CO 2 bubble absorption enhancement in methanol-based nanofluids

Abstract

In this study, the nanoparticles (i.e. SiO 2 and Al 2O 3 nanoparticles) and methanol are combined into SiO 2/methanol and Al 2O 3/methanol nanofluids to enhance the CO 2 absorption rate of the base fluid (methanol). The absorption experiments are performed in the bubble type absorber system equipped with mass flow controller (MFC), mass flow meter (MFM) and silica gel (which can remove the methanol vapor existing in the outlet gases). The parametric analysis on the effects of the particle species and concentrations on CO 2 bubble absorption rate is carried out. The particle concentration ranges from 0.005 to 0.5 vol%. It is found that the CO 2 absorption rate is enhanced up to 4.5% at 0.01 vol% of Al 2O 3/methanol nanofluids at 20 °C, and 5.6% at 0.01 vol% of SiO 2/methanol nanofluids at −20 °C, respectively.