Patent ID: 8231709

Claim:
A process for separating a gas mixture containing essentially hydrogen and carbon monoxide, but also at least carbon dioxide and water vapor, said process comprising the steps of: a) drying the gas mixture in a drying unit, thereby obtaining a dried gas mixture, wherein the dried gas mixture is substantially dry such that water is prevented from condensing downstream; b) separating the dried gas mixture, the dried gas mixture having a pressure P 0 , into at least a first gas stream and a second gas stream, the first gas stream having a pressure P I , the first gas stream containing all the compounds contained in the dry gas mixture in a first proportion, the second gas stream having a pressure P II , wherein the pressure P II is greater than the pressure P I , the second gas stream containing all the compounds contained in the dry gas mixture, in a second proportion, wherein the first proportion is different from the second proportion; c) using the second gas stream; and d) using at least a portion of the first gas stream.