Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “exchanger”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8

Intercalation–exfoliation processes during ionic exchange reactions from sodium lepidocrocite-type titanate toward a proton-based trititanate structure

Topochemical reactions involving ionic exchange have been used to assess a large number of metastable compositions, particularly in layered metal oxides. This method encompasses complex reactions that are poorly explored, yet are of prime importance to understand and control the materials’ properties. In this work, we embark on investigating the reactions involved during the ionic exchange between a layered Na-titanate (lepidocrocite-type structure) and an acidic solution (HCl), leading to a protonic (H 3 O + ) titanate (trititanate structure). The reactions involve an ionic exchange provoking a structural change from the lepidocrocite-type to the trititanate structure as shown by real-space refinements of ex situ pair distribution function data. Mobile Na + ions are exchanged by hydronium ions inducing high proton mobility in the final structure. Moreover, the reaction was followed by ex situ 23 Na and 1 H solid-state MAS NMR which allowed, among other things, confirming that the Na + ions are in the interlayer space and specifying their local environment. Strikingly, the ionic exchange reaction induces progressive exfoliation of the Na-titanate particles leading to 2–5 nm thin elongated crystallites. To further understand the different steps associated with the ionic exchange, the evolution of the electrolytic conductivity, using conductimetric titration, has been monitored upon HCl addition, enabling characterization of the intercalation(H + )/de-intercalation(Na + ) reactions and assessing kinetic parameters. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that the exfoliation of the particles is due to the accumulation of charges at the particle level in relation to the rapid intercalation of protons. This work provides novel insights into ionic exchange reactions involved in layered oxide compounds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Direct measurement of reduced exchange stiffness and its impact on magnetic vortex behavior in PyGd alloys

Thin films composed of sputtered transition metal/rare earth (TM/RE) ferrimagnets have emerged as promising building blocks for future spintronic devices, offering tunable magnetic properties critical for data storage, memory, and logic applications. However, understanding how the combination of TM and RE elements influences effective magnetic properties, such as exchange stiffness (Aex), remains challenging. Magnetic vortices provide a versatile tool for probing these properties in thin film systems. By combining magnetic imaging via soft x-ray microscopy and micromagnetic modeling, we quantify the effective exchange stiffness in PyGd ferrimagnetic disks with varying Gd concentrations. Our results indicate a reduction in Aex to below 3 pJ/m for a 20% Gd concentration when compared to reference Py, and values below 2 pJ/m for 30% Gd, reflecting weak Ni–Gd exchange coupling. These findings highlight the critical role of rare earth content in tuning the exchange stiffness. The reduced exchange stiffness facilitates a linear field response of the magnetization up to the edge of the disk, as well as significant deformations in the vortex core itself when compared to films with larger Aex. Our results are in line with, albeit lower than, recent measurements of the exchange stiffness in intermixed PyGd. This reduced exchange stiffness has implications for the development of spintronic devices based on ferrimagnetic skyrmions.

Jacob, Liyan↗

Cesium Ion Exchange Testing Using Crystalline Silicotitanate with Hanford Tank Waste 241-AP-107

