Use of salt hydrates as reversible absorbents of acid gases

Abstract

The present invention is a process for reversibly absorbing acid gases, such as CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.2, HCN and the like from gas mixtures. The gas mixture containing one or more of these acid gases is contacted with a hydrated salt of the compositionA.sub.x.sup.m+ B.sub.y.sup.n-.rH.sub.2 Owherein A.sup.m+ is a cation, B.sup.n- is the conjugate base of a weak acid having a pKa corresponding to an ionization constant of the acid greater than 3 as measured in dilute aqueous solution, m and n are independently integers from 1-4, x and y are integers such that the ratio of x to y provides a neutral salt and r is any number greater than zero up to the maximum number of moles of water which can be bound to the salt. The salt hydrate reversibly absorbs the acid gas from the gas mixture.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the removal of acid gases, especially CO.sub.2, from gas mixtures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art CO.sub.2 absorbent systems generally fall into one of two categories: (1) amines or (2) aqueous salt solutions.

A variety of amines, mostly alkanolamines, are used as CO.sub.2 absorbents; see Hydrocarbon Processing, 57-80 (April 1988). Primary and secondary amines, such as monoethanolamine (MEA) and diethanolamine (DEA), react with CO.sub.2 to form carbamates in accordance with the following reaction:

2RNH.sub.2 +CO.sub.2 .revreaction.RNHCO.sub.2.sup.- +RNH.sub.3.sup.+

Since carbamates are relatively stable, heating is required to regenerate the CO.sub.2 -free absorbent. Typical heats of reaction of amines with CO.sub.2 are relatively high, 10-20 kcal/mole CO.sub.2. Tertiary amines, such as triethanolamine (TEA) and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), cannot form carbamates. Such amines generate hydroxide in aqueous solutions and hydroxide subsequently reacts with CO.sub.2 to give HCO.sub.3.sup.- and/or CO.sub.3.sup.2-. The heats of reaction of CO.sub.2 with tertiary amines are less than those of primary and secondary amines and less energy is needed to desorb CO.sub.2 from tertiary amine solutions.

Recently, the use of sterically hindered amines as CO.sub.2 absorbents was reported by Nirula, S. C.; Ashraf, M. SRI International Report No. 180 (1987). Due to steric hinderance at the amine nitrogen, the resulting carbamate is less stable than that of an unhindered amine, resulting in absorption capacities and rates greater than those of conventional amines. Conventional amines have capacities of only 0.5 mole CO.sub.2 /mole amine except at quite high pressures. Two moles of amine are necessary to form one mole of carbamate. Since the carbamate is stable, hydrolysis to HCO.sub.3.sup.- and protonated amine does not occur readily. By contrast, the unstable carbamate of a hindered amine is readily hydrolyzed and a maximum capacity of 1.0 mole CO.sub.2 /mole amine can be obtained.

The absorption of CO.sub.2 using aqueous solutions of strongly alkaline salts has been practiced for over 50 years and numerous reviews of the subject are available, see Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing and Design McKetta, J. J. Editor Vol. 6, p 292-310 (1978). The most commonly used salts are sodium and potassium carbonate, phosphate, borate, arsenite, and phenolate. The common use of potassium carbonate at relatively high temperatures for both absorption and desorption led to the hot potassium carbonate or hot pot process (HPC) in the early 1950s. The addition of activators or catalysts to enhance the rates of absorption and desorption and of corrosion inhibitors followed.

Several processes have been developed which use aqueous potassium carbonate with added activators (e.g. alkanolamines) and corrosion inhibitors. In one well known process, the Giammarco-Vetrocoke process, activators such as glycine, arsenic trioxide, and selenous acid are used. The Alkazid process uses aqueous solutions of potassium methylaminopropionate or, in some cases, sodium phenolate. The SRI International report cited above also teaches the use of sterically hindered amines as activators for potassium carbonate solutions. In all of the above aqueous salt processes, a strongly alkaline salt results in a high concentration of hydroxide. Reaction of CO.sub.2 with hydroxide leads to bicarbonate and/or carbonate. CO.sub.2 is desorbed by decomposition of bicarbonate which, at high hydroxide concentrations, requires heating.

