Effect of solvent on CO2 absorption performance in the microchannel

[Display omitted] •The effect of solvents on CO2 absorption performance in microchannel was studied.•The order of absorption rate caused by solvents is opposite to that of solubility.•The backward film flow is enhanced for anhydrous solvents with higher viscosity.•The absorption energy efficiency highlights the superiority of water as solvent. The absorption performances of CO2 into 2–amino–2–methyl–1–propanol (AMP) solutions mixed with solvents water, ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DEG), and triethylene glycol (TEG) were investigated and compared in a T–junction microchannel. The absorption rate under different liquid flow rates (10–40 ml·h−1), gas/liquid flow rate ratios (0.5–10) and AMP concentrations (0.2–0.8 mol·L–1) was determined by the online photographic method. The dynamics (bubble and slug lengths, film thickness, recirculation frequency in slug, film–slug exchange and pressure drop) in the slug–flow region were analyzed and discussed. The results show that solvents affect the absorption rate with the order of AMP–water