Comparison of adsorption behaviour of light alkanes and alkenes on Kureha activated carbon

Adsorption equilibria of light alkanes and alkenes on Kureha activated carbon were investigated using a volumetric method. Single-component adsorption isotherms are reported at pressures up to 120 kPa and at temperatures in the range from 194 to 338 K for ethane and ethene and from 273 to 358 K for propane and propene. The Tóth model appropriately describes the equilibrium data over the whole range of conditions. The saturation capacity for the alkene extracted by the Tóth model is higher than for the corresponding alkane, attributed to the higher packing efficiency of the alkene molecules inside the micropores. An interesting reversal in alkane/alkene adsorption selectivity with pressure is observed: at low pressures the selectivity towards the alkanes is driven by energetic effects while at high pressures the selectivity is towards the alkenes due to entropic effects.