Zinc cation exchanged lithium X-zeolite for nitrogen adsorption

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an at least binary exchanged X-zeolite having lithium and zinc cations in a ratio of preferably 5% to 40% zinc and 50% to 95% lithium, wherein the sum of the lithium and zinc ion exchange is at least 65% of the exchangeable ion content. Theses adsorbents are useful in a process for separating nitrogen from gas mixtures containing nitrogen and less strongly adsorbed components such as oxygen, hydrogen, argon or helium.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to nitrogen selective adsorbents. More particularly, the present invention is directed to at least binary exchanged X-zeolites using a combination of lithium and zinc cations to recover oxygen or nitrogen from gas mixtures containing them, such as air.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART

Adsorptive separations using zeolitic structures as adsorbents are well known in the prior art for resolving a multitude of gas mixtures. Such separations are predicated upon the compositions of the gas mixtures and the components' selectivity for adsorption on adsorbents, such as zeolites.

The use of nitrogen in industrial gas applications has seen significant growth particularly with the development of non-cryogenic gas mixture separations. A major field of nitrogen separation comprises the separation of nitrogen from air. The removal of nitrogen from air results in an enriched oxygen gas component which is less strongly adsorbed by appropriate zeolites which are selective for nitrogen adsorption. When oxygen is desired as product typically at elevated pressure, it is desirable to adsorb nitrogen from air to result in unadsorbed oxygen enriched product passing over a nitrogen selective adsorbent. The nitrogen is then removed during a stage of desorption, typically at lower pressure. This results in oxygen being recovered at the pressure of the feed air, while nitrogen is recovered at a pressure below the feed air pressure. As a result, for the production of oxygen without significant pressure loss in an adsorptive separation of air, it is desirable to utilize nitrogen selective adsorbents such as the family of zeolites.

Although various zeolites are naturally occurring and various synthetic zeolites are known, some of which have appropriate selectivities for nitrogen over oxygen and other less strongly adsorbed substances such as hydrogen, argon, helium and neon, the industry has attempted to enhance the performance of various zeolites to improve their selectivity and capacity for nitrogen over such less strongly adsorbed substances such as oxygen. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,481,018, various polyvalent cation (particularly alkaline earth elements magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium) X-zeolites and faujasites are known which have low silicon to aluminum ratios in the order of approximately 1 to 1.2. The zeolites of this patent have utility for nitrogen adsorption, particularly from gas mixtures such as air when activated in a particular technique which minimizes the presence of water as it evolves from the material. The technique is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,544,378.

In U.K. Patent 1,580,928, a process for making low silica X-zeolites ("LSX"; where LSX is X-zeolite with a Si/Al=1 in the reference) is set forth comprising preparing an aqueous mixture of sources of sodium, potassium, aluminate and silicate and crystallizing the mixture at below 50.degree. C. or aging the mixture at 50.degree. C. or below followed by crystallizing the same at a temperature in the range of 60.degree. C. to 100.degree. C.

Gunter H. Kuhl in an article "Crystallization of Low-Silica Faujasite" appearing in Zeolites (1987) 7, p451 disclosed a process for making low silica X-zeolites comprising dissolving sodium aluminate in water with the addition of NaOH and KOH. Sodium silicate was diluted with the remaining water and rapidly added to the NaAlO.sub.2 -NaOH-KOH solution. The gelled mixture was then aged in a sealed plastic jar for a specified time at a specified temperature. The product was filtered and washed.

Other low silica X-zeolite synthesis processes are available, such as those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,899.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,140,931, the use of crystalline zeolitic molecular sieve material having apparent pore sizes of at least 4.6 Angstroms for separating oxygen-nitrogen mixtures at subambient temperatures is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,140,932 specifically claims Sr, Ba, or Ni ion exchanged forms of zeolite X.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,091 claims the use of Sr X-zeolite at adsorption temperatures near atmospheric, and subatmospheric desorption pressures.

It is also known in U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,736 to modify X-zeolites by ion exchange of available ion sites with several divalent cations to produce a binary ion exchanged X-zeolite wherein the binary ions which are exchanged comprise calcium and strontium. These binary ion exchanged X-zeolites using calcium and strontium are reported to have higher nitrogen adsorption capacity, low heat of nitrogen adsorption and good nitrogen selectivity for air separation.

