Bulk separation of hydrogen and carbon monoxide by one‐column pressure swing adsorption: Experimental and statistical analysis

Abstract

This work evaluates separation of CO/H2 mixture (50:50 vol%) on a commercial zeolite 5A by using 1‐column pressure swing adsorption process. Statistical analysis using response surface methodology was employed to evaluate the combined effect of 2 independent variables, namely, adsorption step time and purge‐to‐feed ratio ( ratio) on the hydrogen purity, recovery, and productivity as responses. These responses were efficiently modeled by 3 second‐order polynomial equations. Optimization of the response function was done based on the desirability. The optimum conditions were investigated at different values of responses. For instance, when hydrogen purity was set at maximum value, recovery and productivity were set at “in range” and the model predicted 99.85% hydrogen purity, 47.69%, and 1.26× hydrogen recovery and productivity, respectively. In this condition, the optimum values of purge‐to‐feed ratio and adsorption time were 0.24 and 7.35 minutes. Validation of models was carried out by practical experiments in predicted optimum conditions, and the results confirmed the accuracy of models for predicted values.