A REVIEW OF MONOETHANOLAMINE CHEMISTRY

Monoethanolamine, MEA, is currently the absorbent chemical employed in carbon dioxide scrubbers aboard nuclear submarines, but it is sometimes unstable under operating conditions. This report, part of a more extended effort to improve the operative stability of MEA, is a review of the physical properties and chemical reactions of monoethanolamine and its degradation products. Among the topics discussed are a compilation of 27 different and suitably referenced physical and chemical properties of MEA, its commercial preparation, action of bacteria on MEA, pharmacology of MEA, physical chemistry of MEA, chemical reactions of MEA, and a section on the analytical processes applicable to MEA. The section on the physical chemistry of MEA Is further subdivided into the structure of liquid MEA, viscosity and dielectric constant of MEA, solubilities of salts In MEA, basic function of MEA, thermodynamics of ionization, and the heat of vaporization of MEA. The section on the chemical reactions of MEA is further subdivided Into addition or salt formation, reaction with nitrous acid, acylation, the formation of piperazine, cyanoethylation, reaction of MEA with aldehydes and ketones, reaction of MEA with carbon dioxide, double salts, reaction of iron and MEA, complex formation of MEA with the heavy metals, reducing action of MEA, and the reaction of MEA with oxygen.