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Browsing by Author "Ferreira, Alexandre F.P."

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  • Separation of CO2/N2 onto Shaped MOF MIL-160(Al) Using the Pressure Swing Adsorption Process for Post-combustion Application
    Publication . Karimi, Mohsen; Siqueira, Rafael M.; Rodrigues, Alírio; Nouar, Farid; Silva, José A.C.; Serre, Christian; Ferreira, Alexandre F.P.
    Adsorption processes have already been considered as an appealing technology for carbon capture and climate change mitigation. Accordingly, this work investigated the capacity of shaped MIL-160(Al) as a water stable bioderived Al dicarboxylate microporous metal-organic framework for separation of carbon dioxide and nitrogen concerning postcombustion application. First, breakthrough experiments of carbon dioxide and nitrogen were accomplished at 313 K and 4.0 bar. Then, a set of equations/relations were considered to model the dynamic fixed-bed tests, in which the outcomes proved the capacity of the developed model for such a purpose. Next, a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process with five steps, including pressurization, feed, rinse, blowdown, and purge, was planned and validated using performed experiments in a laboratory-scale PSA setup. In the end, an industrial PSA process was designed to attain a better grasp of the capacity of MIL-160(Al) for postcombustion application. The results indicated an exciting potential of this adsorbent for postcombustion carbon capture, with the purity and recovery of carbon dioxide around 67.3 and 99.1%, respectively.
    2024Journal article Open access Show more
  • Solar thermo-photocatalytic methanation using a bifunctional RuO2:TiO2/Z13X photocatalyst/adsorbent material for efficient CO2 capture and conversion
    Publication . Paulista, Larissa O.; Ferreira, Alexandre F.P.; Rodrigues, Alírio; Martins, Ramiro; Boaventura, Rui; Vilar, Vítor J.P.; Silva, Tânia F.C.V.
    A novel bifunctional photocatalyst/adsorbent material based on the RuO2:TiO2/zeolite 13X (Z13X) composite was developed to enhance solar-driven methanation through simultaneous carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and thermo-photoconversion. The activity/stability of the hybrid material towards methane (CH4) production was assessed by varying the (i) photocatalyst composition (Ru load and semiconductor type), (ii) bifunctional material composition (photocatalyst-to-zeolite ratio) and impregnation method, (iii) illumination source and power (simulated sunlight and UVA/Visible LEDs), (iv) temperature, and (v) catalyst reuse. Additionally, adsorption equilibrium isotherms were determined to characterize the adsorption ability of the bifunctional material for both CO2 and CH4 gases. The hybrid RuO2(4.0%):TiO2(26.3%)/Z13X material (30 mg), synthesised by the solid-state impregnation method, showed the best results under simulated sunlight (0.75 W) at 150 ºC, achieving a 88% CO2 thermo-photoreduction after 100 min, corresponding to a specific CH4 production of 29.2 mmol gactive_cat−1 h−1 (309 mmol gRu−1 h−1) and apparent quantum yield of 20.7%. In adsorption equilibrium isotherms, the bifunctional material's adsorption was about 2.6-fold higher than the photocatalyst at 150 ºC, suggesting that enhanced methanation performance can be attributed to the synergistic action of CO2 capture and thermo-photoconversion.
    2024Journal article Open access Show more