Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: To study the separation of methane and nitrogen mixtures by gas-phase simulated moving bed (SMB), Maxsorb activated carbon was pelletised by extrusion with 10% binder. Both argon and carbon dioxide were used as potential desorbent gases. The effectiveness of the adsorbent was assessed by analysing the adsorption equilibrium data and conducting fixed-bed experiments to determine the single and multicomponent dynamic adsorption behaviour. Pure component N2, CH4, Ar, and CO2 isotherms were measured at three different temperatures, up to 2.5 bar, using a volumetric method. The results show that CO2 exhibits the highest affinity to the solid phase, followed by CH4, N2, and Ar. Single, binary, and ternary fixed-bed experiments were performed, allowing the validation of the proposed mathematical model. Two SMB cycles were designed to separate a CH4/N2 mixture using each desorbent gas. The respective separation regions were drawn. Both processes achieved a high purity level for the methane stream (above 99%) and exhibited high recovery (above 97%). The obtained results were crossed with the previously studied BPL material, and the Maxsorb adsorbent showed better performance overall.
Source: Adsorption
Authors: Rafael O. M. Dias, Maria J. Regufe, Ana A. Pereira, Alexandre F. P. Ferreira, Alírio E. Rodrigues, Ana M. Ribeiro
Institution: Universidade do Porto
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,890
Awards: G1279857300, G2375406851, ALICE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química, G2782804314, G3537227798, G385724630, G4161343291, G4316116677, Laboratório de Processos de Separação e Reacção - Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais, Gas-phase simulated moving bed for methane upgrade, Laboratório de Processos de Separação e Reacção - Laboratório de Catálise e Materiais, G6701175450, G6997658380, G736619932
OpenAlex ID: W4405021788