Thermophysical Properties of Aqueous Amine Salts for closed Air Cabin Revitalization

Authors

Mahmud R. Yusuf, University of South AlabamaFollow
Isabela Flores, University of South Alabama
Ben Hines, University of South Alabama
Li Hua Zhang, University of South Alabama
Seth Christa, University of South Alabama
Brooks D. Rabideau, University of South AlabamaFollow
Kevin West, Tennessee Technological University
Breanna Dobyns, University of South Alabama
James Davis, University of South AlabamaFollow

Files

Description

Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture plays a crucial role in closed cabin air revitalization, however current CO2 capture technologies pose several issues. Traditional amine solutions, such as monoethanolamine, are commonly used in CO2 capture on the International Space Station but face drawbacks including high volatility, thermal degradation, and unpleasant odor. To overcome these challenges, amine salt solutions have emerged as promising alternatives. Amine salt solutions have reduced environmental impact, lower corrosion potential, and improved CO2 loading capacity, making them a more efficient and sustainable replacement. Knowing these physical properties are critical for modeling and optimizing a scrubbing process that employs these new solvents. This research investigates the feasibility of using amine salt solutions for CO2 capture by measuring their thermophysical properties—viscosity, surface tension, density, and heat capacity—under different CO2 loading temperatures, with varying salt mixture concentrations. The viscosity, surface tension, density, and heat capacity of amine salt solutions were measured using a rheometer, goniometer, densitometer, and differential scanning calorimeter, respectively. Preliminary findings indicate that CO2 loading slightly increases the amine salts’ viscosity and alters surface tension, which can affect mass transfer reaction CO2 uptake in scrubbing processes. Density and heat capacity measurements provide understanding of the salts’ thermal properties and process efficiency. Current research includes completion of measurements of amine salt mixtures, VFT property modeling, and ApsenPlus+ integration.

Publication Date

3-2025

Department

Chemical & Biomedical Engineering

City

Mobile

Disciplines

Biochemical and Biomolecular Engineering | Complex Fluids | Other Chemical Engineering | Other Engineering Science and Materials | Systems and Integrative Engineering

Recommended Citation

Yusuf, Mahmud R.; Flores, Isabela; Hines, Ben; Zhang, Li Hua; Christa, Seth; Rabideau, Brooks D.; West, Kevin; Dobyns, Breanna; and Davis, James, "Thermophysical Properties of Aqueous Amine Salts for closed Air Cabin Revitalization" (2025). Shelby Hall Graduate Research Forum Posters. 26.
https://jagworks.southalabama.edu/southalabama-shgrf-posters/26