Prediction of CO2/O2 absorption selectivity using supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) for gas–liquid membrane contactor

Given their unique and tunable properties as solvents, ionic liquids (ILs) have become a favorable solvent option in separation processes, particularly for capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂). In this work, a simple method that can be used to screen the suitable IL candidates was implemented in our modified gas–liquid membrane contactor system. Solubilities, selectivities of CO₂, nitrogen (N₂), and oxygen (O₂) gases in imidazolium-based ILs and its activity coefficients in water and monoethanolamine (MEA) were predicted using conductor-like screening model for real solvent (COSMO-RS) method over a wide range of temperature (298.15–348.15?K). Results from the analysis revealed that [emim] [NTf₂] IL is a good candidate for further absorption process attributed to its good hydrophobicity and CO₂/O₂ selectivity characteristics. While their miscibility with pure MEA was somehow higher, utilizing the aqueous phase of MEA would be beneficial in this stage. Data on absorption performances and selectivity of CO₂/O₂ are scarce especially in gas–liquid membrane contactor system. Therefore, considering [emim] [NTf₂] IL as a supporting material in supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs), using aqueous phase of MEA as an absorbent would result in a great membrane-solvent combination system in furthering our gas–liquid membrane contactor process. In conclusion, COSMO-RS is a potentially great predictive utility to screen ILs for specified separation applications. In addition, this work provides useful results for the [emim] [NTf₂]-SILMs to be extensively applied in the field of CO₂ capture and selective O₂ removal.     

Group contribution lattice fluid equation of state for CO2–ionic liquid systems: An experimental and modeling study

The group contribution lattice fluid equation of state (GCLF EOS) was first extended to predict the thermodynamic properties for carbon dioxide (CO₂)–ionic liquid (IL) systems. The group interaction parameters of CO₂ with IL groups were obtained by means of correlating the exhaustively collected experimental solubility data at high temperatures (above 278.15 K). New group parameters between CO₂ and IL groups were added into the current parameter matrix. It was verified that GCLF EOS with two kinds of mixing rules could be used for predicting the CO₂ solubility in ILs, and volume expansivity of ILs upon the addition of CO₂, as well as identifying the new structure–property relation. Moreover, it is the first work on the measurement of the solubility of CO₂ in ILs at low temperatures (below 278.15 K), manifesting the applicability of predictive GCLF EOS over a wider temperature range. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 4399–4412, 2013     

State of the art of ionic liquid-modified adsorbents for CO2 capture and separation

The enormous emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industries has triggered a series of environmental issues. In recent years, ionic liquids (ILs) as novel absorbents are widely used for CO₂ capture owing to their low vapor pressure and tunable structures. IL-modified adsorbents have the advantages of both ILs and porous supports, such as high CO₂ selectivity and high specific surface area, which are novel agents to capture CO₂ with broad application prospects. In this review, more than 140 IL-modified adsorbents for CO₂ capture in recent years were systematically summarized. The types of ILs including conventional ILs and functionalized ILs on CO₂ separation performance of different IL hybrid adsorbents, and their adsorption mechanisms were also discussed. Finally, future perspectives on IL-modified adsorbents for CO₂ separation were further posed.     

Mass‐transfer rate enhancement for CO2 separation by ionic liquids: Theoretical study on the mechanism

To promote the development of ionic liquid (IL) immobilized sorbents and supported IL membranes (SILMs) for CO₂ separation, the kinetics of CO₂ absorption/desorption in IL immobilized sorbents was studied using a novel method based on nonequilibrium thermodynamics. It shows that the apparent chemical‐potential‐based mass‐transfer coefficients of CO₂ were in three regions with three‐order difference in magnitude for the IL‐film thicknesses in microscale, 100 nm‐scale, and 10 nm‐scale. Using a diffusion‐reaction theory, it is found that by tailoring the IL‐film thickness from microscale to nanoscale, the process was altered from diffusion‐control to reaction‐control, revealing the inherent mechanism for the dramatic rate enhancement. The extension to SILMs shows that the significant improvement of CO₂ flux can be obtained theoretically for the membranes with nanoscale IL‐films, which makes it feasible to implement CO₂ separation by ILs with low investment cost. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 4437–4444, 2015     

Process parameter optimization for ionic liquids as gas separation membranes based on a GWO–BPNN model

Gas separation membranes offer a cost-effective solution for capturing greenhouse gases, mitigating the global greenhouse effect. Ionic liquids (ILs) have emerged as one of the promising materials for greenhouse gas separation due to their strong affinity for CO₂. In this study, we propose a laboratory-scale method for preparing IL–PVDF blend membranes with high CO₂/N₂ selectivity. The separation performance of the membranes was evaluated using a custom gas permeation measurement system. The effects of casting solution composition, solidification method, and film-forming processes on separation performance were experimental investigated, and the obtained experimental data were used to train a back propagation neural network (BPNN) optimized by the Gray Wolf Optimizer (GWO) algorithm. This hybrid GWO–BPNN model was utilized to predict separation membrane efficiency, optimize the film-forming process, and identify the optimal range of process parameters. Notably, the GWO–BPNN model demonstrated a 2.76% higher prediction accuracy compared to a standalone BPNN. The results indicated that the GWO–BPNN algorithm has a great potential to accurately predict membrane separation efficiency and apply in optimal membrane process design (OMPD), and this method can significantly reduce the number of experimental trials required to achieve OMPD.     