It is also known to exchange X-zeolites with lithium to provide an improved nitrogen selective adsorbent as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,217. This patent suggests an improved nitrogen adsorbent can be achieved when an X-zeolite is exchanged with lithium cations at greater than 88%. The starting material for this patented zeolite is sodium X-zeolite. Therefore, the patent recites a lithium-sodium X-zeolite for nitrogen adsorption.

The prior art lithium X-zeolite was reported in U.S. Pat. No. 3,140,933 as useful for nitrogen-oxygen separations.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,882,244 discloses the direct synthesis and ion exchange of zinc X-zeolite from sodium X-zeolite using zinc nitrate. Exchange levels from 47-100% are reported.

Multiple cation exchange of zeolites with alkaline earth metals is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,964,889; 5,152,813 and 5,174,979.

East German Patent 150,886 discloses zinc A-zeolites or alkaline earth, zinc A-zeolites and specifically exemplifies NaZn(20)A-zeolite for selective adsorption of propene.

East German Patent 150,889 describes 5A-zeolites highly exchanged with zinc as being economically disadvantageous. NaZn(20)A-zeolite is mentioned. The claims include Li(5-30%)Zn(10-25%)A-zeolite for separation of ethene and propene from gas mixtures.

In an article by R. Schollner, et al., "Studies on the Determination of Cation Positions in Zeolites of the Faujasite Type III. Positions and Influence of Li Cations on Diffusion of Butene Isomers in 4A and 5A Zeolites", appearing in Z.phys.Chemie, 263,1 (1982), 97-110, the production of NaZnA-zeolite is mentioned, and the interaction of lithium and divalent cations on olefin adsorption is disclosed.

In an article entitled, "Investigations of the Arrangement and Mobility of Li ions in X- and Y-zeolites and the Influence of Mono- and Divalent Cations on It" by H. Herden, W. D. Einicke, R. Schollner and A. Dyer, appearing in J. Inorganic Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 43, No. 10, pages 2533 thru 2536 (1981), the existence of mixed cation, sodium, lithium (55%) and zinc (8%) exchanged X-zeolites are set forth with a Si/Al ratio of 1.35. Physical parameters of the exchange zeolites are discussed with a general recitation to adsorptive and catalytic utilities of zeolites in general.

In an article entitled, "Arrangement and Mobility of Li ions in X- and Y-zeolites" by H. Herden, G. Korner and R. Schollner, appearing in J. Inorganic Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 42, pages 132-133 (1979), a comparable disclosure of mixed cation, lithium and calcium, barium and zinc exchanged X-zeolites are set forth.

Asahi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., in a series of Japanese patent publications, describes the use of cation exchanged X- and A-zeolites for various organic and chemical separations. Cations include lithium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, zinc, cadmium, copper, cobalt, manganese, and ammonium. Silicon to aluminum ratios are recited to be no greater than 4.5, or silica to alumina ratios no greater than 8.5. See Japanese 58-13527; 55-55123; 54-19920; and 53-111015.

Japanese Patent Publication 48-41439 discloses similar cation exchanges for A-zeolites used to refine monosilane.

Although improved exchanged X-zeolite adsorbents have been reported in the art for nitrogen adsorptions, and particularly the high performance of highly lithium exchange X-zeolites are known, such zeolites are difficult to achieve at high level lithium exchange and constitute an expensive adsorbent to produce for nitrogen separations. Such production difficulties and expense limit the use of such exchanged X-zeolites to produce either nitrogen or oxygen in competition with other separation technologies, such as cryogenic distillation and membrane separations. Therefore, a problem exists in the art for providing an appropriately exchanged X-zeolite for effective nitrogen adsorptive separation using an exchanged X-zeolite which is readily produced and has a favorable cost so as to result in competitively priced nitrogen, oxygen or other gas component product pricing. The art also desires to have a high selectivity exchanged X-zeolite with reasonable working capacities which do not inhibit continuous operation or adsorbent regeneration. These unresolved problems are achieved by the present invention, which is set forth below.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a crystalline X-zeolite having a zeolitic Si/Al ratio.ltoreq.1.5 and an at least binary ion exchange of the exchangeable ion content with between 60% and 95% lithium and with between 5% and 40% of zinc, wherein the sum of the lithium and zinc ion exchange is at least 65% of the exchangeable ion content.

