A multi-objective genetic algorithm for the design of pressure swing adsorption

Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is a cyclic separation process, more advantageous over other separation options for middle scale processes. Automated tools for the design of PSA processes would be beneficial for the development of the technology, but their development is a difficult task due to the complexity of the simulation of PSA cycles and the computational effort needed to detect the performance at cyclic steady state. We present a preliminary investigation of the performance of a custom multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA) for the optimisation of a fast cycle PSA operation, the separation of air for N2 production. The simulation requires a detailed diffusion model, which involves coupled nonlinear partial differential and algebraic equations (PDAEs). The efficiency of MOGA to handle this complex problem has been assessed by comparison with direct search methods. An analysis of the effect of MOGA parameters on the performance is also presented

A non Cubic Equation of State for Describing the (p ro T) Properties of Pure Components and Their Mixtures

In this work we use a non cubic equation of state proposed by Brandani et al.1 to represent the volumetric properties of three pure fluids (carbon dioxide, n-pentane and toluene) at supercritical or near-critical temperatures and at pressures up to 70 MPa. The pT properties of two binary mixtures (carbon dioxide – n-pentane and carbon dioxide – toluene) are calculated in the same range of temperatures and pressures, using the mixing rules proposed by Brandani et al.1 The calculated densities are in good agreement with the literature experimental values, taking into account the wide range of temperatures and pressures at which experimental data were collected

Adsorption and diffusion of CO₂ in CPO-27–Ni beads

The present work involves the scale-up and characterization of CPO-27–Ni metal organic framework using a range of experimental techniques aimed at determining equilibrium and kinetic parameters to assess its potential for post-combustion carbon capture. CPO-27–Ni was prepared from its precursors by molecular gastronomy methods in kilogram scale. Adsorption of isotherms of pure CO2 and N2 were obtained for diferent temperatures on these beads, using a volumetric apparatus and the isotherms were ftted to a dual-site Langmuir model. A series of experiments were then carried out in the volumetric apparatus by dosing a known volume of CO2 and the pressure was monitored with time. The difusional time constants were then extracted by ftting the series of curves to an isothermal difusion model. From the time constants, the values of the difusivities were obtained and compared with the values obtained from frst principles correlations, which employed the pore size, and the porosity values from independent mercury porosimetry experiments. The results from the analysis showed that the transport of CO2 in the beads was well described by a combination of Knudsen and viscous difusion mechanisms. Experiments were also carried out using a zero-length column (ZLC) apparatus by preparing a 10% CO2–He and 10% CO2– N2 mixture. The analysis of the ZLC curves showed that the two diferent carrier gases had an efect of the long-time slope, indicating the presence of a macropore-controlled difusion mechanism.publishedVersio

UTCI field measurements in an urban park in Florence (Italy)

The aim of this study is to evaluate human thermal comfort in different green area settings in the city of Florence by using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI). Field measurements of air temperature, solar radiation, relative humidity, wind speed and black globe thermometer were collected during hot summer days in various parts of Cascine Park, the biggest urban park in Florence (Italy). UTCI was evaluated over different surfaces (asphalt, gravel and grass) completely exposed to the sun or shaded by a large lime tree (Tilia × europaea). The results showed strong differences in UTCI values depending on the exposure to tree shade, while no significant difference was found among ground-cover materials when all surfaces were equally exposed to solar radiation. Future studies are needed to investigate the microclimatic effects of different tree species on UTCI

Air gasification of digestate and its co-gasification with residual biomass in a pilot scale rotary kiln

In this study energy recovery of digestate from a biogas plant was investigated via air gasification. Gasification tests were executed in a pilot scale rotary kiln plant having a nominal biomass feeding rate of about 20 kg/h. The equivalence ratio was varied from 0.22 to 0.39 with the goal to approach the autothermal condition. Tests were carried out for 5 h in steady state condition. Syngas composition, char and gas yields were measured. To improve the cold gas efficiency of the process, a mixture of digestate and almond shells (60:40 wt%) was gasified. Autothermal condition was reached with the mixture using equivalence ratio of 0.30 where the corresponding cold gas efficiency achieved the maximum value of 55%. The raw gas had a lower heating value of 4–5 MJ/Nm3. To evaluate possible improvements in the produced gas properties, in this work the effect of steam injection was also investigated

Analysis of Thermal Effects in Infrared and Interference Microscopy: n-Butane-5A and Methanol-Ferrierite Systems

Recently, infrared and interference microscopy methods have been increasingly applied to measure internal concentration gradients and hence the uptake of different adsorbates in zeolite crystals. In contrast to conventional macroscopic batch uptake techniques, these microscopic/mesoscopic methods measure changes associated with single zeolite crystals. The analysis of data from these measurements to determine micropore diffusivities has been performed on the basis of the assumption that isothermal conditions prevail during both the adsorption and desorption experiments. This assumption is critically examined in this paper for the case of methanol diffusion in ferrierite crystals during adsorption and desorption to vacuum. It is shown by both detailed simulation as well as an order of magnitude analysis of time constants for heat transfer and diffusion that the temperature changes in the system are negligible during adsorption due to the high conductive heat transfer rate. However, during desorption to a vacuum, heat conduction is minimal so that heat transfer occurs only by radiation. Temperature changes as large as 5–7K are therefore to be expected at the beginning of the desorption process. However, since the time constant for the desorption process is of the order of hundreds of seconds, this temperature transient dissipates rapidly and has no significant impact on the overall desorption process. Even for the worst case scenario considered here, for both interference and infrared microscopy methods, the systems can be considered as essentially isothermal