Processes using strongly alkaline amino acid salts have also been reported. Amino acid salts can also react with CO.sub.2 to form carbamates. Guyer and Purner, Helv. Chim. Acta 21, 1337-1345 (1938), evaluated solutions of the sodium and potassium salts of glycine and alanine as CO.sub.2 absorbents. CO.sub.2 desorption required heating. U.S. Pat. No. 3,042,483 describes the use of concentrated aqueous solutions of salts of amino acids as CO.sub.2 absorbents. In particular, salts of taurine and substituted taurines, glycine, alanine, and sarcosine are claimed as absorbents. Each absorbent is either a primary or secondary amine capable of carbamate formation. Heat is required for desorption. German Pat. No. 2,605,618 describes the use of aqueous solutions of potassium methylaminopropionate to absorb CO.sub.2 from air. The absorbent is regenerated by steam stripping. South African Pat. No. 7,603,420 reports the use of aqueous solutions of alkali metal salts of N-dialkylaminomonocarboxylic acids as CO.sub.2 absorbents between 20.degree. and 60.degree. C. CO.sub.2 is removed under reduced pressure and, optionally, heating. Japanese Pat. No. 61-101244 describes the preparation of an absorbent consisting of an alkali metal salt of N-methylalanine support on a porous material (e.g. alumina). The supported salt is capable of absorbing CO.sub.2 in closed spaces, apparently via hydrolysis and formation of K.sub.2 CO.sub.3. The absorbent is regenerated by heating up to 200.degree. C. with no reported salt decomposition.

A number of reports have been written describing the solubility of CO.sub.2 in aqueous solutions of weakly alkaline salts. The solubility of CO.sub.2 in aqueous solutions of the sodium salts of succinic, oxalic, and malonic acids, potassium chromate, potassium fluoride, borax, ammonium molybdate, and others were determined to obtain equilibrium constants of weak acids. As reported in Solubilities of Inorganic and Metal-Organic Compounds, Linke, W. F. Editor, Vol. I (1958), the CO.sub.2 solubilities are somewhat greater than those of aqueous solutions containing neutral salts. For example, at 30.degree. C. the solubility of CO.sub.2 in 1.19M KF is 0.14M versus that in water, 0.032M. Fr. Pat. No. 1130145 describes the use of aqueous solutions of K.sub.2 HPO.sub.4 to absorb CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S. The absorbent was regenerated by blowing with an inert gas or by application of a slight vacuum. Fr. Pat. No. 1135262 describes the use of weakly basic salt solutions as absorbents. A salt containing the anion, A, of a weak acid is used and the following reaction occurs:

NaA+CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O.revreaction.AH+NaHCO.sub.3

1.5M solutions of Na.sub.2 HPO.sub.4 and Na.sub.2 CrO.sub.4 are cited as examples. Desorption of CO.sub.2 does not require heating. The first addition to this patent, addition No. 68,830 describes the use of 1.5M aqueous solutions of alkali metal and ethanolamine salts containing various anions, among them, sulfite, malate, succinate, and malonate. The best results were obtained for acids which results in pH of 4-5 and salts with pH of 9-10. In the second addition to the above patent, addition No. 71,112, a variation using aqueous potassium chromate is described where slight heating (to 50.degree. C.) is used for desorption. The above patents and additions also appeared as Brit. Pat. No. 831532.

Ger. Pat. No. 1177619 describes the use of aqueous solutions of alkali salts of heteropoly acids, where one is a weak acid and the other is a weak to medium strong acid, as CO.sub.2 absorbents. The absorbent can be regenerated by treating with air at 30.degree. C.

