MoGaTEx: Model-based design of adsorption columns for gas separation based on small-scale experiments
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Background
The rigorous design of adsorption columns for gas separation is a very complex task: In addition to the required adsorption equilibrium data, information on the adsorption kinetics of gas mixtures is particularly challenging to obtain. Furthermore, there are hardly any specialized software tools for the use of these data for column design. The lack of specialized software leads to the fact that the rigorous, simulation-based design and optimization are very time and cost-intensive and are only carried out for huge plants by companies with existing simulation know-how.
Objective
The MoGaTEx project aims to tackle this challenge: Developing a continuous toolchain for the rigorous design and optimization of adsorption columns even without comprehensive simulation know-how of the plant manufacturer. Nevertheless, adsorption kinetics and dynamic plant simulation are both included in the design. Thereby, the financial and technical barriers for the model-based design of columns can be lowered, particularly for small and medium-sized companies.
Rigorous design of adsorption columns has the advantage that plants can be dimensioned with significantly smaller safety factors. Reducing the safety factors can save 15% of the energy consumption of a column over its lifetime: Assuming 24 h operation on 300 days a year, existing plants of German manufacturers could save 2.7 TWh of energy worldwide. Besides, new plants have similar saving potential when using the proposed toolchain for the design. In the case of new plants, the investment costs can also be reduced by avoiding oversizing.
Moreover, the case study of "Direct Air Capture" to demonstrate the toolchain highlights a technology that can significantly impact the future CO2 balance. "Direct Air Capture" technologies can be used to remove CO2 from the environment and thus counteract anthropogenic global warming.