CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption on binderless activated carbon monoliths

A series of activated carbon monoliths have been prepared by chemical activation of two lignocellulosic precursors, coconut shell (CACM) and African palm stones (PACM). The incorporation of a conforming step between the impregnation with H₃PO₄ and the activation step allows the successful development of disc-shape monoliths without the use of a binder. Textural characterization results using N₂ adsorption at 77 K show that the effect of the activating agent highly depends on the nature of the carbon precursor used. While chemical activation with phosphoric acid has mainly no effect when using coconut shell, a large development of both micro- and mesoporosity is observed for African palm stones. Large concentrations of the activating agent produce the partial shrinkage of the narrow microporous structure independently of the precursor used. Concerning the adsorption of CO₂ at atmospheric pressure and 273 K, both series of activated carbon monoliths exhibit an improved adsorption behaviour with the activation degree up to an optimum value around ∼164 mg CO₂/g, for sample CACM-32, and ∼162 mg CO₂/g, for sample PACM-28, the amount adsorbed decreasing thereafter. Apparently, the total amount of CO₂ adsorbed under these experimental conditions is defined by the volume of narrow micropores (V _n ).     

Preparation and performance of potassium-based sorbent using SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> for post-combustion CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> capture

Potassium-based sorbents using γ-Al₂O₃ or TiO₂ as a support or an additive material have disadvantages in terms of their thermal stability and cyclic CO₂ capture. To overcome the shortcomings of these sorbents, a novel potassium-based sorbent (KSnI30) using SnO₂ was developed in this study. The KSnI30 sorbent formed only K₂CO₃ and SnO₂ phases without any inactive alloy species even after calcination at high temperatures (500–700 °C), indicating the good thermal stability of the KSnI30 sorbent regardless of the calcination temperature. Furthermore, the KSnI30 sorbent has an excellent regeneration property (above 98 %), as well as high CO₂ capture capacities (89–94 mg CO₂/g sorbent). Its excellent regeneration property is due to the formation of a KHCO₃ phase without by-products during CO₂ sorption. These results of the present study demonstrate that the SnO₂ shows promise as a new support or an additive material to replace TiO₂ and γ-Al₂O₃ in the preparation of a regenerable potassium-based sorbent for post-combustion CO₂ capture with good thermal stability and excellent regeneration property.     

FT-IR study on CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorbed species of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> sorbents

The stability of amine-functionalized silica sorbents prepared through the incipient wetness technique with primary, secondary, and tertiary amino organosilanes was investigated. The prepared sorbents were exposed to different gaseous streams including CO₂/N₂, dry CO₂/air with varying concentration, and humid CO₂/air mixtures to demonstrate the effect of the gas conditions on the CO₂ adsorption capacity and the stability of the different amine structures. The primary and secondary amine-functionalized adsorbents exhibited CO₂ sorption capacity, while tertiary amine adsorbent hardly adsorbed any CO₂. The secondary amine adsorbent showed better stability than the primary amine sorbent in all the gas conditions, especially dry conditions. Deactivation species were evaluated using FT-IR spectra, and the presence of urea was confirmed to be the main deactivation product of the primary amine adsorbent under dry condition. Furthermore, it was found that the CO₂ concentration can affect the CO₂ sorption capacity as well as the extent of degradation of sorbents.     

Zeolite synthesis from waste fly ash and its application in CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> capture from flue gas streams

Zeolite A and A + X mixtures were prepared from coal-fly ash procured from China by using an alkali fusion method. X-ray diffraction showed that both the materials were crystalline and reproducible. Scanning Microscopy revealed that pure zeolite A particles have cubic morphology while the mixture shows intergrowth of cubic and pyramidal crystals. The surface area for A + X mixture was around 330 m²/g which is higher than zeolite A, however, lower than typical X zeolite. CO₂ and N₂ adsorption isotherms were measured and the data was fitted by the Dual Site Langmuir equation. These zeolites were then tested for CO₂ capture at different temperatures in a process with a nine step cycle. When compared with 13X zeolites at higher temperature (∼90 °C), both the zeolite A + X mixture and zeolite A prepared from fly ash showed better performance in CO₂ capture from flue gas because they have higher selectivity of CO₂ over N₂.     

