Continuous Fixed Bed CO2 Adsorption: Breakthrough, Column Efficiency, Mass Transfer Zone

Mohammed K Al Mesfer,Ismat Hassan Ali,Mohammed Ilyas Khan,Mohd Danish,Mudassir Hasan,Atef El Jery

doi:10.3390/pr8101233

Abstract

The increased levels of carbon dioxide in the environment have incited the search for breakthrough technologies to lessen its impact on climate. The CO2 capture from a mixture of CO2/N2 was studied using a molecular sieve (MS) and silica gel type-III. The breakthrough behavior was predicted as a function of temperature, superficial velocity, and CO2 partial pressure. The breakpoint time reduced significantly with increased temperature and increased superficial velocity. The CO2 adsorption capacity increased appreciably with decreased temperature and increased CO2 pressure. The saturation CO2 adsorption capacity from the CO2/N2 mixture reduced appreciably with increased temperature. The molecular sieve contributed to higher adsorption capacity, and the highest CO2 uptake of 0.665 mmol/g was realized for MS. The smaller width of the mass transfer zone and higher column efficiency of 87.5% for MS signify the efficient use of the adsorbent; this lowers the regeneration cost. The findings suggest that a molecular sieve is suitable for CO2 capture due to high adsorption performance owing to better adsorption characteristic parameters.

Highlights

Greenhouse gases have become a consequential global issue, and CO2 is the most abundant greenhouse gas (GHG), which is significantly contributing to changes in the global climate
The breakpoint time reduces significantly with increased bed temperature, and a prolonged breakthrough period contributes to an increased adsorption capacity
The maximum breakpoint periods of 1230 and 185 s were reported at a bed temperature of 30 ◦ C for molecular sieve (MS) and silica gel type-III (SG), respectively, with a superficial velocity of 0.052 m/s

Summary

Introduction

Greenhouse gases have become a consequential global issue, and CO2 is the most abundant greenhouse gas (GHG), which is significantly contributing to changes in the global climate. An escalating concentration of GHGs in the surroundings is detrimental to health, the natural landscape, the prosperity of every living organism, and our lifestyle. The vital source of CO2 is carbon-releasing fuels such as petroleum, coal, natural gas, and other nonrenewable sources [1]. Fossil-fuel-based power plants can be categorized as possible prime sources of CO2 emission, and the utilization of fossil fuels contributes to three-quarters of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions [2]. Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) mentioned that CO2 is a consequential GHG produced as the outcome of human action [3]. The global carbon dioxide concentration has risen by about 100 ppm in the last 250 years [4]. The depletion of CO2 emissions appears to be the foremost task [5,6]

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