Discovery of mesoporous materials by Mobil researchers in 1992 opened a new field in catalytic applications. The materials designated as M41S family are MCM-41 with one-dimensional hexagonal structure, MCM-48 with three-dimensional cubic structure and MCM-51 with unstable lamellar structure. This family of materials have high surface areas up to 1500 m2/g, narrow pore size distributions with pore sizes varying from 20 to 100 &Aring / . These materials can be activated by incorporation of metals or active compounds into their structures. In this study, copper and nickel incorporated MCM-41 type catalytic materials were synthesized via different methods namely, impregnation, high temperature and low temperature direct synthesis methods. The Cu-MCM-41, and Ni-MCM-41, as well as synthesized MCM-41 were characterized by using XRD, TEM, N2 sorption, SEM, XRF, EDS, AAS and TPR. MCM-41 was synthesized with high temperature direct synthesis method. High surface area values up to 1400 m2/g of MCM-41 mesoporous materials were obtained with high pore volumes up to 1.17 cc/g. Cu-MCM-41 type catalytic materials were synthesized with three different methods. Impregnation and high temperature direct synthesis methods gave better results than those of low temperature direct synthesis method. In impregnation, relatively high surface area values (730 m2/g) were obtained with Cu/Si mole ratio as high as 0.3 in the product. For the case of high temperature direct synthesis products, Cu/Si mole ratios as high as 0.26 were obtained with somewhat smaller surface areas (400 m2/g). Low temperature direct synthesis method is the least favorable method in metal loading. Ni-MCM-41 type of catalytic materials were synthesized by impregnation and high temperature direct syntheses methods. Ni incorporation by high temperature direct synthesis method gave high surface area values (560-930 m2/g) having Ni/Si mole ratios of 0.12-0.28.

Mixed matrix membranes that comprise domains of organic and inorganic components are investigated in this research. Such materials effectively circumvent the polymeric 'upper bound trade-off curve' and show properties highly attractive for industrial gas separations. Nevertheless, lack of intrinsic compatibility between the organic polymers and inorganic fillers poses the biggest challenge to successful fabrication of mixed matrix membranes. Consequently, control of the nanoscale interface between the sieve and polymer has been the key technical challenge to the implementation of composite membrane materials. The overarching goal of this research was to devise and explore approaches to enhance the performance of mixed matrix membranes by properly tailoring the sieve/polymer interface. In an effort to pursue the aforementioned objective, three approaches were developed and inspected: (i) use of silane coupling agents, (ii) hydrophobizing of sieve surface through alcohol etherification reactions, and (iii) a two-step modification sequence involving the use of a Grignard reagent. A comparison was drawn to evaluate these methodologies and the most effective strategy (Grignard treatment) was selected and further investigated. Successful formulation and characterization of mixed matrix membranes constituting zeolite 4A modified via the Grignard treatment are described in detail. Membranes with impressive improvements in gas separation efficiency and mechanical properties were demonstrated. The basis for the improvements in polymer/sieve compatibility enabled by this specific process were proposed and investigated. A key aspect of the present study was illuminating the detailed chemical mechanisms involved in the Grignard modification. Systematic characterization and carefully designed experiments revealed that the formation of distinctive surface structures is essentially a heterogeneous nucleation process, where Mg(OH)2 crystals grow from the nuclei previously extracted from zeolites. In addition to the main work, discovery of sonication-induced dealumination of zeolites was made during the systematic exploration of Grignard chemistry. The new procedure employing sonication can potentially be applied to prepare zeolites with a variety of Si/Al ratios under relatively mild conditions. The last part of this thesis focused on development of a technique to generalize the highly specific Grignard treatment to inorganic materials other than zeolite 4A. This work delivered composite membranes with improved interfacial adhesion. Moreover, research revealed the effect of surface nuclei density on the ultimate morphology of deposited nanostructures and how different surface morphologies influence polymer/filler interaction in composite membranes. Methods were devised to tailor the morphologies of such structures in order to optimize adhesion enhancement. The acquired results demonstrated the potential of extending this modification process to a broad domain of materials and render it a general methodology for interfacial adhesion promotion.

