Creating Advanced Processes Through Utilizing Renewable Eutectics for Gas Capture and Separation

Date of Award

6-2024

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Chemical and Paper Engineering

First Advisor

Mert Atilhan, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

James Springstead, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Priyanka Sharma, Ph.D.

Fourth Advisor

Sam Ramrattan, Ph.D.

Keywords

Carbon dioxide capture, high-pressure gas sorption and separation, isochoric, natural deep eutectic solvents, syngas separation, thermophysical properties

Abstract

Global efforts to reduce emissions of environmentally harmful gases have intensified, with carbon dioxide (CO2) being identified as the most significant greenhouse gas and a key target for reduction strategies. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has the highest potential of threatening the environment. It is recognized as one of the greenhouse gases which has the potential of negative effects on the human being, atmosphere, and the environment. Even though CO2 gas has negative effects but at the same time it has high potential to be exploited in beneficial ways. For instance, CO2 is used in the energy field to produce the so-called synthesis gas (syngas) and in many different exploitation methods. Syngas comprises of carbon monoxide (CO), CO2, nitrogen (N2), and hydrogen (H2) with different amounts based on the raw materials and the production technology. The available technologies of syngas production convert CO to CO2 in order to separate CO2 from the H2 stream in different ways. CO2 separation methods include absorption by various materials such as the conventional amine compounds, adsorption using materials as molecular sieves, membrane separation, and cryogenic separation. These methods of separation are pricy. This work presents different materials for gas capture and separation. Various newly produced deep eutectic solvents (DES) systems are used for CO2 capture and CO2/N2 separation, and DES based membranes, which is called as eutectogels, in the syngas separation process. The motivation of using this kind of material is that DES has favorable potential such as low vapor pressure, friendly with the environment, cheap materials, easy to prepare, and low or zero toxicity levels. This work studies numerous materials in terms of their thermophysical properties characterization and CO2, H2, and N2 capture capabilities. The obtained results are promising to continue in this path for more investigation and more experiments to engineer these materials to achieve the highest benefit of them. The liquid form of these new materials can be implemented in the existing facilities with minimum retrofit cost for the infrastructure. Additionally, they can be utilized in the gel form for membrane separation when and where it is more suitable.

As a supplementary aspect of this study, LEWATIT VP OC 1065 was utilized in a chemisorption application to assess the performance of commissioned apparatuses in gas capture scenarios, thereby ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of available technologies for environmental gas management.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Abstract Only

Restricted to Campus until

6-1-2026

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