Numerical Simulation of Pressure Swing Adsorption Process

The object hf this thesis project is to build a realistic model of+ PSA cycle. in which velocity of flow varies due to significant adsorption; also heat effect needs to be cokidered due I # to adiabatic thermal condition. Such a realistic model is desired for design of a PSA unit and a PSA cycle. However, the mathematical model used to describe such a realistic model would be , very complex, a& numerical simulation needs to be handled carefully, since it will result in a self-sharpening concentration breakthrough curve. Such a mathematical model would require the numerical method to have high standard of performance on numerical diffusion (free from numerical diffusion) in order to accurately predict the productivity or purity of product. In this thesis, we examine two numerical ,methods ---the numerical method of lines (finite difference . formulation for space difference) and the orthogonal collocation method ---by studying various mathematical problems and adsorption sy ems. We have shown that these two numerical < methods with higher'order formulations embedded provide the solution to numerical diffusion; and the orthogonal collocation methods is superior to the numerical method of lines in computation time. In the last two chapters, we take a step by step procedure to solve,our realistic model by double collocation method, which is the extension of the orthogonal collocation method. The results have shown that the theoretical breakthrough curve of concentration is selfsharpening, and the temperature of the adsorption column as well as the uelocity of ow are affected by the significant adsorption. P

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