Easy extrusion of honeycomb-shaped monoliths using Moroccan natural clays and investigation of their dynamic adsorptive behavior towards VOCs

In the present work, honeycomb-shaped monoliths were easily extruded using local natural clays without the need of chemical binders. This finding allows significant cost reduction, in terms of not only additives and solvents but also the energy consumption required for their elimination by thermal treatment. The extruded monoliths were subject to mechanical strength testing in addition to the study of their thermal behavior, structural and textural properties. Moreover, one of their potential uses as VOCs adsorbents was evaluated in comparison with conventional packed bed by investigating their dynamic adsorptive and desorption behavior towards a model VOC of o-xylene type. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.