ABSORBENT FOR CO2 OR H2S, OR BOTH OF CO2 AND H2S, AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOVING CO2 OR H2S, OR BOTH OF CO2 AND H2S

Abstract

An absorbent for absorbing CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S in a gas contains, as components, (a) a secondary linear monoamine, (b) a tertiary linear monoamine, and (c) a secondary cyclic diamine. When the concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a) is more than 30% by weight and less than 45% by weight and the concentration of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) is more than 15% by weight and less than 30% by weight, absorbability of CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S is good, and releasability of CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S that have been absorbed during regeneration of the absorbent is good. The amount of steam of a reboiler used during regeneration of the absorbent in a CO2 recovery unit can be thus reduced.

Claims

1. An absorbent for absorbing CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S in a gas, the absorbent comprising, as components: (a) a secondary linear monoamine; (b) a tertiary linear monoamine; and (c) a secondary cyclic diamine, wherein a concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a) is more than 30% by weight and less than 45% by weight, and a concentration of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) is more than 15% by weight and less than 30% by weight.

2. The absorbent according to claim 1, wherein a concentration in % by weight of the secondary cyclic diamine (c) relative to the absorbent is lower than the concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a), and is lower than the concentration of the tertiary linear monoamine (b).

3. The absorbent according to claim 1, wherein a weight ratio of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) to a total weight of the secondary linear monoamine (a) and the secondary cyclic diamine (c) is more than 0.3 and less than 0.85.

4. The absorbent according to claim 1, wherein the secondary linear monoamine (a) is a compound represented by Formula (I): ##STR00003## R.sub.1: Linear hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms R.sub.2: Hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

5. The absorbent according to claim 1, wherein the tertiary linear monoamine (b) is a compound represented by Formula (II): ##STR00004## R.sub.3: Hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms R.sub.4: Hydrocarbon group or hydroxyalkyl group, having 1 to 4 carbon atoms R.sub.5: Hydrocarbon group or hydroxyalkyl group, having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

6. The absorbent according to claim 1, wherein the secondary cyclic diamine (c) is a piperazine derivative.

7. The absorbent according to claim 1, wherein a total concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a), the tertiary linear monoamine (b), and the secondary cyclic diamine (c) is more than 46% by weight and 75% by weight or less.

8. A device for removing CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S, the device comprising: an absorber that brings a gas containing CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S into contact with an absorbent to remove CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S from the gas; and an absorbent regenerator that removes CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S from a rich solution in which the absorbent has absorbed CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S are adsorbed in the absorber to obtain a lean solution, wherein the lean solution is reused in the absorber, and the absorbent used in the device is the absorbent according to claim 1.

9. A method for removing CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S, the method comprising: bringing a gas containing CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S into contact with an absorbent to remove CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S from the gas in an absorber; removing CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S from a rich solution in which the absorbent has absorbed CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S to obtain a lean solution in an absorbent regenerator; and reusing the lean solution to remove CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S from the gas in the absorber, wherein the absorbent used to remove CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S is the absorbent according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a CO.sub.2 recovery unit according to Example 1.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating reboiler duty reduction percentages of three-component-based absorbents of Test Examples 1-1 to 1-5.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating reboiler duty reduction percentages of three-component-based absorbents of Test Examples 2-1 to 2-5.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a relation between the amine component concentration (% by weight) of an absorption component and a reboiler duty ratio in Test Example 1-6.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a relation between the amine component concentration (% by weight) of an absorption component and a reboiler duty ratio in Test Example 3.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a relation between a weight ratio “(b) tertiary linear monoamine/((a) secondary linear monoamine +(c) secondary cyclic diamine)” and a reboiler duty ratio in Test Example 6.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a relation between a weight ratio “(b) tertiary linear monoamine/(a) secondary linear monoamine” and a reboiler duty ratio in Test Example 7.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, preferred examples of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited by the examples. When there are a plurality of examples, the present invention includes a combination of the examples.

EXAMPLES

[0023] An absorbent according to an example of the present invention is an absorbent for absorbing CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S in a gas. The absorbent contains, as components, (a) a secondary linear monoamine, (b) a tertiary linear monoamine, and (c) a secondary cyclic diamine. The concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a) is more than 30% by weight and less than 45% by weight, and the concentration of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) is more than 15% by weight and less than 30% by weight.

[0024] Herein, it is preferable that the concentration in % by weight of the secondary cyclic diamine (c) relative to the absorbent be lower than the concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a), and be lower than the concentration of the tertiary linear monoamine (b).

[0025] The total concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a), the tertiary linear monoamine (b), and the secondary cyclic diamine (c) is preferably more than 46% by weight and 75% by weight or less.

