초록 ▼

The present invention describes a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) apparatus and process for the production of purified hydrogen from a feed gas stream containing heavy hydrocarbons (i.e., hydrocarbons having at least six carbons). The apparatus comprises at least one bed containing at least three la

The present invention describes a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) apparatus and process for the production of purified hydrogen from a feed gas stream containing heavy hydrocarbons (i.e., hydrocarbons having at least six carbons). The apparatus comprises at least one bed containing at least three layers. The layered adsorption zone contains a feed end with a low surface area adsorbent (20 to 400 m 2 /g) which comprises 2 to 20% of the total bed length followed by a layer of an intermediate surface area adsorbent (425 to 800 m 2 /g) which comprises 25 to 40% of the total bed length and a final layer of high surface area adsorbent (825 to 2000 m 2 /g) which comprises 40 to 78% of the total bed length.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pressure swing adsorption Apparatus comprising at least one bed containing at least three layers;a feed-end layer containing a feed-end adsorbent having a first surface area sufficiently small to separate a heavy hydrocarbon having at least six carbons from a light hydrocarbon having less than

1. A pressure swing adsorption Apparatus comprising at least one bed containing at least three layers;a feed-end layer containing a feed-end adsorbent having a first surface area sufficiently small to separate a heavy hydrocarbon having at least six carbons from a light hydrocarbon having less than six carbons, wherein said first surface area is too small to substantially separate methane from hydrogen;a product-end layer containing a product-end adsorbent having a second surface area sufficiently large to separate methane from hydrogen; andan intermediate layer containing an intermediate adsorbent having an intermediate surface area intermediate to said first surface area and said second surface area. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first surface area is from about 20 m 2 /g to about 400 m 2 /g. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermediate surface area is from about 425 m 2 /g to about 800 m 2 /g. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second surface area is from about 825 m 2 /g to about 2000 m 2 /g. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first surface area is from 20 m 2 /g to 400 m 2 /g, said intermediate surface area is from 425 m 2 /g to 800 m 2 /g, and said second surface area is from 825 m 2 /g to 2000 m 2 /g. 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feed-end adsorbent occupies about 2% to about 20% of a total length of said at least one bed. 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said intermediate adsorbent occupies about 25% to about 40% of a total length of said at least one bed. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said product-end adsorbent occupies about 40% to about 73% of a total length of said at least one bed. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said feed-end adsorbent occupies 2% to 20% of a total length of said at least one bed, said intermediate adsorbent occupies 25% to 40% of said total length, and said product-end adsorbent occupies 40% to 73% of said total length. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first surface area is from 20 m 2 /g to 400 m 2 /g, said intermediate surface area is from 425 m 2 /g to 800 m 2 /g, and said second surface area is from 825 m 2 /g to 2000 m 2 /g. 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said feed-end adsorbent is activated alumina, silica gel, titania, silica-alumina or zinc oxide, said intermediate adsorbent is silica gel or activated carbon, and said product-end adsorbent is activated carbon or zeolite. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said feed-end adsorbent has a particle size diameter of 0.5 to 3 mm, said intermediate adsorbent has a particle size diameter of 1 to 3 mm, and said product-end adsorbent has a particle size diameter of 1 to 3 mm.