SPECTROSCOPIC AND SIMULATION STUDIES OF ADSORPTION AND REMOVAL OF HYDROCARBONS USING NOVEL MATERIALS

We report adsorption and spectroscopic measurements for mixtures invol ving low molecular weight hydrocarbons (methane, propane, isobutane) a nd carbon dioxide and also for pure methane; where possible, compariso ns with molecular simulation are made. AlPO4-5 and VPI-5 were found to selectively adsorb isobutane in isobutane/CO2 gas mixtures and propan e in propane/methane gas mixtures, while little or no selectivity was observed for isobutane in isobutane/propane on AlPO4-5. In-situ diffus e reflectance infrared spectroscopy has been used to study the adsorba te-adsorbent and adsorbate-adsorbate interactions of trace gases on VP I-5. This provided an insight into the extents of adsorption and stren gths of the intermolecular adsorbate-adsorbent interactions.