[0026] The total concentration of the components (a) to (c) that suitably falls within a range of 50% by weight to 70% by weight, and further suitably falls within a range of 55% by weight to 65% by weight is preferable. This is because the reboiler duty can be reduced during recirculation of the absorbent even when the concentration is high.

[0027] The lower limit of the concentration of the secondary cyclic diamine (c) is preferably 1% by weight or more, and more preferably 3% by weight or more.

[0028] Thus, when the concentrations of the secondary linear monoamine (a), the tertiary linear monoamine (b), and the secondary cyclic diamine (c) fall within the aforementioned ranges, the CO.sub.2 absorption capacity of the absorbent can be retained due to excellent CO.sub.2 absorbability of the secondary linear monoamine (a) and the secondary cyclic diamine (c), and the CO.sub.2 desorption capacity of the absorbent can be improved due to excellent CO.sub.2 releasability of the secondary linear monoamine (a) and the tertiary linear monoamine (b). Therefore, even when the concentration of agent of the absorbent is high, the reboiler duty during regeneration of the absorbent in which CO.sub.2 has been absorbed can be reduced.

[0029] The secondary linear monoamine (a) is preferably a compound represented by a chemical formula (I), which is represented in “Formula 1” below.

##STR00001## [0030] R.sub.1: Linear hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms [0031] R.sub.2: Hydroxyalkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

[0032] Specific examples of the secondary linear monoamine (a) include a compound selected from at least one of N-methylaminoethanol, N-ethylaminoethanol, N-propylaminoethanol, N-butylaminoethanol, and the like, but the present invention is not limited to the specific examples. The compounds may be combined.

[0033] The tertiary linear monoamine (b) is preferably a compound represented by a chemical formula (II), which is represented in “Formula 2” below.

##STR00002## [0034] R.sub.3: Hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms [0035] R.sub.4: Hydrocarbon group or hydroxyalkyl group, having 1 to 4 carbon atoms [0036] R.sub.5: Hydrocarbon group or hydroxyalkyl group, having 1 to 4 carbon atoms

[0037] Specific examples of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) include a compound selected from at least one of N-methyldiethanolamine, N-ethyldiethanolamine, N-butyldiethanolamine, 4-dimethylamino-1-butanol, 2-dimethylaminoethanol, 2-diethylaminoethanol, 2-di-n-butylaminoethanol, N-ethyl-N-methylethanolamine, 3-dimethylamino-1-propanol, 2-dimethylamino-2-methyl-1-propanol, and the like, but the present invention is not limited to the specific examples. The compounds may be combined.

[0038] The secondary cyclic diamine (c) is a piperazine derivative. Examples of such a piperazine derivative include a compound such as piperazine (C.sub.4H.sub.10N.sub.2), 2-methylpiperazine (C.sub.5H.sub.12N.sub.2), and 2,5-dimethylpiperazine (C.sub.6H.sub.14N.sub.2), or a mixture thereof.

[0039] The secondary linear monoamine (a) that is a component constituting an absorption component in the present invention has general characteristics in which by a reaction with CO.sub.2 in a flue gas, a carbamate containing an amine as the absorption component in the molecule is produced, and CO.sub.2 is fixed. Therefore, the secondary linear monoamine (a) has high absorption capacity.

[0040] However, under a high concentration condition, it is necessary to prevent deterioration in the absorption rate and absorption performance due to increased viscosity of the absorbent, and to prevent deterioration in regeneration performance.

[0041] Meanwhile, in the tertiary linear monoamine (b) that is another component of the present invention, CO.sub.2 is mainly dissolved as a bicarbonate salt without producing a carbamate by a reaction with CO.sub.2. Therefore, the absorption performance of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) is inferior to the absorption performance of the secondary linear monoamine (a). Even under a high concentration condition, an increase in viscosity of the absorbent can be comparatively moderated. The tertiary linear monoamine (b) has excellent regeneration performance.

[0042] Based on the aforementioned properties of both the components constituting the absorbent, a composition of components of the absorption component that suppresses an increase in viscosity of the absorbent, retains absorption performance even under a high concentration condition of the absorption component, and prevents a reduction in regeneration performance to reduce the reboiler duty has been intensively studied. In the present invention, it has been found that as a composition of the absorption component in which the concentration of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) is set within a relatively high and suitable range even under a composition condition where the concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a) is high, the composition contains, as components, the secondary linear monoamine (a), the tertiary linear monoamine (b), and the secondary cyclic diamine (c), that the concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a) is set within a range of more than 30% by weight and less than 45% by weight, and that the concentration of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) is set within a range of more than 15% by weight and less than 30% by weight.

[0043] Herein, for measurement of increased viscosity of the absorbent, the viscosity (A) when a regenerated CO.sub.2 absorbent (lean solution), of the absorbent that is circulated and reused in a CO.sub.2 absorber for removing CO.sub.2 in a flue gas and an absorbent regenerator that releases absorbed CO.sub.2, is supplied to the CO.sub.2 absorber, and the viscosity (B) of an CO.sub.2 absorbent (rich solution) in which CO.sub.2 has been absorbed at a CO.sub.2 recovery portion of the CO.sub.2 absorber are measured. Under mixing of the present invention as presented in Test Examples described below, it is confirmed that an increase in viscosity of the absorbent is suppressed.

[0044] Furthermore, it is preferable that the mixing ratio of the components (components a, b, and c) be defined so that the weight ratio of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) to the total weight of the secondary linear monoamine (a) and the secondary cyclic diamine (c) is more than 0.3 and less than 0.85.

[0045] When it is thus defined, an absorbent containing, as components of the absorption component, the secondary linear monoamine (a) and the tertiary linear monoamine (b) at high concentrations and having excellent saving energy due to a suitable weight ratio “(b) tertiary linear monoamine/((a) secondary linear monoamine +(c) secondary cyclic diamine)” can be provided.

[0046] It is preferable that the mixing ratio of the components (components a and b) be defined so that the weight ratio of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) to the secondary linear monoamine (a) is more than 0.5 and less than 1.0.

[0047] When it is thus defined, an absorbent containing, as the component of the absorption component, the tertiary linear monoamine (b) at a high concentration and having excellent saving energy due to a suitable weight ratio “(b) tertiary linear monoamine/(a) secondary linear monoamine” can be provided.

[0048] In the present invention, for example, it is preferable that the absorption temperature of the absorber for a chemical absorption method during contact with a flue gas containing CO.sub.2 or the like generally fall within a range of 30 to 80° C. To the absorbent used in the present invention, a corrosion inhibitor, a degradation inhibitor, or the like is added, if necessary.

[0049] It is preferable that the CO.sub.2 partial pressure at an inlet of a CO.sub.2 absorber during absorption in which CO.sub.2 in a gas to be treated is adsorbed be low CO.sub.2 partial pressure (for example, 0.003 to 0.1 MPa) in terms of application of the chemical absorption method.

[0050] In the present invention, when the pressure of the absorbent regenerator that releases CO.sub.2 or the like from the absorbent in which CO.sub.2 or the like has been absorbed is 130 to 200 kPa (absolute pressure), it is preferable that the regenerator bottom temperature of the absorbent regenerator that is the regeneration temperature of the regenerator be 110° C. or higher. This is because it is necessary to increase the amount of absorbent circulated in a system during regeneration at lower than 110° C., and the regeneration is not preferred in terms of regeneration efficiency. Regeneration at 115° C. or higher is more preferred.

[0051] Examples of a gas to be treated in the present invention include, but not limited to, a coal gasified gas, a synthesis gas, a coke-oven gas, a petroleum gas, a natural gas, a flue gas, and the like. Any gas may be used as long as it contains a gas containing an acid gas such as CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S.

[0052] A process that can be employed in a method for removing CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S in a gas of the present invention is not particularly limited, and an example of a removal device that removes CO.sub.2 will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a CO.sub.2 recovery unit according to Example 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a CO.sub.2 recovery unit 12 according to Example 1 has a flue gas cooling device 16 that cools a flue gas 14 containing CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 discharged from an industrial combustion facility 13 such as a boiler or a gas turbine using cooling water 15, a CO.sub.2 absorber 18 having a CO.sub.2 recovery portion 18A that brings the cooled flue gas 14 containing CO.sub.2 into contact with a CO.sub.2 absorbent (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “absorbent”) 17 that absorbs CO.sub.2 to remove CO.sub.2 from the flue gas 14, and an absorbent regenerator 20 that releases CO.sub.2 from a CO.sub.2 absorbent (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “rich solution”) 19 in which CO.sub.2 has been absorbed and regenerates the CO.sub.2 absorbent. In the CO.sub.2 recovery unit 12, the regenerated CO.sub.2 absorbent (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “lean solution”) 17 in which CO.sub.2 has been removed in the absorbent regenerator 20 is reused as a CO.sub.2 absorbent in the CO.sub.2 absorber 18.

[0054] In FIG. 1, a reference symbol 13a is a flue gas duct, a reference symbol 13b is a stack, and a reference symbol 34 is steam-condensed water. The CO.sub.2 recovery unit 12 may be retrofitted to recover CO.sub.2 from an existing flue gas source or may be installed together with a new flue gas source. An openable and closable damper is installed in a line of the flue gas 14, and the damper is opened during operation of the CO.sub.2 recovery unit 12. The damper is set to be closed when a flue gas source is in operation but the operation of the CO.sub.2 recovery unit 12 is stopped.

