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At least 1,423 records · Page 79
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1994

Solid Surface Wetting and the Deployment of Drops in Microgravity

The complete or partial deployment of liquid samples in low gravity is primarily influenced by the interfacial properties of the specific liquid and solid materials used because the overwhelming bias of the Earth gravitational acceleration is removed. This study addresses the engineering aspects of injecting and deploying drops of prescribed volume into an acoustic positioning chamber in microgravity. The specific problems of interest are the design, testing, and implementation of injector tips to be used in a simuttaneously retracting dual-injector system used in the Drop Physics Module microgravity experiment facility. Prior to release, the liquid to be deployed must be retained within a restricted area at the very end of the injectors even under dynamic stimuli due to continuous injection flow as well as to the stepped motion of the injectors, and the final released drop must have a well determined volume as well as negligible residual linear or angular momentum from the deployment process. The outcome of Earthbased short-duration low gravity experiments had been the selection of two types of injector tips which were flown as back-up parts and were successfully utilized during the USML-1 Spacelab mission. The combination of a larger contact surface, liquid pinning with a sharp edge, and selective coating of strategic tip surfaces with a non-wetting compound has allowed a significant increase in the success rate of deployment of simple and compound drops of aqueous solutions of glycerol and silicone oil. The diameter of the samples studied in the Drop Physics Module ranged between 0.3 and 2.7 cm. The tests conducted onsrbit with a manually operated small device have allowed the calibration of the volume deployed for a few drop sizes. The design for improved tips to be used during the next USML flight is based on these results.

Trinh, E. H.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Molten Salt Lattice Confinement Fusion (LCF) Fast Fission Reactor for Lunar and Planetary Surface Power

Molten salt fission reactors (MSR) have been suggested for lunar and planetary surface power systems. They have the advantage of operating at high temperature, for efficient thermal-electrical conversion, low pressure, long-lived with high nuclear fuel burnup. MSR are often designed to breed fissile 233U from natural 232Th by neutron capture and  decay via: 232Th(n,)233Th(,)233Pa(,)233U Unfortunately, this process requires 233Pa isotope separation and segregation to decay to 233U. This requirement prevents additional neutron capture that interferes with 233U breeding. Instead, Wooley’s sub-critical, fast fission, molten salt reactor would use externally generated tokamak fusion neutrons1,2 to fission all actinides.We propose a simpler fusion-fast-fission sub-critical reactor that generates fast neutrons in situ from lattice confinement fusion (LCF) to fission fertile and fissile actinides. This hybrid reactor doesn't require enriched 235U fissile pins to initiate fis-sion reactions, nor 233Pa separation and segregation during operation. Like Wooley’s, this hybrid reactor “burns” natural uranium (238U) or thorium (232Th) which avoids uranium enrichment and additional fissile material launch safety and security costs. The LCF neutron source is initiated by bremsstrahlung photoneutrons (Fig. 1)3 or isotopic neutron sources in electron-screened lattices (Fig. 2)4,5. Alternatively, the electrolytic Pd-deuterium co-deposition6protocol fast fissions7 both 232Th and 238U. However, an aqueous electrolyte-based system, without pressurization similar to conventional pressurized water fission reactors, is incapable of high temperatures due to the boiling point of the electrolyte slightly over 100 C. Molten salts can be used instead as was demonstrated at the University of Hawaii8 using a variety of Ni and Pd cathodes in lithiated, hydrided and deuterated salts. These salts have melting points often exceeding 500C making them suitable to efficiently produce electrical power9 through either Advanced Stirling Genera-tors (< 100 kWe) or closed-Brayton Cycle (> 100 kWe). This hybrid reactor could power a wide range of lunar or Martian applications from unmanned in-struments, to charging vehicles and entire facilities such as human habitats or in situ resource utilization. The power conversion cycles are Carnot Cycle limited, but generally 30% efficient at best. However, waste heat on the moon or Mars is important to surviving either two-week lunar nights or Martian nights as well as providing process heat for mineral extraction and “living off the land”

Lawrence Forsley↗
DOE OSTI2021

Supramolecular dynamic binary complexes with pH and salt-responsive properties for use in unconventional reservoirs