Preferably, the zeolite is ion exchanged with lithium to approximately 70% to 90%.

Preferably, the zeolite is ion exchanged with zinc to approximately 10% to 30%.

More preferably, the zeolite is ion exchanged with approximately 15-30% of zinc and 85-70% lithium.

Most preferably, the zeolite is ion exchanged with approximately 10% of zinc and 82% lithium.

Preferably, the zeolite is an adsorbent selective for nitrogen.

Preferably, the Si/Al ratio is<1.2.

Preferably, the Si/Al ratio is.ltoreq.1.15.

Preferably, the Si/Al ratio is approximately 1.0.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The adsorbents of the present invention are directed to binary, ternary or further exchanged X-zeolite wherein, typically, a sodium or sodium, potassium X-zeolite is exchanged with lithium and zinc either co-currently or sequentially to result in a lithium, zinc cation X-zeolite, which may contain a residual minor amount of sodium or potassium ions. The lithium content is in the range of approximately 60% to 95% lithium, preferably 70% to 90%, more preferably 70% to 85%, optimally 82%. The zinc cation content is between 5% and 40%, preferably 10% to 30%, more preferably 10%, but obviously the combination of lithium and zinc cation chosen for any set of percentages would not exceed 100% and in some instances may be less than 100% based upon residual sodium or potassium cation content, but not less than at least 65% of the exchangeable ion content. Preferably, the X-zeolite is an X-zeolite with a Si/Al ratio of less than or equal to approximately 1.2, more preferably 1.15, most preferably approximately 1.0, and with approximately 10% zinc and 82% lithium.

Although other ion forms of X-zeolites can be used, typically a sodium or mixed sodium/potassium X-zeolite is used to prepare the at least binary ion exchanged materials. Typically, the ions are exchanged co-currently, although they can be exchanged sequentially, for example by exchanging a sodium X-zeolite with zinc to produce a zinc X-zeolite, which can then be partially ion exchanged with lithium to yield the desired adsorbent, or by exchanging a sodium X-zeolite with lithium to produce a lithium X-zeolite, which can then be partially ion exchanged with zinc to yield the desired adsorbent. The ion exchange is accomplished by contacting the sodium or mixed sodium and potassium X-zeolite with a solution of a soluble salt of the ion to be exchanged, such as chloride, nitrate, sulfate or acetate. Other methods of ion exchange are contemplated and can be used for the present invention.

The at least binary ion exchanged X-zeolites of the present invention exhibit higher nitrogen capacity and nitrogen/oxygen selectivity than that observed for comparable reference lithium, sodium X-zeolite at the same lithium exchange level and higher than that observed for the comparable reference zinc cation, sodium X-zeolite at the same zinc cation exchange level.

The use of zinc to make lithium, zinc X-zeolites results in a lower cost adsorbent than the highly exchanged levels of lithium X-zeolite because the exchange of the zinc cation for sodium is much more thermodynamically favorable than the exchange of lithium for sodium, and zinc salts typically cost less than lithium salts. The ability to alter the respective amounts of the zinc and lithium exchange provides far more flexibility in optimizing the adsorbent properties for various gas separation operations. A preferred use for the at least binary ion exchanged X-zeolites of the present invention is the separation of nitrogen from oxygen in air using a pressure swing adsorption ("PSA") or vacuum swing adsorption ("VSA") process. In such a process, an adsorbent bed comprising binary ion exchanged lithium, zinc X-zeolite, as described above, is initially pressurized with oxygen. A gas stream comprising nitrogen and oxygen, such as air at a temperature between 0.degree. and 50.degree. C. and a pressure between 1 atmosphere and 5 atmospheres, is passed over the adsorbent bed. A portion of the nitrogen in the gas stream is adsorbed by said ion exchanged zeolites, thereby producing an oxygen-enriched product stream. The nitrogen containing adsorbent bed is subsequently depressurized and evacuated with the option of being purged with oxygen enriched gas to produce a nitrogen enriched stream. The bed is then repressurized with product oxygen and adsorption can be reinitiated. Alternatively, these materials can be used for recovering a nitrogen enriched product using, for example, an existing nitrogen vacuum swing adsorption process as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,429, wherein the process includes the steps of feed, rinse, desorption, and repressurization.

