Adsorption of CO2, CH4, N2O, and N2 on MOF-5, MOF-177, and Zeolite 5A

Abstract

Adsorption equilibrium and kinetics of CO(2), CH(4), N(2)O, and N(2) on two newly discovered adsorbents, metal-organic frameworks MOF-5 and MOF-177 and one traditional adsorbent, zeolite 5A were determined to assess their efficacy for CO(2), CH(4), and N(2)O removal from air and separation of CO(2) from CH(4) in pressure swing adsorption processes. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetics data for CO(2), CH(4), N(2)O, and N(2) on all three adsorbents were measured volumetrically at 298K and gas pressures up to 800 Torr. Adsorption equilibrium capacities of CO(2) and CH(4) on all three adsorbents were determined gravimetrically at 298 K and elevated pressures (14 bar for CO(2) and 100 bar for CH(4)). The Henry's law and Langmuir adsorption equilibrium models were applied to correlate the adsorption isotherms, and a classical micropore diffusion model was used to analyze the adsorption kinetic data. The adsorption equilibrium selectivity was calculated from the ratio of Henry's constants, and the adsorbent selection parameter for pressure swing adsorption processes were determined by combining the equilibrium selectivity and working capacity ratio. Based on the selectivity and adsorbent selection parameter results, zeolite 5A is a better adsorbent for removing CO(2) and N(2)O from air and separation of CO(2) from CH(4), whereas MOF-177 is the adsorbent of choice for removing CH(4) from air. However, both MOF adsorbents have larger adsorption capacities for CO(2) and CH(4) than zeolite 5A at elevated pressures, suggesting MOF-5 and MOF-177 are better adsorbents for CO(2) and CH(4) storage. The CH(4) adsorption capacity of 22 wt.% on MOF-177 at 298K and 100 bar is probably the largest adsorption uptake of CH(4) on any dry adsorbents. The average diffusivity of CO(2), CH(4) and N(2)O in MOF-5 and MOF-177 is in the order of 10(-9) m(2)/s, as compared to 10(-11) m(2)/s for CO(2), CH(4) and N(2)O in zeolite 5A. The effects of gas pressure on diffusivity for different adsorabte-adsorbent systems were also investigated.