Gas solubility in long‐chain imidazolium‐based ionic liquids

The gas solubility in 1‐dodecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium [C₁₂MIM] based ionic liquids (ILs) was measured at temperatures (333.2, 353.2, and 373.2) K and pressures up to 60 bar for the first time. The popular UNIFAC‐Lei model was successfully extended to long‐chain imidazolium‐based IL and gas (CO₂, CO, and H₂) systems. The free volume theory was used to explain the gas solubility and selectivity in imidazolium‐based ILs by calculating the fractional free volume and free volume by the COSMO‐RS model. Furthermore, the excess enthalpy of gas‐IL system was concerned to provide new insights into temperature dependency of gas (CO₂, CO, and H₂) solubility in ILs. The experimental data, calculation, and theoretical analysis presented in this work are important in gas separations with ILs or supported ionic liquid membranes. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 1792–1798, 2017     

UNIFAC model for ionic liquid‐CO2 systems

The new group binary interaction parameters of UNIFAC model (a_nm and a_mn) between CO₂ and 22 ionic liquid (IL) groups were obtained by means of correlating the solubility data of CO₂ in pure ILs at different temperatures (>273.2 K). We measured the CO₂ solubility at low temperatures down to 243.2 K in pure ILs, i.e., [OMIM]⁺[BF₄]^? and [OMIM]⁺[Tf₂N]^?, and their equimolar amount of mixture, in order to fill the blank of solubility data at low temperatures and also to justify the applicability of UNIFAC model over a wider temperature range. It was verified that UNIFAC model can be used for predicting the CO₂ solubility in pure ILs and in the binary mixture of ILs both at high (>273.2 K) and low temperatures (<273.2 K) effectively, as well as identifying the new structure–property relation. This is the first work to extend the UNIFAC model to IL‐CO₂ systems. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 60: 716–729, 2014     

Gas–liquid mass‐transfer properties in CO2 absorption system with ionic liquids

The deficiency of mass‐transfer properties in ionic liquids (ILs) has become a bottleneck in developing the novel IL‐based CO₂ capture processes. In this study, the liquid‐side mass‐transfer coefficients (k_L) were measured systematically in a stirred cell reactor by the decreasing pressure method at temperatures ranging from 303 to 323 K and over a wide range of IL concentrations from 0 to 100 wt %. Based on the data of k_L, the kinetics of chemical absorption of CO₂ with mixed solvents containing 30 wt % monoethanolamine (MEA) and 0–70 wt % ILs were investigated. The k_L in IL systems is influenced not only by the viscosity but also the molecular structures of ILs. The enhancement factors and the reaction activation energy were quantified. Considering both the mass‐transfer rates and the stability of IL in CO₂ absorption system, the new IL‐based system MEA + [bmim][NO₃] + H₂O is recommended. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 2929–2939, 2014     

Efficient capture of carbon dioxide with novel mass‐transfer intensification device using ionic liquids

A novel mass‐transfer intensified approach for CO₂ capture with ionic liquids (ILs) using rotating packed bed (RPB) reactor was presented. This new approach combined the advantages of RPB as a high mass‐transfer intensification device for viscous system and IL as a novel, environmentally benign CO₂ capture media with high thermal stability and extremely low volatility. Amino‐functionalized IL (2‐hydroxyethyl)‐trimethyl‐ammonium (S)?2‐pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid salt ([Choline][Pro]) was synthesized to perform experimental examination of CO₂ capture by chemical absorption. In RPB, it took only 0.2 s to reach 0.2 mol CO₂/mol IL at 293 K, indicating that RPB was kinetically favorable to absorption of CO₂ in IL because of its efficient mass‐transfer intensification. The effects of operation parameters on CO₂ removal efficiency and IL absorbent capacity were studied. In addition, a model based on penetration theory was proposed to explore the mechanism of gas–liquid mass transfer of ILs system in RPB. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 2957–2965, 2013     

Development of ethanolamine‐based ionic liquid membranes for efficient CO2/CH4 separation

