The reversibility of the adsorption of methane-methyl mercaptan mixtures in nanoporous carbon

ORAL

Abstract

The results of extensive molecular dynamics simulations and theoretical considerations of the adsorption of methane-methyl mercaptan mixtures in slit-shaped carbon nanopores are presented. We observe significant mobility of both methane and mercaptan molecules within the pore volume, between pores, and between adsorbed and gas phases for a wide range of temperatures and pressures. Although mercaptans adsorb preferentially relative to methane, the process remains reversible, provided non-oxidizing conditions are maintained. A mercaptan/methane ratio of the order of 200 ppm in the adsorbed phase is sufficient for the gas phase to have a mercaptan concentration above the human threshold for detection. The reversibility of the adsorption process and low concentration of mercaptans makes it unlikely that these would be harmful for adsorbed natural gas storage systems. See also: doi:10.1016/j.carbon.2011.08.039.

–

Authors

  • Carlos Wexler

    University of Missouri, University of Missouri Physics Department

  • John Gaddy

    University of Southern California, University of Chicago, University of Toronto, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Northern Iowa, Universite Aix-Marseille 1, Universite Montpellier 2, University of Missouri, University of Missouri, Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Missouri Research Reactor, University of Missouri, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri, the Missouri Research Reactor, Columbia Univ, Univ of Northern Iowa, University of Charleston, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Iowa State University, University of Colorado, NOAO, University of Toledo, University of Massachusetts, Smith College, Observatory of Bordeaux, Spitzer Science Center, University of Chile, SAO

  • John Gaddy

    University of Southern California, University of Chicago, University of Toronto, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Northern Iowa, Universite Aix-Marseille 1, Universite Montpellier 2, University of Missouri, University of Missouri, Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Missouri Research Reactor, University of Missouri, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri, the Missouri Research Reactor, Columbia Univ, Univ of Northern Iowa, University of Charleston, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Iowa State University, University of Colorado, NOAO, University of Toledo, University of Massachusetts, Smith College, Observatory of Bordeaux, Spitzer Science Center, University of Chile, SAO

  • John Gaddy

    University of Southern California, University of Chicago, University of Toronto, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Northern Iowa, Universite Aix-Marseille 1, Universite Montpellier 2, University of Missouri, University of Missouri, Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Missouri Research Reactor, University of Missouri, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri, the Missouri Research Reactor, Columbia Univ, Univ of Northern Iowa, University of Charleston, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Iowa State University, University of Colorado, NOAO, University of Toledo, University of Massachusetts, Smith College, Observatory of Bordeaux, Spitzer Science Center, University of Chile, SAO

  • John Gaddy

    University of Southern California, University of Chicago, University of Toronto, Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Northern Iowa, Universite Aix-Marseille 1, Universite Montpellier 2, University of Missouri, University of Missouri, Department of Physics and Astronomy and the Missouri Research Reactor, University of Missouri, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri, the Missouri Research Reactor, Columbia Univ, Univ of Northern Iowa, University of Charleston, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Iowa State University, University of Colorado, NOAO, University of Toledo, University of Massachusetts, Smith College, Observatory of Bordeaux, Spitzer Science Center, University of Chile, SAO