Adsorption dynamics of ethane from air in structured fixed beds with different microfibrous composites

Adsorption dynamics of ethane in two granular fixed beds and structured fixed beds with microfibrous composites was studied.5A zeolite membrane 5A/PSSF(paper-like sintered stainless steel fiber)and microfibrous entrapped activated carbon(MEAC)composites were prepared by wet layup papermaking/sintering technique and in-situ hydrothermal method.Microfibrous composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption/desorption.Structured fixed beds were designed by filling granular adsorbents(5A zeolite or activated carbon)and microfibrous composites at the inlet and outlet of the beds,respectively.Effects of flow rate,bed height and structure on the breakthrough curves were investigated.The length of unused bed(LUB)was determined,and Yoon–Nelson model was used to fit the breakthrough curves.The experimental results showed ethane was effectively adsorbed on the granular adsorbents and microfibrous composites.Both composites could decrease the LUB values and enhance bed utilization.All breakthrough curves fitted well to Yoon–Nelson model,with correlation coefficient exceeding 0.89.The adsorption rate of ethane could be improved in the structured fixed beds,which showed an enhanced mass transfer efficiency for ethane adsorption.LUB values of structured fixed beds with 5A/PSSF composites were larger,the bed utilization values were lower,and the adsorption rate constants were higher than those with MEAC composites under the same conditions.

Preparation and characterization of novel carbon molecular sieve membrane/PSSF composite by pyrolysis method for toluene adsorption

Carbon molecular sieve membrane(CMSM)/paper-like stainless steel fibers(PSSF)has been manufactured by pyrolyzing poly(fiirfuryl alcohol)(PFA)coated on the metal fibers.PFA was synthesized using oxalic acid dihydrate as a catalyst and coated on microfibers by dip coating method.For the purpose of investigating the effects of final carbonization temperature,the composites were carbonized between 400℃ and 800℃ under flowing nitrogen.The morphology and microstructure were examined by X-ray diffraction,Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy,thermogravimetric analysis,N2 adsorption and desorption,Raman spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectra.The consequences of characterization showed that the CMSM containing mesopores o f 3.9 nm were manufactured.The specific surface area of the CMSM/PSSF fabricated in different pyrolysis temperature varies from 26.5 to 169.1 m^2·g^-1 and pore volume varies from 0.06 to 0.23 cm^3·g^-1.When pyrolysis temperature exceeds 600℃,the specific surface,pore diameter and pore volume decreased as carbonization temperature increased.Besides,the degree of graphitization in carbon matrix increased with rising pyrolysis temperature.Toluene adsorption experiments on different structured fixed bed that was padded by CMSM/PSSF and granular activated carbon(GAC)were conducted.For the sake of comparison,adsorption test was also performed on fixed bed packed with GAC.The experimental results indicated that the rate constant κ′ was dramatically increased as the proportion of CMCM/PSSF composites increased on the basis of Yoon-Nelson model,which suggested that structured fixed bed padded with CMSM/PSSF composite offered higher adsorption rate and mass transfer efficiency.