Submitted by Aelson Maciera (aelsoncm@terra.com.br) on 2017-05-17T18:25:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAROF.pdf: 8258056 bytes, checksum: 0a3e4acabf6e7541cfbb0a0d125d2408 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-05-22T13:54:57Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAROF.pdf: 8258056 bytes, checksum: 0a3e4acabf6e7541cfbb0a0d125d2408 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-05-22T13:55:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAROF.pdf: 8258056 bytes, checksum: 0a3e4acabf6e7541cfbb0a0d125d2408 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-22T13:59:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissAROF.pdf: 8258056 bytes, checksum: 0a3e4acabf6e7541cfbb0a0d125d2408 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-19 / Não recebi financiamento / The master degree work presented is a result of a research conducted together with a group, which has worked on the modification of the synthesis CTA-MCM-41, that silica belongs to the mesoporous materials family (composed by MCM-41, MCM-48 e MCM- 50). The synthesis of silicas was disclosed by Mobil Oil Corporation in 1992 due to processing of higher molecular that the processed for microporous silica. Between the mesoporous silicas, the more studied it’s MCM-41. When the MCM-41 has in their pores the cation (CTA+) it has also basic catalytic sites due to siloxi anion (≡SiO-) associated. In evaluating the basic character of the CTA-MCM-41 in transesterification reactions of monoester, we obtained satisfactory conversions, but when catalyst reused, there was a loss of catalytic due to leaching cations CTA+. Then, the catalyst loses part of the basicity necessary to that reaction. This work has challenged, synthesize hybrid catalysts that are able of keep the same catalytic activity when reused. From the research, the formation of MCM-41, the cocondensation of TEOS with functionalized groups can result in new hybrid materials. These materials offer functional groups connected to wall silica, [Si]– CnH(2n+1), this connection type can create more stability to this form of silica. For this particular research, arose the proposal to use together with TEOS, the hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (silane) or dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl] ammonium chloride (silônio) like fonts of silicas in the synthesis of the MCM-41. The silicas synthesized showed X-ray diffraction characteristic of the MCM-41 and the presence of the silane and the silônio was proven through the technique nuclear magnetic resonance of 29Si and of the termogravimetric analysis. The silicas were evaluated catalytically by transesterification reaction of ethyl acetate in methyl acetate and ethanol. The conversions obtained in the reaction, when compared with the silica synthesized just with TEOS, were lower, due to deposition silônio group on silica surface, hindering the access to basic sites. / O trabalho de mestrado apresentado é resultado de pesquisas realizadas em conjunto com o grupo, que tem trabalhado na modificação da síntese da CTA-MCM-41. A MCM-41 com os poros obstruídos pelo cátion (CTA+), possui sítios catalíticos básicos devido ao ânion siloxi (≡SiO-) associados. Ao avaliar o caráter básico da CTA-MCM-41 em reações de transesterificação de monoésteres, observa-se conversões satisfatórias. Entretanto, o problema do emprego dessa sílica nesta reação é a perda de atividade (ocorre desativação) à medida que é reutilizada, esta desativação tem sido apontada como sendo ocasionada pela lixiviação do cátion CTA⁺. Desta forma, o catalisador perde parte da basicidade requerida para esse tipo de reação. Este trabalho teve como desafio sintetizar catalisadores híbridos que sejam capazes de manter a atividade catalítica mesmo ao serem reutilizados. Para isso, foi levantado uma pesquisa, que durante a formação da MCM-41, a co-condensação do TEOS com nova fonte de sílica que contem grupos funcionalizados, pode resultar em novos tipos de materiais híbridos. Esse tipo de ligação, [Si]-C, pode resultar em uma maior estabilidade dessa sílica. Para esta pesquisa em particular, surge a proposta de utilizar, juntamente com o TEOS, o hexadeciltrimetoxisilano (chamado de silano) ou o cloreto de dimetiloctadecil[3-(trimetoxisilil)propil] amônio (chamado de silônio) como fontes de sílicas na síntese da MCM-41. Os difratogramas de raios X apresentaram, para as sílicas sintetizadas com diferentes teores de silano, estruturas características de materiais mesoporosos e para os materiais sintetizados com diferentes teores de silônio apresentaram estrutura característico da sílica MCM-41. A quantificação e a incorporação preferencial desses compostos nas sílicas sintetizadas foram comprovadas pela ressonância magnética nuclear de 29Si com e sem polarização cruzada com Hidrogênio. As sílicas, ao serem avaliadas cataliticamente na reação de transesterificação, mostraram-se menos ativas quando comparadas com o material sintetizado apenas com TEOS. Para os materiais sintetizados com silônio, as baixas conversões foram devidas a deposição desse grupo na superfície da sílica, dificultando assim o acesso aos sítios básicos.