Adsorption Characteristics of Zeolite A Synthesized from Wassa Kaolin for Thermal Energy Storage

Abstract

Zeolites based on the numerous applications can be utilised in providing solutions to some challenges of our world. With the ability to store thermal energy as chemical potential, zeolites are able to store thermal energy for long periods. This can occur with very minimal loss of energy and indefinitely unless the zeolite comes into contact with an adsorbate. The use of zeolite - water as adsorbent - adsorbate pair in thermal energy storage (TES) applications have been studied and have shown good results. However, the cost of zeolites synthesized from reagents continue to hamper the effective use of this adsorbent. Zeolite A was synthesized from kaolin from Wassa in Ghana based on a modified synthesis route. The adsorption properties of the zeolite utilising a designed and fabricated TES system using amounts of 100g, 200g, 300g, 400g and 500g of zeolite with a 1:1.5 ratio to water. Adsorption isosteres were plotted with the temperature and pressure values recorded and results showed correlation to adsorption behaviour of zeolites. Langmuir adsorption isotherms with r-squared values greater than 90% confirmed the affinity of water for zeolites. isosteric heat of adsorption was calculated with the minimum being 5,655.84 J/g and the maximum being 8,113.44 J/g. This confirms that the Zeolite A synthesized from Was kaolin has the structural properties needed for TES applications.