Appling the computational fluid dynamics studies of the thermogravitational column for N2-CO2 and He-Ar gas mixtures separation

Abstract

Abstract In the present work, three-Dimensional stationary numerical simulations were accomplished for a deeper understanding of the gas mixtures separation by the thermogravitational column. To address the optimum condition and examine the limitation of the process, the thermogravitational column behavior has been thoroughly analyzed. First, the simulation model was validated by the experimental results of Youssef et al. then the model was developed for the pilot column. The mixture of helium-argon was chosen as feed composition. It was concluded that the variation of the separation factor in relation to pressure for both columns was almost the same. The optimum condition verified as p = 0.2 atm , θ = 0.4 , m ° = 4 SCCM $p=0.2\text{atm},\theta =0.4,m{}^{\circ}=4\hspace{0.17em}\text{SCCM}$ .