Emission results of amine plant operations from MEA testing at the CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad

Extensive atmospheric emission monitoring has been conducted at the CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM DA) during amine based post-combustion CO2 capture. The TCM DA amine plant was operated with an aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) solvent system, treating flue gas from a combined heat and power (CHP) plant. Emission monitoring was conducted by a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy analyzer, a Proton Transfer Reaction Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (PTR-TOF-MS) analyzer, and manual isokinetic sampling followed by off-line analysis in the laboratory. Atmospheric emissions of MEA were very low throughout the entire campaign, ranging from a few to a few hundred parts per billion (ppb, 1 ppb = 10(-9) v/v). Atmospheric emissions of MEA amine based degradation products such as nitrosamines and nitramines were below detectable levels. Atmospheric emissions of ammonia (NH3) were in the low ppm range. Methylamine was emitted at low ppb range. Absorber wash water sections were found to effectively reduce atmospheric emissions from amine based solvent system. (c) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.