(710e) A Parametric Study of the Adsorption/Desorption Steps for an Adsorptive Reactor (AR) Intensifying the Water Gas Shift (WGS) Reaction

Integration of two operations (reaction and separation) in a single unit is a common intensification step for a variety of processes. Improvement metrics include increased efficiency, lower operating capital costs, energy savings, reduced by-product formation and waste generation. In this work, an Adsorptive Reactor (AR) model is developed. The velocity, temperature and species concentration profiles along the reactors’ lengths are captured by momentum/species transport models accounting for convection/reaction /diffusion/conduction mechanisms. The model’s equations are solved using Finite Element Method (FEM).

 The model is then repeatedly simulated to intensify the water gas shift (WGS) reaction process for hydrogen production with in situ CO₂ capture. AR performance is carried out under dynamic conditions for various operating parameters such as W_cat/F_CO, H₂O/CO ratio, W_cat/W_adsorbent and operating pressure and temperature. Moreover, an adsorption/desorption cycling study is carried out to determine process start-up times, the effect of an incompletely desorbed bed on CO₂ and CO breakthrough times on the adsorption/desorption profiles. Complete desorption is CO₂ not required, since there is a trade-off between the actual working capacity of the adsorbent bed, and the adsorbent-agent/CO₂ ratio and operating time