Numerical studies of CO separation and enrichment from blast furnace gas by using a CuCl/Y fixed bed

ABSTRACT

Emission amount of blast furnace gas (BFG) is huge per year and it cannot be directly combusted due to its low heat value. Separating and Enriching CO from blast furnace gas provides an effective way for its utilization. This paper proposes an improved adsorption isotherm model of CO on CuCl/Y adsorbent. A CO/CO₂/N₂ multi-component adsorption equilibrium model and a set of mathematical models for CO separation and enrichment from BFG by using a fixed bed are established. Detailed characteristics of CO/CO₂/N₂ adsorption/desorption during Vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) process are revealed. Effects of adsorption/desorption pressure, cycle time, flow rate, purge operation, and thermal desorption temperature on CO separation and enrichment are further investigated. Optimized operation parameters are provided based on energy consumption analysis. For the purpose of purity >55% and lower energy consumption, conditions of <300 kPa adsorption pressure, 5–20 kPa desorption pressure, and 343–363 K desorption temperature are recommended.

KEYWORDS:

• CuCl/Y adsorbent
• CO separation
• blast furnace gas
• fixed bed
• complexation adsorption
• adsorption isotherm
• vacuum pressure swing adsorption
• separation and enrichment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).