Pressure swing adsorption for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> capture in Fischer-Tropsch fuels production from biomass

Environmental concerns and oil price rises and dependency promoted strong research in alternative fuel sources and vectors. Fischer-Tropsch products are considered a valid alternative to oil derivatives having the advantage of being able to share current infrastructures. As a renewable source of energy, synthesis gas obtained from biomass gasification presents itself as a sustainable alternative. However, prior to hydrocarbon conversion, the bio-syngas must be conditioned, which includes the removal of carbon dioxide for subsequent sequestration and capture. A pressure swing adsorption cycle was developed for the removal and concentration of CO₂ from the bio-syngas stream. Activated carbon was chosen as adsorbent. The simulation results showed that it was possible to produce a (H₂ + CO) product with a H₂/CO stoichiometric ratio of 2.14 (suitable as feed stream for the Fischer-Tropsch reactor) and a CO₂ product with a purity of 95.18%. A CO₂ recovery of 90.3% was obtained. A power consumption of 3.36 MW was achieved, which represents a reduction of about 28% when compared to a Rectisol process with the same recovery.     

Effect of steam and CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> activation on characteristics and desulfurization performance of pyrolusite modified activated carbon

We investigated the effect of activation methods, i.e. steam and carbon dioxide (CO₂) activation, on the physicochemical properties and desulfurization performance of pyrolusite-modified activated carbon. Walnut shell was used as the raw material and three kinds of pyrolusite were used as the additives for the modification of activated carbon. Physicochemical properties of the samples were studied by BET, XPS, FTIR and XRD methods. The results showed that the samples by steam activation (AC-H₂O) had higher S_BET, pore volume and surface oxygen-containing functional groups than those by CO₂ activation (AC-CO₂). Different kinds of pyrolusite had influence on the pore structures and the contents of C–O/C=O groups on the AC-H₂O samples, due to different contents of Mn/Fe in these pyrolusite. All pyrolusite modified samples demonstrated a higher desulfurization activity than blank ones, and the sulfur capacity of the modified samples increased with the increment of Mn/Fe contents in the pyrolusite. Furthermore, the AC-H₂O modified samples performed much higher desulfurization capacity (217 mg/g) than the AC-CO₂ samples (171 mg/g).     

Capture of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> from flue gas by vacuum pressure swing adsorption using activated carbon beads

Vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) for CO₂ capture has attracted much research effort with the development of the novel CO₂ adsorbent materials. In this work, a new adsorbent, that is, pitch-based activated carbon bead (AC bead), was used to capture CO₂ by VPSA process from flue gas. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetics data had been reported in a previous work. Fixed-bed breakthrough experiments were carried out in order to evaluate the effect of feed flowrate, composition as well as the operating pressure and temperature in the adsorption process. A four-step Skarstrom-type cycle, including co-current pressurization with feed stream, feed, counter-current blowdown, and counter-current purge with N₂ was employed for CO₂ capture to evaluate the performance of AC beads for CO₂ capture with the feed compositions from 15–50% CO₂ balanced with N₂. Various operating conditions such as total feed flowrate, feed composition, feed pressure, temperature and vacuum pressure were studied experimentally. The simulation of the VPSA unit taking into account mass balance, Ergun relation for pressure drop and energy balance was performed in the gPROMS using a bi-LDF approximation for mass transfer and Virial equation for equilibrium. The simulation and experimental results were in good agreement. Furthermore, two-stage VPSA process was adopted and high CO₂ purity and recovery were obtained for post-combustion CO₂ capture using AC beads.     

