THE SORPTION OF DIMETHYL ETHER ON ALUMINA
The sorption of dimethyl ether on alumina has been investigated at pressures from 0.5 to 52 atm., the critical pressure, over the temperature range 25–135 °C. The results are comparable to those for the propylene–alumina system. No discontinuity in the sorption accompanies the transition of sorbate from vapor to gas at the critical temperature; this differs from the previous results for the liquid-to-gas change. The initial stages of the sorption involve the formation of a monomolecular layer followed, with increasing pressure, by a multimolecular layer of increasing depth. It is unlikely that condensation to liquid occurs in the pores except at high relative pressures. The increase in critical temperature of such a liquid must be exceedingly great to account for the continuous form of the isobars up to 135 °C.