This work presents an experimental and theoretical investigation of CO2 absorption into aqueous blends of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and diethanolamine (DEA). The CO2 absorption into the amine blends is described by a combined mass transfer-reaction kinetics-equilibrium model, developed according to Higbie's penetration theory. The model predictions have been found to be in good agreement with the experimental rates of absorption of CO2 into (AMP + DEA + H2O). The good agreement between the model predicted rates and enhancement factors and the experimental results indicate that the combined mass transfer-reaction kinetics-equilibrium model with the appropriate use of model parameters can effectively represent CO2 mass transfer for the aqueous amine blends AMP/DEA. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.