This study is focused on the development of ionic liquids (ILs) based polymeric membranes for the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from methane (CH₄). The advantage of ILs in selective CO₂ absorption is that it enhances the CO₂ selective separation for the ionic liquid membranes (ILMs). ILMs are developed and characterized with two different ILs using the solution‐casting method. Three different blend compositions of ILs and polysulfone (PSF) are selected for each ILMs 10, 20, and 30 wt %. Effect of the different types of ILs such as triethanolamine formate (TEAF) and triethanolamine acetate (TEAA) are investigated on PSF‐based ILMs. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis of the membranes showed reasonable homogeneity between the ILs and PSF. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that by increasing the ILs loading thermal stability of the membranes improved. Mechanical analysis on developed membranes showed that ILs phase reduced the amount of plastic flow of the PSF phase and therefore, fracture takes place at gradually lower strains with increasing ILs content. Gas permeation evaluation was carried out on the developed membranes for CO₂/CH₄ separation between 2 bar to 10 bar feed pressure. Results showed that CO₂ permeance increases with the addition of ILs 10–30 wt % in ILMs. With 20–30 wt % TEAF‐ILMs and TEAA‐ILMs, the highest selectivity of a CO₂/CH₄ 53.96 ± 0.3, 37.64 ± 0.2 and CO₂ permeance 69.5 ± 0.6, 55.21 ± 0.3 is observed for treated membrane at 2–10 bar. The selectivity using mixed gas test at various CO₂/CH₄ compositions shows consistent results with the ideal gas selectivity. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45395.     

Enhanced gravimetric CO2 capacity and viscosity for ionic liquids with cyanopyrrolide anion

Ionic Liquids (ILs) are considered as alternative solvents for the separation of CO₂ from flue gas due mainly to their CO₂ affinity and thermal stability. The cation architecture in a matrix of ammonium and mostly phosphonium‐based ILs with 2‐cyanopyrrolide as the anion to evaluate its impact on gravimetric CO₂ absorption capacity, viscosity, and thermal stability and the three fundamental properties vital for application realization are systematically investigated. Among the investigated ILs, [P2,2,2,8][2‐CNpyr] demonstrated the lowest viscosity, 95 cP at 40°C, and highest CO₂ uptake, 114 mg CO₂ per g IL at 40°C. Combined effects of asymmetry and the optimized chain lengths also resulted in improved thermal stability for [P2,2,2,8][2‐CNpyr], with a mass loss rate of 1.35 × 10^?6 g h^?1 (0.0067 mass % h^?1) at 80°C. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2280–2285, 2015     

Ionic liquids for absorption and separation of gases: An extensive database and a systematic screening method

Ionic liquids (ILs) have attracted considerable attention in both the academic and industrial communities for absorbing and separating gases. However, a data‐rich and well‐structured systematic database has not yet been established, and screening for highly efficient ILs meeting various requirements remains a challenging task. In this study, an extensive database of estimated Henry's law constants of twelve gases in more than ten thousand ILs at 313.15 K is established using the COSMO‐RS method. Based on the database, a new systematic and efficient screening method for IL selection for the absorption and separation of gases subject to important target properties is proposed. Application of the database and the screening method is highlighted through case studies involving two important gases separation problems (CO₂ from CH₄ and C₂H₂ from C₂H₄). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of using the screening method together with the database to explore and screen novel ILs meeting specific requirements for the absorption and separation of gases. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 1353–1367, 2017     

Design and screening of ionic liquids for C2H2/C2H4 separation by COSMO‐RS and experiments

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been proposed as promising solvents for separating C₂H₂ and C₂H₄, but screening an industrially attractive IL with high capacity from numerous available ILs remains challenging. In this work, a rapid screening method based on COSMO‐RS was developed. We also present an efficient strategy to improve the C₂H₂ capacity in ILs together with adequate C₂H₂/C₂H₄ selectivity with the aid of COSMO‐RS. The essence of this strategy is to increase molecular free volume of ILs and simultaneously enhance hydrogen‐bond basicity of anions by introducing flexible and highly asymmetric structures, which is validated by a new class of tetraalkylphosphonium ILs featuring long‐chain carboxylate anions. At 298.1 K and 1 bar, the solubility of C₂H₂ in ILs reaches 0.476 mol/mol IL, very high for a physical absorption, with a selectivity of up to 21.4. The separation performance of tetraalkylphosphonium ILs to the mixture of C₂H₂/C₂H₄ was also evaluated. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2016–2027, 2015     

Ionic Liquids for Chloromethane/Isobutane Distillative Separation: Express Screening

The present study centres on room‐temperature ionic liquids (ILs) as entrainers in extractive distillation of chloromethane/isobutane mixtures. The binary system, chloromethane/isobutene, is an azeotropic system. In this study, IL entrainers are shown to be able to break the azeotrope and, thus, assure the separation in the whole range of chloromethane/isobutane ratios. ILs formed from different cations and anions are considered and their influence on chloromethane/isobutane separation is explored. Among the ILs studied, those containing the trifluoromethanesulfonate ([CF₃SO₃]^–) or tricyanomethanide ([C(CN)₃]^–) anion are demonstrated to exhibit an enhanced potential for chloromethane/isobutane separation compared to the corresponding ILs based on the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Tf₂N]^–) anion. Moreover, the ILs enclosing these anions are cheaper than those with the [Tf₂N]^– anion. Thus, the separation ability, solubility of chloromethane/isobutane mixtures, and costs of IL entrainers can be adjusted by the right choice of cations and anions.     

