Effect of Bentonite Binder on Adsorption and Cation Exchange Properties of Granulated Nano NaY Zeolite

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of bentonite binder on adsorption and cation exchange properties of granulated nano NaY zeolite, the adsorption of Xe and N2 and removal of Sr2+ ion from aqueous solution was studied. The results showed that increase in bentonite content of granules from 20 to 40 weight percent caused increase in the rupture load of granules by 232%, decrease in BET surface area by 66% and lower the Sr2+ uptake percentage by 35%. The Henry’s law constant, heat of adsorption, effective crystal diffusivity as well as activation energy of diffusion of Xe over granulated nano NaY with 25% bentonite was also measured by pulse chromatography method. Obtained results were compared with similar results of binderless micron sized NaY material. Results indicated that although the adsorption of xenon on the binder of bentonite was negligible, the diffusion resistance created by this binder was significant such that the effective crystal diffusivity in the granules with 25% binder determined to be 4302 percent lower than the granules with no binder.