Modeling, Simulation, and Membrane Wetting Estimation in Gas–Liquid Contacting Processes Including Shell-Side Reaction: Biogas Upgrading Using DEA Solution

Abstract

The basic principles of a steady-state mass transfer model and the resistance-in-series film model are assessed with the aid of a series of experiments in a gas–liquid contact membrane mini-module (3 M Liqui-Cel MM-1.7 × 5.5) using an aqueous solution of diethanolamine (DEA) of 0.25 M (mol/L) for biogas upgrading. Experimental data show that CO2 removal may exceed 67% and reach 100% in combination with the highest possible recovery of CH4 when employing biogas flow rates in the range of 2.8 × 10–5 – 3.6 × 10–5 m3/s and solvent flow rates within 0.47 × 10–5 – 0.58 × 10–5 m3/s. For the experimental data set, a correlation has been developed, effectively interpolating CO2 removal with the gas and liquid flow rates. The wetting values calculated are concentrated close to each other for the same liquid flow rate without considerably depending on the gas flow rate, especially when applying the Hikita–Yun (reaction rate–shell-side correlation) compared with the Hikita–Costello pair. Furthermore, the calculated wetting diminishes with increasing liquid flow rate, a result that is consistent with previous modeling attempts and relevant literature indications. The assumption of enhanced mass transfer in the liquid-filled part of the membrane pores due to the reaction is scrutinized, leading to objectionable computational wetting values. It is shown that for a concentration of DEA equal to 0.25 M the Hatta numbers and the enhancement factors are not equal in the whole reaction path; thus, the choice of the shell-side correlation has an appreciable impact on the overall analysis, especially for the determination of the wetting values.