A new scientific publication based on research from the AURORA project has just been released in the journal Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. This study delivers an in-depth analysis of the degradation behaviour of the CESAR1 solvent —a popular choice for solvent-based post-combustion CO₂ capture.
This work, developed under the AURORA project, supports the ongoing qualification and optimization of CESAR1 — a widely studied, non-proprietary solvent blend of AMP (2-amino-2-methylpropanol) and PZ (piperazine) — for long-term, commercial-scale deployment in industrial CO₂ capture applications.
📄 Title: Degradation of 2-Amino-2-methylpropanol and Piperazine at CO₂ Capture-Relevant Conditions
🧪 Authors: Vanja Buvik, Kai Vernstad, Andreas Grimstvedt, Karen K. Høisæter, Solrun J. Vevelstad, and Hanna K. Knuutila
Why Study Solvent Degradation?
In carbon capture systems, solvents like CESAR1 absorb CO₂ from industrial exhaust before it reaches the atmosphere. But over time, exposure to heat, oxygen, and other gases or contaminants can cause the solvent to degrade — producing unwanted by-products, reducing performance, and potentially creating environmental risks.
To ensure carbon capture is not only effective but also safe and sustainable, we need to understand:
- Which degradation products form.
- How quickly the solvent breaks down.
- How to manage these changes in real-world industrial conditions.
This study is a crucial step in answering those questions.
What Did the Researchers Do?
The team exposed CESAR1 to two types of stress conditions:
- Oxidative degradation – simulating exposure to oxygen in the flue gas
- Thermal degradation – simulating high-temperature environments encountered during solvent regeneration or reclaiming
They used advanced chemical analysis to identify and quantify what compounds formed under each condition.
What Were the Key Findings?
- A total of 48 degradation compounds were identified and measured in CESAR1.
- 15 of these compounds had not been previously reported in CESAR1 research.
- The solvent degraded faster as a blend than its two components (AMP and PZ) do individually — meaning chemical interactions in the blend accelerate breakdown.
- Harmful by-products such as nitrosamines and nitramines were found to form even in the absence of nitrogen oxides (NOx).
- Volatile compounds like ammonia, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde were also detected — these can escape into the air or contaminate the captured CO₂ if not properly controlled.
- The study confirmed that the most abundant nitrogen-containing degradation products in CESAR1 have now been identified.
Why This Matters for AURORA?
This research directly supports the goals of the AURORA project by helping to:
- Develop more targeted and efficient monitoring and control strategies for CO₂ capture plants.
- Improve solvent maintenance plans, such as when and how to reclaim the solvent.
- Guide environmental safety protocols to manage emissions and waste.
- Ensure CO₂ product quality, especially when reuse or storage is planned.
Understanding solvent degradation is essential to making CESAR1 — and carbon capture more broadly — safe, cost-effective, and ready for full-scale deployment.
Authors:
- SINTEF Industry: Vanja Buvik, Andreas Grimstvedt, Kai Vernstad, Solrun J. Vevelstad.
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) – Department of Chemical Engineering: Hanna K. Knuutila.
- Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM): Karen K. Høisæter.
Conclusion
This study provides essential knowledge about how the CESAR1 solvent degrades under realistic CO₂ capture conditions. By identifying key degradation products and their formation pathways, the research lays the groundwork for improved solvent monitoring, safer operation, and more efficient long-term use of CESAR1 in industrial settings. These insights bring the AURORA project one step closer to enabling the large-scale deployment of carbon capture technologies across Europe.
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