What is the reaction in CO2 absorbers and what byproduct is produced?

The reaction that occurs in CO2 absorbers is indeed neutralization, where carbon dioxide reacts with basic substances to form bicarbonates or carbonates. This process involves the combination of CO2 with water to produce carbonic acid, which can then react with bases present in the absorber material. The end result of these reactions typically leads to the formation of bicarbonate or carbonate salts, alongside the production of water as a byproduct. The heat generated during this neutralization process is due to the exothermic nature of the reactions involved.

In this context, the formation of water and heat as byproducts is characteristic of neutralization reactions, where an acid (carbonic acid in this case) reacts with a base. This understanding aligns with the principles of the chemical reactions that occur when CO2 is absorbed, leading to neutralization being the most appropriate description of the overall process.