(170c) Modelling of Gas Separations By Pressure Swing Adsorption Using a Novel Steady-State Methodology
AIChE Spring Meeting and Global Congress on Process Safety
2019
2019 Spring Meeting and 15th Global Congress on Process Safety
Process Development Division
Modeling Tools and Techniques for Process R&D I
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 - 11:05am to 11:30am
A novel pressure swing adsorption (PSA) steady-state process modeling methodology was proposed previously which greatly simplifies simulation of PSA units by using a concept of adsorption efficiency, referred to as bed-state efficiency, similar to tray efficiency in distillation. In theory, the proposed model provides a simple method for the practicing engineer to use for evaluation of PSA processes. The nature of the bed-state efficiency, however, must be elucidated before the model can see widespread acceptance. Using a combination of experimental data and dynamic simulation, an air separation unit (ASU) was investigated to gain intuition into the behavior of the bed-state efficiencies. Insights and guidance from the ASU case were then applied to the modeling of a nitrogen rejection unit (NRU) removing nitrogen from natural gas. The relationship between the bed-state efficiencies, operating conditions, and design parameters will be discussed as well as the potential for a priori prediction of the bed-state efficiency values.