Define optimum process conditions to produce CO2 adsorbents from pur materials

Abstract: The Carbon Capture and Storage method has been acknowledged for the capabilities of reducing up to 20% CO2 emissions. Development of porous carbon materials prepared from polyurethane foam adsorbent were investigated for capture of CO2. In this thesis work, the carbon material was chemically activated through the direct and indirect methods. Pre-carbonization, mass ratio KOH/char, activation temperature, and activation time, the effect of the preparation conditions on the porous adsorbent were evaluated for the purpose of managing pore sizes and developing high adsorption capacity of CO2. During the direct method, polyurethane foam was directly treated with KOH before activation. Whereas during the indirect method, the foam was pre-carbonized to form char, which was treated instead. The indirectly and directly activated adsorbent prepared at optimum conditions show adsorption capacities of 152,10 and 151,29 mg/g at 1 atm and 25°C respectively. The produced adsorbents were evaluated for their CO2 separation performance with a thermogravimetric analyser with 100% CO2. The CO2 uptake and pore sizes were directly affected by the different parameters. A moderate activation time and temperature presented a higher adsorption capacity, where it decreased after reaching a higher time and temperature. A higher KOH/char mass ratio leads to a higher CO2 uptake, where it steadily increases from the lowest mass ratio.