LDF based parametric optimization to model fluidized bed adsorption of trichloroethylene on activated carbon particles

Abstract

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is largely used in industries as a cleaning and degreasing solvent. TCE is a potential carcinogen and is known to cause organ damage when exposed to prolonged higher concentrations. Numerical simulation of fixed and fluidized bed adsorption of TCE can help in the development of efficient adsorption processes to prevent industrial workers in the vicinity from acute TCE exposure. In the present work, a parametric optimization based numerical experimentation algorithm is implemented by open-source computational solvers to model fixed and fluidized bed adsorption of trichloroethylene vapors on activated carbon. The algorithm optimizes four parameters pertaining to linear driving force (LDF) formulation of surface barrier and microporous diffusion. The optimized parameters were utilized to evaluate ζ¯, a dimensionless number defined as the temporal and spatial average ratio of surface barrier diffusion resistance to microporous diffusion resistance. The average value of ζ¯ is 0.139 for fixed bed operation (u/umf=0.7), 1.130 for fluidized bed operation (u/umf=1), 4.436 for fluidized bed operation (u/umf=1.5) and 6.317 for fluidized bed operation (u/umf=2). Therefore, the dimensionless number ζ¯ may serve to predict the extent of change in amount adsorbed per unit adsorbent mass with change in fluidization velocity.