Gas/adsorbent interaction dynamics: an experimental approach

A procedure for the study of gas/adsorbent dynamics is presented. As an example, the interaction between CO/sub 2//He with trace amount of CF/sub 4/ and alumina was studied under low-level CO/sub 2/ concentrations. Gas chromatography coupled with a thermal conductivity detector was utilized for assessing the temporal variation of the compound concentrations. The chromatographic technique allowed to follow the CO/sub 2/ and CF/sub 4/ concentrations with a precision of 15 ppm, and 1 ppm, respectively. Up to CO/sub 2/ contents of 10/sup 4/ ppm/sub v/, the results showed that the interactional dynamics is controlled by the magnitude of the initial concentration. The sorption capacity of alumina was found to be low, not exceeding 0.5% g [CO/sub 2/]/g alumina. Considerations based on the material properties were made explicit in order to explain the preferential CO/sub 2/ adsorption by alumina.