Open Access

Alberto P. Guimarães, Andreas Möller, Reiner Staudt, Diana C. S. de Azevedo, Sebastião M. P. Lucena, Célio Loureiro Cavalcante

• The diffusion behavior of C4–C10 n-alkanes in silicalite-1 has been investigated by using the Zero Length Column method. The diffusivities derived from measurements at different purge rates with different purge gases confirming intracrystalline diffusion control. Data are compared with results reported in the literature for MFI zeolites. The diffusivities were found to be consistent and agree wellThe diffusion behavior of C4–C10 n-alkanes in silicalite-1 has been investigated by using the Zero Length Column method. The diffusivities derived from measurements at different purge rates with different purge gases confirming intracrystalline diffusion control. Data are compared with results reported in the literature for MFI zeolites. The diffusivities were found to be consistent and agree well with data previous obtained by ZLC. However, these data showed a remarkable disagreement with other reported techniques (PFG-NMR, QENS and Permeation). The eventual influence of carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorption on diffusion properties of n-alkanes in silicalite was also investigated. For this purpose, a series of experiments was performed involving hydrocarbons mixed with CO2. Data were obtained at 303 K and flow rates between 20 and 80 mL/min. The presence of CO2 does not seem to influence the intracrystalline transport rate of the investigated light hydrocarbons (n-C4 and n-C6). On the other hand, the situation for n-C8 and n-C10 is more complex. The diffusivity values are higher compared to the previously reported values.…