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:55:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3154.pdf: 5552497 bytes, checksum: 0a1853852321cef9c6280241685ff21d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-13 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / The investments in the biofuel production have increased a lot in the last years mainly because of smaller damages they cause to the environment in comparison with the derived conventional petroleum fuels. The reaction of biodiesel formation is denominated transesterification and, nowadays that reaction happens in the presence of homogeneous catalyst as the sodium methoxide, sodium hydroxide, (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH). However, those catalysts create problems such as the possibility of soap formation and they need stages such as the neutralization and washing of the biodiesel. Moreover, the residues of the hydroxides are aggressive to the environment. To eliminate these and other problems, the present work presents a new technology in heterogeneous catalysts with enough basic force to accomplish the transesterification of vegetable oil in tender conditions. For the first time, hybrid catalysts of the type molecular sieves of the family M41S ([CTA]Si-MCM-41, [CTA]Si-MCM-48 and [CTA]Si-MCM-50) were synthesized and used, without modification, in transesterification reactions with monoesters and vegetable oils. The results show that catalysts reach conversions around 96 % in the transesterification of canola oil (1:18) at 79 ºC, however the activity is reduced when the catalyst is reused, due, mainly, to the lixiviation of the CTA+ cation. However, new techniques are being developed in order to increase the catalyst stability. / Os investimentos na produção de biocombustíveis aumentaram significativamente nos últimos anos devido, principalmente, aos menores danos causados ao meio ambiente em comparação aos combustíveis convencionais derivados de petróleo. A reação de formação do biodiesel é denominada transesterificação e, atualmente, essa reação ocorre na presença de catalisador homogêneo como o metóxido de sódio, hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) ou de potássio (KOH). Entretanto, esses catalisadores possuem problemas como possibilidade de formação de sabões e necessitam de etapas como a neutralização e lavagem do biodiesel, além disso, os resíduos dos hidróxidos são agressivos ao meio ambiente. Para eliminar estes e outros problemas o presente trabalho apresenta uma nova tecnologia em catalisadores heterogêneos com força básica suficiente para realizar a transesterificação de óleos vegetais em condições amenas. Pela primeira vez, catalisadores híbridos do tipo peneiras moleculares da família M41s ([CTA]Si-MCM-41, [CTA]Si-MCM-48 e [CTA]Si-MCM-50) foram sintetizados e utilizados, sem modificação, em reações de transesterificação com monoésteres e óleos vegetais. Os resultados mostram que catalisadores atingem conversões em torno de 96 % na transesterificação de óleo de canola (1:18) a 79 ºC, porém a atividade é reduzida no reuso do catalisador, devido, principalmente, à lixiviação do cátion CTA+. Entretanto, novas técnicas estão em desenvolvimento para aumentar a estabilidade dos catalisadores.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:21:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 parte1.pdf: 1266396 bytes, checksum: a4c7a57bd0fd6230873b3e69c5c52c4f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-12-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Molecular sieves have been applied to the processing of triacylglycerols, to produce biofuels. In this context, the mesoporous catalyst Al-MCM-41 was proposed in this work as an alternative to acid heterogeneous transesterification of cottonseed oil with ethanol. This material was prepared using various Si/Al molar ratios (25, 50, 75 and 100) with reaction times of 8, 10, 12 or 14 hours at 170°C. The solids were characterized by XRD, FTIR, 29 Si and 27Al MAS NMR, TG/DTA and nitrogen adsorption, which