Numerical methods of solution for continuous countercurrent processes in the nonsteady state part I: Model equations and development of numerical methods and algorithms

Abstract

AbstractSimple, efficient and noniterative algorithms are developed for the calculation of the dynamics of continuous countercurrent processes described by hyperbolic differential equations. The algorithms are derived using the method of characteristics and are particularly useful for either general quadratic or hyperbolic isotherms such as the Langmuir isotherm. The use of characteristic coordinates for the numerical solution avoids accumulating errors that would arise from computations based on a rectangular grid of real time and space coordinates.The proposed methods can provide an efficient framework for extension to transport processes with general nonlinear rate expressions. The algorithms and methods initially derived for simple models can be extended to more complex systems such as countercurrent flow with accumulating stationary phases and response to distributed disturbances.The application of the algorithm and methods to a number of countercurrent mass and heat transfer processes will be illustrated in Part II, where the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed methods will also be demonstrated by comparison to available analytic solutions. An example demonstrating the extension of the method to a system with complex coupled boundary conditions will also be discussed.