Experimental Investigation of Process Intensification in CO2 Absorption Using Monoethanolamine in a Rotating Packed Bed

The emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial sources, particularly power plants, remains one of the leading contributors to global climate change. While conventional post-combustion CO₂ capture technologies are effective, they are often limited by high energy consumption and large equipment size. Rotating Packed Bed (RPB) technology offers a promising solution through process intensification and improved mass transfer. This study presents an experimental investigation of a laboratory-scale RPB absorber designed for CO₂ capture using aqueous monoethanolamine (MEA) solutions. The effects of rotor speed, MEA concentration, and liquid-to-gas (L/G) ratio on CO₂ capture efficiency and the overall volumetric gas-phase mass transfer coefficient \(\:\left({K}_{{G}^{a}}\right)\) were systematically examined. The results showed that increasing rotor speed from 0 to 2400 rpm increased CO₂ capture efficiency from below 10% to over 70% due to enhanced centrifugal acceleration and improved gas–liquid contact. Higher MEA concentrations led to improved capture performance, attributed to increased reaction kinetics, while elevated L/G ratios further enhanced absorption efficiency and reduced the Height of Transfer Unit (HTU). The findings confirm the suitability of RPB technology for efficient and compact CO₂ absorption systems, with strong potential for industrial applications. The findings provide new insights for optimizing compact CO₂ capture systems using intensified rotating packed bed technology, with the recognition that future integration with an efficient regeneration unit is essential to address the overall energy penalty of the process.