Hydraulic fracturing of unconventional reservoirs has seen a boom in the last century, as a means to fulfill the growing energy demand in the world. The fracturing fluid used in the process plays a substantial role in determining the results. Hence, several research and development efforts have been geared towards developing more sustainable, efficient, and improved fracturing fluids. Herein, we present a dynamic binary complex (DBC) solution, with potential to be useful in the hydraulic fracturing domain. It has a supramolecular structure formed by the self-assembly of low molecular weight viscosifiers (LMWVs) oleic acid and diethylenetriamine into an elongated entangled network under alkaline conditions. With less than 2 wt% constituents dispersed in aqueous solution, a viscous gel that exhibits high viscosities even under shear was formed. Key features include responsiveness to pH and salinity, and a zero-shear viscosity that could be tuned by a factor of ~280 by changing the pH. Furthermore, its viscous properties were more pronounced in the presence of salt. Sand settling tests revealed its potential to hold up sand particles for extended periods of time. In conclusion, this DBC solution system has potential to be utilized as a smart salt-responsive, pH-switchable hydraulic fracturing fluid.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Thermally Enhanced Acidity for Regeneration of Carbon Dioxide Sorbent

The thermal regeneration of CO2 sorbent is the most energy-consuming step in the CO2-capturing process. Although the addition of an acid can induce CO2 release, it does not regenerate the sorbent because the acid forms a salt with the basic sorbent and diminishes its capability for capturing CO2. In this work, a novel approach based on thermally enhanced acidity was studied. This approach utilizes an additive that does not affect the sorbent at room temperature, but its acidity significantly increases at elevated temperatures, which assists the thermal release of CO2. M-cresol was added to an aqueous solution of morpholine. The CO2 capture and release of the mixture were compared to those of a control solution without m-cresol. The amounts of carbamate, bicarbonate, and unreacted morpholine were quantitatively determined using 1H NMR and weight analysis. The results showed that m-cresol did not affect the reactivity of morpholine in the formation of carbamate with CO2 at room temperature. At elevated temperatures, the acidity of m-cresol increased according to Van’t Hoff’s equation, which resulted in a significantly higher rate of CO2 release than that of the control. Given the low cost of m-cresol and its derivatives, this approach could lead to practical technology in the near future.

Energy & Fuels↗
NASA NTRS1986

Iron oxide and hydroxide precipitation from ferrous solutions and its relevance to Martian surface mineralogy

Experiments were performed to examine if the ubiquitousness of a weak magnetic component in all Martian surface fines tested with the Viking Landers can be attributed to ferric iron precipitation in aqueous solution under oxidizing conditions at neutral pH. Ferrous solutions were mixed in deionized water and various minerals were added to separate liquid samples. The iron-bearing additives included hematite, goethite, magnetite, maghemite, lepidocrocite and potassium bromide blank at varying concentrations. IR spectroscopic scans were made to identify any precipitates resulting from bubbling oxygen throughout the solutions; the magnetic properties of the precipitates were also examined. The data indicated that the lepidocrocite may have been preferentially precipitated, then aged to maghemite. The process would account for the presumed thin residue of maghemite on the present Martian surface, long after abundant liquid water on the Martian surface vanished.

Posey-Dowty, J.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Molecular Origins of the Barriers to Proton Transport in Acidic Aqueous Solutions

The self-consistent iterative multistate empirical valence bond (SCI-MS-EVB) method is used to analyze the structure, thermodynamics, and dynamics of hydrochloric acid solutions. The reorientation timescales of irreversible proton transport are elucidated by simulating 0.43 M, 0.85 M, 1.68 M, and 3.26 M HCl solutions at 270 K, 285 K, 300 K, 315 K, and 330 K. The results indicate increased counter-ion pairing with increasing concentration, which manifests itself via a reduced hydronium oxygen–chloride (O*-Cl) structuring in the radial distribution functions. Increasing ionic concentration also reduces the diffusion of the hydrated excess protons, principally by reducing the contribution of the Grotthuss proton hopping (shuttling) mechanism to the overall diffusion process. In agreement with prior experimental findings, a decrease in the activation energy of reorientation timescales was also observed, which is explicitly explained using activated rate theory and an energy-entropy decomposition of the state-averaged radial distribution functions. Furthermore, these results provide atomistic verification of suggestions from recent two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy experiments that chloride anions (as opposed to hydrated excess protons) create entropic barriers to proton transport.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Modeling Functional Organic Chemistry in Arctic Rivers: An Idealized Siberian System

