초록 ▼

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically controlling product purity in a pressure swing adsorption process without risking unacceptable impurity breakthrough as the feedstock changes, yet providing rapid response and high stability. The process comprises sensing a char

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically controlling product purity in a pressure swing adsorption process without risking unacceptable impurity breakthrough as the feedstock changes, yet providing rapid response and high stability. The process comprises sensing a characteristic of the effluent from cocurrent depressurization, and taking corrective action responsive thereto. Any action can be taken which is effective to vary the impurity concentration in the product gas in the direction necessary to obtain desired product purity. Among the suitable corrective actions are the following: (1) adjusting the adsorption step time to control the impurity loading of each adsorbent bed; (2) adjusting the cocurrent depressurization termination pressure to control the impurity breakthrough at the product end of each adsorbent bed; and/or (3) adjusting the amount of purging gas received by each adsorbent bed to control the extent of regeneration.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for controlling the level of impurity in a gas product stream from a pressure swing adsorption process including a cocurrent depressurization step, comprising: sensing a characteristic of the effluent from said cocurrent depressurization step; and taking a corrective action responsive to t

A process for controlling the level of impurity in a gas product stream from a pressure swing adsorption process including a cocurrent depressurization step, comprising: sensing a characteristic of the effluent from said cocurrent depressurization step; and taking a corrective action responsive to the sensed characteristic, said action being effective to vary the impurity concentration in the product gas in the direction necessary to obtain desired product purity. An apparatus for controlling the level of impurity in a gas product stream from a pressure swing adsorption process including a cocurrent depressurization step, comprising: means for sensing a characteristic of the effluent from said cocurrent depressurization step; and means for taking a corrective action responsive to the sensed characteristic, said action being effective to vary the impurity concentration in the product gas in the direction necessary to obtain desired product purity.