[0055] In a method for recovering CO.sub.2 using this CO.sub.2 recovery unit 12, the flue gas 14 containing CO.sub.2 from the industrial combustion facility 13 such as a boiler or a gas turbine is pressurized by a flue gas blower 22, sent to the flue gas cooling device 16, cooled in the flue gas cooling device 16 using the cooling water 15, and sent to the CO.sub.2 absorber 18.

[0056] In the CO.sub.2 absorber 18, the flue gas 14 comes into countercurrent contact with the CO.sub.2 absorbent 17 that is an amine absorbent according to this example, and CO.sub.2 in the flue gas 14 is absorbed into the CO.sub.2 absorbent 17 by a chemical reaction. A CO.sub.2-removed flue gas in which CO.sub.2 has been removed in the CO.sub.2 recovery portion 18A comes into gas-liquid contact with circulating cleaning water 21 containing a CO.sub.2 absorbent that is supplied from a liquid distributor in a water-cleaning portion 18B in the CO.sub.2 absorber 18, the CO.sub.2 absorbent 17 entrained with the CO.sub.2-removed flue gas is recovered, and a flue gas 23 in which CO.sub.2 has been removed is then discharged outside the system. The rich solution 19 that is the CO.sub.2 absorbent in which CO.sub.2 has been absorbed is pressurized by a rich solution pump 24, heated using the lean solution that is the CO.sub.2 absorbent 17 regenerated in the absorbent regenerator 20 in a rich-lean solution heat exchanger 25, and supplied to the absorbent regenerator 20.

[0057] The rich solution 19 released from an upper portion of the absorbent regenerator 20 to the inside thereof causes an endothermic reaction using steam that is supplied from the bottom portion, and most of CO.sub.2 is released. The CO.sub.2 absorbent in which a part or most of CO.sub.2 has been released in the absorbent regenerator 20 is referred to as a semi-lean solution. This semi-lean solution becomes the CO.sub.2 absorbent (lean solution) 17 in which almost all of CO.sub.2 has been removed when the solution reaches the bottom portion of the absorbent regenerator 20. A part of this lean solution 17 is overheated by steam 27 in a reboiler 26, and steam for CO.sub.2 desorption is supplied to the inside of the absorbent regenerator 20.

[0058] On the other hand, from the top portion of the absorbent regenerator 20, a CO.sub.2 entraining gas 28 with steam released from the rich solution 19 and the semi-lean solution in the regenerator is delivered, the water vapor is condensed by a condenser 29, water is separated in a separation drum 30, and a CO.sub.2 gas 40 is released outside the system, compressed by a separate compressor 41, and recovered. A CO.sub.2 gas 42 that has been compressed and recovered passes through a separation drum 43, and is injected into an oilfield using enhanced oil recovery (EOR), or stored in an aquifer. Thus, a global warming countermeasure is made. Reflux water 31 separated and refluxed from the CO.sub.2 accompanying gas 28 with water vapor in the separation drum 30 is supplied to the upper portion of the absorbent regenerator 20 by a reflux water circulation pump 35 and a cleaning water 21 side. The regenerated CO.sub.2 absorbent (lean solution) 17 is cooled using the rich solution 19 in the rich-lean solution heat exchanger 25, then pressurized by a lean solution pump 32, cooled using a lean solution cooler 33, and then supplied to the inside of the CO.sub.2 absorber 18. In this embodiment, the outline thereof is only described, and some of accompanying devices are omitted.

[0059] Hereinafter, preferred test examples exhibiting the effects of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the test examples.

Test Examples 1-1 to 1-5

[0060] CO.sub.2 was absorbed using an absorption test device not illustrated.

[0061] FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating reboiler duty reduction percentages of three-component-based absorbents (a secondary linear monoamine (a), a tertiary linear monoamine (b), and a secondary cyclic diamine (c) were dissolved in water) of Test Examples 1-1 to 1-5.

[0062] N-butylaminoethanol (more than 30% by weight and less than 45% by weight) as the secondary linear monoamine (a), N-methyldiethanolamine (more than 15% by weight and less than 30% by weight) as the tertiary linear monoamine (b), and 2-methylpiperazine (a concentration lower than those of (a) and (b)) as the secondary cyclic diamine (c) were dissolved and mixed in water, to prepare the absorbent of Test Example 1-1 so that the total amine component concentration of an absorption component was 55% by weight.

[0063] The absorbent of Test Example 1-2 was prepared in the same manner as in Test Example 1-1 except for using piperazine as the secondary cyclic diamine (c).

[0064] The absorbent of Test Example 1-3 was prepared in the same manner as in Test Example 1-1 except for using N-butyldiethanolamine as the tertiary linear monoamine (b).

[0065] The absorbent of Test Example 1-4 was prepared in the same manner as in Test Example 1-1 except for using N-ethylaminoethanol as the secondary linear monoamine (a) and piperazine as the secondary cyclic diamine (c).

