Pressure swing absorption-based separation of a gas mixture

Author

Syamalendu Bhaumik, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

1-31-1993

Degree Name

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Environmental Science

First Advisor

Kamalesh K. Sirkar

Second Advisor

Piero M. Armenante

Third Advisor

Henry Shaw

Abstract

In this study, separation of a gas mixture was investigated using the novel concept of pressure swing absorption in a stationary absorbent liquid. The best features of pressure swing adsorption, gas liquid scrubbing and hollow fiber based membrane processes were incorporated to develop the process.

A well-packed microporous hydrophobic hollow fiber module was used to achieve absorption of a gas at a high pressure into a liquid during a certain part of the cycle followed by desorption of the gas from the liquid in the other part of the cycle. The device has a very high interfacial area per unit volume since the gas-liquid interfaces are immobilized at the pore mouths of fine hollow fibers. Separation of mixtures of N₂ and CO₂, where CO₂ is the impurity to be removed, was studied using a simple absorbent liquid such as water. The results show that the process is feasible and quite efficient in reducing CO₂ concentration in the purified gas by using cycle times as low as 40 seconds. A preliminary model for one type of pressure swing absorption cycle has been formulated to provide, in future, a guideline for the cycle time.

Recommended Citation

Bhaumik, Syamalendu, "Pressure swing absorption-based separation of a gas mixture" (1993). Theses. 1726.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/1726