High precision gas/vapor adsorption measurement device for characterization of high performing inorganic/organic adsorbents

在过去的几十年里，研究活动集中在用于食品、营养补充剂、包装（例如，制药和电子），通风和干燥系统，溶剂纯化和气体分离。这些技术依赖于气体/蒸汽吸附，这是一种表面现象，气体/蒸汽分子通过这种现象粘附到表面上。吸附（积累）和解吸（去除）是本RTI赠款的重点;因此，“吸附”将指吸附和解吸，但不是吸收，吸收是一种流体进入液体或固体（或溶解）的整体过程。 吸附科学和技术领域已经见证了越来越多的关注增强吸附剂/干燥剂的合成和先进的干燥剂为基础的技术的发展。萨斯喀彻温大学的5名RTI申请人对先进吸附剂/干燥剂的开发进行了开创性的研究，这些吸附剂/干燥剂在能量交换器，制冷系统，二氧化碳捕获和储存，氢气储存和气体分离技术中具有新兴应用。在过去的6年里，申请人发表了300多篇期刊论文，发表了300多篇演讲（约30%受到邀请），监督了200多名HQP并提交了18项专利。获得的荣誉包括10多个主要的国家/国际奖项和奖学金，以及在7种国际期刊上担任编辑职务。 高精度测量干燥剂材料的吸附容量和吸附动力学对于申请人的基础吸附研究和实际工程应用是必不可少的。该RTI申请是购买高精度气体/蒸汽吸附仪器BELSORP-max II，以支持化学和工程的跨学科研究计划。该仪器使申请人能够研究各种气体和非腐蚀性蒸汽在实际温度范围（5 - 70°C）的吸附，这在整个校园和整个萨斯喀彻温省的可用设施中是不可行的。 总共有5个研究项目和大约50个HQP将在未来6年内使用该设备来实现其研究目标，而一些合作者（学术和工业合作伙伴）也将从所要求的设备中受益。申请设备的可用性对申请人的研究计划和HQP培训有重大影响。HQP将在研究和研究生课程中使用该设备。HQP将在多孔材料表征和吸附分析方面获得实践经验。该培训将为HQP在全球吸附剂和催化剂市场做出贡献的职业生涯做好准备（价值超过200亿美元，预计在未来5年内将大幅增长，因为材料开发，扩大环境法规和改善世界各地的生活条件）。

In the past few decades, research activity has focused on new advanced desiccant and catalyst technology for use in food products, nutritional supplements, packaging (e.g., pharmaceuticals & electronics), ventilation and drying systems, solvent purification, and gas separation. These technologies rely on gas/vapor adsorption, which is a surface phenomenon by which gas/vapor molecules adhere to a surface. Adsorption (accumulation) and desorption (removal) are the focus of this RTI grant; thus, “sorption” will refer to adsorption and desorption, but not absorption, which is a bulk process by which a fluid enters into (or is dissolved by) a liquid or solid. The field of adsorption science and technology has witnessed increasing attention on the synthesis of enhanced sorbents/desiccants and the development of advanced desiccant-based technologies. The 5 RTI applicants at the University of Saskatchewan carry out pioneering research on the development of advanced sorbents/desiccants with emerging applications in energy exchangers, dehumidification systems, CO2 capture and storage, Hydrogen storage, and gas separation technologies. Over the past 6 years, the applicants have published over 300 journal papers, delivered over 300 presentations (~30% invited), supervised over 200 HQP and submitted 18 patents. Recognitions include more than 10 major national/international awards and fellowships and editorial roles on 7 international journals. High precision measurement of the adsorption capacity and kinetics in desiccant materials is essential for the applicants’ fundamental adsorption research and practical Engineering applications. This RTI application is to purchase a high precision gas/vapor adsorption instrument, BELSORP-max II, to support the interdisciplinary research programs in Chemistry and Engineering. The instrument enables the applicants to investigate the sorption of various gases and non-corrosive vapors at a practical range of temperature (5∼70°C) which is not feasible with the available facilities across the campus and throughout Saskatchewan. In total, 5 research programs and about 50 HQP will use the device to fulfil their research objectives within the next 6 years, while several collaborators (academic and industrial partners) will also benefit from the requested device. Availability of the requested device has significant impact on the applicants’ research programs and HQP training. The device will be used by HQP in research and graduate courses. HQP will gain hands-on experience in porous material characterization and sorption analysis. This training will prepare HQP for careers that make contributions in the global adsorbent and catalyst markets (valued at over $20 billion (USD) and expected to grow significantly over the next 5 years due material development, expanded environmental regulations and improved living conditions around the world).