PhD defence: Transfer of carbon dioxide and air through aqueous foams - Cécile Aprili (MODI, LIPhy)

This thesis presents an experimental study of the CO₂ transfer dynamics within foams composed of foaming solution and CO₂–N₂ mixtures. The objective is to exploit the differences in transfer kinetics of these two gases within the foam for potential applications in CO₂ separation and storage. Previous studies have shown that CO₂ permeability through a single soap film – one of the components of the foam - is roughly 50 times bigger than the permeability of N₂. Thus, soap films can be seen as selective membranes whose serial association to form foam results in different transfer kinetics for the two gases. However, the phenomenon is complex, as the density of soap films and the structure of the foam can evolve with time, due to changes in gas content inside bubbles.

To address these issues, we experimentally study the kinetics of CO₂ and air transfer through a foam. We propose a set of 2D (see Figure) and 3D experiments, accompanied by theoretical and numerical modeling to characterize gas fluxes.