Although the at least binary exchange levels of lithium and zinc on an X-zeolite demonstrate high performance for nitrogen selective adsorptive separation, additional benefit can be achieved by the appropriate selection or treatment of the aluminum content of the zeolitic framework to produce preferred results. X-zeolites typically have a silicon to aluminum ratio less than or equal to 1.5 and typically between 1.2 and 1.5. For the purposes of the present invention using binary exchanged X-zeolites however, an X-zeolite having a silicon to aluminum ratio of less than approximately 1.2, preferably no greater than 1.15, most preferably approximately 1.0 is preferred.

The adsorbent may be dehydrated before being used for gas separation using a thermal activation step. Such a thermal activation step can be achieved by a number of different methods in which the zeolitic water and the hydration spheres associated with the extra-framework cation are carefully removed and the amount of water in the gaseous environment in contact with the zeolite during this step is minimized. That is, the partial pressure of water making such contact should be less than about 0.4 atmospheres, preferably not more than about 0.1 atmospheres at temperatures above about 150.degree. C.

One method of accomplishing this is to subject the at least binary exchanged X-zeolite composition, which contains up to about 30% by weight of water, to pressures in the range of about 0.1 to 10 atmospheres while maintaining sufficient molar mass velocities and residence times of a flow of a non-reactive purge gas, that is a molar mass velocity of about 0.5 to 100 kilograms mole per meter squared hour and a residence time of no greater than about 2.5 minutes, and then heat the composition at a temperature ramp of 0.1.degree. to 40.degree. C. per minute up to a temperature of at least about 300.degree. C. and no greater than about 650.degree. C. The residence time is defined as the volume of the column or other unit used to thermally activate the zeolite divided by the volumetric flow rate of the purge gas at the standard temperature and pressure. The molar mass velocity is the flow rate of the purged gas divided by the cross-sectional area of the column used for thermal activation. The purpose of the purge gas is to provide a sufficient mass for efficient heat and mass transfer from the surface of the adsorbent at a residence time to limit the water in the purge gas exiting the adsorbent bed to the desired low limits. The minimum residence time is determined by economic and process constraints, although times of less than 0.0025 minutes would appear to provide no advantages.

Another method of thermal activation is to conduct the activation under less than about 0.1 atmospheres vacuum without the use of the purge gas and to heat the material to the desired activation temperature and a ramp temperature of from 0.1.degree. to 40.degree. C. per minute.

Still another method that is available for thermal activation of zeolitic adsorbents is the use of microwave radiation, conditions that are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,394, of which the description of the microwave procedure for thermally activating zeolites is incorporated herein by reference.

EXAMPLE 1

Zn.sup.2+, Lithium LSX-Zeolite

This example demonstrates the adsorptive properties of the mixed cation forms of Low Silica X-zeolite (LSX-zeolite, Si/Al=1) containing lithium and a divalent cation (Zn.sup.2+). The zeolitic adsorbents used in demonstrating the invention were prepared in the following way.

Sodium, potassium LSX-zeolite was prepared by the method of Kuhl ("Crystallization of Low-Silica Faujasite" in Zeolites 1987, 7, 451) which comprises dissolving sodium aluminate in water with the addition of NaOH and KOH. Sodium silicate is diluted with the remaining water and rapidly added to the NaAlO.sub.2 -NaOH-KOH solution. The gelled mixture is then aged in a sealed plastic jar for a specified time at a specified temperature. The product is filtered and washed.

Lithium LSX-Zeolite was prepared by ion exchange of sodium, potassium LSX-zeolite powder using five static exchanges at 100.degree. C. with a 6.3-fold equivalent excess of 2.2M LiCl. Sodium LSX-zeolite was prepared by ion exchange of sodium, potassium LSX-zeolite using three static exchanges at 100.degree. C. with a 4.2-fold equivalent excess of 1.1M NaCl. Various exchange levels of Zn.sup.2+, lithium LSX-zeolite were prepared by adding separate samples of the initially prepared lithium LSX-zeolite powder to stoichiometric amounts of 0.1N Zn.sup.2+ salt solution with a pH between 5.6 and 7.0 and stirring at room temperature for about 4 hours. The mixed cation samples were filtered but not washed. The samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) for silicon, aluminum, and zinc cation, and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy for lithium, sodium, and potassium.