The kinetics of the reaction of CO.sub.2 with aqueous Na.sub.2 CrO.sub.4 has been investigated by R. Vaikunrm, et al. Ind. J. Tech. 16 379-383 (1978). The reaction generates HCO.sub.3.sup.- and Cr.sub.2 O.sub.7.sup.2- and is second order in chromate. Belton et al. J. Inorg. Nucl. Chem. 43, 614-615 (1981) reported that the reaction of CO.sub.2 with solid Na.sub.3 PO.sub.4 .cndot.11H.sub.2 O results in the apparently irreversible formation of Na.sub.2 HPO.sub.4 .cndot.7H.sub.2 O and NaHCO.sub.3.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,235,607 and 4,239,510.sup.27 describe a method for purification of natural gas by removal of CO.sub.2. The absorbent is sea water and the separation apparatus is constructed near the ocean floor. CO.sub.2 rich sea water is simply discharge without regeneration.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,283 reports that retardation of the loss of CO.sub.2 from circulating water can be obtained by addition of less than 50 ppm of quaternary ammonium salts of chloride or bromide. The addition of such salts, however, appears to have no effects on the solubility of CO.sub.2 in water.

Seel, et al. in Angew. Chem., Vol. 67 No. 1. pp 32-33 (1955) report the formation of adducts of SO.sub.2 with anhydrous salts such as (CH.sub.2).sub.4 NF, KF, NaF and RbF.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a process for removing acid gases from a gas mixture by contacting said gas mixture with a salt hydrate or molten salt hydrate which reversibly absorbs the acid gases. The hydrated salt is of the composition

A.sub.x.sup.m+ B.sub.y.sup.n- .cndot.rH.sub.2 O wherein A.sup.m+ is a cation, B.sup.n- is the conjugate base of a weak acid having a pKa corresponding to an ionization constant of the acid greater than 3 as measured in dilute aqueous solution, m and n are independently integers from 1-4, x and y are integers, typically from 1-6, such that the ratio of x to y provides a neutral salt, and r is any number greater than zero up to the maximum number of moles of water which can be bound to the salt. In a preferred embodiment, A.sup.+ is a monovalent cation; i.e., m=1.

The salt hydrates employed in the present invention are advantageous in that they are capable of absorbing and desorbing acid gases at the same temperature, although different absorption and desorption temperatures can be used. The salt hydrates also exhibit unexpectedly high acid gas sorption capacities at mild reaction conditions thereby providing for a simple and efficient alternative to current acid gas absorbent technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention involves the use of salt hydrates as reversible absorbents of acid gases, such as CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.2, HCN, COS and the like. Typically, a salt is defined as a substance comprised of cations and anions and characterized by overall electrical neutrality. A salt hydrate is a salt which contains bound water. The composition of a salt hydrate is typically represented by a formula of the form A.sub.x.sup.m+ B.sub.y.sup.n- .cndot.rH.sub.2 O where A.sup.m+ is a cation and B.sup.n- is an anion, m and n are independently integers from 1-4, x and y are integers such that the ratio of x to y provides a neutral salt, and r is the number of moles of water bound per mole of salt which for most salt hydrates will range between 0.5 and 24 and is typically up to 6 moles of water per mole of cation and independently up to 6 moles of water per mole of anion present in the salt. The term salt hydrate does not indicate the manner or degree of tenacity by which water molecules are bound to the salt. Many salts exist as hydrates and, upon heating, melt to yield liquids which contain bound water. Such systems are known as "molten salt hydrates" or "hydrate melts" which herein are included under the general term "salt hydrate". Examples of substances which yield molten salt hydrates are MgCl.sub.2 .cndot.6H.sub.2 O (melting point 117.degree. C.), Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 .cndot.4H.sub.2 O (mp 39.degree. C.), and CaCl.sub.2 .cndot.6H.sub.2 O (mp 29.degree. C.). There are also salt hydrates which are liquids at room temperature and solidify below room temperature. An example of such a room temperature melt is KF.cndot./4H.sub.2 O which freezes at 19.3.degree. C. to yield a single solid phase. Other examples of salt hydrates which are liquids at room temperature are NaHS.cndot.3H.sub.2 O (mp 22.degree. C.), AlBr.sub.3 .cndot.15H.sub.2 O (mp -7.5.degree. C.), Na.sub.2 MnO.sub.4 .cndot.10H.sub.2 O (mp 17.degree. C.), KV(SO.sub.4).sub.2 .cndot.12H.sub.2 O (20.degree. C.), and CsGe(SO.sub.4).sub.2 .cndot.12H.sub.2 O (mp 2.113.degree. C.).

