Can steady-state momentum equations be used in modelling pressurization of adsorption beds?

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 1993

Autores

Sereno, C (Autor) Outra; Alírio Rodrigues (Autor) FEUP

Revista

Título: Gas Separation and Purification

Vol. 7

Páginas: 167-174

ISSN: 0950-4214

Editora: Pergamon Press - Elsevier

Indexação

Scopus - 30 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-007-610

Abstract (EN): Modelling of pressurization and blowdown steps of a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) cycle has been carried out using a steady-state momentum equation (Darcy or Ergun) locally in the bed. There has been some controversy about the validity of such an approach since Darcy's or Ergun's equations are strictly valid only for quasi-stable flow, and during pressurization at short times, the flow is unstable. In order to check the assumptions usually made in modelling isothermal pressurization, three models are developed. Model I includes mass balance and unsteady-state mechanical energy balance for a packed bed with non-porous, inert particles; Model II neglects the kinetic energy change in the mechanical energy balance and Model III considers a steady-state mechanical energy balance. The latter model is the one used in previous work. The numerical tool used to solve all the model equations is the moving finite element method (MFEM) with polynomial approximation of any degree in each element developed by C. Sereno1. Comparison of simulation results for the various models showed that steady-state momentum equations can be safely used in modelling pressurization of adsorbers. © 1993.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica