MEA - Monoethanolamine

About This Product

Monoethanolamine, 2-aminoethanol with formula C2H7NO and CAS number 141-43-5, is a clear viscous liquid with a strong ammoniacal odour, fully miscible with water and hygroscopic. It carries both an amine group and a hydroxyl group, which is what gives it its dual character. In gas treating it is the reference case against which other solvents are measured. Because it reacts chemically with carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide to form carbamates and salts, rather than merely dissolving them, it can strip acid gas down to very low concentrations even when the partial pressure is low. That is precisely the condition in a power station flue gas at atmospheric pressure, where a physical solvent would absorb almost nothing, and it is why MEA remains the baseline technology for post-combustion carbon capture. The cost is energy: breaking the chemical bond to release the gas and regenerate the solvent requires substantial heat, and that regeneration duty dominates the economics. MEA also degrades oxidatively and thermally and is corrosive to carbon steel, so inhibitors and reclaiming are part of any operating system. It is used in carbon capture and gas sweetening, detergent and surfactant manufacture, metalworking fluids, corrosion inhibitors and as a chemical intermediate. Bio Green Chem supplies MEA to specification on assay, water, diethanolamine, colour, iron and acidity.