A study of the pore size distribution for activated carbon monoliths and their relationship with the storage of methane and hydrogen

By adsorption of different gases and simulation methods it was studied the characterization of microporous monoliths in activated carbons from coconut shells in relation to the storage capacity of gases that present energetic interest. Adsorption isotherms of nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen at different temperatures were measured at sub-atmospheric pressures. Additional adsorption isotherms of methane were performed at room temperature and high pressures (up to 4.5 MPa). A Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulation of adsorption on slit pores was carried out for these gases. The simulated data were adjusted to experimental data to optimize the models. Different parameters such as micropore volume, pore size distribution and differential isosteric enthalpy of adsorption, were studied and related to the hydrogen and methane storage capacity for these materials.