Adsorption Separation of N2 from CH4 Containing Mixtures Using N2 Selective Cation Exchanged Clinoptilolite

The application of N₂ selective adsorbent materials within unconventional natural gas and biogas upgrading processes has the potential to achieve a more economically efficient separation of N₂ from hydrocarbon mixtures containing CH₄ than current separation processes. Conventionally, almost all adsorbents are selective for CH₄ over N₂. However, inverse selectivity is desired for this separation. In this study, the potential of cation exchanged clinoptilolite adsorbents were studied for the selective separation of N₂ from CH₄ containing gas mixtures. Single component adsorption equilibrium isotherms and uptake measurements of CH₄ and N₂ confirm the promising N₂ selective properties of the cation exchanged clinoptilolite. Adsorption breakthrough curve experiments and the effects of competitive adsorption of binary CH₄-N₂ mixtures on the studied adsorbents are explored and will be discussed along with the applicability of ion exchanged clinoptilolite in various adsorption technologies for this separation.