Question

A sorbent planned for use in separating methane from hydrogen is tested in the lab. Initial conditions for the sorbent bed are only hydrogen present, a pressure of 3 atm and a temperature of 298 K. The column containing the sorbent is 50 cm in length and has a diameter of 2 cm. A methane feed of 5 liters per minute at 10 mole% is started, and the center of the outlet wave passes 35 seconds later, with a total width of 12 seconds (0.5 to 9.5 mole%) and was observed to be symmetric.

(a) (3 pts) Determine the shock velocity for methane, the width of the mass transfer zone, and the fractional use of the bed using the LUB method.

Answer 1

To determine the shock velocity, width of mass transfer zone, and fractional use of the bed in separating methane from hydrogen, we can use the LUB method. By utilizing the given values and appropriate equations, these values can be calculated.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the shock velocity for methane, the width of the mass transfer zone, and the fractional use of the bed using the LUB method, we can use the following equations and values:

Shock velocity (Vs) = (Change in bed length)/(Center of outlet wave passage time)

Width of mass transfer zone = (Width of outlet wave)/(Center of outlet wave passage time)

Fractional use of bed = (Width of mass transfer zone)/(Bed length)

Given data: Pressure (P) = 3 atm, Temperature (T) = 298 K, Column length (L) = 50 cm, Column diameter (D) = 2 cm, Methane feed rate (Q) = 5 L/min, Methane concentration (X) = 10 mole%, Passage time (t) = 35 seconds, Width of outlet wave (W) = 12 seconds (0.5 to 9.5 mole%)

Using the given data in the equations, we can calculate the shock velocity, width of the mass transfer zone, and fractional use of the bed.