A MAP (Monitoring-Assessment-Priority) framework for amine degradation products in carbon capture

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Atmospheric Science

Background:

• Amine-based carbon capture is a mature technology for point-source CO2 reduction.
• Solvent emissions, including amine degradation products (ADPs), are emerging pollutants with limited study.
• Environmental concerns necessitate a thorough understanding of ADP emissions and their impacts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and apply a Monitoring-Assessment-Priority (MAP) framework for evaluating ADPs from carbon capture plants.
• To identify and quantify ADPs in flue gas and assess their emission factors.
• To evaluate the ecotoxicity, secondary aerosol formation potential, and health risks of identified ADPs.

Main Methods:

• Application of the MAP framework to three operational carbon capture facilities.
• Identification and quantification of 55 ADPs across eight categories in flue gas samples.
• Assessment of ADP ecotoxicity, secondary aerosol formation potential, and carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic risks.

Main Results:

• Identified 55 ADPs with concentrations from 16.8 to 43.4 mg/Nm3 and emission factors averaging 243 ± 242 g/t CO2.
• Projected cumulative ADP emissions of 354 Gg in China and 1218 Gg globally under current scenarios.
• Over 50% of ADPs showed higher ecotoxicity than parent amines, with ammonia being the dominant contributor to total ecotoxicity.

Conclusions:

• The MAP framework effectively assesses ADP emissions and prioritizes compounds for environmental management.
• Nine ADPs, including ammonia, 3-aminopyrrolidine, and formaldehyde, were identified as high-priority concerns.
• Addressing ADP emissions is crucial for mitigating the environmental challenges associated with carbon capture technologies.