Work

Evaluating the experimental CO2 stripping performance of a new generation multicapillary Taylor flow reactor

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • CO 2 stripping in carbonated solution was studied in a 200-capillary Taylor reactor • Gas superficial velocity influenced the CO 2 stripping process • k L a > 300 h -1 were achieved at optimal conditions • The alkalinity of the carbonated solutions influenced the mass transfer • The 200-capillary Taylor reactor demonstrated an outstanding stripping performance Among all physicochemical technologies commercially available to upgrade biogas to biomethane, chemical scrubbing with carbonated solutions stand as an easy-to-scale technology. However, the regeneration of the solvent via air-assisted CO 2 stripping is highly energy-intensive, representing more than 80% of the total process costs. This study proposes the use of innovative Taylor flow reactors to enhance the liquid-gas mass transfer of CO 2 and therefore lower the cost of regeneration of carbonated solutions. In this study, a 200-glass capillary Taylor flow reactor supporting unprecedented mass transfer coefficients (k L a) was tested for the first time for CO 2 stripping from carbonated solutions. The Taylor flow reactor achieved k L a coefficients higher than 100 h -1 at an inorganic concentration (IC) of 1000 mgC L -1 , and k L a > 400 h -1 at an optimal gas superficial velocity of 0.30 m s -1 . Moreover, increasing IC concentrations to 2000 and 3000 mgC L -1 resulted in a k L a increase of 250% and 65%, respectively, whilst no significant increase was recorded at an initial IC concentration of 4000 mgC L -1 . Indeed, multicapillary Taylor flow reactors demonstrated a superior and competitive performance during CO 2 stripping from carbonated solutions, representing a promising technology for solvent regeneration during biogas upgrading at industrial scale.

Source: Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification

DOI: 10.1016/j.cep.2025.110601

Authors: Laura Vargas-Estrada, Sergio Bordel, Raquel Lebrero, Raúl Muñoz

Institution: Universidad de Valladolid

Language: English

Topic: Fluid Dynamics and Mixing

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,910