INHIBITION PERFORMANCE OF COPPER CARBONATE IN CO2 ABSORPTION PROCESS USING AQUEOUS MEA

摘要

This work investigated the inhibition performance of copper carbonate (CuCO3) which is less-toxic than conventional heavy-metal corrosion inhibitors in the CO2 absorption process using amine solutions. The investigation was experimentally carried out in an electrochemical cell containing an aqueous solution of 5 kmol/m~3 monoethanolamine (MEA) loaded with 0.20 mol/mol CO2 loading at 40 and 80oC. The inhibition performance was examined as a function of process parameters including inhibitor concentration, the presence of dissolved oxygen, solution velocity, solution temperature, CO2 loading and the presence of heat-stable salts. The results show that CuCO3 functions as an anodic inhibitor forming passive film to inhibit the corrosion. It performs well in most tested environments. However, the absence of oxygen may cause copper to plate out, leading to pitting.