Sorption equilibria of CO2/CH4 mixture on activated carbon in presence of water

The sorption isotherms of CO2 + CH4 mixtures on an activated carbon were collected in the presence of water at a temperature suitable for hydrate formation. The equilibrium composition of both phases was determined. The initial concentration of CO2 in mixtures was set at 33, 38 and 42%, and the total pressure was up to 10 MPa. CO2 hydrates were firstly formed following the increase of total pressure, and CO2 dominates the sorbed phase composition. CO2 concentration in the sorbed phase begins to decrease when the partial pressure of methane allows for the formation of methane hydrates. Competition for hydrate cavities was observed between CO2 and CH4 as reflected in the isotherm shape and phase composition at equilibrium. The formation pressure of hydrates is lower for mixtures than for pure gases, and the highest sorption capacity of each gas decreased in the mixture sorption either.

Sorption isotherms of CH4 + CO2 mixture on wet activated carbon.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide