Wastewater treatment in amine-based carbon capture

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 222; pp. 742 - 756
• Main Authors: Dong, Cong, Huang, Gordon, Cheng, Guanhui, An, Chunjiang, Yao, Yao, Chen, Xiujuan, Chen, Jiapei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2019
• Subjects: Amine-based carbon capture; Amine-rich wastewater; Amines; Carbon - isolation & purification; Carbon capture and storage; Carbon Dioxide; Humans; Review; Treatment techniques; Ultraviolet Rays; Waste Water - chemistry; Water Purification - methods; Amine-rich wastewater; Treatment techniques; Review; Carbon capture and storage; Amine-based carbon capture
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.01.038

Amine-based CO2 capture (ACC) has become one cost-effective method for reducing carbon emissions in order to mitigate climate changes. The amine-rich wastewater (ARWW) generated from ACC may contain a series of degradation products of amine-based solvents (ABSs). These products are harmful for ecological environment and human health. Effective and reliable ARWW treatment methods are highly required for mitigating the harmfulness. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive review of the existing limited methods that can guide ARWW-related technological advancements and treatment practices. To fill this gap, the review is achieved in this study. All available technologies for treating the ARWW from washwater, condenser, and reclaimer units in ACC are examined based on clarification of degradation mechanisms and ARWW compounds. A series of significant findings and recommendations are revealed through this review. For instance, ARWW treatment methods should be selected according to degradation conditions and pollution concentrations. UV light can be only used for treating wastewater from washwater and condenser units in ACC. Biological activated carbon is feasible for removing nitrosamines from washwater and condenser units. Sequence batch reactors, microbial fuel cells, and the other techniques for removing amines and similar degradation products are applicable for treating ARWW. This review provides scientific support for the selection and improvement of ARWW treatment techniques, the mitigation of ACC's consequences in environment, health and other aspects, and the extensive development and applications of ACC systems. •Investigation of degradation mechanisms and hazardousness of amine-rich wastewater.•Analyzing techniques for treating wastewater generated from washwater, condenser, and reclaimer units.•Providing support for the selection and improvement of wastewater treatment techniques.•Mitigation of wastewater has consequences in the environment and health during CO2 capture.