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O'Brien, MJ

Publications and source records attributed to O'Brien, MJ.

Secondary Amine Functional Disiloxanes as CO2 Sorbents

A series of two different types of secondary amine functional disiloxanes were prepared and screened as CO2 capture solvents. The first group of materials contained RNHCH2CH2CH2 side chains where the R groups were C1-6 alkyls. When R was a primary alkyl group, these materials exhibited CO2 uptake values slightly in excess of theoretical. As the alkyl groups were changed to more sterically hindered secondary or tertiary alkyls, the uptake was less efficient. Heats of absorption values for these materials were generally in the range 2000-2200 kJ/kg of CO2, values significantly lower than those obtained for primary amine functional disiloxanes (2500-2700 kJ/kg of CO2). Also explored were a series of secondary amine functional disiloxanes with X-CH2CH2NH-CH2CH2CH2 - substituents. When X was an electron-donating group (RO-, R2N-, RO-CH2-) the CO2 uptake was also in excess of theoretical. Interestingly, these compounds were generally found to produce carbamate salts that were flowable, low-viscosity oils. Furthermore, the heat of absorption values determined for these materials were even lower. Most compounds gave values below 2000 kJ/kg of CO2. Overall the most promising results were obtained with a methoxyethylaminopropyl derivative, an ethoxyethylaminopropyl-containing material, and a dimethylaminoethylaminopropyl-based compound. These materials showed excellent CO2 uptake, had low heats of absorption, and produced carbamate salts that were flowable liquids even at room temperature.

O'Brien, MJ↗

A Combined Experimental and Computational Study on Selected Physical Properties of Aminosilicones

A number of physical properties of aminosilicones have been determined experimentally and predicted computationally. It was found that COSMO-RS predicted the densities of the materials under study to within about 4% of the experimentally determined values. Vapor pressure measurements were performed, and all of the aminosilicones of interest were found to be significantly less volatile than the benchmark MEA material. COSMO-RS was reasonably accurate for predicting the vapor pressures for aminosilicones that were thermally stable. The heat capacities of all aminosilicones tested were between 2.0 and 2.3 J/(g.degrees C); again substantially lower than a benchmark 30% aqueous MEA solution. Surface energies for the aminosilicones were found to be 23.3-28.3 dyne/cm and were accurately predicted using the parachor method.

Perry, RJ↗

CO2 Capture Using 2,2-Dialkylpropane-1,3-diamines

A series of 2,2-dialkylpropane-1,3-diamines were synthesized and evaluated as potential phase-changing CO2 sorbents. In general, these compounds readily absorbed CO2 to form solid carbamate salts, which were relatively insensitive to the presence of moisture. This is one of the key performance attributes phase-changing sorbents must possess. However, these diamines were found to be less thermally stable in air than expected. The main reaction products obtained during heat aging at 150 degrees C appeared to be 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine derivatives.

O'Brien, MJ↗

CO2 Capture Using Phase-Changing Sorbents

A novel method for the postcombustion capture of CO2 from coal-fired power plants has been described utilizing an aminosilicone absorbent. 1,3-Bis(3-aminopropy1)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldsiloxane (GAP-0) rapidly transforms from a low viscosity liquid to a friable solid upon exposure to CO2 in simulated flue gas. This material has excellent thermal stability, low vapor pressure, high CO2 loading capability, and a large dynamic CO2 capacity between rich and lean solvent loadings. Preliminary plant and process models assembled from experimental data show a decrease in parasitic energy loss from 30% to 18% when compared to the benchmark monoethanolamine (MEA) process and a concomitant lowering of the cost of electricity (COE) from 74% to 44% increase versus a plant without carbon capture.

Perry, RJ↗