Catalysts for a Cesium Bicarbonate Membrane Carbon Dioxide Scrubber.

摘要

Application studies of an alkaline membrane CO2 scrubber for future military self-contained aviators' oxygen systems indicated that a considerable improvement in CO2 scrubbing capacity would be needed. Alkaline membrane CO2 scrubbers had exhibited rather low operational effectiveness for CO2 control in closed-loop aviators' oxygen systems. Accordingly, catalytic alkaline materials were evaluated to determine whether CO2 permeation rates could be increased through the membranes. The materials evaluated were potassium tellurite, sodium selenite, sodium arsenite, sodium borate and 'Catacarb', a proprietary material used in acid gas scrubbing process in refineries. A special CO2 permeation apparatus was used to obtain data on permeation rates. Resulting data indicated that catalysis of varying degree occurred with some of the materials, particularly potassium tellurite. While no further efforts are planned on CO2 scrubbers for aircraft, the data is useful for future closed environment systems.