Silica–aluminas for carbon dioxide bulk removal from sour natural gas

Natural gas is obtained from reservoirs as mixture to be treated before the dispatching systems. Carbon dioxide is among the most common contaminants and when present in relevant amount, bulk removal operations have to be envisaged before final polishing. Applicability of silica–alumina and silica as adsorbents for carbon dioxide bulk removal from sour natural gas is discussed. In particular, influence of both chemical composition and textural properties on key separation features is reported.

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► Silica–alumina can be employed as adsorbent for CO2 bulk removal from sour NG by PSA.
► Textural and compositional properties influence silica–alumina adsorbent behaviour.
► We provide CH4 and CO2 adsorption data over a wide range of pressures.
► We identify a specific silica–alumina as the best performer among considered ones.