Pressure transients in gas phase adsorptive reactors

The role of pressure and flow transients caused by strong adsorption on the behavior of gas phase adsorptive reactors was studied using a staged model. The general gas phase reaction A + B reversible arrow C is considered for two cases: (1) the product C is adsorbed and (2) both reactants A and B are adsorbed. Strong adsorption of one Or more components causes a decrease in the pressure(s) in the stage(s). The pressure decrease causes variations in the inlet and outlet flow rates and in the case of multiple stages, it causes variations in the flows between tanks. In accordance with Le Chatelier's principle, the pressure decrease aids or inhibits product formation depending on whether there is an increase or decrease in total moles by reaction. Reactant flow into the section where adsorption occurs increases because of increased pressure drop behind the adsorption front. However, the residence time of the reactants behind the adsorption front is lower because of the higher velocity. The flow variations can aid or hinder product formation depending on the specific conditions. Thus, the adsorption-caused pressure variations directly modify reaction rates and product concentrations and, also indirectly, by causing flow variations which affect reaction rates and product concentrations. This study highlights the need to include pressure variations when modeling gas phase adsorptive reactors if adsorption is strong irrespective of the net change in the total moles by reaction. It also demonstrates a method to incorporate axial pressure drop in staged models.