Adsorption of Methyl Chloride on Molecular Sieves, Silica Gels, and Activated Carbon

• Published in: Chemical engineering & technology Vol. 43; no. 3; pp. 436 - 446
• Main Authors: Lad, Jai B., Makkawi, Yassir T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frankfurt Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2020
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Adsorbents; Adsorption; Heat of adsorption; Isotherms; Methyl chloride; Molecular sieves; Organic chemistry; Room temperature; Silica gel; Silicon dioxide
• ISSN: 0930-7516; 1521-4125
• DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201900199

Adsorption of methyl chloride (CH3Cl or MeCl) on five different types of adsorbents was investigated experimentally at increasing pressures and room temperature. Prior to adsorption, all adsorbents were analyzed to assess their physical and chemical characteristics. The experimental data was then used to determine the adsorption isotherms, heats of adsorption, adsorption rates, and their respective theoretical models. The MeCl adsorption capacity was found to reasonably correlate with the adsorbent's surface area. The MeCl adsorption isotherm and adsorption rates were fitted for the first time to a Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo first‐/second‐order kinetic models, respectively. The range of heat of adsorption indicated a physisorption type of bonding; hence, the investigated adsorbents can potentially be regenerated for cyclic adsorption. The identification of new selective regenerative adsorbents to satisfy the strict environmental rules while maintaining low processing costs is strongly demanded. Experimental volumetric adsorption was carried out for adsorption of methyl chloride, having a dangerous environmental impact, on five different types of adsorbents. These adsorbents can potentially be regenerated for cyclic adsorption.