초록 ▼

A molecular sieve type gas separation apparatus (10) for separating product gas from a gas supply (14) includes at least one sieve bed (11-13) which during an adsorption charge phase of a cycle, adsorbs non product gas in the gas supply (14), and in a desorption regeneration phase of the cycle desor

A molecular sieve type gas separation apparatus (10) for separating product gas from a gas supply (14) includes at least one sieve bed (11-13) which during an adsorption charge phase of a cycle, adsorbs non product gas in the gas supply (14), and in a desorption regeneration phase of the cycle desorbs the previously adsorbed non product gas. The apparatus further includes an outlet (18) to which product gas is delivered during the adsorption charge phase, and an outlet (31) for non product gas during the desorption regeneration phase. A sensor (36) responsive to the concentration of a constituent in the product gas, and a control (20) to switch the apparatus (10) between the adsorption charge and desorption regeneration phases are further provided. The control (20) is adapted to adjust the duration of adsorption charge phase relative to the duration of the desorption regeneration phase in each cycle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for separating product gas from a gas supply with a plurality of sieve beds where each sieve bed functioning during an adsorption charge phase of a cycle, to adsorb non product gas in the gas supply, and during desorption regeneration phase of the cycle, to desorb the previously adsorbed

1. A method for separating product gas from a gas supply with a plurality of sieve beds where each sieve bed functioning during an adsorption charge phase of a cycle, to adsorb non product gas in the gas supply, and during desorption regeneration phase of the cycle, to desorb the previously adsorbed non product gas, said method comprising the steps of:determining a desired constituent concentration in the product gas; delivering product gas from each sieve bed to a first outlet during a respective adsorption charge phase; delivering non product gas from each sieve bed to a second outlet delivered during a respective desorption regeneration phase; sensing a concentration of the constituent in the product gas; and controlling the sieve beds to achieve a constituent concentration in the product gas close to the desired constituent concentration in the product gas, which concentration varies during an operation period of the sieve beds, comprising the steps of: switching each sieve bed between the adsorption charge and desorption regeneration phases; maintaining the overall cycle time of each sieve bed generally constant during the operation period, and varying the duration of the adsorption charge phase relative to the duration of the desorption regeneration phase of each sieve bed in each generally constant cycle in response to sensing that the concentration of the constituent in the product gas varies from the desired constituent concentration.