Kinetics and mechanism of diethanolamine degradation in aqueous solutions containing carbon dioxide

Abstract

Abstract The problem of diethanolamine (DEA) degradation in gas‐treating processes was quantified through a detailed kinetic study. This reaction was found to be catalyzed by CO 2 , and degradation occurs in a successive manner to 3‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)oxazolidone‐2, to N,N,N′‐tris(2‐hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine and then to N,N′‐bis(2‐hydroxyethyl)piperazine. A reaction mechanism consistent with these observations was proposed and tested through kinetic analyses. A satisfactory kinetic model which can be of practical use was derived.