NEW SOLID ADSORBENTS FOR THE SEPARATION OF LOWER HYDROCARBONS AND PERMANENT GASES .1. AMMONIUM TUNGSTOPHOSPHATE

Ammonium tungstophosphate [(NH4)3PW12O40] has been tried as solid adsorbent in gas-solid chromatography for the separation of lower hydrocarbons and permanent gases. The ammonium tungstophosphate (20% on non-porous glass beads) column was tested in the separation of C1-C4 hydrocarbons in both isothermal and temperature-programmed runs. Ammonium tungstophosphate seems to be an effective solid adsorbent for the separation of methane, ethane, ethylene, acetylene, propane, propylene and butane. The retention times and recoveries were highly reproducible in both isothermal and temperature-programmed runs. The high surface area, (> 150 m2/g), uniform pore-size distribution (6-13 Å), uniform particle size distribution, high thermal stability and moderate sorption capacity render ammonium tungstophosphate a potential adsorbent in gas-solid chromatography. © 1990.