IMPROVEMENTS IN ACETONE ADSORPTION EFFICIENCY.

Adsorbed solvent is usually removed from a carbon bed by using a steam purge to raise the temperature of the bed. As the temperature increases, the solvent load on the carbon decreases, and the desorbed solvent is carried out of the carbon bed by uncondensed steam. After the working charge has been removed, the adsorber is ready to collect more solvent from the SLA stream. However, the carbon bed is hot and saturated with water after steaming, and the adsorption process is more efficient if the adsorbent is relatively cool and dry. The objective of this study was to quantify the benefits and disadvantages of adding a cooling cycle to plant scale fixed bed adsorption equipment.