Thesis:

Experimental measurement of thermodynamic, transport properties & interfacial properties as well as phase boundaries relevant to the CO₂ capture, utilization & sequestation

Large parts of the industry depend on combustion technologies, not only to satisfy the energy demand but also for production the processes. As a direct consequence Carbon Dioxide (CO2) has increased its concentration in the atmosphere, interfering with the natural Carbon Cycle. CO2 is the main contributor to the global warming among the Greenhouse-Effect Gases (water vapor, methane, nitrous oxide among the others). It is accepted by the scientific community (Intergovernmental panel on climate change, 2013) that the increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is mainly caused by human activities (anthropogenic) on a direct way e.g., cement production, fossil or high carbon content fuel combustion like power plants or indirect e.g., deforestation. There are international efforts to decrease CO2 atmospheric concentration, being the most promising alternative Carbon Capture Utilization & Sequestration (CCUS) technologies. CCUS consist in 4 stages: Capture, Purification, Transport, and Sequestration or Utilization. Two of these stages are crucial for CCUS, transportation and sequestration, where thermodynamic and transport properties are needed in order to achieve them. For the transportation stage, the study of phase behavior of CO2 rich mixtures containing H2O and other contaminants becomes necessary. This knowledge regarding CO2 rich mixtures is also useful for sequestration. There are other properties worth studying for sequestration and transportation such as mutual diffusivities, and interfacial tension (IFT). Given the lack of data regarding these properties available on the literature, simple methods to measure them were used and compared with available literature. Diffusion coefficient relevant to Sequestration conditions were estimated by three methods, the Stoke-Einstein diffusion coefficient formula is used to estimate pure diffusivities, statistical methods is proposed and the Fick’s second law for longer times at reservoir conditions. The las two models vary between 1.98 x10-8 and 8.52x10-8 m2/s, at 40-60°C and 5-20MPa. The effect of natural convection is observed(...).