Abstract
High-rate and high-density gas separation adsorbents used in vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) processes are described. Agglomerated zeolite Li–LSX compositions made using colloidal silica binding agents and having improved nitrogen pore diffusivity compared to like compositions prepared with traditional clay binders, are also described. Preparation methods for the colloidal silica-bound adsorbents are described together with their characterization by mercury (Hg) porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low dead-volume breakthrough testing, from which the pore diffusivity is obtained. In this article, we show how the location and dispersion of the colloidal silica binding agent within the agglomerated zeolite particle yields pore-architectures that resemble “state-of-the-art” binderless adsorbents. In addition, we use VPSA process simulations to show that the best process performance is achieved by the combination of high-rate and high-density adsorbent properties.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the following individuals at Praxair for their contributions to the work described herein: Fred Leavitt and Mark Ackley are acknowledged for their constant support of the process, systems, and adsorbent developments related to the application of intensified gas separations. Bonnie Boudreau is thanked for her work in obtaining the SEM images and Hg porosimetry data for this study.
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Zheng, J., Barrett, P.A., Pontonio, S.J. et al. High-rate and high-density gas separation adsorbents and manufacturing method. Adsorption 20, 147–156 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-013-9559-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-013-9559-7