Continuous Gas-Solid Adsorption Column Introduction:

The components of a gaseous (or liquid) solution when contacted to certain solids, preferentially concentrate specific components from solution onto the solid surface. This method of separation is useful in dehumidification gases, removal of odor and impurities, and recovery of valuable solvent vapors from dilute mixture. The rigidity and immobility of a bed of solid make possible the operation under semi-continuous mode, which is not possible with two fluids in contact.

Objective:
To study the flow circuit of the adsorption column To determine the performance of the adsorption column for adsorption of carbon dioxide from a mixture of air and carbon dioxide

Theory:
In adsorption operation a solute from a solution is preferentially adsorbed on the surface of a solid(adsorbent).Molecular sieves are such solids which can entrap adsorbed matter in the cages of the crystals and the diameter of the passageways (controlled by the crystal composition), regulates the size of the molecules which can enter. These solids can separate according to molecular size and hence the name molecular sieves. The pore diameters of the molecular sieves range from3 to 10 A0 (A0=Angstrom).

Experimental setup:
The experimental setup consists of a 30 A stainless steel adsorption column of diameter 8.0 cm and height 80 cm, packed with 5A0 molecular sieve pellets. The accessories to the column are a carbon dioxide cylinder, a compressed air line, surge tank and rotameter. A heater next to the rotameter is also installed to study the effect of composition on adsorption.

Procedure:
Measured flow rate of air from compressor is passed through a rotameter into the surge tank, where carbon dioxide also enters from the CO2 cylinder.
Mass Transfer Lab IIT Kgp

The total gas flow rate is measured by the rotameter provided next to the surge tank. The gas mixture then enters the top of the adsorption column and leaves from the bottom after adsorption. The spent air and carbon dioxide are collected in gas sampling bottles by liquid displacement technique are analyzed by Orsat Apparatus. The flow rates of carbon dioxide, air and gas mixture, as well as the surge tank pressure are noted. The composition of carbon dioxide in inlet air and exit gas are estimated. The experiments are repeated for different compositions of the inlet gas mixture.

Data Analysis:
A presentation of the results you obtained, including the raw data and any parameter that you estimated using the raw data. A discussion of the results you obtained, including comments on any comparisons made between theory and experiment. These comments should account for any differences you observe between theory and experiment. Include a brief write-up on different parts of the setup.

Mass Transfer Lab IIT Kgp