EXAMPLE 2

Isotherms for Zinc, Lithium LSX-Zeolite

Nitrogen (N.sub.2) and oxygen (O.sub.2) isotherms were obtained for the zinc, lithium LSX-zeolite samples using a high pressure volumetric isotherm unit. Approximately 2-2.5 g of sample was loaded into a stainless steel sample cylinder protected with a 20-micron filter to prevent loss of sample. The samples were heated under vacuum at 1.degree. C./min or less to 400.degree. C. and held at 400.degree. C. until the pressure dropped below 1.times.10.sup.-5 torr. After activation, N.sub.2 and O.sub.2 isotherms were obtained to 12000 torr at 23.degree. and 45.degree. C. The isotherm data was fit to standard adsorption isotherms. The fits were used to generate N.sub.2 capacities at 1 arm, 23.degree. C. and isothermal N.sub.2 working capacities from 0.2 to 1.2 arm at 23.degree. C.

Table I lists the identity of the the divalent cation salt used for the exchange, the pH of the ion exchange solution prior to addition of the zeolite, the results of elemental analyses for lithium and zinc in the exchanged samples (as Zn/Al and Li/Al equivalent ratios), the N.sub.2 capacities (N.sub.m (obs)), and the isothermal N.sub.2 working capacities (N.sub.m (delta)).

TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________N.sub.2 Capacity and N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 Selectivity for (Zn,Li)LSX-ZeoliteM.sup.2+ M.sup.2+ M.sup.2+ /Al, Li/Al, N.sub.m (obs),.sup.b N.sub.m (delta),.sup.ci.d. salt pH.sup.a eq ratio eq ratio mmol/g mmol/g .alpha.(N.sub.2 /O.sub.2).sup.d__________________________________________________________________________Zn Zn(CH.sub.3 CO.sub.2).sub.2 6.2 0.14 0.81 1.24 0.94 9.0Zn Zn(CH.sub.3 CO.sub.2).sub.2 6.2 0.31 0.70 0.98 0.72 8.1__________________________________________________________________________ .sup.a pH of salt solution prior to addition of zeolite. .sup.b N.sub.m (obs) = nitrogen capacity at 1 atm, 23.degree. C. .sup.c N.sub.m (delta) = isothermal nitrogen working capacity from 0.2 to 1.2 atm at 23.degree. C. .sup.d .alpha.(N.sub.2 /O.sub.2) = N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 selectivity for air a 1.45 atm, 30.degree. C., calculated from IAST.

EXAMPLE 3

Isotherms for Zn.sup.2+, Sodium LSX-Zeolite

For comparative purposes, Zn.sup.2+, sodium LSX-zeolite reference was prepared in a similar manner by adding separate samples of the initially prepared sodium LSX-zeolite powder to stoichiometric amounts of 0.1N Zn.sup.2+ salt solution and stirring at room temperature for about 4 h. The mixed cation sample was filtered but not washed. N.sub.2 and O.sub.2 isotherms were obtained for the Zn.sup.2+, sodium LSX-zeolite sample using a high pressure volumetric isotherm unit as described above. Table II lists the results of elemental analyses for sodium and the Zn.sup.2+ in the exchanged sample (as Zn.sup.2+ /Al and Na/Al equivalent ratios), N.sub.2 capacity (N.sub.m (obs)), and isothermal N.sub.2 working capacity (N.sub.m (delta)).

TABLE II______________________________________N.sub.2 Capacity for (Zn.sup.2+,Na)LSX-ZeoliteM.sup.2+ M.sup.2+ /Al, Na/Al, N.sub.m (obs),.sup.a N.sub.m (delta),.sup.bidentity eq ratio eq ratio mmol/g mmol/g______________________________________Zn 0.29 0.72 0.37 0.36______________________________________ .sup.a N.sub.m (obs) = nitrogen capacity at 1 atm, 23.degree. C. .sup.b N.sub.m (delta) = isothermal nitrogen working capacity from 0.2 to 1.2 atm at 23.degree. C.

