Semianalytical solution for multicomponent PSA: application to PSA process design

The semianalytical solution of the local equilibrium Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) model for multicomponent mixtures with an arbitrary number of components developed earlier by Serbezov and Sotirchos [1] is applied to the four basic PSA steps in multicomponent PSA design. The solution involves simple algebraic and ordinary differential equations and can be used in PSA processes for light component recovery, as well as in PSA processes for heavy component recovery. It yields enough information to determine estimates and limits on the most important PSA process parameters. Algorithmic flowcharts are provided for the application of the design equations. The semianalytical solution allows for a systematic and yet very fast investigation of the complex relations between adsorbent properties, operating pressures, flow rates, step times and process performance parameters. The application of the semianalytical solution is useful not only in PSA process design, analysis and optimization, but also in adsorbent development and initial cost estimation. Three detailed examples are provided that guide the readers into the fine points of the application of the semianalytical solution to multicomponent PSA design. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.