Evaluation of adsorbents properties and optimization of adsorption based processes for gas separations

The objective of this project is, firstly, to evaluate the performance of various adsorbents using various techniques for gas separation and purification applications of commercial interest; and secondly, to optimize and modify the current PSA setup at Xebec Ads. Company. The proposed project will examine various adsorbents provided by Xebec Adsorption Inc. to determine their adsorption capacity, kinetics, selectivity, at different operating conditions. This research will also develop a novel Zero Length Column (ZLC) system designed for the fast screening of adsorbents that would include complete characterization from equilibrium and kinetics to dynamics (breakthrough) determinations. After determining adsorbents performance, they will be tested in the companys pilot plant set up. In order to improve the separation efficiency of the Xebecs pressure swing adsorption system, an optimization program will be developed to estimate the most effective operating parameters and consequently enhance the performance of the PSA separation setup. This research will help partner organization to identify potential adsorbents for commercialization in industrial gas separation applications. It is also an excellent opportunity for the partner organization because they can easily access equipment and other resources that are available at the university via adsorption group expertise.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mladen Eic

Student:

Babak Shirani

Partner:

Xebec Adsorption Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering - chemical / biological

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

University of New Brunswick