OPTIMIZATION OF PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION EQUIPMENT PART I EFFECT OF EQUILIBRIUM CONSTANTS, AXIAL DIFFUSION AND INITIAL TO FEED CONCENTRATION RATIO ON COLUMN PRESSURIZATION AND PURGING

• Published in: Chemical engineering communications 1988-08, Vol.70 (1), p.67-91
• Main Authors: ROUŠAR, I., DITL, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Air Separation; Local equilibrium; Pressure swing
• ISSN: 0098-6445; 1563-5201
• DOI: 10.1080/00986448808940620

This paper consisting of two parts proposes a suitable method for the numerical optimization of pressure swing adsorption devices and comparison of multiple beds equipments with different piping and valves systems required to interconnect the adsorption cycle. In Part I a flexible isothermal and isobaric local equilibrium mathematico-physical model respecting axial dispersion and volumetric changes caused by adsorption has been formulated. The convergency of both the implicit form with central differences and explicit form with upwind differences is discussed. The effect of adsorption equilibrium on the oxygen concentration profile developed in the column at pressurization and the flow at constant pressure is simulated as well as the effect of axial dispersion. The creation of simple and shock concentration waves under various feeds to initial column oxygen concentration ratios is demonstrated. The proposed model is used also in Part II to compare the performance and gas purity of three types of two beds oxygen generators. On the bases of our local equilibrium model the condition for PSA equipment scale-up was proposed.