It is important to emphasize that "molten salt hydrates" are not merely concentrated aqueous solutions. As described by H. H. Emons in Oester. Chem. 2. 87, 3-9 (1986), molten salt hydrates MSH supply "a link between (aqueous) electrolyte solutions and salt melts" and are viewed as containing the minimum quantity of water necessary to fill the primary hydration spheres of the ions. Since water in excess of the primary hydration spheres is absent, water-ion interactions dominate and, unlike aqueous solutions, exclusive H.sub.2 O--H.sub.2 O interactions are absent. Such differences necessarily influence the chemical properties of both the salt and the bound water. Hence, the bulk water in an aqueous solution and the bound water in a MSH are chemically different. Such differences are reflected in various thermodynamic and other properties such as enthalpy of evaporation, conductivity, and partial molar dilution enthalpy. Differences between MSH and aqueous solutions are also reflected by the fact that both systems cannot be adequately described by the same theoretical model.

In the present invention, certain salt hydrates or MSH are used as reversible absorbents of acid gases, particularly CO.sub.2. The acid gases react with either the solid salt hydrate or the molten salt hydrate in the temperature range of about 0.degree. to 200.degree. C., preferably 20.degree. to 80.degree. C. The use of a number of different salt hydrates is illustrated in the Examples which follow. We have found that salt hydrates containing fluoride ions or the anions of certain carboxylic acids reversibly absorb unexpectedly large quantities of acid gases. For example, at 50.degree. C. tetramethylammonium fluoride tetrahydrate (TMAF) absorbs 0.28 moles of CO.sub.2 per mole of salt (equivalents) at a gas pressure of about 1 atm, corresponding to a calculated CO.sub.2 concentration of about 1.9M (calculation based on the assumption that the densities of liquid and solid TMAF are approximately the same and that the absorbent volume is unchanged by dissolution of CO.sub.2). The quantity of CO.sub.2 absorbed at 50.degree. C. is far in excess of that obtained for a normal aqueous salt solution, 3.4M NaCl, 0.01M CO.sub.2, or for water, 0.02M CO.sub.2. Additionally, it has been found that acid gas absorption by these particular salt hydrates is fully reversible. Gas is desorbed from the absorbent by simply lowering the CO.sub.2 pressure above the melt. Other methods, such as heating could be used to desorb CO.sub.2 although heating is not essential. It should be noted that TMAF need not be melted to absorb CO.sub.2. At 30.degree. C., solid TMAF liquefies in the presence of CO.sub.2 gas and functions as a reversible absorbent.

An unexpectedly large CO.sub.2 absorption capacity is not limited to TMAF alone but is apparently a property of other hydrates containing the fluoride ion. For example, KF.cndot.4H.sub.2 O reversibly absorbs up to 0.22 equiv CO.sub.2 at 40.degree. C. Similarly, CsF in the presence of four equiv water reversibly absorbs 0.19 equiv CO.sub.2 at 177 kPa.

Salt hydrates which contain the anion (conjugate base) of a weak acid also exhibit unusually high CO.sub.2 absorption capacities. For example, tetraethylammonium acetate tetrahydrate (TEAA) reversibly absorbs large quantities of CO.sub.2 at 50.degree. C. At 146 kPa, 0.174 equiv CO.sub.2 were absorbed. Tetramethylammonum malonate monohydrate (TMAM) in the presence of an additional 5.4 equiv water absorbs 0.29 equiv CO.sub.2 at 119 kPa and 30.degree. C. It has been found that, generally, any salt hydrate containing a monovalent cation and the anion (conjugate base) of an acid of pK.sub.a greater than 3 will exhibit an unexpectedly high CO.sub.2 absorption capacity, similar to that of TEAA or TMAM.

