Selection of coals of different maturities for CO2 Storage by modelling of CH4 and CO2 adsorption isotherms

International audienceCO2 injection in unmineable coal seams could be one interesting option for both storage and methane recovery processes. The objective of this study is to compare and model pure gas sorption isotherms (CO2 and CH4) for well-characterised coals of different maturities to determine the most suitable coal for CO2 storage. Carbon dioxide and methane adsorption on several coals have been investigated using a gravimetric adsorption method. The experiments were carried out using both CO2 and CH4 pure gases at 25 °C from 0.1 to 5 MPa (1 to 50 bar). The experimental results were fitted using Temkin's approach but also with the corrected Langmuir's and the corrected Tóth's equations. The two last approaches are more accurate from a thermodynamical point of view, and have the advantage of taking into account the fact that experimental data (isotherms) correspond to excess adsorption capacities. These approaches allow better quantification of the adsorbed gas. Determined CO2 adsorption capacities are from 0.5 to 2 mmol/g of dry coal. Modelling provides also the affinity parameters of the two gases for the different coals. We have shown these parameters determined with adsorption models could be used for classification and first selection of coals for CO2 storage. The affinity ratio ranges from a value close to 1 for immature coals to 41 for high rank coals like anthracites. This ratio allows selecting coals having high CO2 adsorption capacities. In our case, the modelling study of a significant number of coals from various ranks shows that anthracites seem to have the highest CO2 storage capacities. Our study provides high quality affinity parameters and values of CO2 and CH4 adsorption capacities on various coals for the future modelling of CO2 injection in coal seams

Low pressure argon adsorption assessement of the pores connectiviries in activated carbon

Low-pressure argon adsorption has been used to study the energetic distribution of microporous activated carbons differing by their burnoff. The collected isotherms were analyzed using the derivative isotherm summation method. Some oscillations on the experimental curves for very low partial pressures were detected. The results are analyzed and discussed according to the literature and could be attributed to local overheating caused by spontaneous mass transfer of argon through constrictions between former pores and the new opening pore or deadend pores. We used the dynamic character of the experimental method and mainly the discrepancy of the quasi-equilibrium state to deduce key parameters related to the porosity topology

Adsorption and Desorption of a Model Hydrocarbon Mixture Over HY Zeolite Under Dry and Wet Conditions

International audienceAdsorption behavior of a hydrocarbon mixture (propene, toluene, decane) mimicking Diesel cold-start was investigated under dry and wet conditions for commercial HY zeolites with a Si/Al ratio ranging from 2.5 to 100. Textural and structural characterizations were carried out using N-2 adsorption at 77 K and X-ray diffraction. In situ FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine was exploited to probe acidic sites. The methodology used in this study consisted of adsorption phase at 35 degrees C with several kinds of mixtures followed by a Temperature-Programmed Desorption (TPD) at 10 degrees C/min. At high Si/Al ratio, a competitive thermodynamic adsorption between toluene and decane was demonstrated. To the opposite, propene is substantially not adsorbed whatever the Si/Al ratio of the zeolite. By decreasing the Si/Al ratio, the presence of large amounts of acidic sites enhances adsorption of unsaturated hydrocarbons. Water adsorption was found to be detrimental for HC storage due to hydrophilic nature

Coal laboratory characterisation for CO2 geological storage

International audienceGeological storage of CO2 in unmineable coal seams could be a very interesting option in the sustainable management of coal basins. However, the various chemical and physical parameters that determine the success or failure of this type of operation need to be clarified. The CHARCO project aims at developing methods and analysis techniques in order to define the major parameters enabling optimal CO2 storage conditions. In this framework, 22 coals of different ranks were sampled in different locations and systematically characterized (coal ranks, macerals, porosities, CO2 and CH4 adsorption isotherms ...). The isotherms were modelled using the classical Langmuir formalism in order to obtain their adsorption capacities and their affinity for CO2. The high number of coals and parameters considered in our study allow a statistical treatment using Principal Component Analysis. The sorption capacity can not be easily correlated with any other single parameter. On the other hand, CO2 affinity is correlated with coal rank