Robust design of binary countercurrent adsorption separation processes

The separation of a binary mixture, using a third component having intermediate adsorptivity as desorbent, in a four section countercurrent adsorption separation unit is considered. A procedure for the optimal and robust design of the unit is developed in the frame of Equilibrium Theory, using a mod...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIChE journal 1993-03, Vol.39 (3), p.471-492
Main Authors: Storti, Giuseppe, Mazzotti, Marco, Morbidelli, Massimo, Carrà, Sergio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
320303 - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes
ADSORPTION
Applied sciences
BINARY MIXTURES
Chemical engineering
COUNTERFLOW SYSTEMS
DESIGN
DISPERSIONS
ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
Exact sciences and technology
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MIXTURES
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SORPTION
STOICHIOMETRY
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Summary:The separation of a binary mixture, using a third component having intermediate adsorptivity as desorbent, in a four section countercurrent adsorption separation unit is considered. A procedure for the optimal and robust design of the unit is developed in the frame of Equilibrium Theory, using a model where the adsorption equilibria are described through the constant selectivity stoichiometric model, while mass‐transfer resistances and axial mixing are neglected. By requiring that the unit achieves complete separation, it is possible to identify a set of implicit constraints on the operating parameters, that is, the flow rate ratios in the four sections of the unit. From these constraints explicit bounds on the operating parameters are obtained, thus yielding a region in the operating parameters space, which can be drawn a priori in terms of the adsorption equilibrium constants and the feed composition. This result provides a very convenient tool to determine both optimal and robust operating conditions. The latter issue is addressed by first analyzing the various possible sources of disturbances, as well as their effect on the separation performance. Next, the criteria for the robust design of the unit are discussed. Finally, these theoretical findings are compared with a set of experimental results obtained in a six port simulated moving bed adsorption separation unit operated in the vapor phase.
ISSN:0001-1541
1547-5905
DOI:10.1002/aic.690390310