Although we do not wish to be bound by theory, it is believed that the unusual reactivity of TMAF and similar salt hydrates results from the enhanced basicity of the fluoride ion in the presence of limited water. Hence, F.sup.- acts as a Bronsted base resulting in hydroxide ion which leads to the formation of HCO.sub.3.sup.- in the following manner:

F.sup.- +H.sub.2 O.revreaction."HF"+OH.sup.- OH.sup.- +CO.sub.2 .revreaction.HCO.sub.3.sup.- The conjugate acid of F.sup.- is represented as "HF" for simplicity. The exact nature of this species has not been established but is perhaps HF.sub.2.sup.- or a HF--H.sub.2 O hydrogen-bonded cluster. Salt hydrates which contain anions of certain carboxylic acids; e.g. acetate, citrate, malonate, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, etc., are believed to absorb CO.sub.2 by a similar reaction pathway where a species resembling the conjugate acid of the anion is formed.

Salt hydrates which contain anions from relatively strong acids; i.e., pKa of 3 or less, exhibit more normal or expectedly low CO.sub.2 absorption capacities. As detailed in Example 6 below, (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NCl in the presence of 4 equivalents of water dissolves only 0.002 equiv CO.sub.2 (0.01M CO.sub.2) at 30C and 136 kPa. Similarly, salts containing anions of carboxylic acid with pKa values of 3 or less exhibit normal CO.sub.2 capacities. For example, (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NCF.sub.3 CO.sub.2 in 4 equivalents of water dissolves 0.011 equiv CO.sub.2 (0.05M CO.sub.2) at 30C and 133 kPa. Both of these CO.sub.2 capacities are close to those of dilute aqueous salt solutions.

The absorption capacities of salt hydrates are sensitive to the quantity of water present. Generally some quantity of water must be present to achieve the desired absorption capacity, although too much water, typically greater than about 12 moles per mole of salt has a detrimental effect on absorption. Example 7 below lists the CO.sub.2 capacities of samples containing CsF in the presence of various concentrations of water. In this survey, only one absorption point was obtained for each sample and, hence, the final equilibrium pressure of CO.sub.2 above each sample is not the same. In any case, it is evident from the data of Example 7 that dry CsF absorbs almost no CO.sub.2. At 0.5 equiv water, 0.39 equiv CO.sub.2 were absorbed at 19.8 kPa. CsF in the presence of 4 equiv water absorbed 0.11 equiv CO.sub.2 at 77.8 kPa (1.1M CO.sub.2). However, with 20 equiv water present only 0.033 equiv CO.sub.2 (0.085M) were absorbed at 134 kPa, approaching the value expected for a normal aqueous salt solution.

While the above discussion details the use of salt hydrates as CO.sub.2 absorbents such salt hydrates should also be useful for absorbing other acid gases such as H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.2 HCN, COS, and the like. The formation of adducts of SO.sub.2 with (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NF, KF, NaF, and RbF, all apparently anhydrous salts, have been reported (Angew. Chem. 67, 32-33 (1955). This process, however, reportedly proceeds by direct reaction of F.sup.- with SO.sub.2 to yield the fluorosulfinate ion, SO.sub.2 F.sup.-. In the presence of water, HF.sub.2.sup.- and HSO.sub.3.sup.- are generated. Hence, it is reasonable to expect that TMAF would react with SO.sub.2 as follows:

F.sup.- +H.sub.2 O.revreaction."HF"+OH.sup.- OH.sup.- +SO.sub.2 .revreaction.HSO.sub.3.sup.- It is expected that H.sub.2 S would be absorbed by TMAF to generated HS.sup.- by the reaction: F.sup.- +H.sub.2 O.revreaction."HF"+HS.sup.-

