Successful preparation of self-setting particle-stabilized zeolite 13X foams

Abstract

Zeolites are commonly used as adsorbents for a wide range of industrial applications. Recently, to alleviate the pressure drop and mass-transfer problems when zeolites are used as pellets in a packed bed system, the need for a self-standing zeolite foam has grown. Therefore, in this study, a zeolite 13X wet foam was stabilized by zeolite 13X particles that were rendered partially hydrophobic by propyl gallate, mixed with a commercial calcium aluminate cement, and then self-set. A self-setting particle-stabilized zeolite 13X foam contains primary macropores with a size range of approximately 200 to 400 µm formed by zeolite 13X particles that are irreversibly adsorbed at liquid–gas interfaces as well as secondary inherent micropores. In addition, we investigated the pore characteristics of the self-setting particle-stabilized zeolite 13X foams by scanning electron micrography, mercury porosimetry, physisorption analysis, and capillary flow porosimetry.