Graphical approach for complex PSA cycle scheduling

Abstract

A simple graphical approach for complex pressure swing adsorption (PSA) cycle scheduling has been developed. This new methodology involves a priori specifying the cycle steps, their sequence, and the number of beds, and then following a systematic procedure that requires filling in a 2-D grid based on a few simple rules, some heuristics and some experience. The outcome or solution is a grid comprised of columns that represent the total cycle time, rows that represent the total number of beds, and cells that represent the duration of each cycle step, i.e., the complete cycle schedule. This new approach has been tested successfully against several cycle schedules taken from the literature, including a two-bed four-step Skarstrom cycle, a four-bed nine-step process with two equalization steps, a nine-bed eleven-step process with three pressure equalization steps, and a six-bed thirteen-step process with four pressure equalization steps and four idle steps. This approach also revealed the existence of numerous cycle schedules for each bed and cycle step combination examined. Although it cannot identify the total number of permutations or which one is better, it does provide a very straightforward way to determine some of the possible cycle schedules of virtually any PSA process that can be conceived.