npj Clean Water ( IF 11.4 ) Pub Date : 2021-07-16 , DOI: 10.1038/s41545-021-00129-y Ramy H. Mohammed 1 , Emanne Rashad 2 , Ruiqing Huo 3 , Ming Su 3 , Louis C. Chow 4
Adsorption cooling and desalination (ACD) system powered by renewable energy has been considered as a promising solution to solve interconnected global problems such as freshwater scarcity, high-cost air conditioning, CO2 emission, and global warming. In this work, a new nanoporous silica was synthesized through a self-assembly process using a combination of ionic and non-ionic surfactants. The silica has shown unique pore structures, including high surface area and large pore volume, as well as ideal pore size distribution. The new silica was deposited (coated) over the ligaments of aluminum foam for use as a sorption bed. An uncoated aluminum foam packed with conventional silica RD (regular density) particles serves as a baseline sorption bed. The freshwater production rate and cooling power produced using the two sorbents were compared. Silica RD outperforms the new silica for cooling while the new silica is far better for desalination application. Insights for such results are provided.
中文翻译:
用于高效吸附冷却和脱盐循环的孔径工程纳米多孔二氧化硅
由可再生能源驱动的吸附冷却和海水淡化 (ACD) 系统被认为是解决相互关联的全球问题的有前途的解决方案,例如淡水短缺、高成本空调、CO 2排放和全球变暖。在这项工作中,使用离子和非离子表面活性剂的组合,通过自组装过程合成了一种新的纳米多孔二氧化硅。二氧化硅显示出独特的孔结构,包括高表面积和大孔体积,以及理想的孔径分布。新的二氧化硅沉积(涂覆)在泡沫铝的韧带上,用作吸附床。填充有常规二氧化硅 RD(规则密度)颗粒的未涂层泡沫铝用作基线吸附床。比较了使用两种吸附剂产生的淡水生产率和冷却能力。Silica RD 在冷却方面优于新型二氧化硅,而新型二氧化硅在海水淡化应用方面要好得多。提供了对此类结果的见解。