LIQUID-PHASE SORPTION OF HIGHER ALKANES AND ALKENES IN ZEOLITE NAZSM-5 AT 10, 30, AND 50-DEGREES-C

Adsorption and diffusion of normal alkanes and alkenes having carbon n umbers from C8 to C15 have been measured in the liquid phase from a no nadsorbing solvent (trimethyl benzene) in zeolite NaZSM-5 at 10, 30, a nd 50 degrees C. The diffusion coefficients show a sharp decrease for molecules whose carbon chain length is larger than the channel length of the zeolite. The adsorption isomers of octane have also been studie d to observe the effect of minor structural changes in molecular shape on adsorption properties in the zeolite. The observed adsorption capa city data have been explained in terms of molecular packing in zeolite straight and sinusoidal channels and channel intersections.