Advanced Buffer Materials for Indoor Air CO₂ Control in Commercial Buildings

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated solid sorbents for their ability to passively control indoor CO₂ concentration in buildings or rooms with cyclic occupancy (eg, offices, bedrooms). Silica supported amines were identified as suitable candidates and systematically evaluated in the removal of CO₂ from indoor air by equilibrium and dynamic techniques. In particular, sorbents with various amine loadings were synthesized using tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and a silane coupling agent 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). TGA analysis indicates that TEPA impregnated silica not only displays a relatively high adsorption capacity when exposed to ppm level CO₂ concentrations, but also is capable of desorbing the majority of CO₂ by air flow (eg, by concentration gradient). In 10 L flow-through chamber experiments, TEPA-based sorbents reduced outlet CO₂ by up to 5% at 50% RH and up to 93% of CO₂ adsorbed over 8 hours was desorbed within 16 hours. In 8 m3 flow-through chamber experiments, 18 g of the sorbent powder spread over a 2 m2 area removed approximately 8% of CO₂ injected. By extrapolating these results to real buildings, we estimate that meaningful reductions in the CO₂ can be achieved, which may help reduce energy requirements for ventilation and/or improve air quality.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Second Department

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Adsorption; Chamber Experiments; CO2 Control; Indoor Air Quality; Supported Amine Sorbents

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0905-6947; 1600-0668

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2017 Wiley-Blackwell, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Nov 2017

PubMed ID

28378907

Link to Full Text

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