Natural gas treating by selective adsorption: Material science and chemical engineering interplay

The paper addresses current needs in Natural Gas (NG) treating. Basic principles of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) separation processes are described. A state of the art of microporous adsorbents in the frame of NG treating is given. It includes reference and advanced zeolites, carbon based materials and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). The pros and cons of each material category are discussed. Guidelines to develop on-purpose materials are given from thermodynamics and material state of the art. Finally, PSA applicability to inert (nitrogen and carbon dioxide) rejection from NG is discussed.