Adsorption of C₁−C₇ Normal Alkanes on BAX Activated Carbon. 1. Potential Theory Correlation and Adsorbent Characterization

Abstract

Single-component adsorption equilibria of the n-alkane series C 1 -C 7 on Westvaco BAX-1100 activated carbon were measured over very broad ranges of temperature and pressure, spanning 293-393 K and 0.06-4964 Torr, depending on the n-alkane. The 4278 data points were correlated successfully with potential theory and collapsed essentially into one characteristic curve. A useful functional form of the characteristic curve was also obtained. A new potential theory approach, based on a multisegment Gaussian distribution, qualitatively predicted both the pore size distribution and the total pore volume of the BAX-1100 activated carbon from the adsorption equilibria of the C 3 -C 7 n-alkanes, with errors in the total pore volume ranging between 1 and 5%. This extensive data set should prove to be very useful for testing adsorbent characterization schemes, evaluating adsorption isotherm models, estimating adsorption thermodynamic properties of these systems, and modeling adsorption processes concerning hydrocarbon separations and purification, in general.

Automatic Filtering and Reodorization of Adsorbed Natural Gas Storage Systems

“…This can be done very efficiently, as described elsewhere (Rodrigo and Mota, 2001). There is experimental evidence that for the n-alkanes series this can be done using the Adsorption Potential theory, as demonstrated recently by Holland et al (2001) on Westvaco BAX-1100 carbon, and assumed previously by us (Mota, 1999).…”

Adsorption Equilibrium of Alkanes on a High Surface Area Activated Carbon Prepared from Brazilian Coconut Shells

“…Adsorption equilibria of light alkanes on commercial activated carbons have been reported by several authors (e.g., Do and Do, 1994;Holland et al, 2001;Mangun et al, 1997;Russell and LeVan, 1997), and research and development of materials with high capacities for methane in particular have been spurred by a growing interest in natural gas as a vehicular fuel. The storage and transportation of natural gas is one of the major obstacles facing the commercialization of alternative fuel vehicles due to the low density of methane, and adsorptive storage offers a promising alternative to typical gas storage methods.…”

Adsorption of light alkanes on coconut nanoporous activated carbon

“…Light alkanes adsorption on activated carbons has been studied by several authors (Do and Do, 1994;Russell and LeVan, 1997;Mangun et al, 1997;Holland et al, 2001;Al-Muhtaseb et al, 2001), normally using available standard commercial carbons. The appropriate description and analysis of light alkanes adsorption on carbon adsorbents is critical in the design of important current practical applications, such as volatile compounds removal, gas effluent treatments, natural gas storage, etc.…”