ABSTRACT
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) have been used extensively as refrigerants over the past four decades; however, HFCs are currently being phased out due to large global warming potentials. As the next generation of hydrofluoroolefin refrigerants are phased in, action must be taken to responsibly and sustainably deal with the HFCs currently in circulation. Ideally, unused HFCs can be reclaimed and recycled; however, many HFCs in circulation are azeotropic or near-azeotropic mixtures and must be separated before recycling. Previously, pure gas isotherm data were presented for both HFC-125 (pentafluoroethane) and HFC-32 (difluoromethane) with zeolite 5A, and it was concluded that this zeolite could separate refrigerant R-410A (50/50 wt % HFC-125/HFC-32). To further investigate the separation capabilities of zeolite 5A, binary adsorption was measured for the same system using the Integral Mass Balance method. Zeolite 5A showed a selectivity of 9.6-10.9 for HFC-32 over the composition range of 25-75 mol % HFC-125. Adsorbed phase activity coefficients were calculated from binary adsorption data. The Spreading Pressure Dependent, modified nonrandom two-liquid, and modified Wilson activity coefficient models were fit to experimental data, and the resulting activity coefficient models were used in Real Adsorbed Solution Theory (RAST). RAST binary adsorption model predictions were compared with Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST) predictions made using the Dual-Site Langmuir, Tóth, and Jensen and Seaton pure gas isotherm models. Both IAST and RAST yielded qualitatively accurate predictions; however, quantitative accuracy was greatly improved using RAST models. Diffusion behavior of HFC-125 and HFC-32 was also investigated by fitting the isothermal Fickian diffusion model to kinetic data. Molecular-level phenomena were investigated to understand both thermodynamic and kinetic behaviors.
ABSTRACT
Research into new reversible hydrogen storage materials has the potential to help accelerate the transition to a hydrogen economy. The discovery of an efficient and cost-effective method of safely storing hydrogen would revolutionise its use as a sustainable energy carrier. Accurately measuring storage capacities - particularly of novel nanomaterials - has however proved challenging, and progress is being hindered by ongoing problems with reproducibility. Various metal and complex hydrides are being investigated, together with nanoporous adsorbents such as carbons, metal-organic frameworks and microporous organic polymers. The hydrogen storage properties of these materials are commonly determined using either the manometric (or Sieverts) technique or gravimetric methods, but both approaches are prone to significant error, if not performed with great care. Although commercial manometric and gravimetric instruments are widely available, they must be operated with an awareness of the limits of their applicability and the error sources inherent to the measurement techniques. This article therefore describes the measurement of hydrogen sorption and covers the required experimental procedures, aspects of troubleshooting and recommended reporting guidelines, with a view of helping improve reproducibility in experimental hydrogen storage material research.
ABSTRACT
Porous materials adsorb H2 through physisorption, a process which typically has a rather low enthalpy of adsorption (e.g. ca. 4 to 7 kJ mol(-1) for MOFs), thus requiring cryogenic temperatures for hydrogen storage. In this paper, we consider some of the issues associated with the accurate characterisation of the hydrogen adsorption properties of microporous materials. We present comparative gravimetric hydrogen sorption data over a range of temperatures for different microporous materials including an activated carbon, a zeolite, two MOFs and a microporous organic polymer. Hydrogen adsorption isotherms were used to calculate the enthalpy of adsorption as a function of hydrogen uptake, and to monitor the temperature dependence of the uptake of hydrogen. Under the conditions investigated, it was found that the Tóth equation provided better fits to the absolute isotherms compared to the Sips (Langmuir-Freundlich) equation at low pressures, whereas it appeared to overestimate the maximum saturation capacity. The isosteric enthalpy of adsorption was calculated by either: fitting the Sips and Tóth equations to the adsorption isotherms and then applying the Clausius-Clapeyron equation; or by using a multiparameter Virial-type adsorption isotherm equation. It was found that the calculated enthalpy of adsorption depended strongly upon the method employed and the temperature and pressure range used. It is shown that a usable capacity can be calculated from the variable temperature isotherms for all materials by defining a working pressure range (e.g. 2 to 15 bar) over which the material will be used.
