초록 ▼

The secondary purifier, composed of two cylindrical adsorbent beds and valving, is used to increase the oxygen concentration of the product gas comprising oxygen and argon from a zeolite molecular sieve concentrator. The oxygen purity of the gas is increased by selectively adsorbing and exhausting t

The secondary purifier, composed of two cylindrical adsorbent beds and valving, is used to increase the oxygen concentration of the product gas comprising oxygen and argon from a zeolite molecular sieve concentrator. The oxygen purity of the gas is increased by selectively adsorbing and exhausting the argon component by the use of beds of small particle size (16×40 mesh) carbon molecular sieve. In a two step cycle, during step 1 of the cycle one bed receives high pressure 30 PSIA feed gas which pressurizes the bed and establishes a product oxygen flow, and the argon component of the air is removed by preferential adsorption in the carbon molecular sieve. Simultaneously, the high pressure gas in the other bed is vented to a lower pressure usually the ambient surroundings, and this depressurization serves to desorb the argon previously adsorbed during the high pressure phase of the cycle. In step 2 of the cycle the adsorbent beds exchange roles. This constant cycling results in a continuous product stream of very high purity oxygen (up to 99.6%). The separation is conducted at a temperature of 297°K. The secondary purifier does not require a regenerative purge flow for efficient operation, which minimizes the feed gas consumption.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for producing oxygen with alow proportion of argon from a feed gas which is approximately 95% oxygen and 5% argon, using first and second beds containing 16×40 mesh carbon molecular sieve, operating by alternatively cycling said beds through steps of adsorption and desorption, each cycle h

A process for producing oxygen with alow proportion of argon from a feed gas which is approximately 95% oxygen and 5% argon, using first and second beds containing 16×40 mesh carbon molecular sieve, operating by alternatively cycling said beds through steps of adsorption and desorption, each cycle having first and second half cycles, comprising: in each first half-cycle of operation passing said feed gas under pressure through the first bed to pressurize the bed and provide a flow of product gas at an outlet port to preferentially adsorb argon and concentrate oxygen, while simultaneously the second bed is depressurized and the argon adsorbed during the previous cycle is desorbed and exhausted; and in each second half-cycle of operation passing said feed gas under pressure through the second bed to pressurize the bed and provide a flow of product gas at the outlet port to preferentially adsorb argon and concentrate oxygen, while simultaneously the first bed is depressurized and the argon adsorbed during the previous cycle is desorbed and exhausted; whereby by repeating these steps of adsorption and desorption, a continuous stream of oxygen is produced having a purity substantially greater than that of the feed gas (up to 99.6%).