confirmed the mesoporous phase and allowed an estimate of the acidity associated whit the increase of aluminum content in the structure of MCM-41. The catalytic runs were carried out in a PAAR 4843 reactor, with an oil:ethanol molar ratio of 1:9 and catalyst loading of 1,5% at 200°C for 0-180 min; the reaction product was characterized by gas chromatography and 1H and 13C NMR. Gas chromatographic analysis, shoed that the conversion to ethyl esters is linearly dependent on catalyst loading, and Al-MCM-41 (Si/Al=50) was the most active material under the conditions tested. The results of GC-FID and 1H NMR analysis were corroborated by thermal analysis (TGA) and FTIR measurements, which were used to evaluate the Brønsted acidity of the materials. Overall, the yeld of the fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) transesterification increased with an increase in catalyst acidity. / Peneiras moleculares têm sido aplicadas para o processamento de triacilgliceróis, visando à produção de biocombustíveis. Nesse contexto, no presente trabalho, o catalisador mesoporoso Al-MCM-41 foi proposto como uma alternativa para a transesterificação ácida heterogênea do óleo de algodão com etanol. Esse material foi preparado variando a razão molar Si/Al (25, 50, 75 e 100) nos tempos de 8, 10, 12 e 14 horas sob temperatura de 170°C. Os sólidos obtidos foram caracterizados por DRX, FTIR, RMN MAS 29Si e 27Al, TG/DTA e área superficial por adsorção de nitrogênio, de modo que se pôde confirmar a fase mesoporosa e estimar a acidez gerada do incremento de alumínio na estrutura do MCM-41. O teste catalítico foi realizado num reator PAAR 4843, com razão molar óleo:etanol de 1:9, 1,5% de catalisador, a 200°C nos tempos de 0-180 min., sendo o produto obtido caracterizado por cromatografia gasosa e RMN 1H e 13C. Através da análise cromatográfica pôde-se verificar que os catalisadores apresentaram perfis lineares de conversão em etil ésteres, sendo o Al-MCM-41 (Si/Al=50) o material mais ativo nas condições utilizadas. Os resultados observados por CG-FID e RMN 1H, foram corroborados pela análise térmica (TG) e FTIR previstos para a geração de acidez de Bronsted, mostrando que o rendimento em FAEE da reação de transesterificação etílica aumenta com o incremento da acidez nos catalisadores.

Orientador: Carlos Alberto Luengo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecanica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-05T03:13:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Capobianco_Gino_D.pdf: 12351248 bytes, checksum: f4842f51b128dadf5f45b6fa8ce145c4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: Este trabalho consiste no estudo de um processo híbrido para obtenção de peneiras moleculares de carbono (PMC) a partir de madeiras e ou resíduos agrícolas tais como: casca de macadâmia e mesocarpo do coco verde que são insumos de origem renovável. A seguir descrevem-se as seguintes etapas do processo: seleção e conformação da matéria-prima; carbonização e pré-ativação (envolvendo tecnologias convencionais de ativação física ou química) e finalmente a obtenção de PMC em um reator de plasma com catodo oco para ativação. O estudo incluiu o projeto e construção de equipamentos para sua implementação em uma unidade piloto, a realização dos testes operacionais, a apreciação da influência dos parâmetros de processo (monitorados com caracterizações dos precursores em cada etapa) até a obtenção das PMC. Também a avaliação de possíveis aplicações em indústrias energo intensivas (eletro-metal e químicas), realizou-se através de estudo de caso (a remoção de metais pesados nos efluentes industriais), comparando o desempenho das PMC com os de amostras comerciais disponíveis no mercado. Finalmente, para análise da viabilidade técnico-econômico-financeira, foram realizados um levantamento da evolução da exportação e importação de carvão ativado (CA) no Brasil, sua demanda e oferta, assim como aquelas dos principais consumidores (setor industrial e setores ligados ao saneamento básico e saúde). Observa-se a que o país é auto-suficiente na produção do CA convencional, entretanto a produção de CAs com características e propriedades especificas, tipo PMC, ainda é incipiente, sendo necessário à importação de 3.000 toneladas/ano. Então, para a realização dos cálculos considera-se a capacidade de atender inicialmente, até 10 % da demanda nacional, correspondente a uma planta industrial de 300 toneladas/ano. As PMC produzidas podem ser utilizadas nas mais diversas aplicações, tais como: tratamento de efluentes líquidos e gasosos, tanques de sorção para remoção e recuperação de