Rivers of the Arctic will become ever more important for the global climate, since they carry a majority of continental dissolved organic carbon flux into the rapidly changing polar ocean. Aqueous organics comprise a wide array of functional groups, several of which are likely to impact coastal and open water biophysical properties. Light attenuation, interfacial films, aerosol formation, gas release and momentum exchange can all be cited. We performed Lagrangian kinetic modeling for the evolution of riverine organic chemistry as the molecules in question make their way from the highlands to Arctic outlets. Classes as diverse as the proteins, sugars, lipids, re-condensates, humics, bio-tracers and small volatiles are all included. Our reduced framework constitutes an idealized northward flow driving a major hydrological discharge rate and primarily representing the Russian Lena. Mountainous, high solute and tundra sources are all simulated, and they meet up at several points between soil and delta process reactors. Turnover rates are parameterized beginning with extrapolated coastal values imposed along a limited tributary network, with connections between different terrestrial sub-ecologies. Temporal variation of our total dissolved matter most closely resembles the observations when we focus on the restricted removal and low initial carbon loads, suggesting relatively slow transformation along the water course. Thus, channel combinations and mixing must play a dominant role. Nevertheless, microbial and photochemical losses help determine the final concentrations for most species. Chemical evolution is distinct for the various functionalities, with special contributions from pre- and post-reactivity in soil and delta waters. Several functions are combined linearly to represent the collective chromophoric dissolved matter, characterized here by its absorption. Tributaries carry the signature of lignin phenols to segregate tundra versus taiga sources, and special attention is paid to the early then marine behaviors of low molecular weight volatiles. Heteropolycondensates comprise the largest percentage of reactive carbon in our simulations due to recombination/accumulation, and they tend to be preeminent at the mouth. Outlet concentrations of individual structures such as amino acids and absorbers lie above threshold values for biophysical influence, on the monolayer and light attenuation. The extent of coastal spreading is examined through targeted regional box modeling, relying on salinity and color for calibration. In some cases, plumes reach the scale of peripheral arctic seas, and amplification is expected during upcoming decades. Conclusions are mapped from the Lena to other boreal discharges, and future research questions are outlined regarding the bonding type versus mass release as permafrost degrades. Dynamic aqueous organic coupling is recommended for polar system models, from headwaters to coastal diluent.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

A General Binary Isotherm Model for Amines Interacting with CO 2 and H 2 O

CO 2 capture by primary or secondary amines has been of great research interests for a century because of its industrial importance. Interest has grown even more, because of the need to eliminate the CO 2 emissions that drive global warming. Experimental evidence shows that CO 2 sorption in primary or secondary amines is accompanied by co-absorption of H 2 O. A quantitative analysis of such CO 2 -H 2 O co-absorption behavior is important for practical process design and theoretical understanding. Even though there is almost an experimental consensus that water enhances CO 2 uptake capacity, an analytic model to explain this phenomenon is not well established. Instead, some empirical models such as the Toth model are used to describe the isotherm without accounting for the presence of water. Recently, we have demonstrated that the isotherm equation of CO 2 sorption into strong-base anion exchange materials with quaternary ammonium can be derived from that of strong-base aqueous alkaline solutions by correcting for the drastic change in water activity and by including an appropriate parameterization of the water activity terms. In this paper, we generalize this model from quaternary ammonium to primary, secondary and tertiary amines either in solutions or as functional groups in polymer resins. For primary, secondary and tertiary amines, the isotherm equation can be derived by extending that of a weak-base aqueous alkaline solution such as aqueous ammonia. The model has been validated using experimental data of aqueous ammonia in literature. Furthermore, this general model even includes quaternary ammonium as a special limit. Hence, this general model offers a platform that can treat the isotherms of solid amines, aqueous amines and aqueous alkaline solutions in a unified way.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Magnetic fly-ash geopolymer for heavy metal removal in aqueous solutions

