초록 ▼

A process for enhancing the concentration of one component contained in a multi-component gas is disclosed which is particularly well-suited for enriching the oxygen content of air. The process is carried out by a series of adsorption and desorption stages using an Advanced Separation Device compris

A process for enhancing the concentration of one component contained in a multi-component gas is disclosed which is particularly well-suited for enriching the oxygen content of air. The process is carried out by a series of adsorption and desorption stages using an Advanced Separation Device comprised of a plurality of adsorbent-filled chambers moving about a circular path in periodic fluid communication with a plurality of fixed feed and discharge ports. By using the Advanced Separation Device, it is possible to load the oxygen content of air onto the adsorbent which is then stripped by a second stream of air. This oxygen-enriched stream of air may then be divided so that the oxygen content of one stream may be adsorbed for subsequent removal by the other stream to produce a doubly-enriched stream.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for enriching oxygen content of air comprising the steps of: (i) providing a plurality of adsorbent-filled chambers moving about a circular path sequentially in periodic fluid communication with a plurality of fixed feed ports including adsorption stage feed ports and desorption stage feed

A process for enriching oxygen content of air comprising the steps of: (i) providing a plurality of adsorbent-filled chambers moving about a circular path sequentially in periodic fluid communication with a plurality of fixed feed ports including adsorption stage feed ports and desorption stage feed ports and corresponding fixed discharge ports including adsorption stage discharge ports and desorption stage discharge ports at an end of said chambers opposite to said respective feed ports; (ii) supplying a first stream of air at a first temperature to a first fixed adsorption stage feed port for delivery to said adsorbent-filled chambers, the oxygen in said first stream of air being loaded onto said adsorbent; (iii) supplying a second stream of air at a second temperature greater than said first temperature to a fixed desorption stage feed port for delivery to said chambers, said second stream of air removing the oxygen loaded onto said adsorbent in step (ii) to produce a stream of air having an increased concentration of oxygen; (iv) dividing said stream of air having an increased concentration of oxygen into a first enriched stream and a second enriched stream; (v) cooling and supplying said first enriched stream to a second fixed adsorption stage feed port for delivery to said adsorbent-filled chambers, the oxygen in said first enriched stream being loaded onto said adsorbent; and (vi) heating and supplying said second enriched stream to a second fixed desorption stage feed port for delivery to said chambers, said second enriched stream removing the oxygen loaded onto said adsorbent in step (v) to produce a stream having a further increased concentration of oxygen.