EXAMPLE 4

Isotherms for Lithium, Sodium LSX-Zeolite

Additionally, for comparative purposes, various exchange levels of lithium, sodium LSX-zeolite were prepared in a similar manner by adding separate samples of the initially prepared lithium LSX-zeolite powder to stoichiometric amounts of 0.1N NaCl and stirring at room temperature for about 4 h. The mixed cation reference samples were filtered but not washed. N.sub.2 and O.sub.2 isotherms were obtained for the lithium, sodium LSX-zeolite samples using a high pressure volumetric isotherm unit as described above. Table III lists the results of elemental analyses for lithium and sodium in the exchanged samples (as Li/Al and Na/Al equivalent ratios), N.sub.2 capacities (N.sub.m (obs) ), and isothermal N.sub.2 working capacities (N.sub.m (delta)).

TABLE III______________________________________N.sub.2 Capacity and N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 Selectivityfor Na LSX-Zeolite and (Li,Na)LSX-ZeoliteLi/Al, Na/Al, N.sub.m (obs),.sup.a N.sub.m (delta),.sup.beq ratio eq ratio mmol/g mmol/g .alpha.(N.sub.2 /O.sub.2).sup.c______________________________________n/a 1.09 0.47 0.46 3.60.70 0.27 0.49 0.46 4.00.80 0.14 0.91 0.77 6.9______________________________________ .sup.a N.sub.m (obs) = nitrogen capacity at 1 atm, 23.degree. C. .sup.b N.sub.m (delta) = isothermal nitrogen working capacity from 0.2 to 1.2 atm at 23.degree. C. .sup.c .alpha.(N.sub.2 /O.sub.2) = N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 selectivity for air a 1.45 atm, 30.degree. C., calculated from IAST.

The nitrogen capacities of the preferred zinc, lithium LSX-zeolites of the present invention are unexpectedly high compared to the reference adsorbents. The nitrogen capacity for a given ion exchange level of zinc, lithium LSX-zeolite is significantly higher than the nitrogen capacity of the comparable reference adsorbent with the same Zn.sup.2+ ion exchange level and the comparable reference adsorbent with the same lithium ion exchange level. As an example, Table IV compares the nitrogen capacities (1 atm, 23.degree. C.) for the case for which the given ion exchange level is 30% Zn.sup.2+, 70% lithium LSX-zeolite. It compares the nitrogen capacities (from Table I) of the 30% Zn.sup.2+, 70% lithium LSX-zeolites of the present invention to the nitrogen capacities (from Table II) of the reference LSX-zeolite adsorbents with the same Zn.sup.2+ ion exchange level (30% Zn.sup.2+, 70% sodium LSX-zeolites) and to the nitrogen capacity (from Table III) of the reference LSX-zeolite adsorbent with the same lithium ion exchange level (70% lithium, 30% sodium LSX-zeolite).

TABLE IV______________________________________Comparison of N.sub.2 Capacity for Mixed Cation LSX-ZeolitesN.sub.2 capacity at 1 atm, 23.degree. C., mmol/g reference present invention 30% M.sup.2+, referenceM.sup.2+ 30% M.sup.2+, 70% Li.sup.+ 70% Na.sup.+ 70% Li.sup.+, 30% Na.sup.+______________________________________Zn 0.98 0.37 0.49______________________________________

It can be observed that the nitrogen capacity of the preferred 30% zinc, 70% lithium LSX-zeolite of the present invention is 0.98 mmol/g. In contrast, the nitrogen capacity of a comparable reference LSX-zeolite with the same zinc ion exchange level, 30% zinc, 70% sodium LSX-zeolite, is only 0.37 mmol/g. Likewise, the nitrogen capacity of a comparable reference LSX-zeolite with the same lithium ion exchange level, 70% lithium, 30% sodium LSX-zeolite, is only 0.49 mmol/g. The nitrogen capacities of these reference adsorbents are significantly lower than the nitrogen capacity of 30% zinc, 70% lithium LSX-zeolite of the present invention.

