DEVELOPMENT OF CATALYST SUPPORT MATERIAL FROM PINDIGA BENTONITIC CLAY
DEVELOPMENT OF CATALYST SUPPORT MATERIAL FROM PINDIGA BENTONITIC CLAY
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Date
2012-02
Authors
Salahudeen, Nurudeen
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Abstract
Catalyst support material was developed from Pindiga bentonitic clay using heat and acid
treatment. Raw Pindiga elay was beneficiated using the wet method. The beneficiated clay was
calcined at temperatures of 700°C, 750°C, and 800°C. Thereafter, the calcined clay samples were
activated by acidifying with sulphuric acid, using wet acidification method at 95°C and dry
acidification method at room temperature. The raw, beneficiated and acid treated clay samples
were characterized using XRD, XRF and BET techniques. The XRD and XRF characterization
results showed that the clay developed higher purity during beneficiation, calcinations and
acidification as reflected by the decrease in organic impurities in form of carbon and graphite
and reduction in quartz and soluble salts. The raw clay sample had very high iron impurity of up
to 26.54 wt%. Only slight reduction in the iron content was observed after beneficiation and
calcination but after acidification a reasonable reduction in the iron content was observed
bringing the value to 12.80 wt% for 800°C calcined and wet acidified sample, and 15.34 wt%
for 700°C calcined and wet acidified sample. Also, the BET characterization results showed that
the clay developed larger surface area; the surface area of the raw clay which was 26.35 m7g
increased to 43.81 m2/g after beneficiation, and to 97.31, 99.32 and 139.59 m2/g after calcination
at 700°C, 750°C, and 800°C respectively. The surface area further increased to 191.41 and
270.44 m2/g after wet acidification of the 700°C, and 800°C calcined samples respectively. The
largest surface area values of 364.73 and 404.48 m2/g were obtained for the 700°C, and 800°C
calcined and dry acidified samples respectively.
Based on the surface area, the materials calcined and acidified can be considered as suitable for
catalyst support, literature values being between 150 and 350 m2/g for commercial
montmorillonite clay suppors. The sample calcined at 800°C and wet acidified was considered
the best support material on the basis of its lowest iron content of 12.80 wt% and high surface
area of 270.44 m2/g.
Description
A Thesis submitted to the School of Postgraduate Studies,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of
Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering.
Department of Chemical Engineering,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
February, 2012
Keywords
DEVELOPMENT,, CATALYST,, PINDIGA,, BENTONITIC,, CLAY