Enhancing temperature-swing adsorption processes through desorption stage heat transfer fluid selection

Models of the desorption stage of a temperature-swing adsorption process using microchannels with an adsorbent layer coated on the inner wall of each microchannel are developed for liquid- and gas-phase heat transfer fluids. These models are applied to a methane purification process to determine the effects of the heat transfer fluid phase, thermophysical properties, and selectivity on desorption stage performance. The liquid-phase heat transfer fluid performs better, allowing the impurity to be completely removed from the adsorbent layer while leaving over 30% of the initial methane in the adsorbent layer after three seconds, compared to under 10% of the initial methane and over 25% of the initial impurity for a gas-phase heat transfer fluid. This improved behavior is due to the differences in driving forces for liquid and gas flow and due to the selectivity of the liquid. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Automated summary

A study found that in the desorption stage of a temperature-swing adsorption process, the liquid-phase heat transfer fluid outperforms the gas-phase heat transfer fluid by not only more thoroughly removing impurities, but also retaining more initial methane.