R&D Plan
Lab Plan Overview
Tools Required (parts, measuring devices, controls, environment, etc)
glassware set, infrared gas analyzer (working with lab), spectrometer, high specificity co2 ph test for dissolved carbon
Excellion™ anion membrane
IR gas analyzer
Air tight containment unit (must have a way to get power to measurement apparatus inside box
Low power fan (simulate different air flows)
1x 1 gallon clear tank
1x 5 gallon opaque tanks
1x 5 gallon clear tank
1x 50 gallon tank
DIC measurement want (fancy PH meter)
Access to DI water (nano pure best)
1x 50mL buret
1x 500mL erlenmeyer flask
Small (like 500mL bottle) Methyl Red indicator
Small (like 500mL bottle) Bromothymol Blue indicator
Vacuum sealed container
Test Setup (description of test with diagram, schematic, etc.)
For Gaseous CO2 testing:
Set up: Airtight box with controlled atmosphere set to a standard (normalized with outdoor atmosphere of where testing location is). Have IRCO2 apparatus and fan set up with power in the box. After control measurement has been taken, re-open box, and add a membrane sample (#x# mm2). Have IRCO2a set up to take measurements at regular intervals (TBD). Allow anion membrane to sample to sit in box for # hours (TBD).
Stop trigger: when the CO2 in the box (as measured by IRCO2a) stops decreasing for 3 consecutive measurements. This will help us optimize the total absorption time for the membrane. Once done the next step is using different fans speed to see how absorption time changes.
For dissolved CO2 testing:
Set up: Once the membrane is saturated (as measured by the process described above), have a 5 gallon tank set with DI water, and DIC wand set to a baseline measurement of water in the tank. Open and add saturated membrane to the tank. Monitor DIC monitor.
General Test Process (steps 1, 2, 3, etc to carry out test)
Testing process should allow for the isolation of the following variables:
Time to saturation of membrane
Rate of absorption of membrane
Max capture potential of a designated size membrane sample (not theoretical but experimental maximum)
Time of dissolution during a soak (seeking to minimize this variable)
Using different water baths (DI, tap, brine, runoff)
Time from full dissolution to full saturation (this is cycle analysis, can not be done until after 1st cycle has been completed)
Concentration dissolved inorganic carbon in solution (ultimate goal is to maximize this number)
Length of time that given concentration can be maintained
Degassing rate (CO2, we want to minimize this #)
NEXT STEPS (how do we use that carbon) - Once we have a stable [CO2] in a water sample:
We want to pre an alkaline solution as similar to irrigation water of a hydroponic system as possible.
In a greenhouse solution, CO2(atmo) → into membrane → dissolved CO2 → degassed (into concentrated CO2)
Then we want to combine this solution with our dissolved carbon solution
Measure pH change
We would then test this neutralized solution and be piped back into the source water for whatever farming application we are looking at.
Goal (time, cycles, failure criteria, when is testing done?)
Obtain the highest concentration of DIC in a sample in the shortest amount of time (both saturation - air → membrane - and soak - membrane → solution)
Data Collection (chart, graph, data collection, software, etc)
This will depend on the analyst apparatus we chose, but LabQuest will likely be the software interface.
Final Report (summary of results, data presentation, failures (Failure Analysis report, retest?), lessons learned, publication) - the intention to create WHAT.
Ideally this ends in a white paper, then business plan, then peer reviewed publication with an accredited university
-evaluate test results to develop and improve our technology
Time Tests
Tools Required
3x Washed and dried 100mL erlenmeyer flask
Sealable 1x Washed and dried 1L flask. This could be done with ground glass joints and a stopper (ask Celine on the 3rd floor stockroom of Baker for the glassware) or plastic wrap with rubber band weighted down by a watch glass)
Balloons
Rubberbands
Snowpure Excellion anion: I-200 membrane (provided) (pre-activated)
Test Setup
Safety: There are no high risk materials in use for these experiments but ensure that proper PPE is still used while working with anion membranes. Safely glass and gloves are required at all times. Note that the membrane itself has a rather pungent amine scent, if you have nose clips or plugs they are recommended for your comfort. You will need to cut the larger sheets of membrane into 25cm x 25cm squares and 10cm x 10cm squares as needed. Make sure to do this with cleaned and dried scissors.
Procedure (membrane saturation)
Hang three 10cm x 10cm membrane squares and one 25cm x 25cm square in open air such that both sides of the square are exposed to ambient air conditions.
Label each of the 10x10 squares
Leave the 10x10 samples out in open air for 4, 8, and 24 hours.
Leave the 25x25 sample out in open air for 24 hours.
pH check on DI water before all tests.
Test Process
Part A- Gaseous: Time (ẟt) tests
After the 4 hour place one of the 10x10 membrane samples in a 100mL
Add just enough water to fully submerge the membrane. This should be no more than than a ⅓ of the total volume of the flask.
Quickly place a balloon over the mouth of the flask (ensure airtight seal with rubber band).
Repeat this process after 8 and 24 hours with 10x10 samples
Make sure to store at 25ºC and away from sunlight.
Take note of any expansion in the balloon's volume 24, 48, and 36 hours after sealing.
