CO₂ post-combustion capture using amine impregnated synthetic zeolites

- Goal of the Project:
The aim of the project is to develop amine-supported fly ash-derived zeolites treated with amine compounds for CO₂ capture in PCC.

- Technical content:
So far, two technical meetings have been undertaken, one in Krakow (January 2014) and one in Nottingham (April 2014). During those meetings the partners discussed results and further works.

Within the period of 1.11.2013 to 1.10.2014, Work Package 1 – Synthesis and properties of zeolite and Work Package 2 - Activation of zeolite materials and its effect on the adsorption properties were initiated.

The synthetic zeolites were prepared at Lublin University of Technology. Zeolites were obtained in hydrothermal synthesis of fly ash with aqua solution of NaOH. Reactions were carried out at a laboratory scale as well as a technical line to synthesis of zeolite. Three types of zeolites were obtained: Na-X (laboratory scale); Na-A (laboratory scale); Na-P1 (technical line).

For this zeolite mineralogical (SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF, DTA/TG) and textural analysis were carried out.

For the obtained zeolite outcomes organic impregnation by PEI (polyethyleneimine) and TEPA (thetraethylenepentamine) were made. On these activated materials an initial test of CO₂ sorption was carried out.

- Technical advantages:
The Polish partners have the apparatus necessary for carrying out mineralogical and textural studies such as scanning electron microscope SEM-EDS, X-ray diffractometer XRD, Surface analyzer ASAP, and have a fully equipped laboratory to carry out the synthesis of zeolites (at laboratory and semi-technical scale) and its modification. Additionally, they have experts in the fields of mineralogy, chemistry, geochemistry and economical analysis. The UK partners, from the University of Nottingham, have a fully equipped laboratory for experiments in CO₂ capture, including small-scale fixed-bed testing as well as the fluidised bed system. The UK also has experts in the fields of chemistry and physics. Such a joint team can carry out planned project activities using their complementary knowlegde and capabilities.

R&D challenges:
In the project, during the reporting period time-frame, the following challenges were met:
• In synthesis reaction of fly ash with aqua solution from NaOH different structures of zeolites were obtained: Na-X, Na-A, Na-P1.
• The main advantage was the synthesis reaction of pure Na-P1 by means of technological line, which enabled the production of a large amount of zeolite material.
• Modification of zeolite by PEI and TEPA was carried out
• The activation methods by PEI and TEPA to obtain the best materials for CO₂ capture are in progress.

- Results and outputs to date:
Current results were published in the following works:
• Franus W., Wdowin M., Franus M. (2014) - Synthesis and characterization of zeolites prepared from industrial fly ash. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Volume 186, Issue 9, pp 5721-5729.
• Wdowin M., Franus M., Panek R., Bandura L., Franus W. The conversion technology of fly ash into zeolites, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, Volume 16, Issue 6 , p. 1217-1223.
• Wdowin M., Panek R., Franus W., Badania właściwości zeolitów otrzymywanych z popiołów lotnych pod kątem wykorzystania ich jako sorbentów CO₂, Polityka Energetyczna- Energy Policy Journal 17(3).

Also, the current results were presented at the following conference:
Wdowin M., Panek R., Franus W., Gara P., Wisła-Walsh E., Investigation of synthetic zeolites from point of view application of them in CO₂ capture. 6th International FEZA Conference, 8- 11 Spetember 2014, Leipzig, Germany.