Abstract
Accurately predicting distributions of concentration and temperature
field in fixed-bed column is essential for designing adsorption
processes. In this study, a two-dimensional (2D), axisymmetric,
nonisothermal, dynamic adsorption model was established by coupling
equations of mass, momentum and energy balance, and solved by finite
element analysis. The simulation breakthrough curves fit well with the
low-concentration CO2 adsorption experimental data, indicating the
reliability of the established model. The distributions of concentration
and temperature field in the column for CO2 adsorption and separation
from CO2/N2 were obtained. The sensitivity analysis of the adsorption
conditions shows that the operation parameters such as feed flow rate,
feed concentration, pellet size, and column height-to-diameter ratio
produce a significant effect on the dynamic adsorption performance. The
multi-physics coupled 2D axisymmetric model could provide a theoretical
foundation and guidance for designing CO2 fixed-bed adsorption and
separation processes, which could be extended to other mixed gases as
well.