Multi-Objective Optimization Pressure Swing Adsorption for Small-Scale Nitrogen Production Based on Meta-Heuristic Method
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Daniel Febrian Pratama
Ahmad Atif Fikri
Aminnudin Aminnudin
Albarrobi Nabila Saeful
Krisna Dwipa Muhdi
Background: The global increase in fertilizer prices and weakening food security highlight the urgency of decentralized green ammonia production. The main challenge in small-scale ammonia systems is achieving stable, high-quality nitrogen production. Although, Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) capable of addressing this challenge, it requires optimization due to complex parameter interactions and energy requirements. Existing studies have mostly focused on large scale or single-objective optimization, with few exploring multi-objective approaches to small-scale nitrogen purification.
Aims and Method: This study aims to optimize nitrogen purity, achieve a target flow rate and reduce energy consumption in a PSA system using zeolite 13X. A meta-heuristic optimization framework integrating Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is developed. The optimization involves key variables such as adsorption–desorption pressures, cycle times, bed dimensions, and adsorbent mass. Sensitivity analysis and monte carlo simulation were applied to evaluate parameter influence and ensure operational robustness.
Results: GA-PSO optimization method result achieved a high nitrogen product flow rate (≈298kmol/h), high purity (≈99%), while maintaining energy consumption level significantly lower than conventional methods (≈120$/h). Furthermore, sensitivity analysis using ANN revealed that bed length, desorption time, and pressure conditions exhibit the highest influence on PSA performance.
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Ahmad Atif Fikri , Departement of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Negeri Malang, 65145, Indonesia
PT. Arjuna Adi Makmur
Albarrobi Nabila Saeful , Departement of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Negeri Malang, 65145, Indonesia
PT. Arjuna Adi Makmur
Krisna Dwipa Muhdi , Departement of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Universitas Negeri Malang, 65145, Indonesia
PT. Arjuna Adi Makmur