Influence of activated carbon in zeolite X/activated carbon composites on CH<Subscript>4</Subscript>/N<Subscript>2</Subscript> adsorption separation ability

A series of zeolite X/activated carbon composites with different ratio of zeolite X and activated carbon were prepared, which were adjusted by adding solid pitch powder and silicon dioxide as additional carbonaceous and silica source, respectively. The corresponding modified samples were obtained by treatment with the ammonium chloride solution. CH₄ and N₂ adsorption isotherms on all composites were determined within the pressure of 0–100 kPa at 298 K, and fitted with Henry model and Freundlich model. The results showed the adsorption separation abilities for CH₄ and N₂ were strongly influenced by activated carbon content, micropore structure and surface properties. The increase of activated carbon content increased the BET surface area, micropore surface area and micropore volume, leading to an enhanced CH₄ adsorption capacity and CH₄/N₂ adsorption selectivity. Compared with the unmodified composites, the modified composites showed higher CH₄/N₂ adsorption selectivity, and CH₄ adsorption capacity decreased slightly, which can be attributed to the reduction of the micropore structure parameters, the surface basic amount and basic strength. Furthermore, the modified composite HAX-3 presented the highest CH₄/N₂ selectivity of 3.4, and high CH₄ adsorption capacities, which is favorable for application in pressure swing adsorption processes.     

Dry Potassium-Based Sorbents for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Capture

Dry potassium-based sorbents were prepared by impregnation with potassium carbonate on supports such as activated carbon (AC), TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, CaO, SiO₂ and various zeolites. The CO₂ capture capacity and regeneration property of various sorbents were measured in the presence of H₂O in a fixed bed reactor, during multiple cycles at various temperature conditions (CO₂ absorption at 50–100 °C and regeneration at 130–400 °C). The KAlI30, KCaI30, and KMgI30 sorbents formed new structures such as KAl(CO₃)₂(OH)₂, K₂Ca(CO₃)₂, K₂Mg(CO₃)₂, and K₂Mg(CO₃)₂·4(H₂O), which did not completely convert to the original K₂CO₃ phase at temperatures below 200 °C, during the CO₂ absorption process in the presence of 9 vol.% H₂O. In the case of KACI30, KTiI30, and KZrI30, only a KHCO₃ crystal structure was formed during CO₂ absorption. The formation of active species, K₂CO₃·1.5H₂O, by the pretreatment with water vapor and the formation of the KHCO₃ crystal structure after CO₂ absorption are important factors for absorption and regeneration, respectively, even at low temperatures (130–150 °C). In particular, the KTiI30 sorbent showed excellent characteristics with respect to CO₂ absorption and regeneration in that it satisfies the requirements of a large amount of CO₂ absorption (87 mg CO₂/g sorbent) without the pretreatment with water vapor, unlike KACI30, and a fast and complete regeneration at a low temperature condition (1 atm, 150 °C). In addition, the higher total CO₂ capture capacity of KMgI30 (178.6 mg CO₂/g sorbent) than that of the theoretical value (95 mg CO₂/g sorbent) was explained through the contribution of the absorption ability of MgO support. In this review, we introduce the CO₂ capture capacities and regeneration properties of several potassium-based sorbents, the changes in the physical properties of the sorbents before/after CO₂ absorption, and the role of water vapor and its effects on CO₂ absorption.     

CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and SO<Subscript>2</Subscript> uptake by oil shale ashes

In the present research, CO₂ and SO₂ binding ability of different oil shale ashes and the effect of pre-treatment (grinding, preceding calcination) of these ashes on their binding properties and kinetics was studied using thermogravimetric, SEM, X-ray, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis methods. It was shown that at 700 °C, 0.03–0.28 mmol of CO₂ or 0.16–0.47 mmol of SO₂ was bound by 100 mg of ash in 30 min. Pre-treatment conditions influenced remarkably binding parameters. Grinding decreased CO₂ binding capacities, but enhanced SO₂ binding in the case of fluidized bed ashes. Grinding of pulverized firing ashes increased binding parameters with both gases. Calcination at higher temperatures decreased binding parameters of both types of ashes with both gases studied. Clarification of this phenomenon was given. Kinetic analysis of the binding process was carried out, mechanism of the reactions and respective kinetic constants were determined. It was shown that the binding process with both gases was controlled by diffusion. Activation energies in the temperature interval of 500–700 °C for CO₂ binding with circulating fluidized bed combustion ashes were in the range of 48–82 kJ mol⁻¹, for SO₂ binding 43–107 kJ mol⁻¹. The effect of pre-treatment on the kinetic parameters was estimated.     

