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Improved efficiency of adsorption processes

Objective

A previous project on "The Methodology of Gas Adsorption Process Design" is receiving funding under Joule I (JOUE-CT90-0052). This work, carried out on the fundamental science of adsorption thermodynamics, kinetics and adsorbent properties, will produce an improved methodology for the selection and design of adsorption systems.

The objective of the present project is to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms of performance deterioration in adsorbents and to develop methods for reducing these effects. This will involve the study of coke deposition, hydrothermal ageing, and the regeneration of spent adsorbents using thermal processes.


A project "The Methodology of Gas Adsorption Process Design" is receiving funding under the Joule I programme. When completed in July 1993, the work carried out on the fundamental science of adsorption thermodynamics, kinetics and adsorbent properties will be brought together into an improved methodology for the selection and design of adsorption systems.
The present project divides into two separate activities.

The first sub-project seeks to understand better the mechanisms of coke formation and water trapping that lead to a loss in adsorbent activity and capacity. IFP will study the role of the main parameters affecting coke formation in the presence of olefins, quantifying the effects of coke build up on absorbent properties and postulate operating regimes for adsorption and regeneration which will limit coking effects. CNRS Poitiers will study the kinetics of coke formation, characterization of the coked absorbents and methods of coke removal and adsorbent regeneration. Harwell will study hydrothermal effects; water uptake, effects on performance, capacity for regeneration, etc. CNRS-LIMSI, Orsay, will develop models to describe coking phenomena, and incorporate these models into overall process models developed under the Joule I programme. Porto will study the influence of adsorbent form on coke deposition and regeneration performance. Madrid will study the optimization of adsorbent material regeneration by investigating the conditions required to completely remove carbon deposits. Rhone-Poulenc will supply characterized adsorbents to the project.

The second sub-project will further the scientific understanding of thermal adsorption and regeneration processes. CRNS Nancy will study thermal swing cycles to develop a framework for designing and optimizing thermal swing cycles for fractionating multicomponent mixtures. Bath will study the dynamics of adsorption and regeneration during thermal swing adsorption (TSA) processes, with a view to developing mathematical models suitable for rigorous process design. This work will be linked into the holistic studies at Nancy. LIMSI will construct a detailed model of a generic TSA process. This can be used to evaluate simpler models and to predict improvements in closed loop TSA cycles using results from a related study on heat pumps. Munich will concentrate on the specific problem of organic solvent removal and recovery including the use of inert gas to desorb solvents thereby reducing the temperature swings required.

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Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
Address
353,harwell
OX11 0RA Didcot - oxfordshire
United Kingdom

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EU contribution
€ 0,00

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Last update: 23 March 1995

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/JOU20076

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