[0066] The absorbent of Test Example 1-5 was prepared in the same manner as in Test Example 1-4 except for using N-ethyldiethanolamine as the tertiary linear monoamine (b).

[0067] In Comparative Example, monoethanolamine (MEA) was dissolved and mixed in water at 30% by weight, to prepare an absorbent of Comparative Example 1. Component compositions of Test Examples and Comparative Example are listed in Table 1 below.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 [Total amine component concentration of absorption component (a) + (b) + (c): 55% by weight] (a) Secondary (b) Tertiary linear linear monoamine monoamine (c) Secondary [more than 30% [more than cyclic diamine by weight and 15% by weight [Concentration less than 45% and less than lower than (a) by weight] 30% by weight] and (b)] Test N-butyl- N-methyl- 2-Methyl- Example 1-1 aminoethanol diehtanolamine piperazine Test N-butyl- N-methyl- Piperazine Example 1-2 aminoethanol diethanolamine Test N-butyl- N-butyl- 2-Methyl- Example 1-3 aminoethanol diethanolamine piperazine Test N-ethyl- N-methyl- Piperazine Example 1-4 aminoethanol diethanolamine Test N-ethyl- N-ethyl- Piperazine Example 1-5 aminoethanol diethanolamine Primary linear monoamine [30% by weight] Comparative Monoethanolamine Example 1

[0068] <Evaluation of Reboiler Duty Ratio>

[0069] The reboiler duties when the absorbents of Test Examples and Comparative Example were used were measured. The reboiler duty in each of Test Examples was compared with the reboiler duty when the absorbent of Comparative Example was used, and was evaluated as a reboiler duty ratio. The evaluation results are illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0070] As illustrated in FIG. 2, when the reboiler duty in a case that the absorbent of Comparative Example 1 was used was considered to be 1, the reboiler duty ratios in a case that the absorbents of Test Examples 1-1 and 1-2 were used were less than 0.90, and the reboiler duty ratios in a case that the absorbents of Test Examples 1-3 to 1-5 were used were less than about 1.00.

Test Examples 2-1 to 2-5

[0071] The total amine component concentration of an absorption component of the absorbent of each of Test Examples 1-1 to 1-5 was increased from 55% by weight to 65% by weight. Thus, absorbents of Test Examples 2-1 to 2-5 were prepared. Component compositions of Test Examples 2-1 to 2-5 are listed in Table 2 below. Comparative Example 1 is the same as listed in Table 1, and the mixing formulation is omitted. The evaluation results evaluated in the same manner as in Test Example 1-1 are illustrated in FIG. 3.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 [Total amine component concentration of absorption component (a) + (b) + (c): 65% by weight] (a) Secondary (b) Tertiary linear linear monoamine monoamine (c) Secondary [more than 30% [more than cyclic diamine by weight and 15% by weight [Concentration less than 45% and less than lower than (a) by weight] 30% by weight] and (b)] Test N-butyl- N-methyl- 2-Methyl- Example 2-1 aminoethanol diehtanolamine piperazine Test N-butyl- N-methyl- Piperazine Example 2-2 aminoethanol diethanolamine Test N-butyl- N-butyl- 2-Methyl- Example 2-3 aminoethanol diethanolamine piperazine Test N-ethyl- N-methyl- Piperazine Example 2-4 aminoethanol diethanolamine Test N-ethyl- N-ethyl- Piperazine Example 2-5 aminoethanol diethanolamine

[0072] As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the reboiler duty in a case that the absorbent of Comparative Example 1 was used was considered to be 1, the reboiler duty ratios in a case that the absorbents of Test Examples 2-1 and 2-2 were used were less than 0.90, and the reboiler duty ratios in a case that the absorbents of Test Examples 2-3 to 2-5 were used were less than about 1.00.

[0073] Therefore, it is found that the absorbents of Test Examples 1-1 to 1-5 and 2-1 to 2-2 that are the three-component-based absorbents (the secondary linear monoamine (a), the tertiary linear monoamine (b), and the secondary cyclic diamine (c) are dissolved in water) can reduce the reboiler duty as compared with Comparative Example 1 using monoethanolamine. In particular, it is found that the absorbents of Test Examples 1-1, 1-2, 2-1, and 2-2 can reduce the reboiler duty by 10% or more.

[0074] Accordingly, even when the concentration of an absorbent is high, an absorbent having excellent saving energy as compared with a conventional absorbent can be provided, and a reduction in reboiler duty during regeneration of an absorbent in which CO.sub.2 or H.sub.2S, or both of CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S in a gas have been absorbed can be attained.

