Equilibrium, rate studies, and economic evaluation on adsorption and variable-temperature stepwise desorption

Author

Suvit Kulvaranon

Abstract

"An ideal adsorption would only remove the desired component. Many times one or more other components are also adsorbed. If two or more components are adsorbed, an adsorption separation may not be satisfactory or may require additional separation procedures, even though one is highly preferentially adsorbed. In such cases it may be possible to get additional separation during the desorption stage by using variable-temperature stepwise desorption.

It has been found previously that a variable-temperature stepwise desorption (VTSD) procedure following the adsorption stage can significantly increase the degree of separation achieved compared to a complete desorption of all adsorbed components, with the more weakly adsorbed components being desorbed first at lower temperatures followed by desorption of the more strongly adsorbed components at higher temperatures. This study also considers the economics of several possible uses of VTSD methods.

An estimation of economic factors in partially separating low concentration propylene in propane indicates VTSD is favorable compared to distillation for the same separation, primarily because of lower energy costs. A hybrid separation system including distillation, adsorption, and VTSD was calculated to be marginal in economic value compared to distillation only. A method of separating methanol from propylene for polymerization was studied experimentally and calculations indicated reasonably low costs. However, these results cannot be compared with industrial methods, because of lack of information on industrial separations of this type. The requirements for separating hydrogen sulfide from fuels was also determined, and this indicated promising separation possibilities.

In order to obtain equilibrium and rate data rapidly for rnulticomponent adsorption, a differential sorption bed apparatus was developed and used to obtain data on adsorption and desorption of propane-propylene mixtures. Certain rate and equilibrium data are presented"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Findley, Marshall E., 1927-1991

Committee Member(s)

Liapis, Athanasios I.
Johnson, James W., 1930-2002
Sarchet, Bernard R., 1917-2000
Wiebe, Henry Allen

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering

Sponsor(s)

United States. Department of Energy
National Science Foundation (U.S.)

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 1991

Pagination

xiv, 212 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 203-211).

Rights

© 1991 Suvit Kulvaranon, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Dissertation - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Adsorption -- Computer simulationThermal desorptionMaterials -- Analysis -- Data processing

Thesis Number

T 6181

Print OCLC #

25034959

Electronic OCLC #

923744157

Recommended Citation

Kulvaranon, Suvit, "Equilibrium, rate studies, and economic evaluation on adsorption and variable-temperature stepwise desorption" (1991). Doctoral Dissertations. 816.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/816