Integration of Chromatographic Concepts in Gas Separation Technologies

Abstract

The merger of the scientific field of analysis and the engineering field of chemistry into industrial gas separation: The integration of the principles of chromatographic analysis into industrial gas separation technologies point to a convergence of both scientific and engineering engineering fields that have led to a significant increase in the efficiency of the process over the last forty years. Initially proposed as an analytical method to analyze volatile compounds quantitatively and identitatively, gas chromatography (GC) offers a plentiful theoretical base of plate theory, rate theory and selectivity relationships that have been logically incorporated transplantingly in preparative and industrial analysis. This review/experimental study observes the relationship between fundamental chromatographic principles, such as van deemter equation, the retention factor, resolution, and adsorption equilibria in the design and optimization of pressure swing adsorption (PSA), temperature swing adsorption (TSA) and light heavy hydrocarbon streams simulated moving bed (SMB) systems used to separate industrially relevant gas mixtures, including N 2 O The characterization of the experimental molecular sieve 5A, zeolite 13X and activated alumina were conducted using a custom-made laboratory-scale packed column set up and figures of merit (N, H, Rs, α) were assessed as functions of carrier gas velocity, temperature, and operating pressure. All the sorbents studied gave a good fit (R 2 0.983) to the plate height data by the van Deemter model. Frontal chromatography experiment results were then used to obtain Langmuir isotherm parameters which were then used in a numerical PSA cycle simulator. The results of the simulation prove that achieved purity of N 2 of 99.3 mol% and N 2 recovery of 84.7% are possible at a pressure ratio of 6:1, which is quantitatively consistent with pilot-plant results. The findings reveal that the chromatographic design rationalisation - namely the reduction of plate height with an increase in selectivity - is directly proportional to improved PSA performance metrics and can be used to guide rational sorbent and cycle choices.