Solid with infused reactive liquid (SWIRL): A novel liquid-based separation approach for effective CO <sub>2</sub> capture
M. S. Yeganeh, Arben Jusufi, Shane P. Deighton, Matthew S. Ide, Michael Siskin, Aditya Jaishankar, Charles Maldarelli, Pedro Bertolini, Bharath Natarajan, Jessica L. Vreeland, Mark A. King, Andrew R. Konicek
Abstract
Economical CO 2 capture demands low-energy separation strategies. We use a liquid-infused surface (LIS) approach to immobilize reactive liquids, such as amines, on a textured and thermally conductive solid substrate with high surface-area to volume ratio (A/V) continuum geometry. The infused, micrometer-thick liquid retains that high A/V and directly contacts the gas phase, alleviating mass transport resistance typically encountered in mesoporous solid adsorbents. We name this LIS class “solid with infused reactive liquid” (SWIRL). SWIRL-amine requires no water dilution or costly mixing unlike the current liquid-based commercial approach. SWIRL–tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) shows stable, high capture capacities at power plant CO 2 concentrations near flue gas temperatures, preventing energy-intensive temperature swings needed for other approaches. Water vapor increases CO 2 capacity of SWIRL-TEPA without compromising stability.