Brazilian Journal of Petroleum and Gas, Vol 5, No 4 (2011)

SEPARATION OF XYLENE ISOMERS THROUGH ADSORPTION ON MICROPOROUS MATERIALS: A REVIEW

K. A. O. Santos, A. A. Dantas Neto, M. C. P. A. Moura, T. N. Castro Dantas

Abstract


Xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon with a single ring and two methyl groups attached to this ring in positions 1-2, 1-3 and 1-4, called o-xylene, m-xylene, and p-xylene, respectively. Because of the similarities in their physicochemical properties, it is very difficult to obtain these isomers in a pure form. For this reason, numerous techniques have been developed with the objective of separating them. One technique is based on the adsorption of substances according to the adsorption heat observed during their interaction with the adsorbent. This review presents the main studies developed in recent years that seek to evaluate the potential of microporous materials in separating the different xylene isomers.

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