The Effect of Zeolite as an adsorbent in the SRP Process and Separation of Ethyl acetate from Mixture of solvent

This study investigates the application of zeolite (Type ۳A) in the Solvent Recovery Process (SRP) for water adsorption and ethyl acetate separation. Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates with a three-dimensional porous structure, high surface area (>۵۰۰ m²/g), and cation-exchange capacity, making them ideal for selective water adsorption. The adsorption process involves water molecules entering zeolite pores due to their polar interactions with AlO₄⁻ and SiO₄ tetrahedral, while ethyl acetate (larger kinetic diameter: ~۵.۳ Å) is excluded. Thermodynamic data confirmed exothermic (ΔH = -۴۸ kJ/mol) and spontaneous (ΔG = -۱۴ kJ/mol at ۲۵°C) adsorption, fitting the Langmuir isotherm (R² > ۰.۹۹). For tray distillation, zeolite-dried gas enters a bubble-cap tray column at ۱.۵ bar. Ethyl acetate (boiling point: ۷۷°C) is separated from heavier components (e.g., toluene) with ۹۸% purity at optimal reflux ratio (۳:۱) and feed tray position (Tray ۸/۱۲). Zeolite’s regenerability (۱۵۰°C desorption) and stability under cyclic operations highlight its industrial viability.

کلیدواژه ها:

Zeolite ، SRP ، Ethyl Acetate ، Adsorbent