At the time of this testing, the Low-Activity Waste Pretreatment System (LAWPS) was to provide for the initial production of immobilized low-activity waste by feeding Hanford tank supernate from tank farms to the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) Low-Activity Waste (LAW) Facility for immobilization. Washington River Protection Solutions requested that Hanford tank waste collected from tank 241-AP-107 (hereafter called AP-107) be processed using conceived pretreatment steps (suspended solids removal by filtration, Cs removal by ion exchange) then vitrified. A small-scale test platform to demonstrate the solids filtration, Cs removal, and LAW vitrification was constructed and installed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Bench-scale ion exchange testing with approximately 9 L of AP-107 supernate was conducted using crystalline silicotitanate (CST) ion exchange media. The IONSIV R9140-B CST was provided by Honeywell UOP, LLC in 2018 (Batch 2081000057). The ion exchange media was first tested with simulant and was previously described. This report describes the Cs ion exchange batch contact and column test results with the AP-107 tank waste. Batch contact testing helps to evaluate CST performance on tank waste supernate prior to processing it in the ion exchange columns. Batch contacts were performed with the waste at four Cs concentrations at a phase ratio of 200 (liquid volume to exchanger mass) with AP-107. The distribution coefficient (K d ) at the equilibrium condition of 8.57 µg Cs/mL (AP-107 feed condition) was determined to be 669 mL AP-107/g CST. With a CST bed density of 1.00 g/mL, this K d corresponded to a predicted 50% Cs breakthrough of 669 bed volumes (BVs). The Cs load capacity at the equilibrium feed condition was determined to be 7.5 mg Cs/g dry CST. The column testing was prototypic to the intended LAWPS operations in a lead-lag column format, although on a small-scale basis with 10-mL CST beds. The feed was processed downflow through the lead column and then through the lag column at ~2.2 BV/h. Loading continued until the lag column reached the WTP waste acceptance criteria (WAC) for receiving supernatant waste for vitrification (a function of the Na and 137 Cs concentrations). For AP-107, the WAC is 0.114% of the influent 137 Cs concentration; this required a Cs decontamination factor of 876. The Cs effluent from the lag column reached the WAC after processing ~410 BVs. To keep the subsequent product effluent below the WAC, a replacement lag column was prepared, the lead column was removed from service (after processing a total of 471 BVs), the lag column was put into the lead column position, and the replacement lag column was installed. Feed processing continued and after another ~290 BVs the Cs effluent from the lag column again exceeded the WAC. In both cases, the lead columns only reached 25% Cs breakthrough before removal. Although 50% Cs breakthrough was not reached, this value was estimated and averaged based on extrapolation of the loading curves (640 BVs) and agreed within 4% of the predicted 50% Cs breakthrough from batch contact test results (669 BVs). Table ES.1 summarizes the observed column performance and relevant Cs loading characteristics.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Evaluating Microchannel Heat Exchanger Lifetime for Concentrating Solar Power Applications Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR-1)

Microchannel heat exchanger technology is being pursued for next generation CSP concepts for primary power cycle heat addition and power cycle heat recuperation due to the high heat transfer coefficients and pressure containment advantages of small sCO 2 channels. The economics of future CSP plants as dictated by the SETO 2020 or 2030 targets depend on a heat exchanger with a 30-year lifetime (resisting creep, fatigue, corrosion, erosion) and operational characteristics such as fast ramping and the ability to withstand thermal shock. However, the lifetime and operational limits of microchannel heat exchangers operating at high temperatures, particularly those constructed from high-nickel alloys, are not well known. This uncertainty has resulted in heat exchanger vendors not being able to accurately forecast heat exchanger lifetime as required by customers, specify operational limits as required by process engineers to prevent premature heat exchanger failure, or overdesign heat exchanger which leads to higher cost than necessary.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Fitness for Service Assessment of a Corroded Heat Exchanger

Fermilab s Main Injector Accelerator has used shell & tube heat exchangers to cool various beamline components since its construction in the late 1990s. Many of the heat exchangers still around today are original to the machine. Untreated pond water has been used to exchange heat with the Low Conductivity Water. Throughout the lifetime of Fermilab s heat exchangers, they have undergone significant material degradation in the carbon steel end channels due to corrosion. Wall thickness measurements (per API 510) of each heat exchanger were used to generate a 3D model of the corroded surfaces. In order to continue their safe and reliable operation, ASME FFS-1/API 579 (Fitness-For-Service) was implemented to address their integrity. The assessments consisted of finite element analysis techniques outlined in ASME Section VIII Div. 2 (design by analysis methods for pressure vessels), in accordance with the requirements of ASME FFS-1 Part 4: General Metal Loss, Part 5: Local Metal Loss, and Part 9: Crack Like Flaws. The assessments concluded that each heat exchanger is coined Fit For Service . The Fitness-For-Service standard offers a unique opportunity to facilities and institutions within the DOE National Lab complex to properly and safely assess the integrity of aging equipment necessary to conduct science and research. This poster demonstrates the assessment process and techniques used to determine the heat exchangers are fit for service.

