Method and device for separating carbon dioxide from a gas stream and for removing degradation products in the washing medium by photolytic decomposition

A separation device for separating carbon dioxide from a gas stream, comprising

• an absorber for separating carbon dioxide from the gas stream by means of an amino acid salt solution as a washing medium,
• a desorber fluid-dynamically coupled to the absorber for releasing carbon dioxide absorbed in the washing medium,
• a cooling unit fluid-dynamically connected to the desorber to form a condensate from a vapor stream which is removable from the desorber,
• a branch point arranged between the cooling unit and the desorber for at least a partial stream of the condensate, and
• a radiation source for photolytic decomposition of degradation products contained in the condensate,
• wherein the radiation source is fluid-dynamically connected upstream and/or downstream from the branch point, and
• wherein the absorber is fluid-dynamically connected to a first desorber stage of the desorber via a discharge line, and a branch line is fluid-dynamically connected to the discharge line and a second desorber stage of the desorber,
• wherein a first partial stream of charged washing medium from the absorber is supplied to the first desorber stage without preheating via the discharge line, and a second partial stream of charged washing medium from the absorber is supplied to the second desorber stage via the branch line.