초록 ▼

A pressure swing adsorption process and system for generating gaseous streams which are high in oxygen purity and high in nitrogen purity utilize a first adsorption zone adapted to principally adsorb oxygen from a feed stream containing oxygen, nitrogen and argon via kinetic separation techniques an

A pressure swing adsorption process and system for generating gaseous streams which are high in oxygen purity and high in nitrogen purity utilize a first adsorption zone adapted to principally adsorb oxygen from a feed stream containing oxygen, nitrogen and argon via kinetic separation techniques and a second adsorption zone adapted to adsorb nitrogen from a feed stream containing oxygen and nitrogen via equilibrium separation techniques. Following a step in the process operation involving a directing of a feed stream into the first adsorption zone, the first adsorption zone is purged in a desorption step so that a purge stream exits the inlet of the first adsorption zone. During the initial moments of this desorption step, the purge stream is vented to the atmosphere, and during the latter moments of this desorption step, the gaseous purge stream is conducted to the inlet of the second adsorption zone so that a gaseous stream which is high in oxygen purity exits the outlet of the second adsorption zone. The second adsorption zone is subsequently purged so that a gaseous desorption stream exists the second adsorption zone and is supplied otthe inlet of the first adsorption zone as part of the feed stream.

대표청구항 ▼

A pressure swing adsorption process utilizing first and second adsorption zones, each zone including an inlet and an outlet and wherein the first adsorption zone is adapted to principally adsorb oxygen from a feed stream containing oxygen, nitrogen, argon and moisture and like contaminants by kineti

A pressure swing adsorption process utilizing first and second adsorption zones, each zone including an inlet and an outlet and wherein the first adsorption zone is adapted to principally adsorb oxygen from a feed stream containing oxygen, nitrogen, argon and moisture and like contaminants by kinetic separation techniques and the second adsorption zone is adapted to adsorb nitrogen from a feed stream containing oxygen and nitrogen by equilibrium separation techniques, said process comprising the steps of: (a) directing a gaseous feed stream into the inlet of the first adsorption zone wherein the feed stream is draw, at least in part, from the atmosphere and includes oxygen, nitrogen, argon and moisture and like contaminants so that oxygen is principally adsorbed by the first adsorption zone as well as moisture and like contaminants contained within the feed stream and a gaseous mixture rich in nitrogen and argon, when compared to the feed stream, exits the outlet of the first adsorption zone; (b) shutting off the feed stream flow to the inlet of the first adsorption zone; (c) conducting gaseous contents from the first adsorption zone through the inlet thereof for a predetermined period of time so that a purge stream which is rich in oxygen and depleted in nitrogen and argon, when compared to the feed stream, exits the inlet of the first adsorption zone and so that the oxygen concentration of the purge stream generally increases throughout the predetermined period, said predetermined period of time comprised of an initial period of time beginning at the start of the predetermined period of time and a remaining period of time beginning at the end of said initial period and ending with the end of the predetermined period; (1) venting the purge stream conducted from the first adsorption zone to the atmosphere throughout said initial period of time to expel the moisture and like contaminants adsorbed by the first adsorption zone from the process cycle; (2) directing the purge stream conducted from the first adsorption zone into the inlet of the second adsorption zone throughout said remaining period of time so that throughout the remaining period, nitrogen is adsorbed from the purge stream by the second adsorption zone and so that a gaseous stream which is high in oxygen purity, when compared to the purge stream, exits the outlet of the second adsorption zone; (d) shutting off the purge stream flow to the inlet of the second adsorption zone; and (e) ushering gaseous contents from the second adsorption zone through the inlet thereof so that a desorption stream exits the inlet of the second adsorption zone.