Reaction mechanism of carbon gasification in CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> under non-isothermal conditions

Experiments of carbon (graphite) gasification in CO₂ have been carried out by thermal analysis techniques (TG-DTG-DSC) under non-isothermal conditions. The results indicate that the entire carbon gasification process can be divided into an exothermic slow gasification stage during the initial period and an endothermic fast gasification later. The analyses of energy conservation and non-isothermal kinetics arrive at the following conclusions; (1) The exotherm of the initial stage is caused by the combined effect of the exothermic chemisorption and the endothermic chemical reaction. The gasification reaction may be expressed by the series of chemisorption and chemical reaction and the overall process is controlled by interface reaction via chemisorption. (2) The endothermic effect of fast gasification stage is almost equal to the reaction heat of carbon gasification, which implies that the chemisorption step disappears. The gasification process can be expressed by a simple interface reaction.     

Application of thermogravimetric analysis to the evaluation of aminated solid sorbents for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> capture

In this work a series of solid sorbents were synthesized by immobilizing liquid amines on the surface of a mesoporous alumina. The samples were chemically characterized and BET surface areas calculated from the N₂ adsorption isotherms at 77 K. The CO₂ capture performance of the sorbents and their thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetric methods. The effect of amine loading on the CO₂ capture performance of the prepared sorbents was also evaluated. Analysis of TG-DTG curves showed that thermal stabilization of the amines is significantly improved by immobilizing them on an inorganic support. Temperature-programmed CO₂ adsorption tests from 298 K up to 373 K at atmospheric pressure, proved to be a useful technique for assessing the capacity of sorbents for CO₂ capture. Alumina impregnated with diethylenetriamine presented the highest CO₂ adsorption capacities throughout the tested temperature range.     

Thermal behavior of LDH 2CuAl.CO<Subscript>3</Subscript> and 2CuAl.CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>/Pd

Cu/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) can be used as a catalyst for important processes such as cross-coupling reactions. This property may be improved by adding palladium by either impregnation or intercalation. Therefore, the LDH matrix and its composites with Pd⁰ or [PdCl₄]^2? have been prepared. By powder X-ray diffraction, FT-infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis it was determined the LDH formula Cu₄Al₂(OH)₁₂CO₃.4H₂O, with malachite as the second phase. The LDH thermal decomposition occurs between 120 and 600 °C, having as intermediates the double oxi-hydroxide and the mixed oxide phases. At 800 °C the residue is composed of CuO and CuAl₂O₄. The composites were obtained employing [PdCl₄]^2? and Pd₂(dba)₃ as precursors, and the solvent choice for this process was shown to be of significant importance: the materials obtained using DMF had Pd impregnated in the surface, while the usage of water promoted the intercalation of [PdCl₄]^2? in the LDH matrix. The thermogravimetric analysis was able to distinguish the mode of supporting palladium between the composites being a reliable characterization for such task.     

Photocatalytic reduction of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> over TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> based catalysts

At present, carbon dioxide is considered the largest contributor among greenhouse gases. This review covers the current state of problem of carbon dioxide emissions from industrial and combustion processes, the principle of photocatalysis, existing literature related to photocatalytic CO₂ reduction over TiO₂ based catalysts and the effects of important parameters on the process performance including light wavelength and intensity, type of reductant, metal-modified surface, temperature and pressure. Presented at the 34th International Conference of the Slovak Society of Chemical Engineering, Tatranské Matliare, 21–25 May 2007.     

Triamine-grafted pore-expanded mesoporous silica for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> capture: Effect of moisture and adsorbent regeneration strategies

Adsorption of carbon dioxide (CO₂) was investigated on triamine-grafted, pore-expanded MCM-41 mesoporous silica (TRI-PE-MCM-41). Measurements of adsorption capacity using mass spectrometry showed an enhanced CO₂ adsorption capacity in humid streams compared to dry CO₂. This was corroborated with breakthrough experiments, which also showed that TRI-PE-MCM-41 offered a practically infinite selectivity towards CO₂ over nitrogen. Cyclic measurements of pure CO₂ and CO₂:N₂ = 10:90 mixture using different regeneration modes showed that amine-grafted PE-MCM-41 is particularly suitable for CO₂ removal using temperature swing adsorption (TSA) at adsorption temperatures higher than ambient, while temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) may be attractive at ambient temperature.     

