Efficient and rapid screening of novel adsorbents for carbon capture in the UK IGSCC project

Abstract

Here we present the results of the rapid screening of novel adsorbents for CO capture. The materials were synthesized as part of the Innovative Gas Separations for Carbon Capture (IGSCC) project, a UK wide consortium which involves the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with the University of St. Andrews, Cardiff University, Imperial College London, the University of Manchester and University College London. For the first time a wide range of materials relevant for carbon capture are investigated with regard to the CO capacity at the same conditions and using the same technique. More than 120 samples, belonging to different classes of adsorbents, were investigated: MOFs, zeolites, PIMs, carbons and silicas. The conditions chosen are the ones of interest for post-combustion applications: 0.1 bar and 35 °C. All the samples were tested using the Zero Length Column (ZLC) method. Relative to other technique, the ZLC presents the advantage of requiring a very small amount of sample (<15 mg) allowing to obtain rapidly kinetic and equilibrium properties of the novel materials. For each class of materials one typical sample will be shown and compared to typical commercial materials as benchmarks.