Simulation of air separation in a single column pressure swing adsorption system

Abstract

This study develops a mathematical model that can be used to simulate the operation of single column pressure swing adsorption system for the purification of air. The system is equipped with a product surge tank and operates on a two-step cycle, a feed introduction step alternating with a longer gas exhaust step, with a continuous gas product stream of enriched oxygen. Parameters studied in the simulation were feed time, exhaust time, and adsorbent particle size. An important feature found during simulation is the pressure drop in the column. When the pressure drop increases, the oxygen concentration in the product gas also increases.