Anthropogenic Emissions and the Future of Our Atmosphere: I. Cyclohexanol Chemistry and Aerosol Formation in an Environmental Chamber II. K₂CO₃-Based Sorbent Development and Testing in a Packed Bed Reactor for CO₂ Capture

Citation

Szentkuti, Hannah Kate (2025) Anthropogenic Emissions and the Future of Our Atmosphere: I. Cyclohexanol Chemistry and Aerosol Formation in an Environmental Chamber II. K₂CO₃-Based Sorbent Development and Testing in a Packed Bed Reactor for CO₂ Capture. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/n0mg-9c43. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:06012025-071545991

Abstract

Chapter 1 presents experimental studies conducted in an environmental chamber, alongside mechanistic modeling, to quantify aerosol formation from the gas-phase pollutant cyclohexanol. The calculated aerosol mass yields, which are higher than measured and predicted values of similar 6-carbon species, indicates the importance of functionalization, and interaction between functional groups (not just carbon number), on aerosol forming potential. Chapter 2 describes the construction and characterization of a mini-industrial scale packed-bed reactor, loaded with K₂CO₃-impregnated particles for CO₂ capture. Chapters 3 and 4 describe the formulation of durable high-capacity K₂CO₃-based sorbents using wet activated granulation and extrusion spheronization, respectively. In short, capture of point source CO₂ via K₂CO₃ sorbent is demonstrated to be feasible and even economical in the near future.

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