Simulation of Dynamic Pressure-Swing Gas Sorption in Polymers

A transport model was developed to simulate a dynamic pressure-swing sorption process that separates binary gas mixtures using a packed bed of non-porous spherical polymer particles. The model was solved numerically using eigenfunction expansion, and its accuracy verified by the analytical solution for mass uptake from a finite volume. Results show the process has a strong dependence on gas solubility. The magnitudes and differences in gas diffusivities have the greatest effect on determining an optimal particle radius, time to attain steady-state operation, and overall cycle time. Sorption and transport parameters for three different polyimides and one copolyimide were used to determine the degree of separation for CO2/CH4 and O2/N2 binary gas mixtures…

Contents

Chapter 1: Background
Chapter 2: Model Formulation
2.1 Process Description
2.2 Continuity Equation and Boundary Conditions
2.3 Eigenfunction Expansion Solution Procedure
Chapter 3: Model Verification
3.1 Comparison to Analytical Solution
3.2 Comparison to Method of Finite Differences
3.3 Comparison to Equilibrium Calculations
Chapter 4: Model Results and Discussion
4.1 Determination of Optimal Separation Parameters
4.2 Polymer Selection
4.3 Specifications for Carbon Dioxide/Methane Separation
4.3.1 Comparison to Polymer Characteristics for CO2/CH4 Separation
4.3.2 Comparison to Membrane Technology for CO2/CH4 Separation
4.4 Specifications for Oxygen/Nitrogen Separation
4.4.1 Comparison to Polymer Characteristics for O2/N2 Separation
4.4.2 Comparison to Membrane Technology for O2/N2 Separation
Chapter 5: Conclusions
Appendix: Matlab Code for Simulation
Bibliography

Author: St. Pierre, Heather

Source: University of Maryland

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