Pressure swing adsorption processes: intraparticle diffusion/convection models

Abstract

The dynamic behavior of a three-step one-column isothermal PSA process is assessed by simulation; three models are used: equilibrium, intraparticle diffusion, and intraparticle diffusion/convection. Two process performance parameters, product enrichment and recovery of the light component, are used to measure the separation performance. The effects of several operating variables on the process performance are addressed. Higher pressure ratios (P[sub h]/P[sub l]) and higher adsorption capacities increase the process performance. The process performance is practically independent of the step rates, although it can decrease if high feed rates are used together with large feed duration times. The limiting performance of the system is found in the absence of mass-transfer resistances. Intraparticle convection, enhancing mass transfer inside particles, increases the process performance relative to intraparticle diffusion alone; the improvement is limited by the equilibrium situation.