For the first time, a macroscopic method was used to measure directly diffusivity of fast diffusing species such as methane in silicalite. A form of Wicke–Kallenbach technique was applied to measure intracrystalline diffusivity. The technique uses a single embedded zeolite crystal as a membrane and a mass-selective detector to determine the transient mass response and hence the diffusion flux passing through the membrane. A concentration-difference driving force is used rather than a pressure-difference driving force. The diffusivities calculated from both adsorption and desorption transients were in excellent agreement, thus providing a check for the self-consistency of the data. The diffusivities of carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane and butane in silicalite between 30 and 70°C have been compared with those from the literature. The diffusivities reported here are between those measured with microscopic methods and those measured with other macroscopic methods.
Article
Diffusion Measurements Through Embedded Zeolite Crystals
AIChE Journal
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-1996
Disciplines
Abstract
DOI
10.1002/aic.690421102
Citation Information
Sun, M. S., Talu, O. & Shah, D. B. (1996), Diffusion measurements through embedded zeolite crystals. AIChE J., 42, 11, 3001–3007. doi: 10.1002/aic.690421102