Novel magnetic geopolymers were manufactured by synthesizing magnetic Fe 3 O 4 particles on the surface of prepared geopolymer (Method 1) or by incorporating pre-synthesized magnetic Fe 3 O 4 particles into the geopolymer during the manufacture of the geopolymer (Method 2). This study evaluated the effect of the incorporated magnetic Fe 3 O 4 on the geopolymer magnetic, physical, and adsorption properties and its separation in aqueous solutions. Based on several preliminary measurements on the synthesized magnetic geopolymers, Method 2 was found to be a better method for producing magnetic geopolymer. Magnetic geopolymer synthesized by Method 2 exhibited ferromagnetic properties comparable to that of magnetic Fe 3 O 4 , with a saturation magnetization of 8 emu·g −1 and an intrinsic coercivity of 265 Oe. The magnetic geopolymer was efficiently separated from an aqueous solution within 2 min using a 0.48-T magnetic field. In addition, the magnetic geopolymer has a maximum copper adsorption capacity of 111.1 mg·g −1 , which was similar to the non-magnetic reference geopolymer indicating that the addition of magnetic Fe 3 O 4 did not compromise the geopolymer adsorption capacity. The magnetic geopolymer is a promising material with good adsorption and separation properties that can be used for heavy metals removal and recovery in wastewater and metals separation in industrial processes.

fly ash↗
NASA NTRS1985

Cell Partition in Two Polymer Aqueous Phases

Partition of biological cells in two phase aqueous polymer systems is recognized as a powerful separation technique which is limited by gravity. The synthesis of new, selective polymer ligand conjugates to be used in affinity partition separations is of interest. The two most commonly used polymers in two phase partitioning are dextran and polyethylene glycol. A thorough review of the chemistry of these polymers was begun, particularly in the area of protein attachment. Preliminary studies indicate the importance in affinity partitioning of minimizing gravity induced randomizing forces in the phase separation process. The PEG-protein conjugates that were prepared appear to be ideally suited for achieving high quality purifications in a microgravity environment. An interesting spin-off of this synthetic work was the observation of catalytic activity for certain of our polymer derivatives.

Harris, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Exploring Mars for Evidence of Habitable Environments and Life

The climate of Mars has been more similar to that of Earth than has the climate of any other planet in our Solar System. But Mars still provides a valuable alternative example of how planetary processes and environments can affect the potential presence of life elsewhere. For example, although Mars also differentiated very early into a core, mantle and crust, it then evolved mostly if not completely without plate tectonics and has lost most of its early atmosphere. The Martian crust has been more stable than that of Earth, thus it has probably preserved a more complete record of its earliest history. Orbital observations determined that near-surface water was once pervasive. Orbiters have identified the following diverse aqueous sedimentary deposits: layered phyllosilicates, phyllosilicates in intracrater fans, plains sediments potentially harboring evaporitic minerals, deep phyllosilicates, carbonate-bearing deposits, intracrater clay-sulfate deposits, Meridiani-type layered deposits, valles-type layered deposits, hydrated silica-bearing deposits, and gypsum plains. These features, together with evidence of more vigorous past geologic activity, indicate that early climates were wetter and perhaps also somewhat warmer. The denser atmosphere that was required for liquid water to be stable on the surface also provided more substantial protection from radiation. Whereas ancient climates might have favored habitable environments at least in some localities, clearly much of the Martian surface for most of its history has been markedly less favorable for life. The combination of dry conditions, oxidizing surface environments and typically low rates of sedimentation are not conducive to the preservation of evidence of ancient environments and any biota. Thus a strategy is required whereby candidate sites are first identified and then characterized for their potential to preserve evidence of past habitable environments. Rovers are then sent to explore the most promising candidates. The Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Opportunity revealed that water once flowed to the surface across the vast Meridiani plains, creating saline lakes whose waters were roiled by ancient winds that also sculptured their salt deposits into sand dunes. Opportunity then drove more than 30 km to explore even older deposits on a crater rim. MER Spirit found evidence that thermal waters (heated by volcanism or by impacts?) altered rocks to create sulfate salts, and siliceous sinters. These discoveries indicate that an early hydrological cycle apparently sustained precipitation, streams and lakes. Liquid water participated in rock weathering reactions, such as iron and sulfur oxidation, that created distinctive weathering regimes. Volcanism, impacts, groundwater and ice interacted at least locally. Redox chemical energy from volcanism, hydrothermal activity and weathering of crustal materials would have been available for any life. Thus conditions might have supported life in the past, at least locally. The main objective of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover is to determine the extent to which Gale crater hosted environments capable of supporting microbial life. The rover has already found stream gravels as well as sediments that might have been deposited in an ancient lake. The rover is now traversing to Mt. Sharp, a 5 km-high mound that is located on the crater floor and that exhibits layered sedimentary rocks having diverse minerals (sulfates and clays) that apparently formed in the presence of liquid water. This rock sequence was deposited over an extended time period in diverse potentially habitable watery environments. Curiosity is poised to characterize a a well-preserved rock record of hundreds of millions of years of diverse environments and profound climate change.

