Adsorption and Desorption of Carbon Dioxide on Sodium Oxide Impregnated Alumina

Adsorption and desorption characteristics of carbon dioxide on sodium oxide impregnated alumina particles are investigated using a small-scale packed-bed reactor (PBR) at different feed concentrations (5–14%), different bed temperatures (25–300 °C), and in the presence or absence of steam. The adsorption capacities are calculated from the breakthrough curves measured in the PBR. The adsorption capacities at different temperatures suggest that a physisorption mechanism may dominate at low temperatures, while a chemisorption mechanism dominates at high temperatures. The presence of steam enhances CO2 adsorption. Implications for adsorption-enhanced processes are discussed.