Humenik, Alex [Fermilab]↗

Metal foam heat exchangers for air and gas cooling and heating applications

Improved heat exchangers according to several embodiments are provided. The heat exchangers provide improved heat transfer for air flow in wet and dry operating conditions, while minimizing pressure drop across the heat exchanger in some applications. According to one embodiment, an improved heat exchanger includes a plurality of metal foam fins between adjacent heat exchange conduits, the heat exchange conduits being arranged parallel to each other to define parallel flow paths between an inlet header and an outlet header. The metal foam fins occupy a cross-flow region between adjacent conduits, the fins having a fixed angular orientation or being rotatable in unison to vary the thermal capacitance of the heat exchanger.

Nawaz, Kashif↗

Decoding Li + /Na + Exchange Route Toward High-Performance Mn-Based Layered Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries

Li + /Na + exchange has been extensively explored as an effective method to prepare high-performance Mn-based layered cathodes for Li-ion batteries, since the first report in 1996 by P. G. Bruce (Nature, 1996. 381, 499–500). Understanding the detailed structural changes during the ion-exchange process is crucial to implement the synthetic control of high-performance layered Mn-based cathodes, but less studied. Herein, in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction, density functional theory calculations, and electrochemical tests are combined to conduct the systemic studies into the structural changes during the ion-exchange process of an Mn-only layered cathode O3-type Li 0.67 [Li 0.22 Mn 0.78 ]O 2 (LLMO) from the corresponding counterpart P3-type Na 0.67 [Li 0.22 Mn 0.78 ]O 2 (NLMO). The temperature-resolved observations combined with theoretical calculations reveal that the Li + /Na + exchange is favorable thermodynamically and composited with two tandem topotactic phase transitions: 1) from NLMO to a layered intermediate through ≈60% of Li + /Na + exchange. 2) then to the final layered product LLMO through further Li insertion. Moreover, the intermediate-dominate composite is obtained by slowing down the exchange kinetics below room temperature, showing better electrochemical performance than LLMO obtained by the traditional molten-salt method. Finally, the findings provide guides for the synthetic control of high-performance Mn-based cathodes under mild conditions.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Rapid In Situ Ligand‐Exchange Process Used to Prepare 3D PbSe Nanocrystal Superlattice Infrared Photodetectors

Abstract Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals are important building blocks for low‐cost, solution‐processed electronic devices with tunable functionalities. Considerable progress is made in improving charge transport through nanocrystal films by exchanging long insulating ligands with shorter passivating ligands. To take full advantage of this strategy, it is equally important to fabricate close‐packed structures that reduce the average interparticle spacing. Yet it remains a challenge to retain long‐range, close‐packed order after ligand exchange. Here, a novel one‐step in situ ligand‐exchange method is demonstrated that enables rapid (5 min) ligand exchange of nanocrystal films, which are more than 50 layers thick. Using this simple and efficient method, it is shown that the face‐centered cubic ordering of 500 nm thick PbSe nanocrystal films is retained after ligand exchange from oleic acid to benzoic acid. Moreover, it is demonstrated that PbSe nanocrystal photodetectors with a well‐ordered structure have superior optoelectronic properties compared to disordered films; ordered films have a 16× higher responsivity of ≈0.25 A W −1 at 1 V and a 2× faster response time. As far as it is known, this is the first report to realize a rapid one‐step ligand exchange through a thick superlattice film with retention of long‐range order.

infrared detecton↗

Thermal hydraulic characteristics of liquid sodium and supercritical CO 2 in a diffusion bonded heat exchanger

Compact heat exchangers are being examined for use in advanced, high-temperature nuclear or concentrated solar power plants to improve thermal efficiencies and reduce capital costs. At the time of this work, no experimental investigation of liquid sodium in the popular diffusion-bonded heat exchanger design had been performed. Herein this paper describes the thermal-hydraulic and overall operations performance observed during testing of a 316/L stainless steel “zig-zag” microchannel heat exchanger operating between a (0.5 kg/s) sodium loop and a (0.3 kg/s) recuperated supercritical CO 2 system with outlet conditions up to 550 °C at 16 MPa. Observed pressure drop is presented in the form of an effective friction factor correlation which aligns closely with recent experimental data. The thermal performance of this heat exchanger, measured by its overall conductance under various flow conditions, was decomposed to examine the independent convection behaviors of both the CO 2 and sodium streams. These results are presented in the form of Nusselt correlations fitted to the experimental data. The sodium heat transfer correlation aligns closely with the widely accepted Lubarsky-Kaufman correlation, while the CO 2 heat transfer correlation lies between previous correlations developed by computational and experimental methods. This was the first long-duration use of sodium in a microchannels (~1.8 mm hydraulic diameter) heat exchanger. The use of an oxide control system enabled trouble-free operation of the heat exchanger for over 150 h of high-temperature operation. This first-of-a-kind demonstration using liquid sodium and supercritical carbon dioxide shows great promise for further application of this technology in advanced nuclear or solar power plants.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Superhydrophobic heat exchangers delay frost formation and enhance efficency of electric vehicle heat pumps

