Dynamics of CO2 adsorption on sodium oxide promoted alumina in a packed-bed reactor

CO2 adsorption in packed-bed reactors has potential applications in flue gas CO2 capture and adsorption enhanced reaction processes. This work focuses on CO2 adsorption dynamics on sodium oxide promoted alumina in a packed-bed reactor. A comprehensive model is developed to describe the coupled transport phenomena and is solved using orthogonal collocation on finite elements. The model predicted breakthrough curve matches very well with experimental data obtained from a pilot-scale packed-bed reactor. Several dimensionless parameters are also derived to explain the shape of the breakthrough curve.

► CO2 adsorption dynamics on sodium promoted alumina in a packed-bed reactor was modeled.
► Modeled dynamics and breakthrough curve matched pilot-scale experimental data.
► Dimensionless parameters were derived to explain adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics.