Response surface methodology as an efficient tool for optimizing carbon adsorbents for CO2 capture

Phenol–formaldehyde resins and a low-cost biomass residue, olive stones (OS), were used to prepare five activated carbons for CO2 separation at atmospheric pressure, i.e., in post-combustion processes or from biogas and bio-hydrogen streams. Two phenol–formaldehyde resins were synthesized: Resol, ob...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Gil Matellanes, María Victoria, Martínez Fernández, María, García López, Susana, Rubiera González, Fernando, Pis Martínez, José Juan, Pevida García, Covadonga
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2013
País:España
Institución:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repositorio:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/103935
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/103935
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Phenol–formaldehyde resin
Activation temperature
Burn-off degree
Activated carbon
CO2 capture
Response surface methodology
Descripción
Sumario:Phenol–formaldehyde resins and a low-cost biomass residue, olive stones (OS), were used to prepare five activated carbons for CO2 separation at atmospheric pressure, i.e., in post-combustion processes or from biogas and bio-hydrogen streams. Two phenol–formaldehyde resins were synthesized: Resol, obtained by using alkaline environment, and Novolac, synthesized in the presence of an acid catalyst. Carbon precursors were prepared by mixing both resins with KCl or by mixing the Novolac resin with OS. The precursors were carbonized under an inert atmosphere of N2 at different temperatures. The last stage in the synthesis of the adsorbents involved physical activation with carbon dioxide, which was carried out at different temperatures and burn-off degrees. Response surface methodology (RSM) is proposed as a tool for rapidly optimizing the activation parameters in order to obtain the highest possible CO2 capture capacity of activated carbons. The optimum values of activation temperature and burn-off degree that maximize CO2 uptake by the activated carbons at 35 °C and atmospheric pressure were obtained within the experimental region. A value of CO2 adsorption capacity of 9.3 wt.% was achieved. Activated carbons derived from the Novolac phenol–formaldehyde resin type and from OS showed great potential as adsorbents for CO2 capture at atmospheric pressure.