KINETICS OF SORPTION, DESORPTION, AND DIFFUSION IN ZEOLITES

Sorption and desorption in zeolites (molecular sieves) have to be considered as complex processes, involving simultaneous diffusion in zeolite crystals, mass transfer in the intercrystalline void of a pellet, and heat transfer between the zeolitic sorbent and its surroundings. The kinetics of sorption and desorption, respectively, of n‐C4H10 in zeolite X and of CO2 in zeolite A have been investigated: only the initial rates of uptake or release of the sorbet are controlled by mass transfer alone whereas ultimately they also depend on the rate of heat transfer from the sorbent to its surroundings or vice versa. Diffusivities of the sorbate in the zeolite crystals can be obtained from the kinetics of mass transfer, provided the resistance due to viscous or Knudsen flow between the crystals of the zeolitic sorbent can be eliminated. A sample consisting of a monolayer of single crystals had to be used for this purpose in the n‐butane/zeolite X system; the intracrystalline diffusivity obtained in this way is not in conflict with data obtained by NMR spectroscopy. The intracrystalline diffusivities obtained in this way—taking into account the coupling of several processes during sorption — are higher than values reported in the literature. Copyright © 1979 by Verlag Chemie, GmbH, Germany