On the optimisation of periodic adsorption processes

A rigorous mathematical programming based approach to the optimisation of general periodic adsorption processes is presented. Detailed dynamic models taking account of the spatial variation of properties within the adsorption bed(s) are used. The resulting systems of partial differential and algebraic equations are reduced to sets of algebraic constraints by discretisation with respect to both spatial and temporal dimensions. Periodic boundary conditions are imposed to represent directly the "cyclic steady-state" of the system. Additional constraints are introduced to characterise the interactions between multiple beds in the process as well as any relevant design specifications and operating restrictions. The optimal operating and/or design decisions can be determined by solving an optimisation problem with constraints representing a single bed over a single cycle of operation, irrespective of the number of adsorption beds in the process.