CO2 absorption and regeneration of alkali metal-based solid sorbents

Potassium-based sorbents were prepared by impregnation with potassium carbonate on supports such as activated carbon (AC), TiO₂, Al₂O₃, MgO, SiO₂ and various zeolites. The CO₂ capture capacity and regeneration property were measured in the presence of H₂O in a fixed-bed reactor, during multiple cycles at various temperature conditions (CO₂ capture at 60 °C and regeneration at 130–400 °C). Sorbents such as K₂CO₃/AC, K₂CO₃/TiO₂, K₂CO₃/MgO, and K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃, which showed excellent CO₂ capture capacity, could be completely regenerated above 130, 130, 350, and 400 °C, respectively. The decrease in the CO₂ capture capacity of K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/MgO, after regeneration at temperatures of less than 200 °C, could be explained through the formation of KAl(CO₃)₂(OH)₂, K₂Mg(CO₃)₂, and K₂Mg(CO₃)₂·4(H₂O), which did not completely converted to the original K₂CO₃ phase. In the case of K₂CO₃/AC and K₂CO₃/TiO₂, a KHCO₃ crystal structure was formed during CO₂ absorption, unlike K₂CO₃/Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/MgO. This phase could be easily converted into the original phase during regeneration, even at a low temperature (130 °C). Therefore, the formation of the KHCO₃ crystal structure after CO₂ absorption is an important factor for regeneration, even at the low temperature. The nature of support plays an important role for CO₂ absorption and regeneration capacities. In particular, the K₂CO₃/TiO₂ sorbent showed excellent characteristics in CO₂ absorption and regeneration in that it satisfies the requirements of a large amount of CO₂ absorption (mg CO₂/g sorbent) and fast and complete regeneration at a low temperature condition (1 atm, 150 °C).