Test Example 1-6

[0075] In Test Example 1-6, the absorbent of the composition of Test Example 1-1 was used, the concentration of N-butylaminoethanol as the secondary linear monoamine (a) was fixed to 32% by weight, and the component concentration of N-methyldiethanolamine as the tertiary linear monoamine (b) was changed. Thus, an absorbent of Test Example 1-6 was prepared. An absorbent of Comparative Example was the same as the absorbent prepared by dissolving and mixing the aforementioned monoethanolamine (MEA) at 30% by weight in water. A component composition of this Test Example is listed in Table 3 below. The result is illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a relation between the amine component concentration (% by weight) of an absorption component and the reboiler duty ratio in Test Example 1-6.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 [(a) Secondary linear monoamine: fixed to 32% by weight] (c) Secondary cyclic diamine (a) Secondary (b) Tertiary [Concentration linear monoamine linear lower than (a) [32% by weight] monoamine and (b)] Test N-butyl- N-methyl- 2-Methyl- Example 1-6 aminoethanol diehtanolamine piperazine

[0076] As illustrated FIG. 4, it is found that when the concentration of N-methyldiethanolamine as the tertiary linear monoamine (b) falls within a range of more than 15% by weight to 33% by weight, the reboiler duty can be reduced by about 9% or more.

Test Example 3

[0077] As an absorbent of Test Example 3, the absorbent of the composition of Test Example 1-2 described above was used. The absorbent of Test Example 3 was subjected to a comparison test with the conventional art (Comparative Examples 2 and 3) under a concentration where the total amine component concentration (% by weight) of an absorption component was high.

[0078] Here, in Comparative Example 2, a mixing composition of Test Example 6 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-086079 was adapted, and in Comparative Example 3, a mixing composition of Test Example 1-2 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2017-64645 was adapted. The mixing composition is listed in Table 3. FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a relation between the amine component concentration (% by weight) of the absorption component and a reboiler duty ratio in Test Example 3. A comparison standard of a vertical axis in FIG. 5 is Comparative Example 1 in which the monoethanol amine (MEA) is dissolved and mixed in water at 30% by weight as described above. The component compositions of Test Example 3 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3 are listed in Table 4 below.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 [Mixing ratio of each component of absorption component: fixed to ratio listed in Table, total amine component concentration of absorption component: changed] (a) Secondary (b) Tertiary linear (c) Secondary linear monoamine monoamine cyclic diamine Test N-butyl- N-methyl- Piperazine Example 3 aminoethanol diethanolamine [Concentration [more than 30% [more than 15% by lower than by weight and weight and less (a) and (b)] less than 45% than 30% by weight] by weight] Comparative N-butyl- N-methyl- Piperazine Example 2 aminoethanol diethanolamine [5% by weight] [45% by weight] [5% by weight] Comparative N-butyl- N-methyl- Piperazine Example 3 aminoethanol diethanolamine [Concentration [less than 30% [less than 30% lower than (a) by weight] by weight] and (b)]

[0079] Here, the concentrations in Test Example 3 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3 were adjusted as described below.

[0080] In each example under a condition where the total amine concentration of the absorption component is 55% by weight, the concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a) is represented by A.sub.55% by weight, the concentration of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) is represented by B.sub.55% by weight, and the concentration of the secondary cyclic diamine (c) is represented by C.sub.55% by weight. In each example under a condition where the total amine concentration of the absorption component is changed to T % by weight, the concentration of the secondary linear monoamine (a) is represented by A.sub.T% by weight, the concentration of the tertiary linear monoamine (b) is represented by B.sub.T% by weight, and the concentration of the secondary cyclic diamine (c) is represented by C.sub.T% by weight. In each example, the mixing ratio of the components A.sub.55:B.sub.55:C.sub.55=A.sub.T:B.sub.T:C.sub.T is fixed. The concentration (% by weight) of each component under a condition where the total amine concentration of the absorption component is T % by weight is calculated for each composition as listed in Table 5 below.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 (a) Secondary (b) Tertiary linear (c) Secondary linear monoamine monoamine cyclic diamine 55 A.sub.55 B.sub.55 C.sub.55 T A.sub.T = A.sub.55 × T/55 B.sub.T = B.sub.55 × T/55 C.sub.T = C.sub.55 × T/55

[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 5, under the conditions of component mixing ratios of the absorption components of Comparative Examples 2 and 3 as the conventional art, a reduction in reboiler duty under a condition where the absorption component concentration is high is slowed down or the reboiler duty is deteriorated. In contrast, it is found that the absorbent of Test Example 3 achieves a reduction in reboiler duty even under a condition where the concentration of the absorption component is high. In particular, even when the total amine concentration of the absorption component is as high as 55% by weight or more, the absorbent of Test Example 3 can achieve a further reduction in reboiler duty.

