초록 ▼

A multiple vessel cascade gas enrichment adsorber is provided herein. Two sets of adsorption chambers are provided, each comprising one primary vessel and one secondary vessel, and optionally also a tertiary or further vessel, and each containing a suitable adsorbent, e.g., 5 A molecular sieve adsor

A multiple vessel cascade gas enrichment adsorber is provided herein. Two sets of adsorption chambers are provided, each comprising one primary vessel and one secondary vessel, and optionally also a tertiary or further vessel, and each containing a suitable adsorbent, e.g., 5 A molecular sieve adsorbent for air separation, the vessels being connected in a cascading connection through an interstage loop line. Specially designed collector means is provided within each vessel. The individual volumetric size of the subsequent stage vessel or vessels must be smaller than the volumetric size of the first stage vessel. While one adsorber set is engaged in the production of, e.g., oxygen-enriched air, the other is experiencing regeneration through removal of the various adsorbed gases and vapors, including, e.g., nitrogen. The cascading of the adsorbers significantly decreases the time required for regeneration by increasing the tolerance for residual adsorbate on the major portion of the adsorbent. Despite the cyclic nature of the process, the flow of product, e.g., oxygen, is continuous.

대표청구항 ▼

A multiple vessel cascade gas enrichment adsorber comprising: (1) a first stage adsorption vessel provided with a primary gas infeed means, a primary gas outflow means, and a mass of a suitable adsorbent material in said vessel disposed between said primary infeed means and said primary outflow mean

A multiple vessel cascade gas enrichment adsorber comprising: (1) a first stage adsorption vessel provided with a primary gas infeed means, a primary gas outflow means, and a mass of a suitable adsorbent material in said vessel disposed between said primary infeed means and said primary outflow means; (2) at least one subsequent stage adsorption vessel in cascading interconnection with said first stage adsorption vessel through an associated interstage loop line, each said subsequent stage adsorption vessel or vessels being provided with a first gas inflow means, a first gas outlet means and a mass of a suitable adsorption material disposed between said first inflow means and said first gas outlet means, the first gas outlet means which is associated with the subsequent stage adsorption vessel farthest downstream from the first stage adsorption vessel being provided with an outlet back pressure regulator and non-return valve, each said associated interstage loop line including a back pressure regulator and valve therein; (3) secondary gas outlet means having valves associated therewith, said secondary gas outlet means leading to secondary gas outlet lines from each of said first stage adsorption vessels and from each of said subsequent stage adsorption vessels or vessels, each said secondary gas outlet means in each of said first stage adsorption vessel and in each said subsequent stage adsorption vessel or vessels including a plurality of vertically spaced-apart horizontally extending collector means, disposed within each said first stage absorption vessel and within each subsequent stage adsorption vessel, each said collector means being provided with a pluraity of dispersed gas inlet ports; (4) diaphragm valves associated with each said collector means; and (5) means for actuating said diaphragm valves for alternate cylical operation for a production period wherein said diaphragm valves are closed to provide a long adsorption path from said primary infeed means to said primary outflow means, and an evacuation period wherein said diaphragm valves are opened, to provide a short desorption path through said secondary outlet means; wherein (6) the individual volumetric size of said subsequent stage vessel or vessels is smaller than the volumetric size of said first stage vessel. A multiple vessel cascade gas enrichment adsorber system comprising: (A) at least two interlinked multiple vessel cascade gas enrichment adsorber sets, each said adsorber set comprising (1) a first stage adsorption vessel provided with a primary gas infeed means, a primary gas outflow means, and a mass of a suitable adsorbent material in said vessel disposed between said primary infeed means and said primary outflow means, (2) at least one subsequent stage adsorption vessel in cascading interconnection with said first stage adsorption vessel through an associated interstage loop line, each said subsequent stage adsorption vessel being provided with a first gas inflow means, a first gas outlet means, and a mass of a suitable adsorption material disposed between said first inflow means and said first gas outlet means, the first gas outlet means which is associated with the subsequent stage adsorption vessel being provided with an outlet back pressure regulator and non-return valve, each said associated interstage loop line including a back pressure regulator and valve therein, (3) secondary gas outlet means having valves associated therewith, said secondary gas outlet means leading to secondary gas outlet lines from each of said first stage adsorption vessels and from each of said subsequent stage adsorption vessels, each said secondary gas outlet means in each of said first stage adsorption vessel and said subsequent stage adsorption vessel including a plurality of vertically spaced-apart horizontally extending collector means, disposed within each said first stage adsorption vessel and within each subsequent stage adsorption vessel, each said collector means being provided with a plurality of dispersed gas inlet ports, (4) diaphragm valves associated with each said collector means, and (5) means for actuating said diaphragm valves for alternate cyclical operation for a production period wherein said diaphragm valves are closed to provide a long adsorption path from said primary infeed means to said primary outflow means, and an evacuation period wherein said diaphragm valves are opened, to provide a short desorption path through said secondary outlet means, wherein (6) the individual volumetric size of said subsequent stage vessel or vessels is smaller than the volumetric size of said first stage vessel, (7) a drier vessel interconnected between said gas infeed line and said first stage adsorption vessel and also connected to said collector means, and (8) a product gas storage vessel connected to the product outflow line; (B) means for cyclically feeding a gaseous mixture to a selected one of said adsorber set of vessels; (C) means for cyclically withdrawing enriched gas from a selected one of said adsorber set of vessels; and (D) control means for cyclically operating one said adsorber set of vessels in its adsorption mode and for operating another said adsorber set of vessels in its regeneration mode.