The role of adsorbent microstructure and its packing arrangement in optimising the performance of an adsorption column

Physical adsorption takes place inside narrow pores where the attractive interaction between the surface of the adsorbent and the contaminant molecules is strong enough to retain the molecules. Adsorption columns involve a range of mass-transport mechanisms: advection through the free spaces between...

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Main Authors: Valverde, A, Griffiths, IM
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024
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author Valverde, A
Griffiths, IM
author_facet Valverde, A
Griffiths, IM
author_sort Valverde, A
collection OXFORD
description Physical adsorption takes place inside narrow pores where the attractive interaction between the surface of the adsorbent and the contaminant molecules is strong enough to retain the molecules. Adsorption columns involve a range of mass-transport mechanisms: advection through the free spaces between the adsorbent pellets, diffusion through the macro/mesopores of the adsorbent, and adsorption at the surface, where the micropores exist. The adsorbent specifications along with its assembly within the sorption column are key factors when optimizing the filtration of pollutants. In this work we present a mathematical model based on advection–diffusion equations coupled with Langmuir kinetics that accounts for a geometrical approach to the porosity structure inside the adsorbent, formed by a radial lattice of cylinders, and the channels through which the fluid flows surrounding the cylindrical pellets. The model is tested using typical lab-scale values based on VOC adsorption, and we use it to identify optimal macro/mesopore size and column porosity for energetic considerations.
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spelling oxford-uuid:7f16677e-2bb8-4cbe-947b-4c3c502d284e2024-09-14T20:04:40ZThe role of adsorbent microstructure and its packing arrangement in optimising the performance of an adsorption columnJournal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:7f16677e-2bb8-4cbe-947b-4c3c502d284eEnglishJisc Publications RouterSpringer2024Valverde, AGriffiths, IMPhysical adsorption takes place inside narrow pores where the attractive interaction between the surface of the adsorbent and the contaminant molecules is strong enough to retain the molecules. Adsorption columns involve a range of mass-transport mechanisms: advection through the free spaces between the adsorbent pellets, diffusion through the macro/mesopores of the adsorbent, and adsorption at the surface, where the micropores exist. The adsorbent specifications along with its assembly within the sorption column are key factors when optimizing the filtration of pollutants. In this work we present a mathematical model based on advection–diffusion equations coupled with Langmuir kinetics that accounts for a geometrical approach to the porosity structure inside the adsorbent, formed by a radial lattice of cylinders, and the channels through which the fluid flows surrounding the cylindrical pellets. The model is tested using typical lab-scale values based on VOC adsorption, and we use it to identify optimal macro/mesopore size and column porosity for energetic considerations.
spellingShingle Valverde, A
Griffiths, IM
The role of adsorbent microstructure and its packing arrangement in optimising the performance of an adsorption column
title The role of adsorbent microstructure and its packing arrangement in optimising the performance of an adsorption column
title_full The role of adsorbent microstructure and its packing arrangement in optimising the performance of an adsorption column
title_fullStr The role of adsorbent microstructure and its packing arrangement in optimising the performance of an adsorption column
title_full_unstemmed The role of adsorbent microstructure and its packing arrangement in optimising the performance of an adsorption column
title_short The role of adsorbent microstructure and its packing arrangement in optimising the performance of an adsorption column
title_sort role of adsorbent microstructure and its packing arrangement in optimising the performance of an adsorption column
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