Patent ID: 6641645
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A gas transfer segment of a vacuum swing adsorption process cycle utilizing multiple parallel adsorbent beds which undergo cyclic process steps to separate the components of a feed gas mixture, each bed having a feed end and a product end, wherein the gas transfer segment comprises the steps of withdrawing a waste gas stream from the feed end of a first bed, withdrawing a transfer gas from the product end of the first bed and introducing the transfer gas into the product end of a second bed, and withdrawing a waste gas stream from the feed end of the second bed, terminating the withdrawing of the waste gas stream from the feed end of the second bed while continuing to withdraw the waste gas stream from the feed end of the first bed, continuing to withdraw the transfer gas from the product end of the first bed, and continuing to introduce the transfer gas into the product end of the second bed.