Development of CO2 capture method via polyurethane-amine sorbent in VSA

Author

Samantha StarkeyFollow
David S. RinehartFollow

College

College of Engineering and Polymer Science

Date of Last Revision

2023-05-05 22:34:46

Major

Chemical Engineering

Honors Course

4200:497

Number of Credits

3

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Date of Expected Graduation

Spring 2022

Abstract

With increases in extreme weather and global temperatures, research is delving into CO₂ capture to help reverse climate change. This project explored utilizing vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) for CO₂ capture and release. VSA uses a sorbent, in this case amine sorbents, to capture CO­­₂ from air and subsequently removes it via vacuum. Polyurethane (PU) foam was investigated as a potential matrix for amine sorbents to increase exposure of CO₂ capturing amines to air by utilizing its porous structure. PU mixing studies were conducted to determine the feasibility of mixing PU foam with amines and coating foams with amine solutions by studying the effects they might have on the foam matrix structure. The amines tested include polyethylenimine (PEI), tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), and diethylenetriamine (DETA). The impact of modifying the amines via methods such as saturation with CO₂ and poisoning with acids were explored with regard to their effect on PU foam structure and expansion. Many interactions between amines and PU caused the resulting foam to collapse, having little to no porous structure. However, a 6.5 wt% of 1:1 H2O and TEPA mixture added to PU was determined to provide better internal structure and solvent uptake than commercial closed cell foam. A CO₂ capture vacuum unit was designed and constructed for VSA. FTIR analysis was conducted in-situ with the unit to observe CO₂ adsorption and desorption. Observations verified the method of CO₂ capture and measurement as an effective method. It also showed that some amine was pulled from the PU matrix in the vacuum, so future work will continue to improve amine retention. This project developed sorbent samples with analysis of amine-PU interaction effects, a CO₂ unit for VSA, and a method for in-situ analysis of CO₂ adsorption and desorption.

Research Sponsor

Dr. Steven Chuang

First Reader

Dr. Roya Gitiafroz

Second Reader

Dr. Kevin Cavicchi

Honors Faculty Advisor

Dr. Bi-min Zhang Newby

Proprietary and/or Confidential Information

No

Recommended Citation

Starkey, Samantha and Rinehart, David S., "Development of CO2 capture method via polyurethane-amine sorbent in VSA" (2022). Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects. 1608.
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/honors_research_projects/1608