Precombustion CO2 Capture by Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA): Comparison of Laboratory PSA Experiments and Simulations

Abstract

Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) experiments are carried out in a 2-column laboratory setup using activated carbon. As feed an equimolar CO2/H2 mixture is used. Adsorption pressures of 10, 20, and 30 bar are applied, whereas the desorption pressure and the feed temperature are fixed at 1 bar and 25 °C, respectively. During the experiments the temperatures at five different locations inside the columns are measured and the composition of the product streams is analyzed by a mass spectrometer. A one-dimensional, nonisothermal, nonequilibrium model is used to reproduce the experiments. The model was validated previously using breakthrough experiments, and the modifications required to describe full PSA cycles are highlighted. It is shown that the temperatures measured inside the columns provide an excellent possibility for comparison of experiments and simulations, whereas the measured concentration profiles are affected by the piping between column outlet and MS, which has to be considered carefully.