Critical Sorbex Zone Parameters

Common to aU Molex processes are the following six Sorbex zone parameters A, F , A/F , D , D /A and cycle time. 

The first parameter A represents the selective pore rate (m /h). For a set volume of adsorbent contained in the Sorbex chambers, there is a known selective pore volume. This selective volume quantity is divided equally among the various adsorbent beds. Since Sorbex process simulates a moving bed process where adsorbent moves counter current to the process flow, the selective pore rate represents the quantity of selective volume that moves with every step or index of the rotary valve. One step of the rotary valve indexes the feed point from one bed to the next sequential bed position. 

The second of the six Sorbex zone parameters is F , which represents the volumetric rate of feed normals introduced to the Molex process. 

The third of the six Sorbex zone parameters is the ratio of A/F , which is a unit-less value and represents the ratio of the selective pore rate (A) to the volumetric feed rate of n-paraffins (F ). This means that the ratio A/F sets the amount of selective pores that circulate countercurrent to the rate of feed normals introduced 

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