Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Numerical simulation of rapid pressurization and depressurization of a zeolite column using nitrogen

  • Published:
Adsorption Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The required durations of pressurization and depressurization steps of a rapid pressure swing adsorption process are primarily governed by adsorbent particle size, adsorption kinetics, column pressure drop, column length to diameter ratio, and the valve constant of the gas inlet and outlet control valve attached to the adsorbent column. A numerical model study of the influence of these variables for an adiabatic LiX zeolite column is presented using pure N2 as an adsorbate gas. An adsorbent particle size range of 200–350 μm was found to minimize (<1 s) the times required for the pressurization and depressurization steps.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Chai, S.W., Kothare, M.V., Sircar, S.: Rapid pressure swing adsorption for reduction of bed size factor of a medical oxygen concentrator. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 50, 8703 (2011)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chai, S.W., Kothare, M.V., Sircar, S.: Numerical study of nitrogen desorption by rapid oxygen purge for a medical oxygen concentrator. Adsorption 18, 87 (2012)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chai, S.W., Kothare, M.V., Sircar, S.: Efficiency of nitrogen desorption from LiX zeolite by rapid oxygen purge in a pancake adsorber. AIChE J. 59, 365 (2013)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Danckwerts, P.V.: Continuous flow systems, distribution of residence times. Chem. Eng. Sci. 2, 1 (1953)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ergun, S.: Fluid flow through packed columns. Chem. Eng. Prog. 48, 89 (1952)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hufton, J.R., Sircar, S.: Why does linear driving force model for adsorption kinetics work? Adsorption 6, 137 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jee, J.G., Lee, J.S., Lee, C.H.: Air separation by a small-scale two-bed medical oxygen pressure swing adsorption. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 40, 3647 (2001)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jee, J.G., Kim, M.B., Lee, C.H.: Pressure swing adsorption processes to purify oxygen using a carbon molecular sieve. Chem. Eng. Sci. 60, 869 (2005)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, R., Sircar, S.: Skin resistance for adsorbate mass transfer into extruded adsorbent pellets. Chem. Eng. Sci. 41, 2215 (1986)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nikolic, D., Giovanoglou, A., Georgiadis, M.C., Kikkinides, E.: Generic modeling framework for gas separation using multi-bed pressure swing adsorption processes. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 47, 3156 (2008)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, K.E., Ali, Q.H., Hassan, A.O., Aryan, A.F.: Gas distribution in shallow packed beds. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 32, 2408 (1993)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rege, S.U., Yang, R.T.: Limits of air separation by adsorption with LiX zeolite. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 36, 5358 (1997)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, R.C., Prausnitz, J.M., Sherwood, T.K.: The properties of gases and liquids. McGrawhill, New York (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruthven, D.M.: Principles of adsorption and adsorption processes. Wiley, New York (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Santos, J.C., Cruz, P., Regala, T., Magalhaes, F.D., Mendes, A.: High purity oxygen production by pressure swing adsorption. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 46, 591 (2007)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Satterfield, C.N.: Mass transfer in heterogeneous catalysis, pp. 72–76. M.I.T., Cambridge (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schiesser, W.E.: PDE boundary conditions from minimum reduction of the PDE. Appl. Numer. Math. 20, 171 (1996)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Teague, K.G., Edgar, T.: Predictive dynamic model of a small pressure swing adsorption air separation unit. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 38, 3761 (1999)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Todd, R.S., Webley, P.A.: Mass transfer models for rapid pressure swing simulation. AIChE J. 52, 3126 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wakao, N., Kaguei, S., Funazkri, T.: Effect of fluid dispersion coefficients on particle to fluid heat transfer coefficients in packed beds. Chem. Eng. Sci. 34, 325 (1979)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, 18015, USA

    Vemula Rama Rao, Mayuresh V. Kothare & Shivaji Sircar

Authors
  1. Vemula Rama Rao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mayuresh V. Kothare
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shivaji Sircar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shivaji Sircar.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rao, V.R., Kothare, M.V. & Sircar, S. Numerical simulation of rapid pressurization and depressurization of a zeolite column using nitrogen. Adsorption 20, 53–60 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-013-9548-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10450-013-9548-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation