Use of Starbons (R) to capture and convert CO2
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
NB (R) refers to registered trademark - symbol not accepted in the JeS text box
The separation of CO2 from other gases is an EPSRC research theme and a key technology for both post combustion carbon capture (which requires CO2 to be separated from mostly N2) and natural gas sweetening (which requires CO2 to be separated from mostly CH4). The most investigated method for CO2 separation relies on aqueous amines to capture the CO2 as hydrogen carbonates and subsequently release it at a higher temperature. However, pilot plant studies have demonstrated that this technology is extremely unattractive as it: is highly energy intensive; produces highly toxic nitrosamines and uses corrosive solutions. Therefore alternative ways of separating CO2 based on solid adsorbents are being investigated and one of the most attractive of these is porous carbon as carbon is abundant and non-toxic. Conventional wisdom is that microporous carbon is optimal for gas capture applications and these materials have been extensively investigated. However, in a recent Angewandte paper (Angewandte Chemie, 2016, 55, 9173-9177) we have shown that this conventional wisdom is wrong as predominantly mesoporous Starbon(R) materials were shown to adsorb more than as much CO2 as microporous activated carbon.
In this project we aim to build upon our initial results in a number of ways and in doing so provide a broad based training in an important area of materials chemistry to a PhD student. The project breaks down into a number of workpackages which are largely independent of one another and which will allow the student an element of choice in the direction of their research.
WP1: investigation of influence of biomass source on CO2 capture by Starbon(R).
WP2: incorporation of nitrogen into the Starbon(R) materials to further enhance CO2 capture.
WP3: manipulation of Starbon(R) structure by blocking of micropores and partial blocking of mesopores (converting them into micropores).
WP4: catalyst adsorption onto Starbon(R) materials so that CO2 can be adsorbed, then converted into another chemical prior to release.
The separation of CO2 from other gases is an EPSRC research theme and a key technology for both post combustion carbon capture (which requires CO2 to be separated from mostly N2) and natural gas sweetening (which requires CO2 to be separated from mostly CH4). The most investigated method for CO2 separation relies on aqueous amines to capture the CO2 as hydrogen carbonates and subsequently release it at a higher temperature. However, pilot plant studies have demonstrated that this technology is extremely unattractive as it: is highly energy intensive; produces highly toxic nitrosamines and uses corrosive solutions. Therefore alternative ways of separating CO2 based on solid adsorbents are being investigated and one of the most attractive of these is porous carbon as carbon is abundant and non-toxic. Conventional wisdom is that microporous carbon is optimal for gas capture applications and these materials have been extensively investigated. However, in a recent Angewandte paper (Angewandte Chemie, 2016, 55, 9173-9177) we have shown that this conventional wisdom is wrong as predominantly mesoporous Starbon(R) materials were shown to adsorb more than as much CO2 as microporous activated carbon.
In this project we aim to build upon our initial results in a number of ways and in doing so provide a broad based training in an important area of materials chemistry to a PhD student. The project breaks down into a number of workpackages which are largely independent of one another and which will allow the student an element of choice in the direction of their research.
WP1: investigation of influence of biomass source on CO2 capture by Starbon(R).
WP2: incorporation of nitrogen into the Starbon(R) materials to further enhance CO2 capture.
WP3: manipulation of Starbon(R) structure by blocking of micropores and partial blocking of mesopores (converting them into micropores).
WP4: catalyst adsorption onto Starbon(R) materials so that CO2 can be adsorbed, then converted into another chemical prior to release.