ADSORPTION OF LIGHT HYDROCARBONS ON SPENT SHALE PRODUCED IN A COMBUSTION RETORT

Adsorption isotherms of ethane, propane, and n-butane on two different retorted oil shales were determined gravimetrically at 284.3, 293.7, and 303.2 K. The equilibrium data for these hydrocarbons were correlated with the Langmuir isotherm equation. The equilibrium adsorption data for all the hydrocarbons studied were also correlated by the modified Polanyi potential theory. A single generalized characteristic curve which correlates the equilibrium adsorption data for all three hydrocarbons was obtained by using the ratio of characteristic free energies.