Open AccessSeparation of Branched Alkanes Feeds by a Synergistic Action of Zeolite and Metal‐Organic Framework
Author(s) -
Brântuas Pedro F.,
Henrique Adriano,
Wahiduzzaman Mohammad,
Wedelstedt Alexander,
Maity Tanmoy,
Rodrigues Alírio E.,
Nouar Farid,
Lee UHwang,
Cho KyungHo,
Maurin Guillaume,
Silva José A. C.,
Serre Christian
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.202201494
Subject(s) - zeolite , pentane , isomerization , chemistry , sorption , octane , hexane , adsorption , gasoline , alkane , metal organic framework , steric effects , molecular sieve , chemical engineering , mordenite , hydrocarbon , organic chemistry , catalysis , engineering
Zeolites and metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as “competitors” for new separation processes. The production of high‐quality gasoline is currently achieved through the total isomerization process that separates pentane and hexane isomers while not reaching the ultimate goal of a research octane number (RON) higher than 92. This work demonstrates how a synergistic action of the zeolite 5A and the MIL‐160(Al) MOF leads to a novel adsorptive process for octane upgrading of gasoline through an efficient separation of isomers. This innovative mixed‐bed adsorbent strategy encompasses a thermodynamically driven separation of hexane isomers according to the degree of branching by MIL‐160(Al) coupled to a steric rejection of linear isomers by the molecular sieve zeolite 5A. Their adsorptive separation ability is further evaluated under real conditions by sorption breakthrough and continuous cyclic experiments with a mixed bed of shaped adsorbents. Remarkably, at the industrially relevant temperature of 423 K, an ideal sorption hierarchy of low RON over high RON alkanes is achieved, i.e., n ‐hexane ≫ n ‐pentane ≫ 2‐methylpentane > 3‐methylpentane ⋙ 2,3‐dimethylbutane > isopentane ≈ 2,2‐dimethylbutane, together with a productivity of 1.14 mol dm −3 and a high RON of 92, which is a leap‐forward compared with existing processes.