Efficient capture of carbon dioxide with novel mass‐transfer intensification device using ionic liquids

A novel mass‐transfer intensified approach for CO 2 capture with ionic liquids (ILs) using rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor was presented. This new approach combined the advantages of RPB as a high mass‐transfer intensification device for viscous system and IL as a novel, environmentally benign CO 2 capture media with high thermal stability and extremely low volatility. Amino‐functionalized IL (2‐hydroxyethyl)‐trimethyl‐ammonium (S)−2‐pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid salt ([Choline][Pro]) was synthesized to perform experimental examination of CO 2 capture by chemical absorption. In RPB, it took only 0.2 s to reach 0.2 mol CO 2 /mol IL at 293 K, indicating that RPB was kinetically favorable to absorption of CO 2 in IL because of its efficient mass‐transfer intensification. The effects of operation parameters on CO 2 removal efficiency and IL absorbent capacity were studied. In addition, a model based on penetration theory was proposed to explore the mechanism of gas–liquid mass transfer of ILs system in RPB.