Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol.308, 719-726, 2017
CO2, CH4 and N-2 separation with a 3DFD-printed ZSM-5 monolith
A new method for producing zeolitic monoliths is used to produce a ZSM-5 based monolith for gas separation. The new method involves the 3DFD (Three Dimensional Fiber Deposition) printing of several layers of zeolite fibers on top of each other in a well-defined way, resulting in an open monolithic structure with open and inter-connected channels. The monolithic structure, consisting of ZSM-5 zeolite, was characterized with SEM, Ar and Hg porosimetry. Single component isotherms of CO2, CH4 and N-2 were recorded on the 3DFD-printed ZSM-5 monolith, at different temperatures (283 K, 291 K, 302 K and 309 K) using a gravimetric method. Isosteric heats of adsorption show that CO2 is the most strongly adsorbing component, in order followed by CH4 and N-2. The monolithic structure was subjected to breakthrough separation experiments with CO2/N-2 and CO2/CH4 gas mixtures. Excellent separation performance is achieved. Moreover, the ZSM-5 monolith can be easily regenerated in isothermal conditions. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.