Abstract
The use of the monolith as an adsorptive reactor (MAR) is proposed as a viable and novel alternative for VOC disposal. The MAR combines adsorptive separation and catalytic combustion of the VOC in a single reactor unit and is thought to make effective utilisation of energy due to efficient heat integration. Theoretical studies on the feasibility and application of the adsorptive reactor concept for VOC oxidation is presented in this paper. Thus unlike previous work, present studies focus on an exothermic reaction system and the ability of the MAR to control thermal runaway. A two dimensional mathematical model accounting for non isothermal adsorption and reaction, mass transfer limited adsorption kinetics and non linear (Tóth) adsorption equilibria, has been developed. The process is operated cyclically in two steps: adsorption and desorption/reaction. The VOC is fed into the reactor in the adsorption step and captured to produce a pure carrier gas effluent. Concentration and thermal swing is induced in the second step by means of an air feed. The most outstanding feature of the MAR is its ability to prevent thermal runaway whilst maintaining a high VOC conversion. Simulation results indicate that the careful selection of step times for adsorption and desorption, feed temperatures and inlet velocities lead to stability and energy requirements which outperform equivalent conventional designs. The MAR is thermally more stable due to the controlled release of the reactant from the adsorbed phase into the reaction zone, and also the heat integration of endothermic desorption and exothermic reaction. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.