While the nitrogen capacities for Zn.sup.2+, lithium LSX-zeolites with compositions around 30% Zn.sup.2+, 70% lithium are particularly unexpected compared to nitrogen capacities of the most relevant reference adsorbents, Zn.sup.2+, lithium LSX-zeolites with other ion exchange levels such as 15% Zn.sup.2+, 85% lithium LSX-zeolites also demonstrate unexpectedly high nitrogen capacities compared to the reference adsorbents. The nitrogen capacity of 1.24 mmol/g observed for the 15% Zn.sup.2+, 85% lithium LSX-zeolites of the present invention as set forth in Table I is higher than the nitrogen capacity of 0.91 mmol/g observed for the comparable reference adsorbent with the same lithium ion exchange level, 85% lithium, 15% sodium LSX-zeolite, as set forth in Table III. The nitrogen capacity observed for the 15% Zn.sup.2+, 85% lithium LSX-zeolites of the present invention is also expected to be higher than the comparable reference adsorbents with the same Zn.sup.2+ ion exchange level, 15% Zn.sup.2+, 85% sodium LSX-zeolite, since the capacities of the 30% Zn.sup.2+, 70% sodium LSX-zeolites are essentially the same as that of 100% NaLSX-zeolite, and nitrogen capacities for Zn.sup.2+ ion exchange levels lower than 30% would be expected to be the same.

Nitrogen capacity alone is not a measure of an adsorbent's ability to effect a separation of nitrogen from other components. Berlin, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,091, points out the importance of the shape and slope of the component isotherms in the pressure region of interest. Consequently, the isothermal nitrogen working capacities from 0.2 to 1.2 atm, a pressure region of interest for vacuum swing adsorption air separation processes, were also determined from the isotherm fits and are included in Tables I to III. The preferred Zn.sup.2+, lithium LSX-zeolite adsorbents of the present invention show high isothermal nitrogen working capacities that are very important for PSA nitrogen processes. Furthermore, as observed for nitrogen capacities at 1 atm, the isothermal nitrogen working capacities for the preferred Zn.sup.2+, lithium LSX-zeolites of the present invention are unexpectedly high compared to the relevant reference adsorbents, Zn.sup.2+, sodium LSX-zeolites with the same Zn.sup.2+ ion exchange level, and lithium, sodium LSX-zeolites with the same lithium ion exchange level.

An additional property required of nitrogen adsorbents is high selectivity for adsorption of nitrogen over the less strongly adsorbed components of the gas mixture to be separated. For example, the binary N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 selectivity at feed pressure is an indicator of the recovery losses from oxygen coadsorbed with nitrogen on the adsorbent bed in oxygen VSA air separation processes. Binary N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 selectivities were calculated from the nitrogen and oxygen isotherm fits using ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) for air feed at 1.45 atmospheres, 30.degree. C., where N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 selectivity is defined as: ##EQU1## where; N.sub.N2 =N.sub.2 coadsorbed at N.sub.2 partial pressure in the feed.

N.sub.O2 =O.sub.2 coadsorbed at O.sub.2 partial pressure in the feed. Y.sub.N2 =mole fraction of N.sub.2 in the feed. Y.sub.O2 =mole fraction of O.sub.2 in the feed.

Binary N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 selectivities are also included in Tables I and III. The Zn.sup.2+, lithium LSX-zeolite adsorbents of the present invention also show high N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 selectivity. Furthermore, as observed for nitrogen capacities, the binary N.sub.2 /O.sub.2 selectivities for the preferred Zn.sup.2+, lithium LSX-zeolites of the present invention are unexpectedly high compared to the reference lithium, sodium LSX-zeolites with the same lithium ion exchange level.

Oxygen VSA process performance was simulated using a global energy and mass balance model similar to one described by Smith, O. J. and Westerberg, A. W. "The Optimal Design of Pressure Swing Adsorption Systems", Chemical Eng. Sci. 1991, 46(12), 2967-2976, which is routinely used as an indicator of relative performance in adsorbent screening. This model is similar to "Flash" calculations in distillation (e.g., McCabe, W. L. and Smith, J. C., "Unit Operations in Chemical Engineering", 3rd edition, McGraw Hill, New York (1976), p 534).

The computer process model was used to simulate a standard oxygen VSA process cycle, such as that described in GB 2109266-B that included adsorption, purge, and desorption at chosen pressures and end-of-feed temperature. The model is equilibrium based; i.e., it assumes no spatial concentration gradients and complete bed utilization. Temperature changes within the bed during the cycle are included, but the model does not account for temperature gradients (i.e., the bed temperature is uniform at any given time). As a first approximation, this is a reasonable assumption in the case of equilibrium-based separation processes. Binary equilibria are estimated using ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) (Meyers, A. L. and Prausnitz, J. M. American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal 1965, 11, 121). This theory is accepted for physical adsorption of nitrogen-oxygen mixtures on zeolites at ambient temperatures (Miller, G. W.; Knaebel, K. S.; Ikels, K. G. "Equilibria of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Argon, and Air in Molecular Sieve 5A", American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal 1987, 33, 194). Inputs for the program include isotherm parameters for nitrogen and oxygen, and adsorbent physical properties.