The uniqueness of salt hydrates as CO.sub.2 absorbents arises from the observation that the solubility of CO.sub.2 in certain salt hydrates is far greater than can be reasonably expected based on the prior art and on traditional chemical wisdom. These materials do not contain anions which are strong bases, such as hydroxide, carbonate, phosphates, or borates. Salt solutions containing these strongly basic anions exhibit predictably high CO.sub.2 solubilities and have been used as absorbents for over 50 years. The present inventions describes the use of salt hydrates which contain anions which are generally considered to be weak bases (pK.sub.a of conjugate acid greater than 3). Although a solubility of CO.sub.2 greater than that in water has been reported for aqueous 1.19M KF, the value, 0.14M, is far smaller than that of KF.cndot.4H.sub.2 O, 1.6M, or TMAF, 1.9M, all near 1 atm CO.sub.2. In fact, addition of water to either KF.cndot.4H.sub.2 O or TMAF saturated with CO.sub.2 at 1 atm results is evolution of CO.sub.2 gas, indicating that the addition of water results in a decrease in CO.sub.2 solubility. A larger than expected CO.sub.2 solubility is also exhibited by TEAA as set out in Example 2 below. At about 1 atm CO.sub.2 and 50.degree. C., the melt absorbs 0.16 equiv CO.sub.2. These results are surprising in that nowhere in the literature has it been suggested that solutions of salts containing acetate ions would have higher than expected CO.sub.2 solubilities. Additionally, the fact that salt hydrates or molten salt hydrates of the present invention reversibly absorb CO.sub.2 in any amounts is unexpected in view of the prior art teachings.

The following examples are presented to better illustrate the present invention and are not meant to be limiting.

Experimental

The CO.sub.2 absorption/desorption isotherms of the various salt hydrates were determined using manometric techniques. The salt used for each example was weighed into a stainless steel reaction vessel and attached to a vacuum line of known volume. The reaction vessel was maintained at a constant temperature. In-line pressure transducers were used to determine pressures. Dead volume of the system was determined by expansion of helium from the line at known volume and pressure into the reaction vessel. The vapor pressure of water above the salt hydrate was determined by exposing the solid or melt to a static vacuum and allowing the pressure to reach a maximum. It was assumed that the vapor pressure remained constant throughout the experiment and subsequent CO.sub.2 pressures were corrected accordingly.

Isotherms were determined in the following manner. The line was charged with CO.sub.2 to a known pressure and opened to the reaction vessel. The pressure was monitored until no further decrease was observed. The cylinder was closed, the line recharged with CO.sub.2 to a higher pressure, and the above steps were repeated. Following the collection of absorption data, the reaction vessel was closed and the line was evacuated. The contents of the reaction vessel were opened to the line and the pressure was monitored until a maximum was reached. Subsequent desorption data were collected in the same manner.

EXAMPLE 1

Tetramethylammonium fluoride tetrahydrate(TMAF) at 50.degree. C.

The reaction vessel was charged with 3.2594 g, 0.01973 mole, of TMAF, attached to the vacuum line, and maintained at 50.degree. C. The vapor pressure of the melt was 1.4 kPa. CO.sub.2 absorption/ desorption data was calculated as described above and is listed in Table 1 below. The results are reported as moles of CO.sub.2 per mole of salt as a function of CO.sub.2 gas pressure.

TABLE 1______________________________________TMAF at 50.degree. C.Absorption Desorption mole CO.sub.2 / mole CO.sub.2 /P(kPa) mole salt P(kPa) mole salt______________________________________ 1.5 0.085 37.8 0.23113.5 0.187 19.3 0.19748.4 0.246 12.3 0.17483.2 0.272 8.5 0.157111.1 0.283 6.4 0.144 5.2 0.134 4.4 0.125 3.7 0.117 3.3 0.110 2.8 0.105______________________________________

EXAMPLE 2.

Tetramethylammonium acetate tetrahydrate (TEAA) at 50.degree. C.

The reaction vessel was charged with 3.0458 g, 0.01165 mole, of TEAA and attached to the vacuum line. The vessel was maintained at 50.degree. C. At this temperature the vapor pressure of the melt was 2.5 kPa. Absorption/desorption data is reported in Table 2.

