Abstract:

To meet the requirement of a life support system, it is essential to develop an adsorbent with high stability and efficiency for removing low-concentration CO₂ in confined spaces, such as spacecraft, space laboratory and submarine. Solid amine adsorbent was prepared by impregnating a polymer substrate with tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), and its performance and stability in adsorption/desorption cycles under actual working condition for the removal of CO₂ in confined spaces were examined. Test of long period life (about one year) was carried out to verify its stability. The results showed that the adsorption performance remained stable after 2128 and 2267 cycles. Under the condition of the life tests, CO₂ adsorption capacities were maintained at ～28 mg·g^-1. Moreover, no significant loss of organic amine was found according to thermal analysis and CO₂ titration, and the high mechanical strength was still kept. It demonstrated that high adsorption efficiency of CO₂ on the solid amine adsorbent at room temperature (20℃) was achieved and the CO₂ desorption process can be conducted at the mild conditions (30℃), which is not only beneficial for reduction of energy consumption but also extend the service life. Therefore, the solid amine adsorbent, TEPA supported onto polymer substrate, could effectively be alternative for removal of CO₂ in confined spaces.

Key words: confined space, adsorbents, CO₂ capture, solid amine, stability, life-cycle

摘要：

在密闭空间实际工况下,通过两组平行对照试验,考察了长时间吸脱附循环对固态胺材料CO₂吸附性能的影响,对材料进行长寿命试验,并验证一年内固态胺材料性能的稳定性。结果表明,两组试验分别经过2128轮和2267轮吸脱附循环后,固态胺材料仍表现出良好的吸脱附稳定性。在长寿命试验条件下,两组吸附剂的CO₂的吸附量维持在约28 mg·g^-1,有机胺含量未见流失,活性胺含量比初始材料有所提高并不再降低,材料机械强度未受到影响。结果证明,高分子树脂基固态胺材料不仅能在室温条件下高效吸附CO₂,且能在温和条件下实现CO₂的解吸,在减少能耗的同时还有利于材料使用寿命的延长,适宜作为太空密闭空间中去除低浓度CO₂的吸附材料,为航天员的生命保障提供技术支撑。

关键词: 密闭空间, 吸附剂, 二氧化碳捕集, 固态胺, 稳定性, 寿命