Simulation studies of a vacuum and temperature swing adsorption process for the removal of VOC from waste air streams

A theoretical study of the cyclic combined vacuum and temperature swing adsorption (VTSA) process for removing of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from waste air streams is done on the basis of computer simulation. The VTSA system consists of two adsorption columns with a fixed bed of activated carbon. The adsorption cycle for each column is operated in four steps: adsorption, indirect adsorbent bed heating, vacuum desorption and cooling. A nonequilibrium, nonisothermal mathematical model of the VTSA process is developed and solved using the numerical method of lines. Exemplary simulation results are presented for the system: 2-propanol–activated carbon Sorbonorit 4. The effect of desorption temperature, pressure and purge gas use on 2-propanol desorption efficiency is investigated.