Nitrosamines and nitramines in Carbon Capture plants

Abstract

The use of amine absorption in carbon capture technologies is related with the formation toxic and potentially carcinogenic amine degradation products such as nitrosamines and nitramines. These substances can be created within both the solvent and the atmosphere when air components (mainly NOx) and amines react with each other. These substances may pose environmental and health risks depending on the level and duration of the exposure. In this paper, formation and occurrence of nitrosamines and nitramines in carbon capture plants were described. Emission reducing technologies have been also mentioned. Furthermore, an overview of experimental data of emission of nitrosamines and other major degradation products has been pointed out.