CO₂ absorption using aqueous potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) promoted by piperazine (PZ) in packed column reactor

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is the main contributor in gases that can reduce the heating value and the greenhouse effect on the atmosphere. Several CO 2 absorption technologies can be used to reduce CO 2 content. Chemical absorption have selectivity and a high absorption rate. This research will study the effect of the addition piperazine (PZ) into 30wt % potassium carbonate (K 2 CO 3 ) at 30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C, PZ (1, 3 and 5) % and absorbent flow rate (1, 1.5 and 2) L min −1 . The research was conducted in packed column made of stainless steel with height 150 cm and a diameter 9.6 cm filled with packing-type raschig rings made of ceramic arranged randomly to expand the contact between gas and absorbent during CO 2 absorption. The process is carried in counter-current, gas streamed at constant flow rate 50 L min −1 from the bottom and absorbent with composition K 2 CO 3 , PZ and distilled water streamed from top of column. CO 2 loading and CO 2 removal in the sample were determined by acid-base titration. The results showed 5% PZ CO 2 loading 0.0664 mole CO 2 /mole K 2 CO 3 and CO 2 removal 92.7575% at operating conditions 50 °C and absorbent flow rate 2 L min −1 . The addition 5% PZ can increase CO 2 removal 16.9525%.