A novel adsorbent carbon fiber composite molecular sieve gas separation media
A novel adsorbent carbon monolith has been developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The monolith is fabricated from isotropic pitch derived carbon fibers and powdered phenolic resin via slurry molding process. The resultant green-form is dried, cured and carbonized to convert the phenolic resin to carbon, and then activated to develop a connected network of micropores within the carbon fibers and resin derived carbon binder. The monolith is also macroporous, exhibiting large (>50mm) pores between the fibers. The resultant open structure allows the free-flow of fluids through the monoliths such that gases can reach the micropores where they may be selectively adsorbed. The novel adsorbent monolith has been named a Carbon Fiber Composite Molecular Sieve (CFCMS). The authors have demonstrated the separation of hydrogen from experimental gas mixtures containing H{sub 2} and H{sub 2}S. Also, they have demonstrated the separation of CO{sub 2} from CH{sub 4}. The monolithic material is rigid and strong, resistant to attrition and dusting, and because of its continuous carbon skeletal structure, is electrically conductive. This allows the carbon monolith to be heated by the passage of a low voltage electrical current. An adsorbed gas may be quickly and efficiently desorbed by the passage of an electric current, thereby allowing for a low energy, electrical swing separation system. The authors have found that it is possible to regenerate the carbon monoliths in the absence of a temperature increase, potentially reducing swing cycle times and improving separation efficiency. The structure and properties of the adsorbent CFCMS monoliths will be reported. Breakthrough plots will be presented for H{sub 2} gas mixtures and the electrical swing adsorption process discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-96OR22464
- OSTI ID:
- 20082252
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Sixteenth Annual International Pittsburgh Coal Conference, Pittsburgh, PA (US), 10/11/1999--10/15/1999; Other Information: 1 CD-ROM. Operating systems required: Windows 95/98; Windows 3.X, Macintosh; PBD: 1999; Related Information: In: Sixteenth annual international Pittsburgh Coal Conference: Proceedings, [2000] pages.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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