Test Examples 4 and 5

[0082] As an absorbent of Test Example 4, the absorbent of the composition of Test Example 1-2 was used. The absorbent of Test Example 4 was subjected to a comparison test of changed viscosity of the absorbent with the conventional art (Comparative Examples 2 and 3) under a concentration where the total amine component concentration (% by weight) of an absorption component was high.

[0083] In Comparative Example 2, a mixing composition of Test Example 6 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2013-086079 was adapted, and in Comparative Example 3, a mixing composition of Test Example 1-2 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2017-64645 was adapted.

[0084] In measurement of viscosity of the absorption component, the viscosity (A) of the absorbent before introduction into the CO.sub.2 absorber 18 of the CO.sub.2 recovery unit 12 in FIG. 1, and the viscosity (B) of the absorbent at a liquid reservoir after absorption of CO.sub.2 in the flue gas 14 were measured. Specifically, after a circulating absorbent was regenerated in the regenerator, and the regenerated CO.sub.2 absorbent (lean solution) 17 was pressurized by the lean solution pump 32 and then cooled using the lean solution cooler 33, the viscosity A was measured at a position (A) where the lean solution was supplied to the inside of the CO.sub.2 absorber 18 in the CO.sub.2 recovery unit in FIG. 1. In contrast, as the viscosity B, the viscosity of the CO.sub.2 absorbent (rich solution) 19 in which CO.sub.2 had been absorbed was measured at a position (B) of a liquid reservoir portion at a bottom in the CO.sub.2 recovery portion 18.

[0085] The mixing ratio of components of the absorption component of Test Example 4 was the fixed total amine component concentration of the absorption component of Test Example 1-2 listed in Table 1 (55% by weight). The mixing ratio of components of the absorption component of Test Example 5 was the fixed total amine component concentration of the absorption component of Test Example 2-2 (65% by weight). A viscosity standard was based on a value (viscosity A) measured at the position (A) where the absorbent was supplied to the CO.sub.2 absorber 18 in Test Example 3, which was considered to be 1 as a standard. The results are listed in Tables 6 and 7.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Before absorption After absorption Test Example 4 1 (standard) 1.25 Comparative 1.05 1.39 Example 2 Comparative 1.03 1.33 Example 3

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Before absorption After absorption Test Example 5 1.40 1.65 Comparative 1.47 1.80 Example 2 Comparative 1.46 1.76 Example 3

[0086] The absorbents of the compositions of Test Examples 4 and 5 were compared with Comparative Examples 2 and 3 as the conventional art, as listed in Tables 6 and 7. It is found that an increase in viscosity of the absorbents is suppressed even under a condition where the concentration of the absorption component is high.

Test Example 6

[0087] In Test Example 6, the absorbent of the composition of Test Example 1-1 was used, the concentration of N-butylaminoethanol as the secondary linear monoamine (a) was fixed to 32% by weight, and the component ratio by weight of N-methyldiethanolamine as the tertiary linear monoamine (b) ((tertiary linear monoamine (b)/(secondary linear monoamine (a) +secondary cyclic diamine (c)) was changed. Thus, an absorbent of Test Example 6 was prepared.

[0088] In Comparative Example, an absorbent was prepared by dissolving and mixing the aforementioned monoethanolamine (MEA) at 30% by weight in water. A component composition of this Test Example is listed in Table 8 below. The results are illustrated in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a relation between the weight ratio “(b) tertiary linear monoamine/((a) secondary linear monoamine +(c) secondary cyclic diamine)” and a reboiler duty ratio in Test Example 6.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 [(a) Secondary linear monoamine: fixed to 32% by weight] (c) Secondary (a) Secondary cyclic diamine linear (b) Tertiary [Concentration monoamine linear lower than (a) [32% by weight] monoamine and (b)] Test N-butyl- N-methyl- 2-Methyl- Example 6 aminoethanol diethanolamine piperazine

[0089] As illustrated FIG. 6, it is found that when the weight ratio “tertiary linear monoamine (b)/(secondary linear monoamine (a) +secondary cyclic diamine (c))” falls within a range of more than 0.3 to 0.85, the reboiler duty can be reduced by about 9% or more.

Test Example 7

[0090] In Test Example 6, the absorbent of the composition of Test Example 1-1 was used, the concentration of N-butylaminoethanol as the secondary linear monoamine (a) was fixed to 32% by weight, and the component ratio by weight of N-methyldiethanolamine as the tertiary linear monoamine (b) ((tertiary linear monoamine (b)/secondary linear monoamine (a)) was changed. Thus, an absorbent of Test Example 5 was prepared.

[0091] In Comparative Example, an absorbent was prepared by dissolving and mixing the aforementioned monoethanolamine (MEA) at 30% by weight in water. A component composition of this Test Example is the same as those in Table 7. The results are illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a relation between the weight ratio “(b) tertiary linear monoamine/(a) secondary linear monoamine” and a reboiler duty ratio in Test Example 7.

