Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust Background
Environmental contamination due to high emission levels of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2) continues to escalate. As an alternative to petroleum based fuels, there has been an increase in natural gas production, but the presence of considerable amounts of nitrogen (N2) and CO2 in the natural gas effluents has raised questions regarding energy density when compared to other alternatives. There is a need to provide options for the removal of contaminants that are not energy intensive nor expensive operational processes.
Technology Overview
This technology describes a Zeolite-like material made with a new flexible titanium silicate called University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez variant number 5 (UPRM-5) prepared using Tetraethylammonium Hydroxide (TEAOH) as a molecular structure-directing agent (SDA). The material allows for the adsorption of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen effectively. This technology provides a sorbent material with pore-window tailoring that reduces the cycles during pressure swing adsorption applications. The pore volumes are larger than other technology which results in an outstanding CO2 selectivity under physisorption level interactions.
Benefits
Cost effective form of CO2 adsorption
Effective adsorption of CO2 at temperatures and pressures that approach ambient conditions
The pore volumes are larger than other technology
This technology is an excellent option for adsorption of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and methane
Applications
Removal of contaminant (CO2, N2 and CH4) concentrations in natural gas extraction
Absorption devices to remove excess carbon dioxide from breathing air in aerospace vehicles cabins
Adsorption of CO2 in Airplane cabins
Adsorption of CO2, N2 and CH4 in mining working area
Opportunity
Exclusive or non-exclusive license
Research support for additional development