solventes orgânicos, entre outras. Por isso este projeto insere-se, no desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias para o país / Abstract: This work is presented an study of a hybrid process to obtain carbon molecular sieves (CMS) from pine wood or agricultural residues such as macadamia shell or green coconut mesocarp, alI of them are renewable precursors. This process embraces the following stages: selection and conformation of the raw material, carbonization and pré-activation, involving conventional physical or chemical activation technologies, finally activation using the hollow cathode plasma technology to obtain the CMS. The experimental part included design and equipment construction for implementation in a pilot unit, including operational tests, studies of the influence of process parameters, monitored with characterizations of the precursors in each stage, until obtaining CMS. To evaluate possible applications in intensive energy industries such as metal-electric industries or chemistries it was developed a case study in which the CMS efficiency for the removal of heavy metaIs in the industrial effluents was compared with that obtained using samples commercially available. For analyzing the techno economic feasibility, it was obtained the historical evolution of export and import quantities of activated carbon (AC) in Brazil, the evolution of demand and offer, as well as those of main consumer sections, industrial section and those related to basic sanitation and health.Through this analysis, it was observed that the country is self-sufficient in the production of the conventional AC, however the production of AC with special characteristic and properties, like CMS, is still incipient, being needed to import around 3.000 ton/year. Thus, the calculations are for a manufacturing capacity capable to attend up to 10% of the demand, corresponding to an industrial plant with a capacity for CMS production of 300 ton/year. The produced CMS has several applications, such as: treatment of liquid and gas effluents, sorption tanks for removal and recovery of wasted organic solvents, among others. So, this whole work, may be thought as the development of a new technology for the country / Doutorado / Doutor em Planejamento de Sistemas Energéticos

Orientadores: João Alexandre Ferreira da Rocha Pereira, Celio Loureiro Cavalcante Junior / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-07T04:00:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lucena_SebastiaoMardonioPereirade_D.pdf: 7623397 bytes, checksum: 81ccae9f0728f1f2c499cc1d4fadbef6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006 / Resumo: Devido a grande importância dos processos industriais de separação de xilenos por adsorção, técnicas de simulação molecular foram usadas para estudar as causas da orto-seletividade de isômeros C8 em peneiras moleculares aluminofosfatadas. Aplicaram-se campos de força aproximados e otimizados do tipo AA no ensemble grande canônico com algoritmos Monte Carlo (GCMC) convencional e dirigido. Foram calculadas isotermas monocomponentes, calores de adsorção a baixa concentração e realizamos uma detalhada análise estrutural para definir sítios de adsorção e posicionamentos moleculares nos poros das peneiras AlPO4-5, AlPO4-8, AlPO4-11 e VPI-5. Obteve-se acordo quantitativo entre as isotermas experimentais e simuladas para o sistema xilenos/AlPO4-5 e um acordo qualitativo para o sistema xilenos/AlPO4-11. A análise estrutural levou em conta as variações no interior dos poros dos aluminofosfatos que ocorre em duas regiões: uma mais larga, denominada região de grades, e outra mais estreita, que corresponde à região de janelas. A orto-seletividade evidenciada experimentalmente é causada pela forte interação xileno-peneira e pela modulação dos canais. Este conjunto de fatores determina o posicionamento das moléculas dentro dos poros. Para o orto-xileno este microambiente provoca um posicionamento face-a-face na região das grades, enquanto o para-xileno posiciona-se verticalmente nas janelas. É esta diferença de posicionamento que origina o fenômeno da orto-seletividade para as peneiras AlPO4-5, AlPO4-8 e VPI-5. Nas simulações com o-xileno, o AlPO4-8 apresenta uma fração de posicionamentos face-a-face e por isso, apresentou capacidade de adsorção em média 14% maior para o o-xileno. O VPI-5 não apresentou adsorção preferencial para nenhum dos xilenos devido o não favorecimento da posição face-a-face. No AlPO4-11 a orto-seletividade se dá por um menor comprimento da molécula de o-xileno na direção cristalográfica c. Uma forte interação entre os radicais metila