Experimental investigations into the adsorption enhancement in packed beds using Z-Annular flow configuration

Yeboah, S.K.; Darkwa, J.

Abstract

Annular packed bed structures have the potential to overcome limitations of conventional fully packed bed types by offering radial distribution of airflow within them to enhance fluid-solid contact during adsorption and also to minimize pressure drops. In this paper, Z-annular flow configuration is experimentally investigated to evaluate its potential to enhance adsorption. Three typical diametrical ratios (Do/Di) corresponding to 2, 2.35 and 3.08, inferred from literature were used to investigate the adsorption performance of the Z-annular flow arrangement and compared with adsorption performance of a conventionally configured fully packed bed system of similar dimensions.

The results showed the Z-annular flow configurations did perform better by achieving bed temperature reductions averaging between 4.22 and 5.47 °C than conventional configuration types. Pressure drops were however observed to be relatively higher in the Z-annular flow configuration bed types than the conventional fully packed bed type due to the endplate in the Z-annular flow configuration impeding the airflow and subsequently causing flow reversal. Overall, the Z-annular flow configuration was found to have the potential to enhance the adsorption capacity of packed beds however further investigation on optimum parameters for this enhancement may be required.

Citation

Yeboah, S., & Darkwa, J. (2019). Experimental investigations into the adsorption enhancement in packed beds using Z-Annular flow configuration. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 136, 121-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2018.10.027

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 19, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Oct 24, 2018
• Publication Date: Feb 28, 2019
• Deposit Date: Oct 26, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 25, 2019
• Journal: International Journal of Thermal Sciences
• Print ISSN: 1290-0729
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 136
• Pages: 121-134
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2018.10.027
• Keywords: Heat and mass transfer; Physical adsorption; Packed beds; Pressure drop
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1198017
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1290072918308329
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Experimental investigations into the adsorption enhancement in packed beds using Z-Annular flow configuration; Journal Title: International Journal of Thermal Sciences; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2018.10.027; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.