ISSN: 0256-1115 (print version) ISSN: 1975-7220 (electronic version)
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In relation to this article, we declare that there is no conflict of interest.
Publication history
Received November 19, 2025
Revised January 10, 2026
Accepted January 28, 2026
Available online July 25, 2026
articles This is an Open-Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Application of an Intelligent Optimization Method Based on Aspen Adsorption in the Purification Process of Helium Via Pressure Swing Adsorption

College of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Xi’an Shiyou University 1Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University 2State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Progressing, China University of Petroleum
fanzheng@xsyu.edu.cn
Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering, July 2026, 43(9), 2329-2342(14)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11814-026-00669-4

Abstract

Helium, a non-renewable strategic resource, demands efficient purification technologies to safeguard national resource 

security. To address the technical challenges of helium extraction from liquefied natural gas boil-off gas (BOG), this 

study developed a novel pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process using Aspen Adsorption software. Through systematic

adsorbent screening, the CMS-5000-A carbon molecular sieves (CMS) with a pore size rangez,2 of 0.5~0.7 nm was 

selected, whose surface oxygen-containing polar functional groups enhanced interactions with the quadrupole moment of 

N2, achieving an exceptional N2/He adsorption selectivity of 87.5:1. A multi-scale coupled model integrating mass, energy, 

and momentum conservation equations was established to systematically investigate the effects of operational parameters 

on separation performance. An extended two-column PSA scheme incorporating pressure equalization and vacuum desorption

steps was proposed. For the first time, Bayesian algorithm-enabled multi-parameter co-optimization of six key operational

parameters (feed flow rate, pressure, bed height, porosity, packing density, temperature) was realized, overcoming 

the limitations of traditional single-factor optimization in handling parameter coupling effects. Bayesian algorithm-enabled 

multi-parameter optimization revealed that an adsorption pressure of 0.3~0.4 MPa increased helium recovery by 15%, 

while a 1.0~1.1 m adsorption bed height ensured product purity≥99.999% with energy consumption maintained at 0.36 

kWh/m3

. Compared to the single-column system, the two-column configuration improved helium recovery by 5.06%. 

Notably, the novel PSA process reduces energy consumption by up to 60% compared to conventional methods, providing 

a data-driven and quantifiable design paradigm for lean helium purification and presenting an efficient and energy-saving 

technical solution for industrial-scale helium purification.

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