Cho GH  Park JH  Rasheed HU  Yoon HC  Yi KB

10.7464/ksct.2020.26.2.137

electrochemical ammonia synthesis Activated carbon metal precursor temperature swing adsorption (TSA) Pressure swing adsorption (PSA)

Metal-impregnated activated carbons were prepared via ultrasonic-assisted impregnation method for regeneration and low ammonia concentration. Magnesium and copper were selected as metals, while chloride (Cl-) and nitrate (NO3-) precursors were used to impregnate the surface of activated carbon. The physical and chemical properties of the prepared adsorbents were characterized by TGA, BET, and NH3-TPD. The ammonia breakthrough test was carried out using a fixed bed and flowing ammonia gas (1000 mg L-1 NH3, balanced N2) at 100 mL min-1, under conditions of temperature swing adsorption (TSA) and pressure swing adsorption (PSA, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 Mpa). The adsorption and desorption performance of ammonia were in the order of AC-Mg(Cl) > AC-Cu(Cl) > AC-Mg(N) > AC-Cu(N) > AC through NH3-TPD and TSA and PSA processes. AC-Mg(Cl) using MgCl2 showed the average adsorption amount of 2.138 mmol/g at TSA process. Also, AC-Mg(Cl) showed the highest initial adsorption amount of 3.848 mmol/g at PSA 0.9 Mpa. When metal impregnated the surface of the activated carbon, it was confirmed that not only physical adsorption, but also chemical adsorption increased, making enhancement in adsorption and desorption performances possible. Also, the prepared adsorbents showed stable adsorption and desorption performances despite repeated processes, confirming their applicability in the TSA and PSA processes.