Robert Enick
University of Pittsburgh
USA
Biography
Dr. Enick has an active research area in high-pressure thermodynamics, high-pressure phase behavior and membrane separations. Most of his work, including the IAES projects, is related to CO2-rich gas mixtures. For example, Dr. Enick develops strategies for designing novel materials that have very favorable thermodynamic interactions with CO2. Previously, this research led to the identification of novel compounds, including surfactants, chelating agents and thickeners, which were extremely soluble in dense CO2. In the current work, these strategies will be used in an attempt to design high-flux, CO2-selective polymeric membranes. Polymers with specific, relatively strong thermodynamic interactions with CO2 will be cast or pressed into thin membranes. It is anticipated that these favorable interactions between CO2 and the polymer may significantly enhance the solubility of the CO2 in the membrane. Other modifications to the polymer will be incorporated to promote the diffusivity of the CO2 in the membrane. In another application, an attempt will be made to design solvents that absorb significant amounts of only CO2 at high pressure. Unlike conventional solvents that require low pressure during regeneration, all of the absorbed CO2 would be released from these novel materials with a very modest pressure drop. If successful, this solvent would be used to separate high pressure H2-CO2 mixtures into a high pressure H2 stream and a slightly lower (but still high) pressure CO2-rich stream.
Abstract
Abstract : Novel Surfactants for Mobility and Conformance Control CO2 Foams