl diethanolamine (MDEA) or amine blends, are the most widely used solvents in commercial CO2 or acid gas separation applications. These commercial solvents have various disadvantages, such as the possibilities of the solvent to be degraded. This research examines the impact of non-oxidative thermal degradations on the performance of the CO2 absorption and the degradation mechanism of amine solvents. The impact of degradation was conducted by measuring the CO2 solubility of solvent that had been heated to 120°C for 2 h. Although the performance of CO2 absorption was not significantly reduced, the degradation of amines was found. Supported by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer result, the suspected products of non-oxidative thermal degradation of MDEA were MEA and acetone.