Nonuniform channels in adsorbent monoliths

Barry D Crittenden, Olivier Camus, Semali P Perera, Timothy J Mays, F Sanchez-Liarte, S R Tennison, E Crezee

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

10 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

A model is introduced to account for nonuniform channel geometries in monolithic adsorbents. Based on nonisothermal operation, fully developed parabolic flow and the full three-dimensional convection-diffusion equation, the model is applied to the adsorption of dichloromethane from an air stream flowing through a binder-less activated carbon monolith. The equilibrium parameters and the effective diffusion coefficient for adsorption are obtained independently from gravimetric adsorption experiments. The nonuniform channel model is capable of predicting breakthrough curves as a function of feed gas flow rates up to dimensionless breakthrough concentrations of about 0.4-0.6, depending on the feed flow rate. Even though the variation of effective diffusion coefficient with both concentration and temperature has been tested, successful prediction over the whole range of concentration may require the incorporation of further aspects relating to the anisotropic nature of the carbon.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1163-1172
Number of pages10
JournalAIChE Journal
Volume57
Issue number5
Early online date20 Jun 2010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2011

Keywords

  • nonuniformities
  • VOC control
  • activated carbon monoliths
  • channel modeling

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