Dynamics of natural gas adsorption storage systems employing activated carbon

Various aspects of the dynamics of natural gas adsorption storage systems employing activated carbon are studied theoretically. The fast charge of the storage system is the first subject addressed. Emphasis is given to thermal effects and hydrodynamics of flow through the carbon bed. In order to study the influence of diffusional resistances on charge dynamics, an intraparticle transport equation governed by a diffusion law is added to the computational model. Lastly, the slow discharge process and proposed solutions for reducing the adverse effect of the heat of adsorption on storage capacity, including in situ thermal energy storage, are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.