Although many dynamic models exist for the design and simulation of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) processes, these models involve the solution of a complex system of coupled partial differential equations. Process engineers need a simple, practical, and yet robust short-cut model that helps decide whether to implement a PSA system in a process flowsheet. This work presents a “virtual” moving bed modeling methodology that considers only mass and energy balances and adsorption isotherms to describe the cyclic steady state behavior of PSA systems. Similar to tray efficiencies in distillation calculations, adsorption efficiencies are further introduced to account for system “non-ideality.” A lab-scale air separation system is used to illustrate the application of this modeling methodology.

Topical Heading: Process Systems Engineering

尽管存在许多用于变压吸附（PSA）过程设计和仿真的动力学模型，但是这些模型涉及耦合偏微分方程的复杂系统的求解。工艺工程师需要一个简单，实用且健壮的捷径模型，以帮助决定是否在工艺流程图中实施PSA系统。这项工作提出了一种“虚拟”移动床建模方法，该方法仅考虑质量和能量平衡以及吸附等温线来描述PSA系统的循环稳态行为。与蒸馏计算中的塔盘效率相似，进一步引入了吸附效率以说明系统的“非理想状态”。实验室规模的空气分离系统用于说明此建模方法的应用。

主题：过程系统工程