Zeolithe als Sorptionsmittel

Investigation of the Adsorption of Hydrogen Sulfide on Faujasite Zeolites Focusing on the Influence of Cations

During the conversion of natural gas to liquified natural gas, sulfur components are separated by adsorption on zeolites. New zeolite materials may improve this adsorption process. In this paper, the adsorption of hydrogen sulfide is studied on seven faujasite (FAU) zeolites, which differ only in the number of sodium and calcium cations. From a pure NaX zeolite (13X), which contains only sodium cations, the calcium cation content was gradually increased by ion exchange. In a fixed-bed adsorber, cumulative equilibrium loadings of H₂S on these zeolites were determined at concentrations between 50 and 2000 ppm at 25 and 85 °C and 1.3 bar (abs). Adsorption isotherms were analyzed considering the influence of cation positioning in the FAU zeolites. The experimental data indicate a superposition of a chemisorptive and a physisorptive mechanism. At a small number of chemisorptive sites, we conclude a dissociation of hydrogen sulfide and covalent bonding of the proton and the hydrogen sulfide ion to the zeolite lattice. The contribution of chemisorption exhibits a very low temperature dependence, which is typical for nearly irreversible reactions with an equilibrium strongly shifted to one side. With an increase in the proportion of Ca²⁺ cations, only physisorptive adsorption by electrostatic interaction with the cations in the lattice was observed. A large number of physisorptive sites have a lower energetic value. The share of physisorption strongly depends on temperature, which is characteristic of reversible equilibrium reactions.

Reduction in Off-Flavors in Wine Using Special Filter Layers with Integrated Zeolites and the Effect on the Volatile Profile of Austrian Wines

In the course of the present study, filter layers with embedded zeolites (patented layer of the company Filtrox (Zwingen, Switzerland) with the brand name Fibrafix® TX) were tested for the elimination of the wine defects, cork taint (2,4,6-trichloroanisole), mouldy aroma (geosmin), and strong “animal” phenolic aromas (4-ethylphenol, 4-ethylguaiacol, 4-ethylcatechol). The test design allowed a comparison with conventional filter layers (sterile filter layers) in a small-scale trial (25 L) as well as in a large-scale trial (125 L). By means of gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, not only the impact compounds of the wine faults were analysed, but also the loss of volatile substances such as 15 free monoterpenes, 34 ester compounds, and 24 wood flavours. Sensory analyses were carried out by means of expert panels. The Fibrafix® TX layers were satisfactory with regard to the reduction in 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (the lead substance of cork flavour; reduction > 90%) and geosmin (the lead substance of mould flavour; reduction > 75%), but not with regard to the reduction in 4-ethylphenol, 4-ethylguaicol, and 4-ethylcatechol. However, the reduction in these off-flavours was generally not specific enough to prevent a loss of volatile compounds, especially various ester compounds and free monoterpenes. The wines obtained after filtration (in case of contamination with geosmin or TCA) were sensory faultless, but for some of the tasters, the overall quality of these wines did not correspond to the quality wine clasification.