초록 ▼

A process and apparatus for separating the components of a gas mixture in a pair of adsorption vessels using a single gas compressor/pump to move gas into and out of the adsorption vessels. The cycle is such that the gas compressor/pump is in continuous operation. The adsorption cycle is non-symmetr

A process and apparatus for separating the components of a gas mixture in a pair of adsorption vessels using a single gas compressor/pump to move gas into and out of the adsorption vessels. The cycle is such that the gas compressor/pump is in continuous operation. The adsorption cycle is non-symmetrical in that the series of steps carried out in one of the adsorbers is not the same as the series of steps carried out in the other adsorber. The apparatus includes an intermediate gas storage container which is used to temporarily store gas removed from the nonadsorbed gas outlet end of the adsorption vessels so that it can be used to partially pressurize the adsorption vessels upon completion of the adsorbent regeneration step of the adsorption cycle.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A process for producing first component-enriched gas from a feed gas containing first and second components in a system comprising at least one gas reservoir and at least two adsorption zones each containing an adsorbent which selectively adsorbs said second component, co

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A process for producing first component-enriched gas from a feed gas containing first and second components in a system comprising at least one gas reservoir and at least two adsorption zones each containing an adsorbent which selectively adsorbs said second component, comprising repeatedly performing the steps:(i) producing first component-enriched gas in one of said adsorption zones by cocurrently introducing feed gas thereinto and cocurrently removing first component-enriched gas therefrom, while partially depressurizing another of said adsorption zones by cocurrently transferring gas therefrom and into said gas reservoir;(ii) partially depressurizing one of said adsorption zones by cocurrently transferring gas therefrom and into said gas reservoir, while countercurrently removing second component-enriched gas from another of said adsorption zones;(iii) purging one of said adsorption zones by transferring gas cocurrently out of another adsorption zone and countercurrently into said one of said adsorption zones of this step (iii) while countercurrently withdrawing gas therefrom;(iv) countercurrently removing second component-enriched gas from one of said adsorption zones, while partially pressurizing another of said adsorption zones by countercurrently transferring gas thereinto from said gas reservoir;(v) purging one of said adsorption zones other than the adsorption zone purged in step (iii) by countercurrently transferring gas thereinto from said gas reservoir and countercurrently removing second component-enriched gas from said one of said adsorption zones of this step (v), while further pressurizing the adsorption zone partially pressurized in step (iv) by cocurrently introducing feed gas thereinto;(vi) partially pressurizing one of said adsorption zones by countercurrently transferring gas thereinto from said gas reservoir, while producing first component-enriched gas by cocurrently introducing feed gas into another of said adsorption zones other than said one adsorption zone of step (i) and cocurrently removing first component-enriched gas therefrom; and(vii) further pressurizing the adsorption zone partially pressurized in step (vi) by cocurrently introducing feed gas thereinto, while continuing to cocurrently introduce feed gas into said another of said adsorption zones referred to in step (vi) and cocurrently removing first component-enriched gas therefrom.