[0092] As illustrated FIG. 6, it is found that when the weight ratio “tertiary linear monoamine (b)/(secondary linear monoamine (a))” falls within a range of more than 0.5 to 1.0, the reboiler duty can be reduced by about 9% or more.

[0093] A combination of the secondary linear monoamine (a), the tertiary linear monoamine (b), and the secondary cyclic diamine (c) of the present invention is not limited to a combination in which an effect is demonstrated in this Test Example. As a suitable combination other than Test Examples of the preferred combinations, an example is listed in Tables 9 to 12.

TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 (a) Secondary (b) Tertiary linear (c) Secondary linear monoamine monoamine cyclic diamine [more than 30% by [more than 15% by [Concentration weight and less than weight and less than lower than (a) 45% by weight] 30% by weight] and (b)] 1 N-methyl- N-methyldiethanolamine Piperazine 2 aminoethanol N-ethyldiethanolamine 3 N-butyldiethanolamine 4 N-methyldiethanolamine 2-Methyl- 5 N-ethyldiethanolamine piperazine 6 N-butyldiethanolamine

[0094] Table 9 is an example of preferred combinations in which N-methylaminoethanol is used as the secondary linear monoamine (a).

TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 (a) Secondary (b) Tertiary linear (c) Secondary linear monoamine monoamine cyclic diamine [more than 30% by [more than 15% by [Concentration weight and less weight and less than lower than (a) than 45% by weight] 30% by weight] and (b)] 7 N-ethyl- N-methyldiethanolamine Piperazine 8 aminoethanol N-ethyldiethanolamine 9 N-butyldiethanolamine 10 4-Dimethylamino-1- butanol 11 2-Dimethylaminoethanol 12 2-Diethylaminoethanol 13 3-Dimethylamino-1- propanol 14 N-methyldiethanolamine 2-Methyl- 15 N-ethyldiethanolamine piperazine 16 N-butyldiethanolamine 17 4-Dimethylamino-1- butanol 18 2-Dimethylaminoethanol 19 2-Diethylaminoethanol 20 3-Dimethylamino-1- propanol

[0095] Table 10 is an example of preferred combinations in which N-ethylaminoethanol is used as the secondary linear monoamine (a).

TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 (a) Secondary linear (b) Tertiary linear (c) Secondary monoamine monoamine cyclic diamine [more than 30% by [more than 15% by [Concentration weight and less than weight and less than lower than (a) 45% by weight] 30% by weight] and (b)] 21 N-propyl- N-methyldiethanolamine Piperazine 22 aminoethanol N-ethyldiethanolamine 23 N-butyldiethanolamine 24 N-methyldiethanolamine 2-Methyl- 25 N-ethyldiethanolamine piperazine 26 N-butyldiethanolamine

[0096] Table 11 is an example of preferred combinations in which N-propylaminoethanol is used as the secondary linear monoamine (a).

TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 (a) Secondary linear monoamine (b) Tertiary linear (c) Secondary [more than 30% monoamine cyclic diamine by weight and [more than 15% by [Concentration less than 45% weight and less than lower than (a) by weight] 30% by weight] and (b)] 27 N-butyl- N-methyldiethanolamine Piperazine 28 aminoethanol N-ethyldiethanolamine 29 N-butyldiethanolamine 30 4-Dimethylamino-1-butanol 31 2-Dimethylaminoethanol 32 2-Diethylaminoethanol 33 2-Di-n-butylaminoethanol 34 N-ethyl-N- methylethanolamine 35 3-Dimethylamino-1- propanol 36 2-Dimethylamino-2- methyl-1-propanol 37 N-methyldiethanolamine 2-Methyl- 38 N-ethyldiethanolamine piperazine 39 N-butyldiethanolamine 40 4-Dimethylamino-1-butanol 41 2-Dimethylaminoethanol 42 2-Diethylaminoethanol 43 2-Di-n-butylaminoethanol 44 N-ethyl-N- methylethanolamine 45 3-Dimethylamino-1- propanol 46 2-Dimethylamino-2- methyl-1-propanol 47 N-methyldiethanolamine 2,5-Dimethyl- 48 N-ethyldiethanolamine piperazine 49 N-butyldiethanolamine

[0097] Table 12 is an example of preferred combinations in which N-butylaminoethanol is used as the secondary linear monoamine (a).

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0098] 12 CO.sub.2 recovery unit

[0099] 13 Industrial combustion facility

[0100] 14 Flue gas

[0101] 16 Flue gas cooling device

[0102] 17 CO.sub.2 absorbent (lean solution)

[0103] 18 CO.sub.2 absorber

[0104] 19 CO.sub.2 absorbent containing absorbed CO.sub.2 (rich solution)

[0105] 20 Absorbent regenerator

[0106] 21 Cleaning water