By way of placing the model in perspective, its predictions are comparable with data from an experimental vacuum swing adsorption unit with 8 feet long, 4 inch diameter beds. Data were compared for three different adsorbents at a variety of operating conditions. There is excellent agreement between pilot unit data and model predictions for Bed Size Factor (BSF), O.sub.2 Recovery, and Actual Cubic Feet evacuated per lbmole Evacuation gas (ACF/Evac). These are the key parameters that determine the product cost from any oxygen VSA plant.

Table V compares the results of the process simulations for an oxygen VSA process cycle with a feed pressure of 1000 torr, an end of feed temperature of 75.degree. F., and an evacuation pressure of about 300 torr for Zn.sup.2+, lithium LSX-zeolite to a typical commercial 5A zeolite used for air separation. The Recovery, BSF, and ACF/Evac are normalized to a value of 1.0 for the commercial 5A zeolite. The Zn.sup.2+, lithium LSX-zeolites of the present invention have significantly higher Recovery and lower BSF than the commercial 5A zeolite, and only minimally higher ACF/Evac.

TABLE V__________________________________________________________________________O2 VSA Process Simulations for (Zn.sup.2+ ,Li)LSX-Zeolitesample end-of-feed evac P, Recovery, BSF,identity temp, F. torr % lb/lbmol O2 ACF/Evac__________________________________________________________________________Commercial 5A 75 300 1.00 1.00 1.0015% (Zn,Li)LSX 75 315 1.25 0.64 1.0330% (Zn,Li)LSX 75 315 1.20 0.78 1.00__________________________________________________________________________

The Zn.sup.2+, lithium X-zeolite adsorbents of the present invention exhibit some unexpected and remarkable performance characteristics when used to selectively adsorb nitrogen from gas mixtures containing nitrogen in contrast to other adsorbents containing lithium or divalent cations used for such nitrogen adsorption process. The unexpectedly high nitrogen capacities of the Zn.sup.2+, lithium X-zeolites of the present invention could not have been predicted based on the nitrogen capacities of the most relevant adsorbents known in the prior art. The nitrogen capacities of the prior art adsorbents are significantly lower than the nitrogen capacity of the Zn.sup.2+, lithium X-zeolites of the present invention. In addition, the nitrogen working capacities and the nitrogen/oxygen selectivities of the Zn.sup.2+, lithium X-zeolites of the present invention are higher than those observed for the reference Zn.sup.2+, sodium X-zeolites at the same Zn.sup.2+ ion exchange level and higher than those observed for the reference lithium, sodium X-zeolites at the same lithium ion exchange level.

The present invention has been set forth with reference to several preferred embodiments. However, the full scope of the invention should be ascertained from the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A crystalline X-zeolite adsorbent having a zeolitic Si/Al ratio.ltoreq.1.5 and an at least binary ion exchange of the exchangeable ion content with between 70% and 95% lithium and with between 5% and 40% of zinc, wherein the sum of the lithium and zinc ion exchange is at least 75% of the exchangeable ion content.

2. The zeolite of claim 1 wherein the zeolite is ion exchanged with lithium to approximately 70% to 90%.

3. The zeolite of claim 1 wherein the zeolite is ion exchanged with zinc to approximately 10% to 30%.

4. The zeolite of claim 1 wherein the zeolite is ion exchanged with approximately 15-30% of zinc and 85-70% lithium.

5. The zeolite of claim 1 wherein the zeolite is ion exchanged with approximately 10% of said zinc and 82% lithium.

6. The zeolite of claim 1 wherein the Si/Al ratio is<1.2.

7. The zeolite of claim 1 wherein the Si/Al ratio is.ltoreq.1.15.

8. The zeolite of claim 1 wherein the Si/Al ratio is approximately 1.0.

9. The zeolite of claim 1 which is thermally activated.