Kinetic Separation of Propylene over Propane in a Microporous Metal-Organic Framework

Published

August 30, 2018

Author(s)

Libo Li, Xiaoqing NMN Wang, Wei Zhou, Litao Jia, Banglin Chen

Abstract

Propylene (C₃H₆)/propane (C₃H₈) separation is one of the most challenging as well as most energy-intensive separation processes in the petrochemical industry. Herein we report a microporous metal-organic framework ELM-12 with appropriate channels where efficient separation of C₃H₆ over C₃H₈ is achieved via the kinetic separation effect. Time-dependent kinetic adsorption, density-functional theory calculation and breakthrough experiments collaboratively demonstrate that the considerable diffusivity difference between C₃H₆ and C₃H₈ accounts for the excellent separation performance of ELM-12. The high kinetic C₃H₆/C₃H₈ separation factor (204 and 298 K), large breakthrough time interval, and easy regeneration process of this MOF, make it a promising adsorbent for this important separation task. Futhermore, this material is highly stable under ambient condition and its production can be easily scaled up, rendering it quite favorable for practical industrial application.

Citation

Chemical Engineering Journal

Volume

2

Issue

3

Pub Type

Journals

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Keywords

Porous Material, Gas separation

Citation

Li, L. , Wang, X. , Zhou, W. , Jia, L. and Chen, B. (2018), Kinetic Separation of Propylene over Propane in a Microporous Metal-Organic Framework, Chemical Engineering Journal, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=926545 (Accessed October 16, 2025)