Patent ID: 6287366
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B01D,C01B

Abstract:
A process for the production of oxygen from air by adsorption, in at least one unit comprising two adsorbers, where there is carried out in each adsorber a cycle comprising the following successive steps:a1) countercurrent repressurization to an intermediate pressure with at least one gas coming directly from the other adsorber subject to a first co-current depressurization;a2) co-current repressurization by air, terminating by a sub-step of production at an upper pressure of the cycle during which product gas is withdrawn from the adsorber and sent to a non-segregated product gas capacity;b) a first co-current decompression step with simultaneous counter-current and co-current withdrawal of gas from the adsorber, the gas withdrawn co-currently being sent directly to the other adsorber in the course of step a1);c) a countercurrent purge step to a low pressure of the cycle; andd) a purge/elution step in which production gas is introduced countercurrently into the adsorber which is subjected simultaneously to countercurrent evacuation.