Reducing Energy Requirements and Enhancing MEA-CO2 Desorption Rates in Amine Solutions with KIT-6 Nanostructures

The primary challenge hindering the widespread industrial adoption of amine-based CO2 capture technology is the sluggish desorption rate of carbon dioxide (CO2) and the substantial energy required in the regeneration phase. Despite considerable advancements aimed at reducing energy demands through novel amine solvents and process optimization, there remains a critical need for innovative solutions. This study introduces mesoporous silica nanoparticles KIT-6, along with super solid acid catalysts SO42-/SnO2 and SO42-/ZrO2, to assess their impact on enhancing the desorption rate and reducing the energy consumption in the CO2 capture process from rich monoethanolamine (MEA) at 96 degrees C. Our findings indicate that all the tested catalysts significantly expedite the regeneration process, reducing the energy required for regeneration up to 33.50 % and boosting the desorption rate by 150.25 % beyond what is achieved with MEA alone. KIT-6, in particular, displayed superior catalytic activity and energy efficiency in the desorption process. The catalysts SO42-/ZrO2, SO4 2-/SnO2, and KIT-6 improved the desorption rate by 20 %, 37.5 %, and 150.25 %, respectively, and cut down the energy required for regeneration by 11.10 %, 24.44 %, and 33.50 % respectively when compared to conventional aqueous MEA under the same conditions. Moreover, KIT-6 was subjected to ten cycles of CO2 desorption testing to verify the cyclic robustness. A potential mechanism explaining the enhanced CO2 capture facilitated by KIT-6 is also proposed within this work.