Adsorption of Methyl Chloride on Molecular Sieves, Silica Gels, and Activated Carbon

Adsorption of methyl chloride (CH3Cl or MeCl) on five different types of adsorbents was investigated experimentally at increasing pressures and room temperature. Prior to adsorption, all adsorbents were analyzed to assess their physical and chemical characteristics. The experimental data was then used to determine the adsorption isotherms, heats of adsorption, adsorption rates, and their respective theoretical models. The MeCl adsorption capacity was found to reasonably correlate with the adsorbent's surface area. The MeCl adsorption isotherm and adsorption rates were fitted for the first time to a Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo first-/second-order kinetic models, respectively. The range of heat of adsorption indicated a physisorption type of bonding; hence, the investigated adsorbents can potentially be regenerated for cyclic adsorption.