The number of electric vehicles has rapidly expanded as high-performance automotive lithium-ion batteries have become more affordable. However, the range of electric vehicles decreases in cold climates partly because of the additional thermal loads associated with cabin heating. One way to improve the efficiency of cabin heating is to replace resistive heating elements with an air-source heat pump system. However, to gain the full benefit of heat pumping, frost formation on the outdoor heat exchanger must be minimized. In this work, we modified the surface wettability of aluminum louvered-fin automotive heat pump evaporators and tested them under realistic operating conditions in a transcritical carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) heat pump. Each heat exchanger underwent several consecutive frosting and defrosting cycles to understand the cyclic performance of the system. The heat exchanger with a superhydrophobic outer surface was able to delay frost formation and maintain higher heat transfer rates when compared to heat exchangers with higher surface energies (hydrophilic). The delayed frost formation resulted in a system efficiency benefit in the first few frosting cycles but diminished in later cycles due to water retention and incomplete defrosting. However, for most automotive applications the superhydrophobic heat exchanger showed substantial benefits for normal driving trips. We report the scalable and optimized superhydrophobic heat exchangers developed here have the potential to increase the efficiency of automotive heat pumps and consequently increase the range and reduce energy consumption of electric vehicles.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Thermohydraulic experiments on a supercritical carbon dioxide–air microtube heat exchanger

Heat exchangers are critical components in supercritical CO 2 Brayton cycles and provide necessary heat input, recovery, and dissipation. Tubular heat exchangers with unconventionally small tube sizes (tube diameters less than 5 mm) are promising components for supercritical CO 2 cycles and potentially provide excellent structural stability with wide scope of application. This paper provides essential design and fabrication guidelines for a compact shell-and-tube heat exchanger with microtubes (with an inner diameter equal to 1.75 mm). A heat exchanger test rig is used to evaluate the thermohydraulic performance of this heat exchanger with supercritical CO 2 and air as working fluids. Thermohydraulic data are reported for more than forty sets of experiments with varying Reynolds numbers for shell and tube flows. Critical performance metrics are calculated from the data and compared with predictions from a previously described numerical model. The average deviations between the experimental and model results fall within 10% for all critical metrics. This excellent agreement validates the numerical model for supercritical CO 2 heat exchanger optimization and scale-up.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Effect of charge and anisotropic diffusivity on ion exchange kinetics in nuclear waste form materials

Motifs of radionuclide absorption particles (absorbers or fillers) for the nuclear waste treatment usually have crystal structures with nano-sized tunnels for fast ion diffusion. On the other hand, the accumulation of ions generates an electric field which affects the ion diffusion. Therefore, the strong anisotropic kinetic properties and the electric field affect ion exchange kinetics, especially in an assembly of these particles which may block the fast diffusion tunnels for each other. In this work, we developed a mesoscale model to describe the effect of anisotropic kinetic properties and electric field on ion exchange kinetics. With the model we simulated the effect of anisotropic diffusivity, electrochemical potential, particle morphology, size and aggregation on ion exchange kinetics during batch experiments. Here, tt is found that 1) ion exchange results in charge accumulation inside the particle because different ions have different diffusivities and different diffusion driving forces. The electric neutrality is not preserved; 2) the electric field speeds up the slower diffusion ions (either uptake or release) and slows down the faster diffusion ions to reduce charge accumulation and maintains charge neutrality; 3) the ion exchange becomes very slow at the later stages because a) diffusion driving force (electrochemical gradient, Cs + concentration in the solution and Na + inside the particle) continuously decreases, as observed in batch experiments; and b) the diffusivity decreases due to the Cs + concentration dependence of ion diffusivity. This can explain the observed experimental phenomena that the radionuclide capacity usually cannot be reached; 4) for needle-like particle and their clusters, both surface area and diffusion distance along the direction with the fastest diffusivities have significant impact on the ion exchange kinetics.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Surface oxygen exchange kinetics of mixed conducting oxides: Dilatometric vs electrical conductivity relaxation study

