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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 21(6)

Methods and current developments of the Solvay process for brine management and CO2 capture: a critical review

Zohreh Rahimi-Ahar https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6804-9474 A * and Abbas Ghareghashi A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Chemical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Velayat University, Iranshahr, Iran.




Zohreh Rahimi-Ahar PhD is an Assistant Professor in the chemical engineering department of Velayat University, Iranshahr, Iran. She obtained her PhD degree in chemical engineering from the University of Isfahan in October 2018. Her activities focus on the experimental studies of desalination systems and process simulation and modelling development. With the combination of these investigations, she aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of water desalination systems development and environmental protection.


Abbas Ghareghashi is an Assistant Professor with educational and research duties in the chemical engineering department of the University of Velayat, Iranshahr, Iran. He obtained his PhD degree in chemical engineering from Sistan and Baluchestan University. He has worked for more than 4 years on oil and gas projects, including distillation units, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) recovery units, water treatment units and nitrogen units. His works have focused specifically on modified bitumen and renewable energy research projects in recent years. His current research deals with water desalination systems.
* Correspondence to: z.rahimi@velayat.ac.ir

Handling Editor: Kurunthachalam Kannan

Environmental Chemistry 21, EN24031 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN24031
Submitted: 17 April 2024  Accepted: 24 July 2024  Published: 2 September 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing.

Abstract

Environmental context

This manuscript focuses on the introduction of the conventional and modified Solvay processes. The Solvay process is used to produce sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, while also providing brine management and CO2 capture. Optimal values must be used for reactant contents, temperature, salinity of the brine and stirring rate to enhance efficiency.

Abstract

The Solvay process is used to produce sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Simultaneous brine management and CO2 capture occur by the Solvay process. In this review, the Solvay process based on different solutions (i.e. NH3, KOH, CaO, Ca(OH)2 and alcohol amines) is reviewed. The most efficient processes considering CO2 uptake and Na+/Cl− removal are introduced. The Solvay process benefits from increasing NH3 content, salinity, stirring rate, decreasing temperature and using inert mixing particles in the reactor. Adding NH4HCO3, extra KOH in subsequent stages and brine pretreatment are recommended. The results show that a Ca(OH)2-based Solvay process, an NH3-based process running in contactor and reactor, and a 2-amino-2-methylpropanol-based Solvay process obtain the highest CO2 capture efficiencies of 99, 98 and 80% respectively.

Keywords: brine, conventional Solvay, CO2 capture efficiency, CO2 uptake, desalination, ion removal, modified Solvay, reactor.

Biographies

EN24031_B1.gif

Zohreh Rahimi-Ahar PhD is an Assistant Professor in the chemical engineering department of Velayat University, Iranshahr, Iran. She obtained her PhD degree in chemical engineering from the University of Isfahan in October 2018. Her activities focus on the experimental studies of desalination systems and process simulation and modelling development. With the combination of these investigations, she aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of water desalination systems development and environmental protection.

EN24031_B2.gif

Abbas Ghareghashi is an Assistant Professor with educational and research duties in the chemical engineering department of the University of Velayat, Iranshahr, Iran. He obtained his PhD degree in chemical engineering from Sistan and Baluchestan University. He has worked for more than 4 years on oil and gas projects, including distillation units, liquid petroleum gas (LPG) recovery units, water treatment units and nitrogen units. His works have focused specifically on modified bitumen and renewable energy research projects in recent years. His current research deals with water desalination systems.

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