Dynamic process simulation and optimization of CO2 removal from confined space with pressure and temperature swing adsorption

Abstract

Pressure and Temperature Swing Adsorption (PTSA) is an appealing purification technology for removing low CO2 concentration from confined space potentially. In this work, a systematic method integrating dynamic process simulation, sensitivity analysis, process optimization, and energy consumption assessment was established to investigate a PTSA process of low CO2 concentration separation in the confined space using two adsorbents (Zeolite 13X and NaUSY). The dual site Langmuir adsorption isothermal models of N2 and CO2 were established, and calculated results showed good agreement with the experimental data. After parametric sensitivity analysis, key operational parameters (i.e. adsorption pressure, desorption pressure, regeneration temperature and P/F ratio) were optimized to achieve minimum process energy consumption. Those results indicated that Zeolite 13X was a good candidate for separating low concentration CO2 from confined space with lower energy consumption (55.03 kJ·Nm−3 N2). The simulation result can provide a novel strategy for removing low CO2 concentration from confined space.