The surface oxygen exchange kinetics of mixed ionic-electronic conducting (MIEC) oxides play a crucial role in a variety of applications, including solid oxide fuel/electrolysis cells (SOFCs/SOECs), permeation membranes and sensors. To date, a variety of methods, including isotope exchange, electrical conductivity, optical absorptivity and thermogravimetry relaxation, and impedance spectroscopy have been used to measure the oxygen exchange coefficient of MIEC oxides. Each of these methods have their advantages and limitations, depending on the physical and chemical properties of the investigated materials and their sample dimensions and densities. Here, we demonstrate the ability to precisely measure the surface oxygen exchange coefficient (k chem ) of MIEC model material Pr 0.1 Ce 0.9 O 2-δ (PCO) by use of dilatometric relaxation measurements, particularly of interest for materials that exhibit larger chemical expansion coefficients. This is achieved by use of porous bulk specimens to ensure that the contribution of oxygen exchange to the overall kinetics is dominant. We demonstrate that k chem values extracted from chemical expansion relaxation measurements on PCO are nearly identical to those derived from electrical conductivity relaxation measurements. As a result, this provides the opportunity to precisely investigate the oxygen exchange and chemical expansion kinetics of a wide range of materials used in high-temperature applications, particularly where more conventional methods are difficult or inappropriate to apply.

(Pr,Ce)O2-x↗

Additive manufacturing and testing of a ceramic heat exchanger for high-temperature and high-pressure applications for concentrating solar power

Heat exchangers with excellent corrosion and oxidation resistances are essential for the next-generation concentrating solar power (CSP) plants using a molten salt heat transfer fluid and a supercritical CO 2 Brayton power cycle that can operate at temperatures > 700 °C for higher efficiencies. Techniques were developed for additively manufacturing ceramic materials for applications involving high temperature, high pressure, and high corrosion resistance as needed for the CSP application. Based on a previous ceramic heat exchanger design with its cross-section geometry of the flow channels optimized for heat transfer and mechanical strength, lab-scale prototype heat exchangers, with integrated headers and incorporated flow channel dimensional compensations, were fabricated by using the binder jetting process. The printed prototype heat exchangers were successfully densified through the processes of liquid polymer infiltration and pyrolysis. In addition, thermophysical properties of the densified silicon carbide parts were measured to provide necessary design information. Experimental heat transfer testing of the lab-scale prototype heat exchanger was conducted, and the experimental data agreed reasonably well with the simulated results. Furthermore, this agreement provides validation of the simulation models for their applicability to the development of a full-scale ceramic heat exchanger.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Observations of Ethylene-for-CO Ligand Exchanges on a Zeolite-Supported Single-Site Rh Catalyst by X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Quick-scanning X-ray absorption fine structure (QXAFS) measurements were used to characterize the exchanges of ethylene and CO ligands in a zeolite HY-supported single-site Rh complex at a sampling rate of 1.0 Hz. The two ligands were reversibly exchanged on the rhodium, with quantitative results determined for the C 2 H 4 -for-CO exchange that are consistent with a first-order process. The apparent rate constant for the exchange decreased with increasing temperature. Fourier-transform infrared spectra characterizing the C 2 H 4 sorbed in the zeolite showed that the amount decreased with increasing temperature, consistent with the decrease in the exchange rate with increasing temperature. Here the results, illustrating the dynamics of ligand exchanges on a single-site supported metal catalyst, demonstrate the broad emerging applicability of the QXAFS technique for characterizing the dynamics of reactive intermediates on catalysts.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Thermal-Mechanical Analysis of an Additive Manufacturing Ceramic Heat Exchanger for High-Temperature Recuperator in a sCO2 Power System

Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) Brayton power cycle can be configured in a closed-loop power system and has a potentially high cycle efficiency. Compactness and high efficiency of a sCO2 power block make the sCO2 Brayton cycle a versatile power cycle in broad applications. While many heat sources are of sufficient intensity to produce high temperature working fluids to achieve high cycle efficiency, the thermal-mechanical stability of traditional materials (e.g., steels and nickel-based superalloys) used in construction of heat exchangers and turbine components limits the operating conditions and thus thermodynamic efficiency of the system. This effort seeks to establish the viability of ceramic heat exchanger technologies for the most extreme operating conditions envisioned for power generation and other high temperature processes. Heat exchangers constructed from ultra-high temperature ceramics, a class of extreme environment materials featuring melting points (Tmp.) above 3000 degrees C, is particularly appealing for sCO2 Brayton cycles given their ultra-low creep rates and very high retained strength at low homologous temperatures (i.e., T < 0.5 Tmp., or at least 1500 degrees C). To translate these materials properties to ultra-high temperature heat exchangers, innovations are required in ceramic manufacturing techniques to realize the complex architectures featured in compact heat exchangers with high power density. With appropriate processing, ZrB2-SiC based compositions can be sintered to near full density and shaped into complex topologies via ceramic additive manufacturing methods. This paper analyzes heat exchanger designs and explores thermal-mechanical implications of the operating environment. Thermal flow, heat transfer, and conjugate mechanical analyses provide insights into benefits and risks associated with the design approach.

additive manufacturing↗

EXCHANGE Campaign 1: A Community-Driven Baseline Characterization of Soils, Sediments, and Water Across Coastal Gradients

The EXploration of Coastal Hydrobiogeochemistry Across a Network of Gradients and Experiments (EXCHANGE) program is a consortium of scientists working together to improve our understanding of how the two-way exchange of water between estuaries or large lake lacustuaries and the terrestrial landscape influence the state and function of ecosystems across the coastal interface. EXCHANGE Campaign 1 (EC1) focuses on the spatial variation in biogeochemical structure and function at the coastal terrestrial-aquatic interface (TAI). In the Fall of 2021, the EXCHANGE Consortium gathered samples from 52 TAIs. Samples collected from EC1 were analyzed for bulk geochemical parameters, bulk physicochemical parameters, organic matter characteristics, and redox-sensitive elements.Please download ec1_README.pdf for a complete list of available data in each .zip folder, package version history, and detailed information about the project. This README will serve as the central place for EC1 Data Package updates. Experimental setup and v1 methods are documented in Myers-Pigg and Pennington et al., 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02548-7).EC1 Data Package Structure:ec1_README.pdfec1_methods.pdfec1_metadata_v3.zip...ec1_dd.csv...ec1_flmd.csv...ec1_sample_catalog.csv...ec1_metadata_kitlevel.csv...ec1_metadata_collectionlevel.csv...ec1_data_collectionlevel.csv...ec1_igsn_metadata.csvec1_soil_v3.zipec1_sediment_v3.zipec1_water_v3.zipec1_processingscripts_v3.zipThis data package is on v3 and was originally published May 2023 (v1). Subsequent updates will be published here with new version numbers. Please see the Change History section in ec1_README.pdf for detailed changes.---Acknowledging EXCHANGE: General Support and Data Product UseWe ask that users of EXCHANGE data add the following acknowledgement when publishing data in scholarly articles and data repositories:"This research is based on work supported by COMPASS-FME, a multi-institutional project supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research as part of the Environmental System Science Program."

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Purification of Degraded Aqueous Piperazine by Ion Exchange and Carbon Treating

Amine purification by ion exchange and carbon treating has been performed for decades to maintain low solvent impurity levels in amines used in natural gas sweetening. The use of these purification methods to remove dissolved metal catalysts and other impurities from amines used in post-combustion carbon capture is less well known. This report presents batch experiments testing the equilibrium adsorption of impurities from degraded piperazine (PZ) onto activated carbon and various ion exchange resins. Compared to cationic exchange, anionic exchange was found to better remove catalytic Fe and UV active species, making it a better candidate for large-scale PZ purification. Carbon treating greatly outperforms anion exchange in the removal of UV active species, but the adsorbents’ difference is less pronounced for the removal of other impurities. Equilibrium adsorption was determined by the UV absorption of the PZ solution at 320 nm, and the results will show this may not be an accurate way to determine equilibrium. Further bench-scale experiments comparing ion exchange and carbon treating are necessary before advancing to larger-scale testing.

amine purification↗