Take pictures
Part B- Aqueous: Concentration test
After 24 hours take 25x25 sample and place in a sealable 1L flask
Add 500mL of DI water and seal quickly
Swirl gentle 3 rotations.
Make sure membrane is fully submerged in water (it can be folded, just make sure it is not creased or ripped)
Leave soaking for 2 hours
Pipette a 5mL sample out into a sealed vial and store in a cold (frig preferably), dark place for testing with Dr. Bockmon's group
Also take a 100mL solution sample for growth test 1B
Test with phenolphthalein indicator if available if not, quick litmus paper test
Record
After 3 hours take another 100mL sample for growth test 2B
Test with phenolphthalein indicator if available if not, quick litmus paper test
Record
After 4 hours take another 100mL sample for growth test 3B
Test with phenolphthalein indicator if available if not, quick litmus paper test
Record
After 3 hours take another 100mL sample for growth test 4B
Test with phenolphthalein indicator if available if not, quick litmus paper test
Record
Pipette a second 5mL sample out into a sealed vial and store in a cold (frig preferably), dark place for testing with Dr. Bockmon's group
Clean up/reset
Dispose the remaining solutions down sink with water
Re-hang 25x25 nd 10x10 samples to dry
Repeat Part B but a 4 hour, 6 hour, and 8 hour soak time
Shake protocol
Goal
The goal is to maximize carbon drawdown by utilizing the spontaneous adsorption of CO2 on an anionic exchange membrane via a repeatable moisture swing mechanism. Then utilize the byproduct of this process in sustainable ways that prevent degassing of CO2.
Data Collection
Final Report
Tests
Phase 0
Rate to saturate Excellion™ anion I-200 membrane with CO2 from ambient air
Rate to dissolve HCO3 from membrane into solution (NanoPure water)
Dissolved Inorganic Carbon concentration in soak solution sample (Via DIC - Dr. Bockmons lab)
Via back calculations we determined the amount of CO2 that was captured by the membrane and dissolved.
Phase 1
Acidity test (rough)
pH of solutions check via litmus paper before and after every soak
Over course of entire experiment
1. Time to Saturate test: large membrane (1m x1m)
Both outdoor and indoor environments
2. Time to Dissolve test: large membrane (1m x 1m membrane in ≥1L)
DIC concentration measured by Dr. Bockmons lab group
Off-Gas test (rough)
Soak saturated membrane in a sealed flask with a balloon over the top.
Time/volume of off-gassed CO2 check
When 2 starts/simultaneous with other tests
3. 1:1 Scaled DIC concentration tests
Repeat DIC concentration test but with larger sheets of Excellion™ anion I-200 membrane.
4. Super Soaker test
Using soak solution from a single round of dissolution testing, soak a new saturated membrane, and check for increased DIC. Repeat this until a threshold concentration is found
Post step 3 and post step 4. Liquid to Gas Transfer test
Given a certain concentration of dissolved CO2 in a given constant volume of water, allow for spontaneous exchange (L<->G) with a given constant volume of air (~400ppm), how fast does CO2 off-gas. What concentration of CO2 can be attained by this process (measured by IR spec before and after exchange).
Show twice on Gantt chart
Phase 2
Growth of Algae tests (details to be given by Dr. Keeling)
Size
Chloroplast
Via photospectrometry
Cell count
Transfer process tests with hose
Polymer maintaining CO2 capture qualities
Cycles through hydronic plant
Off-gas in gaseous environment
Intend to submit Proposal April 1, 2022 before 5PM
NSF strives to review within 6 months
Anticipated start date of testing: October 1, 2022
Super Soaker test
Tools Required
3x Washed and dried 100mL erlenmeyer flask
Sealable 1x Washed and dried 1L flask. This could be done with ground glass joints and a stopper (ask Celine on the 3rd floor stockroom of Baker for the glassware) or plastic wrap with rubber band weighted down by a watch glass)
Balloons
Rubberbands
Snowpure Excellion anion: I-200 membrane (provided) (pre-activated)
Test Setup
Safety: There are no high risk materials in use for these experiments but ensure that proper PPE is still used while working with anion membranes. Safely glass and gloves are required at all times. Note that the membrane itself has a rather pungent amine scent, if you have nose clips or plugs they are recommended for your comfort. You will need to cut the larger sheets of the anion membrane into 25cm x 25cm squares and 10cm x 10cm squares as needed. Make sure to do this with cleaned and dried scissors.
Procedure
Liquid to Gas Transfer test (rough)
Tools Required
3x Washed and dried 100mL erlenmeyer flask
Sealable 1x Washed and dried 1L flask. This could be done with ground glass joints and a stopper (ask Celine on the 3rd floor stockroom of Baker for the glassware) or plastic wrap with rubber band weighted down by a watch glass)
Balloons
Rubberbands
Snowpure Excellion anion: I-200 membrane (provided) (pre-activated)
Test Setup
Safety: There are no high risk materials in use for these experiments but ensure that proper PPE is still used while working with anion membranes. Safely glass and gloves are required at all times. Note that the membrane itself has a rather pungent amine scent, if you have nose clips or plugs they are recommended for your comfort. You will need to cut the larger sheets of the anion membrane into 25cm x 25cm squares and 10cm x 10cm squares as needed. Make sure to do this with cleaned and dried scissors.
Procedure