Nitrile Functionalised Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids for Carbon Dioxide Removal

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.