Adsorption of CO2 on ZSM-5 and Cu-MOF at room temperature and low pressure conditions for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) application

Abstract

The application of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is viewed as a key strategy to achieve CO2 reduction targets. In capturing CO2 process, both adsorption and absorption are promising techniques for CO2 capture, but adsorption processes using solid adsorbents are the prevailing technique nowadays. In this study, the performance of the prepared adsorbents on the CO2 capture capability is investigated and compared. Zeolite (ZSM-5) and copper metal–organic framework (Cu-MOF) are selected as adsorbents because of high surface area and the excellent performance in the adsorption process. The performance of both adsorbents in CO2 adsorption is evaluated in a fabricated setup consists of a metal cylindrical vessel equipped with flow of pure CO2 gas from a cylindrical tank. The efficiency of the adsorption system was explored as a function of the experimental parameters: effect of adsorbent dosage (0–500 mg) and inlet flow pressure (0–1 bar). Based on the findings from FTIR, EDX and XRD analyses, the results suggested successful formation of ZSM-5 and Cu-MOF. The highest particle size distribution and area for ZSM-5 were in the range of 25–66 µm and 1.7–442 µm2, while 102–149 µm and 1.7–1400 µm2 for Cu-MOF, respectively. SEM images show an agglomeration and flaky particles. From the TGA analysis, ZSM-5 tends to remain stable compared to Cu-MOF where lacks the ability to retain its framework at temperature above 400 °C. The optimum conditions obtained in the adsorption process for both adsorbents were 200 mg adsorbent dosage and 1 bar inlet pressure. Based on the results, ZSM-5 shows the best performance with high CO2 adsorption capacity as compared to Cu-MOF at the low pressure system. Under the optimum condition, 800 and 1000 mg/g adsorption capacity of Cu-MOF and ZSM-5 were achieved within 50 min of reaction to adsorb CO2.