dos xilenos e os oxigênios da grade foi identificada com base na análise estrutural. Propõe-se que esta interação provoque deformações e/ou mudança de estrutura na peneira AlPO4-11. Na segunda parte do trabalho analisou-se o comportamento de moléculas cíclicas, lineares e ramificadas quanto ao posicionamento e sítios de adsorção utilizando-se as mesmas técnicas de simulação molecular. Benzeno, ciclohexano, o-xileno, butano, n-pentano, n-hexano, 2-metil-butano e 2,4-dimetil-butano foram estudados em AlPO4-5 com diferentes modelos de campos de força. Foram utilizados campos de força AA, UA e AUA todos no ensemble grande canônico com o algoritmo GCMC convencional. A análise estrutural mostrou que as moléculas de benzeno posicionam-se tanto face-a-face como paralelamente ao eixo cristalográfico c. Ao contrário do que a literatura propunha, o ciclohexano não apresentou nenhum tipo de ordenação particular, seu posicionamento variou de forma caótica ao longo dos poros do AlPO4-5. As moléculas de benzeno e ciclohexano se mostraram muito mais sensíveis às alterações do campo de força que o o-xileno. Esta sensibilidade pode estar relacionada à condição geométrica crítica denominada efeito levitação. As moléculas de n¿hexano adsorvem preferencialmente na região das janelas e o butano na região de grades. Elas posicionam-se respectivamente, paralelamente e horizontalmente com relação ao eixo cristalográfico c. As moléculas ramificadas testadas posicionam-se horizontalmente com relação ao eixo c na região de grades. O n-pentano apresentou um comportamento complexo quanto a posicionamentos e sítios de adsorção. Este comportamento complexo pode também estar relacionado ao efeito levitação. Em todos os modelos testados uma forte interação entre os grupos metila das extremidades das moléculas e os oxigênios das grades influenciou o posicionamento e os sítios de adsorção / Abstract: Molecular simulation techniques were used to study the ortho-selectivity causes of C8 isomers in aluminophosphate molecular sieves structures. Approximated and optimized force fields of the AA type were applied in the grand canonical ensemble with biased and conventional Monte Carlo algorithms (GCMC). We simulated pure-components isotherms, adsorption heats at low loading and made a detailed structural analysis to define adsorption sites and molecular positionings in the AlPO4-5, AlPO4-8, AlPO4-11 and VPI-5 pores. We obtained quantitative agreement between experimental and simulated isotherms for the system xylenes / AlPO4-5 and a qualitative agreement for the system xylenes/AlPO4-11. The structural analysis of the adsorbed phases was performed considering the dimensional variations inside the aluminophosphates pores that are composed of two regions: a wide region (fences) and a narrow region that corresponds to the 12-ring oxygen windows areas. The ortho-selectivity experimentally evidenced was caused by the strong interaction xylene-sieve and the channels modulation. These two factors determine the molecules positioning inside the pores. For ortho-xylene this micro-environment provokes a face-to-face positioning in the wide regions, while para-xylene was positioned almost parallel to the c-axis in the windows. This positioning difference originates the ortho-selectivity phenomenon for the AlPO4-5, AlPO4-8, and VPI-5 sieves. In the o-xylene simulations, AlPO4-8 presents a fraction of the face-to-face positioning and thus shows a lighter adsorption capacity for o-xylene (14%). In VPI-5 we can not find any fraction of face-to-face position, so it did not present preferential adsorption for none of the xylenes. In AlPO4-11 the ortho-selectivity comes from the o-xylene molecule smaller length in the c-axis direction. A strong interaction between the xylenes methyl radicals and the wide region oxygen atoms, was identified based in the structural analysis. We proposed that this interaction causes deformations and/or structural changes in the AlPO4-11 sieve. In the second part of this study the behavior of cyclic, linear and branched molecules was analyzed with relation to the positioning and adsorption sites. We used the same molecular simulation techniques. Benzene, cyclohexane, o-xylene, butane, n-pentane, n-hexane, 2-methylbutane and 2,4-dimethylbutane were studied in AlPO4-5 with different force field models. We applied AA, UA and AUA force fields in the grand canonical ensemble with the conventional GCMC algorithm. The structural analysis of the cyclic molecules showed that benzene was face-to-face and c-axis parallel positioned. As opposed to other previous studies, cyclohexane did not present any