TABLE 2______________________________________TEAA at 50.degree. C.Absorption Desorption mole CO.sub.2 / mole CO.sub.2 /P(kPa) mole salt P(kPa) mole salt______________________________________19.4 0.065 43.2 0.092640.3 0.097 17.5 0.055071.7 0.127 6.6 0.036691.7 0.145 3.6 0.0255146.2 0.174______________________________________

EXAMPLE 3.

Potassium fluoride tetrahydrate, KF.cndot.4H.sub.2 O, at 40.degree. C.

A sample of KF.cndot.4H.sub.2 O was prepared by addition of two equivalents of water to KF.cndot.2H.sub.2 O. The reaction vessel was charged with 2.6332 g, 0.02798 mole, of the resulting melt and the vessel was maintained at 40.degree. C. The vapor pressure of the melt was 1.8 kPa. Absorption/desorption data is listed in Table 3.

TABLE 3______________________________________KF.4H.sub.2 O at 40.degree. C.Absorption Desorption mole CO.sub.2 / mole CO.sub.2 /P(kPa) mole salt P(kPa) mole salt______________________________________ 12.1 0.110 54.2 0.188 44.9 0.184 22.5 0.163125.9 0.208 13.8 0.110222.7 0.218 7.9 0.0997 4.0 0.0840______________________________________

It should be noted that reaction of KF.cndot.4H.sub.2 O with CO.sub.2 at 40.degree. C. resulted in the precipitation of some solid. Nonetheless, the absorption of CO.sub.2 was reversible.

EXAMPLE 4.

Cesium fluoride, CsF, in the presence of 4 equivalents of water at 40.degree. C.

The reaction vessel was charged with 6.5888 g of a solution containing CsF in 4 equivalents of water. The vessel was kept at 40.degree. C. The vapor pressure above the solution was 1.6 kPa. Absorption/desorption data is listed in Table 4.

TABLE 4______________________________________CsF in 4 equivalents of Water, 40.degree. C.Absorption Desorption mole CO.sub.2 / mole CO.sub.2 /P(kPa) mole salt P(kPa) mole salt______________________________________ 5.9 0.062 56.0 0.143 46.1 0.130 25.7 0.114118.5 0.172 14.5 0.096176.5 0.192 10.8 0.081______________________________________

EXAMPLE 5.

Tetramethylammonium malonate monohydrate (TMAM) in Water at 30.degree. C.

A solution was prepared by adding 5.4 equivalents of water to TMAM. The reaction vessel was charged with 3.1764 g of this solution which contained 8.707.times.10.sup.-3 mole of salt. With the vessel at 30.degree. C., the vapor pressure of the solution was 0.9 kPa. Absorption/desorption data is listed Table 5.

TABLE 5______________________________________TMAM in water at 30.degree. C.Absorption Desorption mole CO.sub.2 / mole CO.sub.2 /P(kPa) mole salt P(kPA) mole salt______________________________________13.4 0.116 36.1 0.20145.2 0.191 16.3 0.14670.7 0.237 8.8 0.114119.4 0 289 5.6 0.0916 3.3 0.0791______________________________________

EXAMPLE 6.

(Comparative) Tetramethylammonium chloride, (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NCl, and tetramethylammonium trifluoroacetate, (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NCF.sub.3 CO.sub.2 in water.

For comparison the CO.sub.2 absorption capacities of two salt solutions where only physical dissolution of CO.sub.2 occurs were measured. A solution was prepared from (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NCl and 4 equivalents of water. The reaction vessel was charged with 2.6481 g of the solution (0.01459 mole (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NCl), attached to the line and maintained at 30.degree. C. The solution was exposed to 164 kPa CO.sub.2 and the pressure monitored until CO.sub.2 uptake was complete. At 135.6 kPa, 0.002 mole of CO.sub.2 were absorbed per mole of salt (0.002M CO.sub.2).

