(6ek) Thermal Degradation of Morpholine for CO2 Capture

Teaching Interests: Mathematical Modeling, Thermodynamics, Plant Design, Research Methodology

Investigation of stability of amines for CO₂ capture is a hotly debated subject. So far, several amines and amine systems are explored but none of the amines found to have a package of complete CO₂ capture favorable properties like higher CO₂ solubility, higher CO₂ absorption rate, low volatility, low thermal and oxidative stability etc. Morpholine is one of newest amines, which own good CO₂ capture characteristics like CO₂ absorption rate, CO₂ solubility. Current effort is made to look into the thermal degradation of Morpholine. Two main features were investigated for the degradation, CO₂ loading and temperature. CO₂ loading was varied from 0.0 to 0.48 mol CO₂/mol alkalinity and temperature from 135 to 190 °C. Thermal degradation experiments were conducted using 316 stainless steel cylinders closed with Swagelok endcaps. Results showed that morpholine is stable up to 150 °C. However, it degrades significantly at 175 °C and higher. CO₂ loading had also a direct affect on the loss of MOR. Analyses of amine loss and degradation products were conducted and results are presented in the text. A kinetic model is proposed for the rate of degradation of MOR, statistically, which fits experimental data well. In comparison with other amines like monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine and Piperazine, Morpholine is the most stable amines at raised temperatures according to data from this investigation.