Performance and dynamic behavior of H2 layered-bed PSA processes using various activated carbons and zeolite LiX for steam methane reforming gas

Layered-bed pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes using activated carbons (ACs) and zeolite LiX were investigated to elucidate the performance and dynamic behavior of each AC in H2 separation. Experimental adsorption and re-adsorption breakthrough characteristics of ACs (CAC: parent AC, KACa: KOH-activated CAC, and KACi: KOH-impregnated CAC) and zeolite LiX were compared using a steam methane reforming gas. A rigorous dynamic model was used to evaluate the performance of four and six layered-bed PSA processes in terms of purity, recovery, productivity, and impurities. The KACi bed demonstrated the longest breakthrough time of impurities, but its desorption performance was adversely affected by the strong affinity induced by intercalated potassium compounds. While KACa showed higher adsorption capacities than CAC, its slow adsorption rate resulted in the shortest breakthrough time. On the other hand, CAC presented a separation performance between KACi and KACa beds, but its weak CO adsorption affinity led to a relatively wide CO mass transfer zone. Zeolite LiX demonstrated the longest CO breakthrough time, indicating its potential to purify trace CO in the layered-bed, but its layer length must be carefully decided to prevent CO2 propagation. The four layered-bed PSA produced a fuel cell grade H2 (99.9999% purity, 81.54% recovery, 115 mol/kg/day productivity, and < 0.2 ppm CO), which was further improved by the six layered-bed PSA to 1.5% at the same H2 purity. The dynamic behaviors and sensitivity analysis (P/F ratio, adsorption time, AC/LiX ratio, AC type, and number of beds) provide valuable insights and guidelines for the design and optimization of H2 layered-bed PSA.