Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Adsorption; Carbon Dioxide Control; Desorption; Indoor Air Quality; Supported Amine Adsorbents

Abstract

"The following describes a novel passive approach to control the indoor CO2 levels in enclosed spaces, primarily focusing on commercial buildings. Amine impregnated silica sorbents were identified as suitable candidates and synthesized; the amine loading ratio was varied to create a range of materials. These samples along with other commercial zeolite candidates have been tested over a range of CO2 concentrations to determine the CO2 adsorption capacity in laboratory systems and under simulated room conditions. The research work also focuses on the CO2 desorption capacity of the candidate adsorbents. The desorption is allowed to occur gradually over time with the concentration gradient as its sole driving force; usually a pressure or temperature swing is applied to desorb CO2 from the adsorbents. Results have shown TEPA impregnated silica to have a good adsorption capacity (1.5 mmol/g); and by decreasing the amine content, the silica-TEPA samples showed good initial desorption of almost 31% of the adsorbed CO2. They exhibited lower capacity but a greater desorption percentage with repeated cycles. At room temperature and pressure conditions, cyclic tests were conducted in a small chamber simulating real indoor environment. The adsorbent reduced the CO2 concentration by almost 8% reduction. Further studies conducted to investigate the effect of adsorbent weight showed that adsorption increased from 3% to 8% on increasing the quantity of adsorbent used. Similarly, the effect of relative humidity of chamber air was studied. Results showed a 4% decrease in CO2 uptake when the RH was dropped to 15% from 50%; and an increase of 10% uptake was observed at 90% RH"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Rezaei, Fateme
Morrison, Glenn

Committee Member(s)

Fitch, Mark W.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Environmental Engineering

Sponsor(s)

National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Missouri University of Science and Technology. Environmental Research Center

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2017

Pagination

x, 44 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 39-43).

Rights

© 2017 Pavithra Ethi Rajan

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 11085

Electronic OCLC #

992440968

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