Optimization of rotor-type solvent recovery system for low-concentration solvent

Abstract

Low-concentration solvent included in exhaust gas is the chief cause of environmental pollution such as photochemical smog and odor nuisance. In the present study, numerical simulations of a rotor-type solvent recovery system were conducted in order to decide the optimal operation conditions for the actual plant. The dependence of the rotation speed, bed height and adsorption angle on the recovery rate, concentration rate and consumption energy was calculated. From these simulations, the following optimal operation conditions were obtained. 1) The optimal size of actual plant (flow rate of flue gas: 53000 m3 (STP) · h-1) are height of 0.8 m, adsorption angle of 300°, heating zone angle of 30° and purge zone angle of 30°. 2) The optimal operation conditions are desorption gas flow rate of 15000 m3 (STP) · h-1, desorption gas temperature of 453 K and rotation speed of 14rph. Furthermore, the optimal performance of the proposed system can be maintained by means of a simple feedback control, even though the flow rate of flue gas changes. These results could be helpful guidance for system optimization of the rotor-type solvent recovery system. Copyright © 2006 The Society of Chemical Engineers.