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

Virtually all of energy for transportation and nearly two-thirds of the energy for electricity is supplied from fossil fuel combustion, the major contributor of carbon dioxide in the environment. Cost-effective and energy-friendly adsorbents, which can adsorb carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide efficiently at various pressures and temperatures in presence of high humidity, are urgently needed. Further, when adsorbents are modified via surface amination and organosilanation, carbon dioxide adsorption capacities can be enhanced and the adsorbents can become more tolerant to moisture. In Phase I, interior surface modification experiments were conducted via an alkoxysilane-based chemical reaction scheme. As a result, the CO2 adsorption character of surface-modified Zeolite adsorbents was demonstrated in the presence of high relative humidity. In Phase II, the surface modifications and their processes will be thoroughly optimized for CO2 adsorption in the presence of high humidity. Then, long-term testing of the optimized adsorbents will be performed, potential failure modes will be determined, and the potential for regeneration will be evaluated. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The preferential adsorption of CO2 in high relative humidity should reduce the large capital costs associated with current gas separation and purification technologies. The integration of these novel adsorbents with pressure swing adsorption or temperature swing adsorption systems should reduce the emission of harmful gases generated during the fossil fuel combustion processes.