Gas drying with ionic liquids

The gas drying technology with ionic liquids (ILs) was systematically studied ranging from the molecular level to industrial scale. The COSMO‐RS model was first used to screen the suitable IL and provide theoretical insights at the molecular level. Toward CO₂ gas dehydration, we measured the CO₂ solubility in single [EMIM][Tf₂N] and in the [EMIM][Tf₂N] + H₂O mixture, as well as the vapor‐liquid equilibrium (VLE) of [EMIM][Tf₂N] + H₂O system, to justify the applicability of UNIFAC model. Based on the thermodynamic study, the rigorous equilibrium (EQ) stage mathematical model was established for process simulation. The gas drying experiment with IL was also performed and the water content in gas product can be reduced to 375 ppm. It was confirmed that a less flow rate of absorbent, a higher CO₂ recovery ratio and a much lower energy consumption can be achieved with IL than with the conventional triethylene glycol (TEG). © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 606–619, 2018     

Designing amino-based ionic liquids for improved carbon capture: One amine binds two CO2

Generally, amine group captures CO₂ according to 2:1 or 1:1 stoichiometry. Here, we report a kind of improved carbon capture using amino-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) through 1:2 stoichiometry. A serial of amino-functionalized ILs various with basicity and steric hindrance of anion were designed, prepared, and applied in CO₂ capture. Through a combination of absorption experiment, quantum chemical calculation, spectroscopic investigation and calorimetric method, the results indicated that one amine group could bind two CO₂ through proton transfer (PT) process and intramolecular hydrogen bond formation, which leading to enhanced capacity that breaks through equimolar. The basicity and steric hindrance of anion play a significant role in promoting amine group to capture two CO₂. [P₆₆₆₁₄]₂[Asp] with dual anion was further designed and synthesized to promote PT process, which showed high capacity of 1.96 mol/mol IL at 30°C and 1 atm as well as excellent reversibility. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 230–238, 2019     

Confining organic cations in metal organic framework allows molecular level regulation of CO2 capture

High tunability of both ionic liquids (ILs) and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) enables great opportunity in the rational designation of IL/MOF composites for physical adsorption and separation. Traditionally, cations and anions of ILs as an entirety are combined with MOFs either inside or outside the microchannels. Herein, organic cations of ILs were confined into Cu-BTC and the champion adsorbent is obtained by using 1-propionic acid-3-vinylimidazole bromide as the precursor with a moderate loading amount, exhibiting higher CO₂ uptakes of 8/5 mmol g⁻¹ than Cu-BTC (6.0/3.5 mmol g⁻¹) at 273/298 K and 100 kPa, associating with significantly improved CO₂/N₂(CH₄) selectivities. The organic cations are interacted with two adjacent CuII₂(CRO₂)₂ paddle wheel units of Cu-BTC, expanding the Cu O bond to strengthen the CO₂ affinity of open Cu sites and also serving as an additive CO₂ adsorptive site. The promotion of CO₂ capture ability is further reflected in the dynamic column breakthrough experiment.     

Protic ionic liquids for the selective absorption of H2S from CO2: Thermodynamic analysis

The solubilities of H₂S and CO₂ in four protic ionic liquids (PILs)—methyldiethanolammonium acetate, methyldiethanolammonium formate, dimethylethanolammonium acetate, and dimethylethanolammonium formate were determined at 303.2–333.2 K and 0–1.2 bar. It is shown PILs have higher absorption capacity for H₂S than normal ionic liquids (ILs) and the Henry's law constants of H₂S in PILs (3.5–11.5 bar at 303.2 K) are much lower than those in normal ILs. In contrast, the solubility of CO₂ in PILs is found to be a magnitude lower than that of H₂S, implying these PILs have both higher absorption capacity for H₂S and higher ideal selectivity of H₂S/CO₂ (8.9–19.5 at 303.2 K) in comparison with normal ILs. The behavior of H₂S and CO₂ absorption in PILs is further demonstrated based on thermodynamic analysis. The results illustrate that PILs are a kind of promising absorbents for the selective separation of H₂S/CO₂ and believed to have potential use in gas sweetening. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J 60: 4232–4240, 2014