초록 ▼

In a process for the production of nitrogen by adsorption on carbons or similar molecular sieves contained in a cylinder ( 2 ), the amount of Q 1 of nitrogen obtainable from the cylinder at the required purity at the cylinder pressure Pp is calculated; compressed air is fed to the cylinder which is

In a process for the production of nitrogen by adsorption on carbons or similar molecular sieves contained in a cylinder ( 2 ), the amount of Q 1 of nitrogen obtainable from the cylinder at the required purity at the cylinder pressure Pp is calculated; compressed air is fed to the cylinder which is brought to a pressure value at least equal to the pressure Pp and in any case greater than the pressure present in a collecting reservoir ( 3 ); at any cycle a fixed amount Q 2 (where Q 1 ≧Q 2 ) of gas is transferred from the adsorber cylinder to the reservoir ( 3 ) and the cylinder is depressurised after each transfer to regenerate carbons. Also claimed are an apparatus for the production of nitrogen, the use of such an apparatus is a drink dispensing device and a drink dispensing device comprising such an apparatus.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A process for the production of nitrogen gas comprising the steps of: feeding compressed air to an adsorber cylinder ( 2 ) containing a plurality of adsorbent means for removing oxygen from said air until said adsorber cylinder is pressurized; feeding product gas flow exiting said cylinder ( 2 )

1. A process for the production of nitrogen gas comprising the steps of: feeding compressed air to an adsorber cylinder ( 2 ) containing a plurality of adsorbent means for removing oxygen from said air until said adsorber cylinder is pressurized; feeding product gas flow exiting said cylinder ( 2 ) to a collecting reservoir ( 3 ); depressurising said adsorber cylinder to regenerate said adsorbent means and cyclically repeating said steps, characterized in further comprising the steps of: calculating the amount Q1 of nitrogen gas obtainable from said adsorber cylinder with the required purity at pressure Pp of the cylinder; bringing said cylinder to a pressure value at least equal to said pressure Pp and in any case exceeding the pressure present in said collecting reservoir; and transferring in each cycle from said adsorber cylinder ( 2 ) to said reservoir ( 3 ) a fixed gas amount Q2, where Q1≧Q2. 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the feeding of the product gas flow exiting cylinder ( 2 ) to a collecting reservoir ( 3 ) takes place after said adsorber cylinder ( 2 ) has been pressurized at a pressure 300 mbar higher than the pressure in said reservoir ( 3 ). 3. A process according to claim 1, wherein, in for the feeding of the product gas flow exiting cylinder ( 2 ) to a collecting reservoir ( 3 ), the amount of gas flow is measured and regulated over a preset and constant transfer time. 4. A process according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: feeding compressed air to said adsorber cylinder ( 2 ) until at least said pressure Pp is reached; connecting said cylinder to said reservoir by means of a flow regulator ( 9 ) to transfer gas from the cylinder to the reservoir; setting a flowrate of nitrogen gas through said flow regulator ( 9 ); transferring said gas through said flow regulator ( 9 ) for a preset time in a way to transfer said amount Q 2 ; stopping said transfer when said amount Q 2 is reached; cutting off compressed air feeding to said cylinder ( 2 ); regenerating said adsorbent means. 5. A process according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of feeding pressurized air to said cylinder ( 2 ) during the step the feeding of the product gas flow exiting cylinder ( 2 ) to a collecting reservoir ( 3 ) and of discontinuing said feeding of pressurized air when the step of feeding of the product gas flow exiting cylinder ( 2 ) to a collecting reservoir ( 3 ) is over. 6. An apparatus for the production of nitrogen, comprising a compressed air source ( 1 , 1 A); at least one cylinder ( 2 ) containing means for oxygen adsorption; a reservoir ( 3 ) to collect the product gas exiting said cylinder and means ( 7 ) to transfer said gas from said cylinder ( 2 ) to said reservoir ( 3 ), wherein said apparatus further comprises means ( 19 , 20 ) to measure pressure in said cylinder ( 2 ) and in said reservoir ( 3 ); means ( 9 ) to measure and regulate said gas flow in said transfer means, said means ( 9 ) to measure and regulate gas flow being set to transfer a fixed and constant volume of gas; and means ( 8 ) to stop said transfer once a preset amount Q 2 of gas has been transferred. 7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said means to measure and regulate gas flow comprises at least two pressure transducers, a flow regulator ( 9 ) and at least one on-off valve ( 8 ). 8. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means ( 6 , 1 a ) to cut off feeding of compressed air once said amount of nitrogen gas Q 2 has been transferred. 9. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means ( 14 ) for mixing nitrogen gas exiting said reservoir ( 3 ) with carbon dioxide exiting a separate tank ( 17 ). 10. A drink dispensing device comprising sources of pressurized gas, wherein an apparatus for nitrogen production according to claim 6 is included.