SORPTION AND DIFFUSION OF BENZENE IN HZSM-5 AND SILICALITE CRYSTALS

The primary objective of this work is to measure the kinetics of benzene adsorption on ZSM-5 as a function of crystal size, temperature, and concentration to ascertain the variation of diffusivities and adsorption isotherms with temperature and sorbate concentration. Based on the equilibrium capacity, it is concluded that benzene is adsorbed quite strongly on the protonated form of ZSM-5 crystals as well as on silicalite. Sorption capacities obtained are in reasonable agreement with the values reported in literature. Analysis of the rate of benzene uptake curves for both HZSM-5 and silicalite crystals shows that the kinetics of benzene sorption are controlled by intracrystalline diffusion. The results will serve to increase the database on the adsorptive and diffusive properties of ZSM-5 for aromatic hydrocarbons.