Separation of N–C5H12–C9H20 Paraffins Using Boehmite by Inverse Gas Chromatography

The separation of a mixture of C5−C9 n-paraffins was achieved by Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) by using boehmite; AlO(OH), in a packed column with short exposure times and temperatures; from 45 °C to 52 °C. The boehmite was characterized by XRD; ATG; SEM; IR spectroscopy and N2 adsorption. The material exhibited a low crystalline boehmite (AlOOH) structure and presented high hydration (pseudoboehmite). The reverse gas chromatography measurements showed that the elution temperatures of the C5−C9 n-paraffins were low compared with those obtained for other adsorbents. The differential heat of adsorption values ensures the satisfactory separation of the components in the C5−C9 mixture under suitable chromatographic conditions.