The thermal degradation model for MEA describes the consumption of the solvent and the formation of intermediates and degradation products. The model is developed for 30 wt% MEA and is valid at loadings between 0.1 -0.5 mol CO2/mol MEA and temperatures up to 160°C. This model has been extrapolated to apply to a 35 wt% solution, as similar degradation rates are expected, as reported by Høisaeter et al. . Although no experimental data was available below 100 °C, the predicted reaction rates are insignificant at these temperatures, and the model can be extrapolated . The modelled degradation reactions, reaction rate equations, and fitted parameters are given in Table . The free concentration of CO2 in the solvent is used as a surrogate for the concentration of the intermediate 2-oxazolidinone (OZD), a key reactant in carbamate polymerisation.