Recovery of Volatile Organic Compounds as Condensate by Pressure Swing Adsorption with Enriching Reflux

Abstract

To remove pollutant Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), a new type of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is proposed. VOC is enriched up to a high degree by an enriching reflux policy in which the enriched gas is returned to a high-pressure column as saturated vapor for further adsorption. The excess VOC is then condensed by compression to recover liquid VOC without further treatment. Experiments were carried out for a model system of ethanol vapor and activated carbon. The result was interpreted in terms of the mass exchange efficiency and the effectiveness factor of removal.