Epoch-making Discovery for CO₂ Characteristics: “Pseudo Osmosis” in the Gas Phase

Kenji Sorimachi

Bioscience Laboratory, Environmental Engineering Co. Ltd, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan

*Corresponding Author: Kenji Sorimachi, Bioscience Laboratory, Environmental Engineering, Co., Ltd., 1-4-6 Higashi-
Kaizawa, Takasaki, Gunma 370-0041, Japan,  Email: kenjis@jcom.home.ne.jp

Received date: 04 December, 2021              Accepted date: 28 December, 2021                 Published Date: 05 January,, 2021 

Citation: Sorimachi K (2022) Epoch-making Discovery for CO₂ Characteristics: “Pseudo Osmosis” in the Gas Phase. Sci J Health Sci Res Vol: 1, Issu: 1 (49-57).

Copyright: © 2022 Sorimachi K.

Abstract

Background: Recently, unprecedented torrential rains have deluged the globe, resulting in disastrous floods. These disasters were caused by climate changes because of an increase in carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration in the atmosphere since the industrial revolution. Therefore, atmospheric accumulation of CO₂ should be reduced to avoid a future climate crisis. Many methods to fix CO₂ have been developed, but a practical method has not been established, except for the method using amines based on moderate plant constructions. However, the membrane method has not yet been established because of the conflicting relationship between penetrability and specificity, although membrane technology can be used for CO₂ separation.

Methods: CO₂ absorption and release from plastics were investigated, and CO₂ penetration through polymer membranes was also investigated using polymer bags or latex balloons.

Results: Epoch-making discoveries for CO₂ characteristics have been presented as follows: 1) the high penetrability of CO₂ in the gas phase caused “pursued osmosis” against polymer elasticity; 2) highly penetrable CO₂ passed through polymer membranes such as authentic polymers and natural cellulose, whereas neither O₂ nor N₂ penetrates these polymers examined; 3) CO₂ is absorbed by plastics; 4) H₂ and CH₄ gases penetrate through polymer membranes, but their penetration was completely blocked in the presence of water; and 5) using a polytunnel made of polymer sheets (an artificial forest or positive green house), which allows CO₂ penetration, instead of hard chamber, steel, or plastic could be cost effective.

Conclusions: High penetrability of CO₂ compared with O₂ and N₂ through polymer membranes induces a “pseudo-osmosis”. Polymer membranes could be practically and economically useful for CO₂ separation from the exhaust gas and atmosphere. The combination of the simple CO₂ fixation and membrane separation could be imitated like an “artificial forest”.

Keywords: CO₂ reduction; atmosphere; pseudo-osmosis; polymer membrane; climate crisis; polytunnel; carbon neutral; fossil fuel.