INTRAPARTICLE CONVECTION EFFECT ON PRESSURIZATION AND BLOWDOWN OF ADSORBERS

Pressurization and blowdown steps in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) with binary mixtures of inert and adsorbable species are studied. Modeling involves mass balances for the bulk fluid phase and inside particles, that is, intraparticle diffusion/convection models, momentum balance equations, and linear adsorption equilibrium isotherm. The importance of intraparticle convection in PSA is assessed. Mass transfer inside pores is enhanced by intraparticle con vection, which leads to a better efficiency of adsorption (pressurization) and desorption (blowdown) processes. Performance is improved by intraparticle convection and lies between diffusion and equilibrium limits, as shown in propagation profiles of the adsorbable species mole fraction in the bed and inside particles.