(321m) A Novel Separation Process of Gas Mixtures by Using Tetrahydrofuran (Thf) Clathrate Hydrate

A novel separation process of gas mixtures by using tetrahydrofuran (THF) clathrate hydrate was proposed. THF forms sII hydrate. Only the large cages of sII structure will be occupied by THF molecules, while the smaller cages are empty. The basic principle of the separation method is a selective occupation of the ?second? guest molecules in the small cages, just like the molecular sieving adsorption. Experimental studies were conducted on the selective adsorption into the small cages of the THF hydrate by using various ?second? guest molecules such as pure gases of helium, xenon, argon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and gaseous mixtures. The relationship between the selective occupation of the guest molecules in the THF hydrate and the properties of the guest molecules were elucidated based on the experimental results. This separation process uses THF hydrate was discussed.