Adsorption of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) in gas phase on zeolites of faujasite type: Influence of water vapour and of Si/Al ratio

This study is focused on the adsorption of a chlorinated volatile organic compound, the tetrachloroethylene (PCE), on dealuminated faujasite type zeolites with framework Si/Al ratio between 5 and 100. PCE dynamic adsorption experiments with and without water vapour (relative humidity of, respectively, 50% and 0%) were carried out in a fixed bed reactor at 50 °C. Breakthrough curves were fitted by a model using the integral of a Gauss distribution. PCE adsorption capacities depend on the adsorbent microporous volume. However, in presence of water vapour, PCE adsorption is favoured on hydrophobic zeolites but also depends on the diffusional limitations inside the porous system. In order to have a better understanding of water molecules adsorption, isotherms were measured using thermogravimetric method at 25 °C. The presence of water vapour generally decreases PCE uptake but its influence decreases as the Si/Al ratio of the adsorbent increases. Experiments with various gases hourly space velocity (GHSV) and inlet PCE concentrations were also performed. PCE complete desorption was obtained on HFAU(Si/Al = 17) at 180 °C. This easy regeneration of the sample permitted adsorption/regeneration cycles maintaining good adsorption properties.