The next best carbon capture model

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IMAGE: Katherine Hornbostel, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering. view more

Credit: Ramon Cordero / Mainline Photography

In the move towards clean, renewable energy, conventional energy sources, such as coal and natural gas, will still be needed to ensure sustainable grid power. Researchers around the world are using specific materials and methods that make these conventional energy sources cleaner through carbon capture technology.

The creation of precise, precise models is essential to maximize this important work. A recent paper led by the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering studies and compares the different models for log fiber membrane communicators (HFMCs), a type of carbon capture technology. The group analyzed more than 150 named multiple modeling studies to help researchers choose the most appropriate approach to their research.

“HFMCs are one of the key technologies for post-combustion carbon capture, but we need to model to better understand them,” said Katherine Hornbostel, associate professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, who led her lab. “Our analysis can lead researchers who have a critical role to play in achieving our climate goals and help them scale up the technology for commercial use. “

A log fiber membrane contactor (HFMC) is a group of needles, with a shower flowing on one side and a solvent on the other to capture the carbon dioxide. The paper reviews innovative methods for modeling carbon capture HFMCs in one, two, and three dimensions, compares them in depth and suggests guidelines for future research.

“The method of appropriate modeling varies according to the project, but we found that 3D models differ qualitatively in the nature of the information they can present,” said Joanna Rivero, a graduate student who is work at Hornbostel Lab and lead author. “While cost limits their widespread use, we identify 3D modeling and scale modeling as areas that will make a significant contribution to the advancement of this technology.”

Grigorios Panagakos, a research engineer and teaching faculty in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, also brought his expertise in analyzing the modeling of transport onions to the review paper.

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The paper, “Hollow Fiber Membrane Contactors for Post-Combustion Carbon Capture: A Review of Modeling Approaches,” (DOI: 10.3390 / membranes10120382) was published in the magazine’s 10th anniversary issue Membranes and was written by Joanna Rivero, Grigorios Panagakos, Austin Lieber, and Katherine Hornbostel.

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