(401ay) Separation of CO2/N2 mixture Using MIL-101(Cr)/PVA Pellets By PSA Process

In the past two decades, Metal Organic frameworks (MOFs) are being developed as promising candidates for CO₂ capture due to their high porosity and selective CO₂ capture ability. In this study, the metal organic framework MIL-101(Cr) was synthesized by hydrothermal method in a batch to yield about 15 gm product. The PVA/H₂O polymer binder was used to make pellets (of about 2 mm diameter) of MIL-101(Cr) to be used in column studies. The ratio of MOF powder to PVA/H₂O was varied to optimize the beads preparation. The synthesized MOF powder and MOF/PVA pellets were characterized by BET surface area analysis and XRD analysis. The pure component equilibrium isotherms of CO₂ and N₂ were measured on MIL-101(Cr) powder and MIL-101(Cr)/PVA pellets. A 2 cm diameter column of 30 cm length containing about 11 gm of adsorbent was used in the column studies. A simulated dry flue gas (~15% CO₂ and balance N₂) was prepared in laboratory and used as feed mixture. Using data acquisition system, the feed flowrate, column pressure were recorded during breakthrough and process experiments. Based on the breakthrough time, cycle times were chosen for the PVSA (Pressure/Vacuum Swing Adsorption) process. The PVSA cycle studies have been carried out between 1.3 bar (adsorption) and 0.1 bar (desorption) at a flowrate of 150 SCCM. The effect of various steps, such as purge with the product (N₂) and rinse with CO₂ have been studied.