Modeling and Optimization of Structured Contactor Adsorption Processes Based on Breakthrough Experiments

A structured adsorbent module for a gas separation process has been proposed with significant potential in terms of both its design diversity and operational flexibility. To characterize the module designs as for a given gas separation process, the pre-existing process model is modified with an additional parameter representing the structure designs. Based on our breakthrough experiments, the parameter, mass, and heat transfer coefficients are estimated in two different designs and varying gas flowrates. The model and parameters from this characterization are employed to search the best gas separation performances in different contactors and operations of a cyclic adsorption process using the structured contactors.