Oxide-supported tetraethylenepentamine for CO2 capture

CO2 capture capacity of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) supported on beta zeolite, SiO2, and Al2O3 has been studied by transient flow switching approach and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) technique coupled with diffuse infrared reflectance Fourier transform spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). TEPA/beta zeolite shows the highest CO2 capture capacity. Adsorbed CO2 on TEPA/beta zeolite can be characterized as weakly and strongly adsorbed CO2. The former desorbs when CO2 partial pressure decreases; the latter desorbs during TPD. Strongly adsorbed CO2 is in the form of carbonates interacting with the NH functional groups of TEPA. This interaction caused the NH and CH intensity to decrease. TEPA/Al2O3 showed the lowest CO2 capture capacity. The infrared results revealed that TEPA/Al2O3 possessed high content of H2O, which inhibited CO2 adsorption. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009