Patent ID: 6425938
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of a pressurized feed gas containing at least one more strongly adsorbable component and at least one less strongly adsorbable component which comprises:(a) introducing the pressurized feed gas into a feed end of an adsorber vessel containing a solid adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs the more strongly adsorbable component, withdrawing from a product end of the adsorber vessel an adsorber effluent gas enriched in the less strongly adsorbable component, introducing adsorber effluent gas into a first gas storage tank, and withdrawing a final product gas from the first gas storage tank; (b) terminating introduction of the pressurized feed gas into the adsorber vessel and depressurizing the adsorber vessel by withdrawing gas therefrom and introducing the withdrawn gas into a second gas storage tank; (c) further depressurizing the adsorber vessel by withdrawing additional gas therefrom; (d) purging the adsorber vessel by introducing gas from the second gas storage tank into the adsorber vessel while continuing to withdraw gas therefrom; (e) terminating the introduction of gas from the second gas storage tank into the adsorber vessel and immediately thereafter repressurizing the adsorber vessel by introducing pressurized feed gas into the feed end thereof; and (f) repeating (a) through (e) in a cyclic manner.