Separation of xylenes on y zeolites. 3. Pulse curves and their interpretation

The adsorption separation process of xylene isomers on zeolites with pulse feed has been investigated. Experimental runs have been performed in which the following variables have been explored: flow rate, temperature, pulse content, and number of adsorbable components. Two mathematical model have been formulated to describe the mentioned experimental data. The former implies the statement of the balance equations of the different components which have been numerically solved. The latter has been derived through a modification of the chromatographic theory in order to account for internal diffusion and adsorption equilibrium. The model parameters evaluated from breakthrough experiments proved to be reliable for simulating the pulse experiments.