layered phyllosilicates↗
DOE OSTI2022

Controlling Protein Enrichment in Lipid Sponge Phase Droplets using SNAP–Tag Bioconjugation

All cells use organized lipid compartments to facilitate specific biological functions. Membrane-bound organelles create defined spatial environments that favor unique chemical reactions while isolating incompatible biological processes. Despite the fundamental role of cellular organelles, there is a scarcity of methods for preparing functional artificial lipid-based compartments. In this work, we demonstrate a robust bioconjugation system for sequestering proteins into zwitterionic lipid sponge phase droplets. Incorporation of benzylguanine (BG)-modified phospholipids that form stable covalent linkages with an O 6 -methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (SNAP-tag) fusion protein enables programmable control of protein capture. We show that this methodology can be used to anchor hydrophilic proteins at the lipid-aqueous interface, concentrating them within an accessible but protected chemical environment. SNAP-tag technology enables the integration of proteins that regulate complex biological functions in lipid sponge phase droplets, and should facilitate the development of advanced lipid-based artificial organelles.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

2016 Floodplain Geochemistry from the East River Watershed, Colorado

This dataset includes groundwater geochemistry data from floodplain piezometers collected as a part of the Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area (SFA) located in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The data were collected in order to investigate the role of hyporheic exchange and other river corridor processes on riverine export of solutes. Floodplain piezometers installed in several meanders (Meander C, Meander D, and Meander O) in the vicinity of the Pumphouse were sampled at several dates in 2016. Data includes in-field measurements (pH, electrical conductivity, oxidation reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, dissolved Fe(II), dissolved sulfide, and groundwater level) along with laboratory measurements (dissolved inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, metals and major cations). Five files are included in this dataset, including: sample locations and depths in a csv file (metadata.csv), aqueous geochemistry data in a csv file, analytical detection limits in a csv file, a file-level metadata (flmd.csv) file, and a data dictionary (dd.csv) file. Data that was below the detection limit is reported as one half of the detection limit and missing data is listed as "-9999".

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2017

Petrology of Amoeboid Olivine Aggregates in Antarctic CR Chondrites: Evidence for Aqueous Alteration and Shock Metamorphism

CR chondrites are the group of carbonaceous chondrites that preserve records of formation of their components in the solar nebula. Although they are affected by aqueous alteration, many chondrules and CAIs are well-preserved, suggesting they have experienced little thermal metamorphism. We have been investigating the petrologic variations among the CR chondrites in Japanese-NIPR Antarctic meteorite collection. Especially we focused on the petrology of amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs) in order to understand secondary alteration on CR chondrite parent body. AOAs are composed of fine-grained forsteritic olivine and refractory minerals formed by condensation from solar nebula, and can be used as sensitive indicators of secondary alteration processes.

Komatsu, M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

On the Statistical Mechanics of Mass Accommodation at Liquid–Vapor Interfaces

Here we propose a framework for describing the dynamics associated with the adsorption of small molecules to liquid-vapor interfaces using an intermediate resolution between traditional continuum theories that are bereft of molecular detail and molecular dynamics simulations that are replete with them. In particular, we develop an effective single particle equation of motion capable of describing the physical processes that determine thermal and mass accommodation probabilities. The effective equation is parametrized with quantities that vary through space away from the liquid-vapor interface. Of particular importance in describing the early time dynamics is the spatially dependent friction, for which we propose a numerical scheme to evaluate from molecular simulation. Taken together with potentials of mean force computable with importance sampling methods, we illustrate how to compute the mass accommodation coefficient and residence time distribution. Throughout, we highlight the case of ozone adsorption in aqueous solutions and its dependence on electrolyte composition.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

