. Zeolite is used to remove moisture from methane. A vertical column is filled w

Question

. Zeolite is used to remove moisture from methane. A vertical column is filled with 1000.0 kg of dry zeolite. The zeolite has the capacity to hold 0.100 kg water/kg dry zeolite. Once the zeolite becomes saturated with moisture, it must be regenerated by heating. Wet gas enters the operating column on top. The inlet moisture content of the methane is 7.00% (by mass) and the outlet moisture content is 0.05% (by mass). How much methane (kg) will be produced before the zeolite must be regenerated? Start with drawing the process diagram: the overall system and individual process components should be pictured. How does the UAE look for this problem (that is what terms are present)?

Explanation / Answer

dry zeolite present = 1000 kg

capacity of zeolite = 0.1 kg water/kg dry zeolite

water holding capacity of zeolite = 0.1*1000 = 100 kg water

inlet moisture = 7 %

outlet moisture = 0.05%

taking basis of 100 kg methane mixture entering

Water balance:

100*0.07 = W + x*0.0005

w = water holded

x = total outlet

methane balance

100*0.93 = x*0.995

solving we get

x = 93.467 kg

W = 6.9532 kg of water is retained by zeolite

methane obtained = 92.999 kg in outlet (93.467*0.995)

Hence, for 100 kg of methane mixture, 6.9532 kg water is retained and 92.999 kg methane is obtained.

Now, fix W = 100 kg water retained

let feed be F and Outlet obtained be x

water balance gives

F*0.07 = 100 + x*0.0005

overall balance

F = 100 + x

solving, we get

F = 1438.129 kg methane mixture at inlet

x = 1338.129 kg methane mixture at outlet

so methane obtained = 1338.129*0.995 = 1331.438 kg methane

The following terms are known:

inlet and outlet concentration of moisture, capacity of zeolite, amount of zeolite.

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