particular order, the molecules positioning in a chaotic way along the pores of AlPO4-5. The benzene and cyclohexane molecules were much more sensible to the kind of force field than o-xylene. This sensibility can be related to the critical geometric condition denominated levitation effect. The n -hexane molecules adsorb preferably in the window region and butane in the wide region. They are positioned respectively, parallel and horizontally to the c-axis plane. The branched molecules are positioned horizontally in the pore wide region. The n-pentane presented a complex behavior in relation to positioning and adsorption sites. This complex behavior can also be related to the levitation effect. In all tested models a strong interaction between the methyl groups of the molecules extremities and the wide region oxygens influenced the positioning and the adsorption sites / Doutorado / Sistemas de Processos Quimicos e Informatica / Doutor em Engenharia Química

"Grupo de peneiras moleculares micro e mesoporosas" / Orientadores: Heloise de Oliveira Pastore, Marco Andre Fraga / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Quimica / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T13:56:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ruiz_JuanAlbertoChavez_D.pdf: 9318678 bytes, checksum: 0b11ace77679aab815eebe6b5abaed29 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Doutorado / Quimica Inorganica / Doutor em Quimica

It is very important today to address the impacts of climate change as its effects can be observed every day. Nowadays many scientists believe that earth's climate is changing as a result of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane. Global energy demand is also rapidly evolving. A sustainable approach that balances economic growth with social and environmental responsibility should be considered as an effective and long-term strategy. Carbon dioxide is the foremost greenhouse gas of anthropogenic origin, responsible for the majority of the earth's warming effects. It is estimated that around 60% of the global warming impact can be traced back to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Lowering methane emissions offers a range of notable advantages in terms of energy, safety, economy, and the environment. Firstly, since methane is a potent greenhouse gas (25 times more powerful than CO2 over a 100-year period), reducing methane emissions will contribute significantly to mitigating climate change in the short term. Additionally, methane is the primary component of natural gas and biogas, which means collecting and utilizing methane can be a valuable source of clean energy that fosters local economic growth and minimizes local environmental pollution. Generating energy through methane recovery eliminates the need for traditional energy resources, thus lessening end-user and power plant CO2 and air pollutant emissions. Physical adsorption separation processes have proven to be an effective technique for simultaneous carbon dioxide capture and methane enrichment applications. The objective of this study is to conduct a thorough assessment of the adsorption separation of methane and carbon dioxide gases employing a commercially available carbon molecular sieve, CMS(C), and an activated carbon, AC(B). The accomplishment of the objective involved conducting an in-depth characterization of the adsorbents. Part of the characterization included measurements of the internal surface area and pore size distributions, as well as the measurements of the equilibrium adsorption isotherms using gravimetric techniques. These isotherms enabled detailed kinetic analyses, such as evaluating diffusivity and mass transfer coefficients at various temperatures and pressure steps. The prediction of binary isotherms were based on theoretical models, which can describe the gas mixture adsorption equilibria using pure component equilibrium data. Breakthrough curves were generated to describe the dynamic response of an adsorption column under different pressures, temperatures, and flow rates. A mechanistic model was developed utilizing gPROMS simulation software for adsorption breakthrough process and it was validated by comparing its results to the experimental breakthrough curves. Parametric studies were conducted to determine the optimal operating conditions for gas adsorption separation of CO2 and CH4 gases. By examining the data obtained from breakthrough curves, pure and predicted binary adsorption equilibria, we calculated adsorption capacities, selectivity, sorbent selection parameter (S parameter), and the adsorbent performance indicator (API). These calculations were carried out to evaluate the initial potential for gas adsorption separation of the carbon molecular sieve (CMS(C)) and the activated carbon (AC(B)) under a range of operating conditions. Increasing pressure, decreasing temperature, and reduced feed flow improved breakthrough time and adsorption capacity for both gases on these adsorbents. CMS(C) showed superior selectivity, while AC(B) had a higher API value at specific conditions. The API was considered a more practical parameter for evaluating the initial gas separation potential. CMS(C) proved to be the better choice for methane purification, achieving the longest purification time under optimal conditions. Additionally, the study explored the kinetic behavior of methane and carbon dioxide with these adsorbent materials, revealing faster carbon dioxide uptake rates and the potential advantages of activated carbon in reducing adsorption/desorption cycle times in separation processes. At a pressure of 1 atm, a temperature of 294 K, and a flow rate of 400 ml min-1, CMS(C) had the highest values of selectivity and the S parameter, while AC(B) had the highest API value at 9 atm of pressure, a temperature of 294 K, and a flow rate of 400 ml min-1. The API was considered a more practical parameter for evaluating the initial gas separation potential. CMS(C) proved to be the better choice for methane purification, achieving the longest purification time of 420 seconds at a pressure of 9 atm, a temperature of 294 K, and a flow rate of 400 ml min-1. Additionally, the study explored the kinetic behavior of methane and carbon dioxide with these adsorbent materials, revealing faster carbon dioxide uptake rates and the potential advantages of activated carbon in reducing adsorption/desorption cycle times in separation processes. The analysis of the study, when compared to existing literature, reveals a coherent and logical progression. Our results align with similar studies, validating key points such as the improvement of methane purification through reduced feed flow rates and increased pressures, enhanced adsorption separation performance at lower temperatures and pressures, the superior adsorption capacity of activated carbon over carbon molecular sieves, and the greater selectivity of carbon molecular sieves over activated carbon and faster diffusion of carbon dioxide compared to methane within the carbon porous materials.

The objective of this research was to determine an appropriate adsorbent for the separation of CH₄ from CO₂, N₂, and O₂. To screen different adsorbents for this purpose, pure component adsorption isotherms and gas mixture isotherms were measured. Adsorption isotherms are critical data for modeling adsorption processes. Thus, determining an accurate and reliable method of measuring gas adsorption isotherms is crucial. Concentration pulse chromatography can be used to measure the slope of the isotherm. In the case of pure component adsorption, the slope at different partial pressures of adsorbate can be integrated to determine the adsorption isotherm. The accuracy of the concentration pulse chromatography method was compared to that of gravimetric analysis to find an appropriate technique to obtain pure component gas adsorption isotherms by measuring CH₄ isotherms on activated carbon at 25°C and up to 6.3 atm. Isotherm results from concentration pulse chromatography were identical to gravimetric results, but the use of a sufficiently long column for concentration pulse chromatography was crucial. Afterwards, gravimetric analysis was used to determine the performance of activated carbon (AC A-C) and carbon molecular sieve (CMS A-D) adsorbents for adsorbing CO₂ and N₂. Additionally, O₂ adsorption isotherms were measured for CMS's. At 25°C and above atmospheric pressure, AC-B showed the highest CO₂ capacity and CO₂/N₂ selectivity. The isosteric heat of adsorption values of CO₂, N₂, and O₂ for the CMS's were calculated; CMS-A and CMS-C had high isosteric heat of adsorption values for CO₂, above 40 kJ mol⁻¹. Finally, the performance of activated carbon in separating a binary mixture of CO₂ and N₂ was experimentally measured by obtaining binary gas mixture adsorption isotherms using concentration pulse chromatography technique between 30-70°C and 1-5 atm total pressure. The OLC activated carbon showed selectivity for CO₂ over N₂, with the experimental results showing a slight deviation from theoretical predictions of the binary adsorption isotherms. Compared to other adsorbents in the literature, OLC had similar CO₂ and N₂ adsorption capacities but higher CO₂/N₂ selectivity.