X-ray Induced Cycling of Rare-Earth Elements between Bulk and Interfacial Liquid

Reversible cycling of rare-earth elements between an aqueous electrolyte solution and its free surface is achieved by X-ray exposure. This exposure alters the competitive equilibrium between lanthanide ions bound to a chelating ligand, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), in the bulk solution and to insoluble monolayers of extractant di-hexadecyl phosphoric acid (DHDP) at its surface. Evidence for the exposure-induced temporal variations in the lanthanide surface density is provided by X-ray fluorescence near total reflection measurements. Comparison of results when X-rays are confined to the aqueous surface region to results when X-rays transmit into the bulk solution suggests the importance of aqueous radiolysis in the adsorption cycle. Amine binding sites in DTPA are identified as a likely target of radiolysis products. The molecules DTPA and DHDP are like those used in the separation of lanthanides from ores and in the reprocessing of nuclear fuel. Furthermore, these results suggest that an external source of X-rays can be used to drive rare-earth element separations. More generally, use of X-rays to controllably dose a liquid interface with lanthanides could trigger a range of interfacial processes, including enhanced metal ion extraction, catalysis, and materials synthesis.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2025

FY24 Development of Improved Grout Waste Forms for Alternative Low Activity Waste Treatment

Since the WTP Low Activity Waste (LAW) Vitrification Facility was not designed to process the entire inventory of Hanford LAW, up to half of the retrieved Hanford LAW will require supplemental immobilization. Immobilizing LAW in a cementitious waste form known as Cast Stone has been investigated as a possible candidate supplemental immobilization technology. In FY21, Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC (WRPS) tasked Atkins and the Vitreous State Laboratory (VSL) of The Catholic University of America (CUA) to perform testing to evaluate methods for reducing the release of COCs, particularly nitrate, 99Tc, and 129I, from cementitious waste forms made from aqueous LAW derived from Hanford Tank Waste. FY22 work built on the FY21 results and further developed formulations while targeting higher waste loadings. The objective of this work was to perform laboratory-scale testing to further refine the most promising formulation(s) that were identified in the FY23 work. The goal of the refinement was to further reduce the release rates for 99Tc, Cr, 129I, and nitrate while maintaining workability of the fresh grout, and to increase waste loading.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

Downstream Separation of Formic Acid with Anion-Exchange Resin from Electrocatalytic Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Conversion: Adsorption, Kinetics, and Equilibrium Modeling

The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO 2 RR) that produces liquid formic acid (FA) is one potential route to minimize the CO 2 concentration in the atmosphere by utilizing CO 2 as a feedstock. However, one of the main disadvantages of this route is the high energy demand required for purification through conventional distillation. This method of purification has been shown to result in a large carbon footprint in life-cycle analysis (LCA). Therefore, finding an alternative purification technique that can integrate with an electrochemical CO 2 RR process with the potential to lower the carbon footprint would be of great interest. Under the experimental conditions of the CO 2 RR, FA remains in its basic form as the formate anion in the catholyte. Anion exchange resins with their basic properties can separate the formate anion from the catholyte mixture as an alternative to energy intensive distillation. In this work, three anion exchange resins with increasing basicity order: Amberlite IRA-96 < Amberlite IRA-910 < Ambersep 900 are tested to separate FA in the presence of aqueous solution of potassium bicarbonate catholyte with varying levels of resin and FA. Kinetics and equilibrium studies data for the FA adsorption are interpreted using several kinetics and isotherm models. The kinetics data fit well with a pseudo-first-order model at high initial FA concentrations and a pseudo-second-order model at low initial FA concentrations. The experimental data can be best explained with the Freundlich isotherm model. The fitted results show that strongly basic Ambersep 900 is more effective at separating FA, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 336.7 mg/g compared to Amberlite IRA-96 (275.2 mg/g) and Amberlite IRA-910 (209.2 mg/g) in neutral water. However, weakly basic Amberlite IRA-96 (110.8 mg/g) can separate FA more efficiently from potassium bicarbonate catholyte than Amberlite IRA-910 (99.9 mg/g) and Ambersep 900 (40.0 mg/g). As a result, competitive adsorption occurs in the presence of potassium bicarbonate catholyte, but the formic acid adsorption capacity is still sufficient for adequate separation.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