Influence of surfactant type on MEA based CO2 absorption

Surfactant including Tergitol TMN-6, Triton X-100, Tergitol 15-S-9, Tween-80, Cationic, DTAB and CTAB were investigated for CO2 absorption using MEA solvent (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126602). The paper shows a foam test apparatus and studied the surface tension, contact angle, wettability and kinematic viscosity. The influence of the surfactant type on the properties of solvent are reported (Figures 4, 5 and 6). The results of foam ability and stability were shown in Figure 7 and 8.

The influence of surfactant and the loading of surfactant on CO2 absorption were reported in Figure 9 and 10.

The key conclusions are:

1. The addition of surfactant reduced the surface tension and contact angle, enhancing the wetting of metal surfaces
2. The addition of surfactant enhanced mass transfer of CO₂ in the MEA solution and CO2-MEA interaction
3. The concentration of surfactant should be kept below a certain level benefiting from improved wetting while keeping foaming to a minimum