Abstract: The 4A,13X and LSX zeolites were ion exchanged with Li＋ repeatedly in water solution, then the adsorption isotherms and breakthrough curves of these zeolites were measured at 25 ℃.The data demonstrate that 4A,13X and LSX highly ion-exchanged with Li＋ have higher adsorption capacity and better adsorption selectivity for N2 over Ar. It is clear that the highly Li＋ exchanged zeolites are good adsorbents for separation of N2 and Ar. From breakthrough curves we know that the zeolites near completely exchanged with Li＋ have a suitable pressure for the adsorption separation of N2 and Ar. In the pressure range we studied, the best pressure is about 0.6 MPa. Comparing with the data from the breakthrough curves of the three highly Li＋ exchanged zeolites we conclude that highly Li＋ exchanged LSX has better properties for the separation of N2 and Ar than the other two zeolites.

Key words: Separation of N2 and Ar, 4A, 13X, LSX, Adsorption isotherm, Breakthrough curve