Molecular and process simulation of CO2 adsorption on Hydrotalcites as solid adsorbents

Grantham Scholar Phebe Linette Bonilla Prado now works with Research Retold as a research communicator. At the Grantham Centre she researched the post-combustion capture of CO2 of industrial flue gases using hydrotalcite (HT).

The problem

The high concentration of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere leads to severe Climate Change and interlinked consequences. For example, rising sea level, increasing global temperature, reductions in dry-season rainfall, droughts and severe dust storms.

GHG are mainly generated due to the demand for services and goods as living standards and global population augment. As a result, we must find ways that allow us to reduce emissions and, at the same time, keep up with the demand for products and services.

The project

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technologies are potential solutions for reducing CO2 emissions. This project will focus on the post-combustion capture of CO2 of industrial flue gases using hydrotalcite (HT) as adsorbent. HT is a solid material, in contrast with mono-ethanolamine (MEA), a solvent currently used.

It is expected that HT will be suitable for CO2 capture at high pressure and high temperature, an advantage over MEA.

Based on the operating conditions of the experiments carried out with partner universities, we developed molecular simulations of the interaction of hydrotalcites with CO2 to evaluate them as an alternative capture technology.

Expertise: molecular simulation, CCUS technologies

Outreach

Adsorption-based post-combustion CO2 capture review by Phebe L. Bonilla Prado. We asked Phebe to explain the importance of her review of adsorption-based post-combustion CO2 capture.

Blogs and infographics

In 2019, Phebe wrote about her experiences at the science and music festival, Blue Dot. At Blue Dot Phebe and her fellow Scholars set up a stall to get the public interested in their research. Read: Talking about Air Quality at the Blue Dot Festival.

Phebe created an infographic about Carbon Capture. You can see it here.

Research Retold placement

As part of her 4th year placement Phebe worked at Research Retold. There she collaborated on a visual summary for the research of Rebecca Windemer about the end-of-life of wind farms. Plus she helped create ‘breathable homes’ about indoor ventilation as a link between health and reducing CO2 emissions.

Film showcase

Along with other Grantham Scholars, Phebe featured in a series of films made by Curious Earth on Instagram. The films showcased 20 female scientists and asked them, ‘what advice would you give your younger self?’.

GHGT-15 conference

We spoke to Phebe about the publication of her paper on carbon capture and hydrotalcites. She explained why the paper was important and about the GHGT-15 conference that led to it. If you want to read more, then follow the link.

Green Impact

Phebe is a team member of the Grantham Centre’s Green Impact Project. The aim of this project is to create awareness in Sheffield about HOW to grow your own food. Another aspect is creating awareness about WHY locally grown food is essential for a low carbon footprint and its positive impact on the public health and environment. Find out more about SHEFF-Yield.

Phebe Linette Bonilla Prado’s publications

Toluleke E. Akinola, Phebe L. Bonilla Prado, Meihong Wang, Experimental studies, molecular simulation and process modelling\simulation of adsorption-based post-combustion carbon capture for power plants: A state-of-the-art review, Applied Energy, Volume 317, 2022, 119156,
ISSN 0306-2619, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119156.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261922005293)

Toluleke E. Akinola, Phebe L. Bonilla Prado, Meihong Wang, Experimental studies, molecular simulation and process modelling\simulation of adsorption-based post-combustion carbon capture for power plants: A state-of-the-art review, Applied Energy, Volume 317, 2022, 119156,
ISSN 0306-2619, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.119156.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261922005293)

Bonilla Prado, Phebe Linette and Wang, Meihong, Molecular Simulation of Post-combustion Carbon Capture using Hydrotalcites (February 8, 2021). Proceedings of the 15th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference 15-18 March 2021, Available at SSRN: (https://ssrn.com/abstract=3811404)

Social media

You can find Phebe on LinkedIn.

And you can also find her on Twitter.

Supervisor

Professor Meihong Wang

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering