• Ghoreishi SM, Hoseini Dastgerdi Z, Dadkhah AA, Numerical Analysis and Optimization of Oxygen Separation from Air via Pressure Swing Adsorption, Chemical Product and process Modeling, 1, 10-25

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption air separation process in a commercial aircraft using 13X zeolite with a more complex cycle than the classic Skarstrom was simulated via a predictive dynamic model to evaluate and optimize oxygen generation system. The coupled mass, energy, and
momentum differential equations were discretized using the implicit central finite-difference technique and the obtained equations were solved by Newton-Raphson method. The validated model in conjunction with an optimization procedure (Successive Quadratic Programming) was
utilized to investigate the oxygen separation efficiency as a  function of β (ratio between the bed time constant and the particle diffusion time constant), Cfp (purge orifice coefficient), θcycle (cycle time), Cff (feed valve), Cfe (exhaust valve) and pH* (high pressure operation). A set of optimum values (β=150, Cfp=0.7, θcycle=1.5, Cff=31, Cfe=52 and pH*=3.8) was obtained and recommended
to achieve maximum recovery (0.26) at 98% purity.