A new approach to the estimation of linear driving force parameters in thenumerical simulation of pressure swing adsorption process

A mass transfer model based on a linear driving force approximation is wide ly used in the numerical simulation of pressure swing adsorption processes. This approximation involves a proportionality constant that is dependent o n the cycle time. Whereas graphical correlations have been given and curve fitting of experimental data has also been used for estimation of the propo rtionality constant, in the present study a new approach based on time-depe ndent Sherwood number as used in the modeling of extraction processes is su ggested for this estimation. PSA simulation model predictions using linear driving force parameters calculated by this approach are compared with expe rimental data on the separation of CO2/N-2 mixtures with activated carbon a s the adsorbent.