The optimal control of a periodic adsorber: Part I. Experiment

Cyclic pressure variations in a fixed bed adsorber can cause significant separation of gaseous mixtures. Feed pressure changes are the driving force in this parametric pumping process. The optimal feed sequence is maximum (maximum flow in) pressure, zero flow (variable pressure), maximum flow out (minimum pressure). For the nitrogen‐methane feed gas at 168 k N/m2 and a 1.22 m bed of adsorbent, the optimal cycle time is 3 seconds, and feed is sustained 50% of the time. The zero flow mode is unnecessary if product purity is the sole objective.