Modeling of Equilibrium and Breakthrough Curves of Multi- Component Adsorption in a Two-Layered Fixed Bed for Purification of Hydrogen from CO2, CO, N2 and CH4 mixture

Adsorption is one of the most common industrial separation processes which can be used for gas separation and purification. Layered bed columns with different adsorbents consisting activated carbon and zeolite materials are used for efficient adsorption of light gases such as, CO2, CO, N2 and CH4, in methane reforming products and separate hydrogen from the gas mixture with high efficiency. A dynamic multi-component adsorption model was developed in a fixed bed of containing two layer of adsorbents. Lumped kinetic model with linear driving force between solid and gas phase was assumed for mass transfer rate from the bulk phase to the adsorbed phase. Gas flow was considered with axial dispersion and varying velocity along the bed. The equilibrium isotherms of each component were modeled by Langmuir equation and their parameters were determined correlation of the model on the experimental equilibrium results. The breakthrough curves were modeled for multi-component mixture at adsorption and desorption modes and compared with the experimental results of dynamic adsorption. The sensitivity analysis of the model was carried out to indicate the effect of feed pressure and flow rate on purity, recovery and breakthrough curves of the outlet hydrogen as the desired product