Nitrile Functionalised Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids for Carbon Dioxide

Removal

by

Muhammad Fauzi Bin Khamis

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of

the requirements for the

Bachelor of Engineering (Hons)

(Chemical Engineering)

SEPTEMBER 2011

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

Bandar Seri Iskandar

31750 Tronoh

Perak Darul Ridzuan

CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL

Nitrile Functionalised Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids for Carbon Dioxide

Removal

Approved by,

by

Muhammad Fauzi bin Khamis

A project dissertation submitted to the

Chemical Engineering Programme

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING (Hons)

(CHEMICAL ENGINEERING)

AP Dr. Cecilia Devi Wilfred

Project Supervisor

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI PETRONAS

TRONOH, PERAK

September 2011

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CERTIFICATION OF ORIGINALITY

This is to certify that I am responsible for the work submitted in this project, that the

original work is my own except as specified in the references and

acknowledgements, and that the original work contained herein have not been

undertaken or done by unspecified sources or persons.

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this project is to provide an overview of the author's Final

Year Project. Current technology in separation of carbon dioxide from natural gas

such as absorption, adsorption, membrane, refrigeration and cryogenic require

relatively large facilities, a large investment, complex mechanical work and the

possibility of having a negative impact on the environment (Litynski, 2011).

Separation with ionic liquids is proposed as a solution to some of the advantages

of conventional methods.

A common characteristic of ionic liquids is in viscous liquid phase at room

temperature. High viscosity means less carbon dioxide (C02) move ability in the

respective ionic liquids. A less viscous ionic liquids will have better C02 move

ability and thus increase the amount of C02 absorb.

A study is planned to produce novel ionic liquids that have low viscosity in

order to improve C02 move ability. This study will synthesize a range of ionic

liquids by manipulating cation used. Cations used in this study have different

alkyl chain length with nitrile functionality. Then the best ionic liquids for C02

removal can be analyze and evaluate.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Firstly, my utmost gratitude to Allah the All-Mighty for his uncountable

graces upon me and for the successful completion of this project in due course of

time.

I would like to express the inmost appreciation to my supervisor, AP Dr.

Cecilia Devi Wilfred, Senior Lecturer of Chemical Engineering Department, UTP.

The supervision and continuous support that she gave truly help me throughout

completing this project. Her constant guidance, helpful comments and suggestions

has helped me not only to complete but also to enhance the expected results of the

project. Her kindness, valuable advice, friendly approach and patience will always be

appreciated.

Special thanks to PETRONAS Ionic Liquids Centre for their co-operation in

this project by providing the equipments and assistance during experimentation. This

project would not have been possible without the invaluable help provided.

Lastly, great appreciation to my friends, who were a constant source of

support during my work. To all UTP lecturers, students and staff and to all whose

their names are not mentioned here but they provided help directly or indirectly.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................... IV

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................... V

LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................ VIII

LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................... IX

LIST OF GRAPH ....................................................................................................... X

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1

1.1 Background of Study .................................................................. I

1.2 Problem Statement. ..................................................................... 3

1.3 Objective and Scope of the project ............................................. 5

1.3.1 Main Objective ................................................................ 5

1.3 .2 Scope of Project ....•......................................................... 5

CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................... 6

2.1 Carbon Dioxide .......................................................................... 6

2.2 Ionic Liquids ............................................................................... 6

2.2.1 Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTILs) ..................... 7

2.2.2 Ionic Liquids Properties .................................................. 7

2.2.3 Carbon Dioxide Solubility in Imidazolium Based ionic Liquids ..................................................................................... 9

2.2.4 Ionic Liquids Synthesis ................................................. 10

2.2.4.1 Quaternization ..................................................... ! 0

2.2.4.2 Metathesis ............................................................. !!

2.2.5 Alkyl Chain Length of Functionalised Group .............. II

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................ 13

3.1 Project Activities ...................................................................... 13

3.2 Ionic Liquids Synthesis ............................................................ 14

3.2.1 Theoretical Calculation ................................................. 14

3.2.2 Quatemization ............................................................ 15

3.2.2.1 Synthesis of 1-methyl-3-propionitrile imidazole chloride 15

3.2.2.2 Synthesis of 1-methyl-4-butyronitrinile imidazole chloride 15

3.2.3 Metathesis ................................................................... 16

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