Manfred Jaschik

Facile and Scalable Synthesis of Nanoporous Materials Based on Poly(ionic liquid)s

A simple, fast, sustainable, and scalable strategy to prepare nanoporous materials based on poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) is presented. The synthetic strategy relies on the radical polymerization of crosslinker-type ionic liquid (IL) monomers in the presence of an analogous IL, which acts as a porogenic solvent. This IL can be extracted easily after polymerization and recycled for further use. The great advantages of this synthetic approach are the atom-efficiency and lack of waste. The effects of different monomer/porogen ratios on the specific surface area, porosity, and pore size have been investigated. Finally, the potential of the materials as CO2 sorbents has been evaluated.

Poly(vinylbenzyl chloride)-based poly(ionic liquids) as membranes for CO2 capture from flue gas

Over the last decade, membrane-based CO2 capture using ionic liquids (ILs) has been demonstrated as a promising technology. However, elaborative synthesis of monomers and long-term instability of IL-based composite membranes have so far limited their industrial relevance. In this paper, novel membranes are introduced for CO2 separation using poly(ionic liquids) (PILs) based on polyvinylbenzyl chloride (PVBC). Three PIL-based membranes were prepared as thin-film composites (TFC) by solvent casting with subsequent sealing. They were tested for the CO2 removal from synthetic flue gas. An ammonium-derivatised PVBC-analogue was prepared as a first PIL-type by polymerisation of an IL monomer, whereas two other PILs, respectively with hydroxyethyl ammonium and pyrrolidinium cations, were obtained using a modification of commercial PVBC. Introduction of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (Tf2N) anions was accomplished by metathesis. A thorough characterisation of the material structure, composition, membrane morphology and gas separation properties demonstrates that the presence of hydroxyl groups in the polycation enhanced the interaction with CO2 molecules. The mixed-gas selectivity increases with the higher positive charge on the cation species (hydroxyethyl-dimethylammonium > trimethylammonium > pyrrolidinium). More importantly, experiments performed in humidified conditions particularly revealed a doubled CO2 permeance and a 20–30% increased selectivity in comparison to dry conditions. These developments are spurring the application of PIL-based TFC membranes for CO2 capture from flue gas streams.

Gas-liquid equilibria in the system SO2-aqueous solutions of NaHSO3/Na2SO3/Na2SO4

Using two independent measurement techniques the gas-liquid equilibria in the system sulphur dioxide-aqueous solutions of sodium sulphites are determined for the range of temperatures 308–373 K and concentrations of sodium ions 1.1–5.8 mol/kg of H2O. The effect of sodium sulphate on partial pressures of SO2 over the sodium sulphite-bisulphite solutions is evaluated at the ratios of the inactive (i.e. originating from sulphates) to active (originating from sulphites) sodium ions covering the range of 0.08–0.16. A correlation equation is derived which relates partial pressures of SO2 to the composition of the liquid phase and temperature. The results obtained differ from those presented by Johnstone et al. The correlations can be employed in the design and optimization calculations of chemical plants.

A non-isothermal model of thermal desorption with chemical reaction in the liquid phase

Abstract A non-isothermal mathematical model is developed and verified for the process of thermal desorption of sulphur dioxide from the sodium sulphite/sulphate solutions. The process of the desorption of SO 2 is analysed which occurs in a packed column cooperating with an indirectly heated boiler. Good agreement is found between the model predictions and the experimental results. An analysis is carried out of the operation of the system boiler-desorption column for the various conditions and variants of the desorption process. The model is suitable for the design and optimization of the desorption of gases accompanied with a chemical reaction in the liquid phase.

Analysis of the techniques for the utilisation of coal bed methane from Polish coal mines

Publisher Summary This chapter illustrates that a number of research organizations have focused their programs upon the abatement of greenhouse gases (GHG), including methane. Methane emissions, apart from the adverse environmental impact, lead to considerable losses of the valuable fuel. The utilization of methane becomes even more important in view of the ever-decreasing reserves of primary energy sources. The chapter deals with two techniques for the utilization of coal-related methane emissions in Poland. An analysis is carried out of the enrichment of coal bed methane via adsorptive separation to produce gas that can be used commercially in natural gas networks. It is found that a two-stage pressure swing adsorption system can yield the gas containing more than 90% of methane. Also, economic feasibility is studied for an alternative utilization option, namely, the combustion of ventilation air methane in existing boilers. Conditions are derived that determine the upper limit of the distance at which the transportation of ventilation air remains an economically viable solution.