Interior Surface Modified Novel Zeolite Adsorbents for Preferential CO2 Adsorption at High Relative Humidity

Current gas separation and purification technologies not only carry large energy penalties and associated capital costs but also are a major contributor of carbon dioxide in the environment. To address these problems, this project will develop cost-effective, energy-friendly mesoporous adsorbents with new adsorption technologies that can adsorb carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide efficiently at various pressures and temperatures in the presence of high relative humidity. The approach involves the modification of the interior surface of the adsorbents to enhance the carbon dioxide adsorption capacity and to make zeolite-based adsorbents more tolerant to moisture. Phase I will develop chemical synthesis routes for interior surface modification, determine the dynamic adsoprtion capacity in the presence of high relative humidity, and design a hybrid, zeolite-based, dynamic-adsorption-driven pressure-swing-absorbent (PSA) system. Phase II will address issues of optimization and manufacturing analysis. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The preferential adsorption of CO2 in high relative humidity should bring down the large capital costs asscociated with current gas sepration and purification technologies. Also, if these novel adsorbents were integrated with PSA systems, the emission of harmful gases would be reduced.