Adsorption of CO2 on Zeolite 13X and Activated Carbon with Higher Surface Area

In this work, adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics of CO₂ on zeolite 13X and activated carbon with high surface area (AC-h) were studied. The adsorption isotherms and kinetic curves of CO₂ on the adsorbents were separately measured at 328 K, 318 K, 308 K, and 298 K and with a pressure range of 0–30 bar by means of the gravimetric adsorption method. The mass transfer constants and adsorption activation energy E_a of CO₂ on the adsorbents were estimated separately. Results showed that at very low pressure the amounts adsorbed of CO₂ on the zeolite 13X was higher than that on the AC-h, while at higher pressure, the amounts adsorbed of CO₂ on the AC-h was higher than that on the zeolite 13X since the AC-h has a larger surface area and a larger total pore volume compared to the zeolite 13X. The adsorption kinetics of CO₂ can be well described by the linear driving force (LDF) model. With the increase of temperature, the mass transfer constants of CO₂ adsorption on both samples increased. The adsorption activation energy E_a for CO₂ on the two adsorbents decreased with the increase of pressure. Furthermore, at low pressure the E_a for CO₂ adsorption on the zeolite 13X was slightly lower than that on the AC-h, while at higher pressure the E_a for CO₂ adsorption on the zeolite 13X was higher than that on the AC-h.