The CO.sub.2 absorption capacity of (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NCF.sub.3 CO.sub.2 in the presence of 4 equivalents of water was determined as for (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NCl. The reaction vessel was charged with 3.1240 g of solution (0.01205 mole (CH.sub.3).sub.4 NCF.sub.3 CO.sub.2) and exposed to 164 kPa CO.sub.2 at 30.degree. C. At 133.1 kPa, 0.011 mole of CO.sub.2 were absorbed per mole of salt (0.05M CO.sub.2).

The results obtained for this example clearly show the superiority of the salt hydrates of the present invention over salt solutions where only physical dissolution of CO.sub.2 occurs.

EXAMPLE 7.

CsF in the presence of various concentrations of water.

To a weighed sample of CsF was added a weighed amount of water. An aliquot was weighed into the reaction vessel and maintained at the indicated temperature. Each sample was exposed to about 160 kPa CO.sub.2. The pressure was monitored until no further change was observed. Results are listed in Table 6.

TABLE 6______________________________________CsF in the Presenceof Various Water Concentrations Temp. P(CO.sub.2) mole CO.sub.2 / [CO.sub.2 ]Equiv water (.degree. C.) (kPa) mole CsF (M)______________________________________0 35 131.9 0.005 --0.5 35 19.8 0.394 --1.0 35 46.5 0.428 --2.5 35 28.1 0.19 2.64.0 35 77.8 0.11 1.18.0 35 114.7 0.07 0.412.0 33 133.9 0.05 0.220.0 20 133.5 0.09 0.09______________________________________

The results reported in Table 6 above indicate that water in excess of that bound by the salt can be tolerated in the system, although the excess should be kept to a minimum as the absorption capacity decreases rapidly with the addition of excess water.

Having thus described the present invention, what is now deemed appropriate for Letters Patent is set out in the following appended claims.

Claims

1. A process for removing acid gases selected from the group consisting of CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.2, HCN, and COS from a gas mixture containing one or more of said acid gases and at least one other component, said process comprising:

bringing said gas mixture into contact with a hydrated salt of the composition

A.sub.x.sup.m+ B.sub.y.sup.n- .cndot.rH.sub.2 O

wherein A.sup.m+ is a cation, B.sup.n- is the conjugate base of a weak acid having a pKa corresponding to an ionization constant of the acid greater than 3 as measured in dilute aqueous solution, m and n are independently integers from 1-4, x and y are integers such that the ratio of x to y provides a neutral salt and r is any number greater than zero up to the maximum number of moles of water which can be bound to the salt; and carrying out said process at a temperature from 0.degree. to 200.degree. C. whereby said salt hydrate reversibly absorbs said acid gases thereby removing them from the gas mixture.

2. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein m=1.

3. A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein A.sup.m+ is an alkali metal cation.

4. A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein A.sup.m+ is a quaternary ammonium ion of the formula R.sub.4 N.sup.+, wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aromatic group.

5. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein B.sup.n- is a fluoride ion.

6. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein B.sup.n- is an anion of a carboxylic acid.

7. A process in accordance with claim 5 wherein B.sup.n- is an anion of a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of acetate, malonate, citrate, ethylenediaminetetraacetate and nitrilotriacetate.

8. A process in accordance with claim 7 wherein said process is carried out at a temperature from 20.degree. to 80.degree. C.

9. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said salt hydrate is a molten salt hydrate.

10. A process in accordance with claim 2 wherein r is from 0.5 to 24.

11. A process in accordance with claim 10 wherein r is from 0.5 to 12.

12. A process in accordance with claim 10 wherein said salt hydrate is tetraethylammonium acetate tetrahydrate.

13. A process in accordance with claim 10 wherein said salt hydrate is tetramethylammonium malonate monohydrate.

14. A process in accordance with claim 10 wherein said salt hydrate is tetramethylammonium fluoride tetrahydrate.

15. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said salt hydrate is in the presence of up to 6 moles of water per mole of cation, and independently up to 6 moles of water per mole of anion present in the salt.

16. A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said acid gas reversibly absorbed by said salt hydrate is CO.sub.2.