Amine-bearing mesoporous silica for CO(2) and H(2)S removal from natural gas and biogas.

Triamine-grafted pore-expanded mesoporous silica (TRI-PE-MCM-41) exhibited high CO(2) and H(2)S adsorption capacity as well as high selectivity toward acid gases versus CH(4). Unlike physical adsorbents such as zeolites and activated carbons, the presence of moisture in the feed enhanced the CO(2) removal capability of TRI-PE-MCM-41 without altering its H(2)S adsorption capacity. Thus, depending on the feed composition, CO(2) and H(2)S may be removed over TRI-PE-MCM-41 simultaneously or sequentially. These findings are suitable for acid gas separation from CH(4)-containing mixtures such as natural gas and biogas.