Hydrogen Purification Performance of Pressure Swing Adsorption Based on Cu-BTC/zeolite 5A Layered Bed

A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) hydrogen purification model for the four-component gas (H2/CO2/CH4/CO = 73/16/8/3 mol%) in a layered bed packed with Cu-BTC and zeolite 5A was established to achieve better hydrogen purification performance. By comparing its simulation results with the experimental data, the adsorption isotherm model was validated and could be used to accurately describe the adsorption process of the gas mixture on the two adsorbents. The breakthrough curves of the mixed gas on the layered bed were studied to verify the correctness of the established simulation models. Based on the validated model, the performance of the PSA system based on the layered bed was carried out, including the hydrogen purity and recovery. The simulation results show that the hydrogen purification system based on the layered bed model can achieve hydrogen purity of 95.469% and hydrogen recovery of 83.219%. Moreover, a parametric study was carried out and its results show that reductions in feed flow rate and adsorption time result in an increase in hydrogen purity and a decrease in hydrogen recovery. A longer equalization time between the two adsorption beds can simultaneously increase the hydrogen purity and recovery.