Patent ID: 7501009
Filing Date: 2009-03-10
Classification: B01D,C01B,F25J,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method for producing argon product comprising: withdrawing an argon-containing fluid from a first cryogenic distillation column; increasing the pressure of at least a portion of the argon-containing fluid in a means for increasing pressure thereby forming a compressed argon-containing fluid; introducing at least a portion of the compressed argon-containing fluid into a first end portion of a first pressure swing adsorption vessel; withdrawing a first argon-rich gas from a second end portion of the first pressure swing adsorption vessel; terminating the introduction of the compressed argon-containing fluid into the first pressure swing adsorption vessel; withdrawing a depressurization gas from at least one of the first end portion and a middle portion of the first pressure swing adsorption vessel thereby reducing the pressure in the first pressure swing adsorption vessel to a final depressurization pressure; regulating the flow of at least a portion of the depressurization gas by passing the at least a portion of the depressurization gas to a means for moderating flow thereby forming a regulated depressurization gas; and introducing at least a portion of the regulated depressurization gas into at least one of the first cryogenic distillation column and the means for increasing pressure.