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A unique switching valve for use with a multi-chamber adsorbent air and gas fractionation system for controlling the flow of fluid which comprises a valve housing including an inlet port, two outlet ports and an exhaust port and first valve and second valve members in the valve housing which are mov

A unique switching valve for use with a multi-chamber adsorbent air and gas fractionation system for controlling the flow of fluid which comprises a valve housing including an inlet port, two outlet ports and an exhaust port and first valve and second valve members in the valve housing which are moveable between a first position and second position for alternately permitting and blocking fluid flow between the inlet port and the outlet ports and between the outlet ports and the exhaust port. The first and second valve members include mean for permitting a predetermined controlled flow of fluid between the inlet port and the outlet ports and means for permitting a predetermined controlled flow between the outlet ports and the exhaust port which simplify the design and control of the switching valve by eliminating the need for separate repressurization and depressurization valves. A multi-chamber adsorbent air and gas fractionation system utilizes the unique switching valve and comprises a pair of adsorption chambers adapted for air flow therethrough and periodic cycling between an adsorption cycle and a regeneration cycle where each chamber is alternately placed in communication with an inlet line which receives a pressurized air feed stream and an exhaust line maintained at a reduced pressure so that one chamber receives the pressurized air feed stream and is in the adsorption or drying cycle while the other chamber is simultaneously connected to the exhaust line and is in the reduced-pressure desorption or regeneration cycle.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [42.] A multi-chamber adsorbent fractionation system comprising:a. a pair of adsorption chambers adapted for air flow therethrough and periodic cycling between an adsorption cycle and a regeneration cycle, each chamber being alternately in communication with an inlet line including a pre

[ I claim:] [42.] A multi-chamber adsorbent fractionation system comprising:a. a pair of adsorption chambers adapted for air flow therethrough and periodic cycling between an adsorption cycle and a regeneration cycle, each chamber being alternately in communication with an inlet line including a pressurized air feed stream and an exhaust line maintained at a reduced pressure and each chamber including a discharge line for discharging dried air from the chamber following the adsorption cycle;b. control means for controlling the cycling time for switching the air flow in predetermined, periodic cycles to alternately place each of the chambers in communication with the air feed stream from the inlet line and the exhaust line for passing the air feed stream through one adsorption chamber under relatively high pressure for drying the air flow while the other chamber is simultaneously depressurized and regenerated for the next adsorption cycle;c. a purge flow means for directing a lower pressure purge air flow from the discharge line of the chamber in the adsorbing cycle through the chamber in the regeneration cycle;d. a pneumatically operated four way switching valve activated by the control means, said switching valve including a valve housing comprising a three way inlet valve having one air feed stream inlet port and two outlet ports, each outlet port being connected to one of said chambers and an exhaust valve having one exhaust port connected to said exhaust line, said inlet and exhaust valves including valve elements responsive to pressure differential thereacross and moveable back and forth within said valve housing between a port open, end position, an intermediate position and a port obstructing, closed position according to the pressure differential therein at various stages of the adsorption and regeneration cycles;e. a pressurizing means for applying a predetermined amount of pilot air pressure to said switching valve, said valve elements moveable in response to the application thereto of predetermined pilot air pressure, said pressurizing means controlled by said control means to alternately place said adsorption chambers in communication with the inlet line and the exhaust line according to the application of pilot air pressure;f. said inlet valve including means for permitting a predetermined controlled flow of fluid between said inlet port and one of said outlet ports at said intermediate position, said means comprising a passageway having a predetermined diameter, said passageway formed between said valve elements of said inlet valve and said valve housing at said intermediate position whereby the fluid flow through said inlet port to one of said outlet ports is significantly less than the fluid flow between said inlet port and said outlet port at the port open position for providing a controlled repressurization of said chambers; andg. said exhaust valve including means for permitting a predetermined controlled flow between one of said outlet ports and said exhaust port at said intermediate position, said means for providing a controlled flow comprising a passageway having a predetermined diameter, said passageway formed between said valve elements of said exhaust valve and said valve housing at said intermediate position whereby the fluid flow to said exhaust port is significantly less than the fluid flow to the exhaust port at said port open, end position for providing a controlled depressurization of each of said chambers when the exhaust valve is open and the chamber in communication with the exhaust valve is placed on the regeneration cycle.