Perforated Adsorbent Particles for Gas Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas separation technologies face challenges in balancing diffusional mass transport and flow resistance in adsorption beds, requiring optimal particle size selection to achieve efficient separation while minimizing pressure drop.
Innovation Solution
The use of a packed bed of perforated adsorbent particles with channels extending through them, made from materials like activated alumina, zeolites, and metal-organic frameworks, which preferentially adsorb gaseous components, optimizing mass transfer and reducing pressure drop by creating a structured flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If small adsorbent particles are used, then diffusional mass transport is improved, but flow resistance and pressure drop increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent particles are segmented to include internal channels that divide the particle interior into multiple flow paths. This segmentation allows gas to reach adsorbent material more directly, improving mass transport without requiring smaller external particle sizes, thereby maintaining lower pressure drop characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces internal channels within the particles, adding a dimensional aspect to mass transport. Instead of relying solely on external surface area and small particle size, the channels provide internal pathways that enhance diffusional transport while allowing larger external particle dimensions that reduce flow resistance.
2Stress or pressure
If large adsorbent particles are used, then flow resistance and pressure drop are reduced, but diffusional mass transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent particles incorporate a porous structure with defined channels running through them. This porous architecture allows larger external particle sizes that reduce pressure drop while the internal porosity and channels maintain efficient diffusional mass transport by providing multiple pathways for gas diffusion to the adsorbent material.
Solution Approach 2:
The particle structure is segmented with internal channels that create multiple access points throughout the particle volume. This segmentation enables larger external dimensions for reduced pressure drop while ensuring that no region of the adsorbent material is too far from a channel entrance, maintaining effective mass transport.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances mass transfer coefficients while maintaining or reducing flow resistance, leading to improved gas separation efficiency and productivity, as demonstrated in simulations for H2 and O2 pressure swing adsorption processes.
Implementation Method 1
each perforated adsorbent particle (10) comprises an adsorbent material capable of preferentially adsorbing at least one more strongly adsorbable gaseous component in a mixture comprising at least two gaseous components
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
An adsorption vessel comprising a packed bed region of adsorbent particles contiguously arranged, comprising a perforated adsorbent particles, a gas separation process using the perforated adsorbent particles, and methods for making the perforated adsorbent particles. The perforated adsorbent particles each comprise an adsorbent material where the perforated adsorbent particles each have at least 10 channels extending through the particle. The equivalent diameter of the channels may range from 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm, and the void fraction of the channels may range from 0.05 to 0.5.