Modelling of the multicomponent thermodynamics and momentum balance of the high-purity N2-PSA-process

The nitrogen production and supply processes are continuously improving in terms of efficiency, competitiveness, and cost-effectiveness, encouraged by the growing use and consequent demand in chemical industries. In this work, the PSA pilot plant for nitrogen production located at the Münster University of Applied Sciences, was analysed. The analysis was carried out experimentally in different operating conditions, in order to determine and then improve the performances of the production process. Subsequently, a mathematical model was developed in the ASPEN Adsorption software for the description of the mass transfer phenomena that occur inside the columns packed with the adsorbent material (CMS), which model was formulated by applying various hypotheses and considerations. Material and energy balances were involved, in order to generate the correct set of partial differential equations within the software. A complete representation of pressure drops and thermal effects is the result of this work. The transport phenomena and therefore the component kinetics have been assessed, but a more in-depth analysis is required and indicated at the end of this paper.