초록 ▼

Pressure swing adsorption process and system for separating gas mixtures comprising at least one more strongly adsorbable component and at least one less strongly adsorbable component. The process includes storing gas enriched in one of the components in a first storage tank and a second storage tan

Pressure swing adsorption process and system for separating gas mixtures comprising at least one more strongly adsorbable component and at least one less strongly adsorbable component. The process includes storing gas enriched in one of the components in a first storage tank and a second storage tank which are arranged in series. Final product gas is provided from the second storage tank while gas for purge, rinse, and/or repressurization is provided from the first storage tank.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of a pressurized feed gas containing at least one more strongly adsorbable component and at least one less strongly adsorbable component to recover a final product gas enriched in one of the components, which process

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of a pressurized feed gas containing at least one more strongly adsorbable component and at least one less strongly adsorbable component to recover a final product gas enriched in one of the components, which process comprises:(1) the steps of(1a) introducing the pressurized feed gas into a feed inlet end of an adsorber vessel containing a solid adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs the more strongly adsorbable component, and withdrawing from an outlet end of the adsorber vessel an adsorber effluent gas enriched in the less strongly adsorbable component;(1b) depressurizing the adsorber vessel by withdrawing therefrom a gas stream enriched in the more strongly adsorbable component until the pressure therein reaches a minimum adsorber pressure;(1c) repressurizing the adsorber vessel from the minimum adsorber pressure to the feed pressure by introducing repressurization gas into the adsorber vessel; and(1d) repeating steps (1a) through (1c) in a cyclic manner;(2) when the final product gas is a gas enriched in the less strongly adsorbable component, the additional steps of(2a) storing adsorber effluent gas in a first gas storage tank, withdrawing stored adsorber effluent from the first gas storage tank and storing the resulting withdrawn gas in a second gas storage tank;(2b) introducing gas from the first gas storage tank into the outlet end of the adsorber vessel while simultaneously withdrawing gas from the feed inlet end of the adsorber vessel; and(2c) withdrawing the final product gas from the second gas storage tank during at least steps (1b) and (1c); and(3) when the final product gas is a gas enriched in the more strongly adsorbable component, the additional steps of(3a) introducing a rinse gas enriched in the more strongly adsorbable component from a first gas storage tank into the feed inlet end of the adsorber vessel while simultaneously withdrawing gas from the outlet end of the adsorber vessel;(3b) during step (1b), storing the gas stream enriched in the more strongly adsorbable component in the first storage tank, withdrawing stored gas from the first gas storage tank and storing the resulting withdrawn gas in a second storage tank; and(3c) withdrawing the final product gas from the second gas storage tank during at least steps (1a), (1b), and (1c).