CO2 adsorption in a zeolite-based bench scale moving bed prototype: Experimental and theoretical investigation

• Published in: Chemical engineering research & design Vol. 171; pp. 225 - 236
• Main Authors: dos Santos, Guilherme Cancelier, Bleyer, George Clarke, Martins, Lauber S., Padoin, Natan, Watzko, Elise Sommer, de Aquino, Thiago Fernandes, Vasconcelos, Lídia Baraky
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rugby Elsevier B.V 01.07.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adsorption; Carbon dioxide; Carbon sequestration; CO2 capture; Flow distribution; Fossil fuels; Heat transfer; Moving beds; Parameters; Plates; Prototypes; Residence time; Residence time distribution; Studies; Zeolites; CO2 capture; Adsorption; Residence time; Zeolites
• ISSN: 0263-8762; 1744-3563
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2021.05.006

[Display omitted] •MBTSA process using zeolites is a good alternative to CO2 capture.•Residence time and configuration of the plates are relevant in the CO2 removal.•The CFD modeling can represent the CO2 adsorption process. Oil and coal reserves are still abundant and are part of a strategy to assure safe energy in almost every energy matrix around the world. Nevertheless, it is important to look for solutions that reduce the negative impacts of burning fossil fuels. CO2 capture in thermoelectric plants is a significant alternative in favor of this technological need. In the present study, CO2 adsorption in a zeolite-based bench scale prototype was evaluated numerically and experimentally considering the constructive and operational parameters of the bench unit. The configuration of the plates and the zeolites flow pattern were studied considering the residence time (RT) and CO2 capture capacity. A residence time of 13s was reached experimentally with simple modifications on the number of plates of the unit. The efficacy of the CO2 removal was high, reaching 95.5% for a RT of 10.65s and 99.33% for a RT of 15s. The numerical results showed good agreement with the experimental data with a maximum error of 10% for the residence time, and 6% for the adsorption capacity. The herein study is a contribution to make the CO2 capture technology viable by Moving Bed Temperature Swing Adsorption (MTBSA) adsorption column with zeolite and indicating optimum operational parameters leading to higher efficiency levels.