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Equilibrium Stage Based Model of a Vegetable Oil Based Wet Packed Bed Scrubbing System for Removing Producer Gas Tar Compounds
Separation and Purification Technology (2015)
  • Prakash Bhoi, Georgia Southern University
  • Raymond Huhnke, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus
  • James R Whiteley, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus
  • Solomon Gebreyohannes, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus
  • Ajay Kumar, Oklahoma State University
Abstract
This study was aimed to develop and validate equilibrium stage based absorption model to investigate the removal of model producer gas tar compounds using vegetable oil as a solvent. The absorption model was developed using split (φ/γ) approach and a “RadFrac” block in Aspen Plus™. The model used Peng–Robinson equation of state (EOS) and non-random two-liquid (NRTL) activity coefficient model to predict the fugacity coefficients (φ) for vapor phase and activity coefficients (γ) for liquid phase. The developed model was validated using the extreme conditions of the experimental test range. The model predictions showed best fits with the experimental data within 6% for benzene, 4% for toluene, and 2% for ethylbenzene at the solvent temperature of 30 °C. Packing specific constants of Billet and Schultes (1999) correlation (Ch = 2.52 and CP,0 = 2.93) were found experimentally. These constants can be used to predict pressure drop across the column for vegetable oil based wet packed bed scrubbing systems. The average deviation of predicted pressure drop across the column compared to experimental data was within 5%. The developed absorption model and packing specific constants would be beneficial in the design, optimization, and economic evaluation of vegetable oil based wet packed bed scrubbing systems.
Keywords
  • Tars,
  • Absorption model,
  • Equilibrium stage,
  • NRTL model,
  • Soybean oil
Publication Date
March 4, 2015
DOI
10.1016/j.seppur.2014.12.044
Citation Information
Prakash Bhoi, Raymond Huhnke, James R Whiteley, Solomon Gebreyohannes, et al.. "Equilibrium Stage Based Model of a Vegetable Oil Based Wet Packed Bed Scrubbing System for Removing Producer Gas Tar Compounds" Separation and Purification Technology Vol. 142 (2015) p. 196 - 202 ISSN: 1383-5866
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/prakash-bhoi/6/