Suitability of Cu-BTC extrudates for propane-propylene separation by adsorption processes

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Alexandre F. P. Ferreira (Author) FEUP; João C. Santos (Author) Other; Marta G. Plaza (Author) Other; Nabil Lamia (Author) Other; José M. Loureiro (Author) FEUP; Alírio E. Rodrigues (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Chemical Engineering Journal

Vol. 167 No. 1

Pages: 1-12

ISSN: 1385-8947

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Proceedings

ISI Web of Knowledge - 95 Citations

ISI Web of Science

Scopus - 128 Citations

COMPENDEX

INSPEC

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Chemical engineering

Associated Projects

LA 20 - Projeto Estratégico-LA 20 - 2011-2012

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-V4V

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2010.07.041

Abstract (EN): In this work, we investigate the potential of a MOF porous material, Cu-BTC in combination with cyclic adsorption processes (vacuum swing adsorption, VSA, and simulated moving bed, SMB) for the separation of propylene/propane mixture. A gravimetric method has been used to measure the adsorption isotherms of propylene, propane and isobutane onto Cu-BTC extrudates over a temperature range from 323 to 373 K and pressures up to 500 kPa. These were complemented by experimental characterization of the Cu-BTC material using XRD and SEM-EDS techniques. Whereas the separation and its kinetics were studied by breakthrough experiments on a column packed with the Cu-BTC material in the extruded form at 373 K. The Cu-BTC extrudates are selective towards propylene, highlighting the potential of this material for the separation of propane and propylene mixtures by PSA process. Furthermore, in a range of temperatures and pressures, the affinity of Cu-BTC for isobutane was observed to be intermediate to that of propane and propylene which suggest that isobutane is a promising desorbent in SMB processes for propane/propylene separations.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12