Patent ID: 6719824
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A cyclic gas separation process for separating more preferentially permeable gas components from less preferentially permeable gas components of a feed gas mixture of such components, the process comprising the steps of(a) providing a membrane module having a selectively gas permeable membrane for the more preferentially permeable gas components and the less preferentially permeable gas components, (b) simultaneously (i) feeding the feed gas mixture to the module to contact the feed gas mixture with a first side of the membrane, (ii) discharging from the module in fluid communication with a second side of the membrane a permeate gas mixture enriched in the more preferentially permeable gas components, and (iii) withdrawing from the module in fluid communication with the first side of the membrane a retentate gas mixture enriched in the less preferentially permeable gas components, (c) stopping the feeding of the gas feed mixture to the first side and stopping the discharging of the permeate gas mixture, (d) charging a diluent gas to the module, (e) ceasing the charging of diluent gas to the module, and (f) repeating steps (b)-(e).