NaBO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>CO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>MoO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>WO<Subscript>4</Subscript> quaternary system

This is the first study of the NaBO₂-Na₂CO₃-Na₂MoO₄-Na₂WO₄ quaternary system by differential thermal analysis. Na₂[MoO_4(x)WO_{4(1 − x)}] solid solutions in the quaternary system are found to not decompose.     

Organometallic coordination polymers based on silver carboxylates: [AgCF<Subscript>3</Subscript>CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(2,3-Et<Subscript>2</Subscript>Pyz)] and [AgCF<Subscript>3</Subscript>CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Bpeta)]

Coordination polymers [AgCF₃CO₂(2,3-Et₂Pyz)](I)(2,3-Et₂Pyz-C₈H₁₂N₂) and [AgCF₃CO₂(Bpeta)] (II) (Bpeta is 4′4-bipyridylethane, C₁₂H₁₂N₂) are synthesized. Their structures are determined. The crystals of compound I are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 7.185(1), b = 14.754(1), c = 12.317(1)Å, β = 97.09(1)°, V = 1295.7(2) ų, ρ_calcd = 1.831 g/cm³, Z = 4. Structure I consists of infinite chains of doubled polymeric chains joined by silver carboxylate dimers [[Ag₂(CF₃CO₂)₂(Et₂Pyz)₂]_∞. The coordination polyhedron of Ag⁺ is a distorted tetrahedron. The crystals of compound II are orthorhombic, space group Pbca, a = 13.555(3), b = 13.991(3), c = 16.449(3) Å, V = 3119.5(11) ų, ρ_calcd = 1.725 g/cm³, Z = 8. Doubled polymeric chains with the Ag…Ag bond (3.16 Å) are also formed in structure II. Supramolecular layers are formed in the structure due to the weak π-π-stacking interaction between the aromatic groups of chains. The CF₃CO ₂ ^? anion is weakly bound to Ag⁺ (Ag-O_avg 2.790 Å).     

Adsorption of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-containing gas mixtures over amine-bearing pore-expanded MCM-41 silica: application for CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> separation

Adsorption of CO₂, N₂, CH₄ and H₂ on triamine-grafted pore-expanded MCM-41 mesoporous silica (TRI-PE-MCM-41) was investigated at room temperature in a wide range of pressure (up to 25 bar) using gravimetric measurements. The material was found to exhibit high affinity toward CO₂ in comparison to the other species over the whole range of pressure. Column-breakthrough dynamic measurements of CO₂-containing mixtures showed very high selectivity toward CO₂ over N₂, CH₄ and H₂ at CO₂ concentrations within the range of 5 to 50%. These conditions are suitable for effective removal of CO₂ at room temperature from syngas, flue gas and biogas using temperature swing (TS) or temperature-pressure swing (TPS) regeneration mode. Moreover, TRI-PE-MCM-41 was found to be highly stable over hundreds of adsorption-desorption cycles using TPS as regeneration mode.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biphasic ionic liquid media 1-hexene hydrogenation reaction of RuCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>(DMSO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NC<Subscript>5</Subscript>H<Subscript>4</Subscript>CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>Na-3)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

RuCl₂(DMSO)₂(NC₅H₄CO₂Na-3)₂ is very soluble in the ionic liquid (IL) 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [(BMIM)BF₄]. The complex was prepared by reacting RuCl₂(DMSO)₄ with NC₅H₄CO₂Na-3, sodium nicotinate, in toluene, and was characterized by spectroscopic methods. The complex catalyzes the hydrogenation of 1-hexene (600 psi H₂, 100 °C) in a two-phase system consisting of cyclohexane/[(BMIM)BF₄] with 75% conversion in 24 h and modest substrate isomerization. The complex shows good stability and can be reused several times with little loss in activity.