A New Generation of Activated Carbon Adsorbent Microstructures

Abstract This work presents the successful manufacture and characterization of bespoke carbon adsorbent microstructures such as tessellated (TES) or serpentine spiral grooved (SSG) by using 3D direct light printing. This is the first time stereolithographic printing has been used to exert precise co...

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Main Authors: Ethan Grigor, Joseph Carver, Edric Bulan, Stuart Scott, YM John Chew, Semali Perera
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-11-01
Series:Advanced Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202406551
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author Ethan Grigor
Joseph Carver
Edric Bulan
Stuart Scott
YM John Chew
Semali Perera
author_facet Ethan Grigor
Joseph Carver
Edric Bulan
Stuart Scott
YM John Chew
Semali Perera
author_sort Ethan Grigor
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This work presents the successful manufacture and characterization of bespoke carbon adsorbent microstructures such as tessellated (TES) or serpentine spiral grooved (SSG) by using 3D direct light printing. This is the first time stereolithographic printing has been used to exert precise control over specific micromixer designs to quantify the impact of channel structure on the removal of n‐butane. Activated microstructures achieved nitrogen Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface areas up to 1600 m2 g−1 while maintaining uniform channel geometries. When tested with 1000 ppm n‐butane at 1 L min−1, the microstructures exceeded the equilibrium loading of commercial carbon‐packed beds by over 40%. Dynamic adsorption breakthrough testing using a constant Reynolds number (Re 80) shows that complex micromixer designs surpassed simpler geometries, with the SSG geometry achieving a 41% longer breakthrough time. Shorter mass transfer zones were observed in all the complex geometries, suggesting superior kinetics and carbon structure utilization as a result of the micromixer‐based etched grooves and interlinked channels. Furthermore, pressure drop testing demonstrates that all microstructures had half the pressure drop of commercial carbon‐packed beds. This study shows the power of leveraging 3D printing to produce optimized microstructures, providing a glimpse into the future of high‐performance gas separation.
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issn 2198-3844
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spelling doaj-art-458bcbabc56947e198d3adf5944cecbb2025-08-20T02:58:41ZengWileyAdvanced Science2198-38442024-11-011142n/an/a10.1002/advs.202406551A New Generation of Activated Carbon Adsorbent MicrostructuresEthan Grigor0Joseph Carver1Edric Bulan2Stuart Scott3YM John Chew4Semali Perera5Department of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY UKDepartment of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY UKDepartment of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY UKDepartment of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY UKDepartment of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY UKDepartment of Chemical Engineering University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY UKAbstract This work presents the successful manufacture and characterization of bespoke carbon adsorbent microstructures such as tessellated (TES) or serpentine spiral grooved (SSG) by using 3D direct light printing. This is the first time stereolithographic printing has been used to exert precise control over specific micromixer designs to quantify the impact of channel structure on the removal of n‐butane. Activated microstructures achieved nitrogen Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface areas up to 1600 m2 g−1 while maintaining uniform channel geometries. When tested with 1000 ppm n‐butane at 1 L min−1, the microstructures exceeded the equilibrium loading of commercial carbon‐packed beds by over 40%. Dynamic adsorption breakthrough testing using a constant Reynolds number (Re 80) shows that complex micromixer designs surpassed simpler geometries, with the SSG geometry achieving a 41% longer breakthrough time. Shorter mass transfer zones were observed in all the complex geometries, suggesting superior kinetics and carbon structure utilization as a result of the micromixer‐based etched grooves and interlinked channels. Furthermore, pressure drop testing demonstrates that all microstructures had half the pressure drop of commercial carbon‐packed beds. This study shows the power of leveraging 3D printing to produce optimized microstructures, providing a glimpse into the future of high‐performance gas separation.https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.2024065513D PrintingActivated CarbonAdsorptionMicrostructuresPorous Materials
spellingShingle Ethan Grigor
Joseph Carver
Edric Bulan
Stuart Scott
YM John Chew
Semali Perera
A New Generation of Activated Carbon Adsorbent Microstructures
Advanced Science
3D Printing
Activated Carbon
Adsorption
Microstructures
Porous Materials
title A New Generation of Activated Carbon Adsorbent Microstructures
title_full A New Generation of Activated Carbon Adsorbent Microstructures
title_fullStr A New Generation of Activated Carbon Adsorbent Microstructures
title_full_unstemmed A New Generation of Activated Carbon Adsorbent Microstructures
title_short A New Generation of Activated Carbon Adsorbent Microstructures
title_sort new generation of activated carbon adsorbent microstructures
topic 3D Printing
Activated Carbon
Adsorption
Microstructures
Porous Materials
url https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202406551
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