Ultrasound Enhanced CO₂ Stripping from Lean MEA Solution at Pressures from 1 to 2.5 bar(a)

Abstract

Ultrasound was introduced to assist CO₂ stripping from lean 30 wt% MEA aqueous solutions in a reboiler. The effect of ultrasound on CO₂ stripping was investigated at 2.5 bar(a) under two pressure control methods, solenoid operated on/off valve (OOV) and manual needle valve (NV) method. The results show that the CO₂ stripping rate can be improved significantly when ultrasound is introduced. This is particularly so at higher pressures for which the driving temperature difference with the steam is smallest A reduction in pressure obviously also has a strong effect on CO₂ stripping.