CO2-Binding Organic Liquids, an Integrated Acid Gas Capture System

Amine systems are effective for CO2 capture, but they are still inefficient because the solvent regeneration energy is largely defined by the amount of water in the process. Most amines form heat-stable salts with SO2 and COS resulting in parasitic solvent loss and degradation. Stripping the CO2-rich solvent is energy intensive it requires temperatures above 100 degrees C due to the high specific heat and heat of vaporization of water. CO2-capture processes can be much more energy efficient in a water free process. In addition, if the capture-material can be chemically compatible with other acid gases, less solvent would be lost to heat-stable salts and the process economics would be further improved. One such system that can address these concerns is Binding Organic Liquids (BOLs), a class of switchable ionic liquids. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.