Sequestration of CO2 from Domestic Power Generating Set using Monoethanol Amine (MEA) and Synthesized Mg-Co Metal Oxides

Abstract

A pilot Carbon capture plant was used to carry out a base line assessment of 〖CO〗_2 absorption by MEA at various concentration with synthesized Mg-CO metal oxide from the exhaust fume of power generating plant. MEA solution and flue gases run counter currently through a packed column. The metal oxides were prepared and characterized by the following techniques XRD, FTIR, BET, XRF and SEM to gain insights. MEA solution at various concentration of 10%, 20%, and 30% (v/v) were pumped through the adsorption column with glass beads only, then followed by ,Magnesium Oxide, Cobalt Oxide and the mixed metal oxides (Magnesium Oxide and Cobalt Oxide), there was an increase in the yield of 〖CO〗_2 that was captured when the metal oxides were used. However, the best yield of 11.9% was observed when 30g of magnesium oxide (MgO) with 30% concentration of monoethanol amine solution was used.; while the cobalt oxide (CoO) gave the least yield of 5.7% and the mixed metal oxides (MgO-CoO) gave a yield of 9.9%, this yield could be attributed to the contribution from the magnesium oxide (MgO). The yield when only monoethanol amine solurton was used was 4.1%. the results shows that the metal oxides enhanced the rate of 〖CO〗_2 capture and the best performance was observed for magnesium oxide catalyst. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) result also revealed that the magnesium oxide (MgO) has the highest pore diameter of (66.5 Å), pore volume of (0.0549 cc/g) and surface area (154 m^2/g) while the cobalt oxide has the least pore diameter (63.5 Å), pore volume (0.0441 cc/g) and surface area of (124 m^2/g). Thus, the investigation serves as a green process that could be adopted to reduce global warming and guaranty safe and sustainable environment.