Enhanced hydrogen recovery from low purity gas streams
US4398926A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1982 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC01B2203/048
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A high pressure as stream having a hydrogen content of up to about 90 mol percent is passed to a separator containing a permeable membrane capable of selectively permeating hydrogen. The separator is used to achieve a bulk separation of the desired hydrogen from impurities contained in the gas stream. The separated hydrogen is recovered at a reduced pressure and is passed to a pressure swing adsorption system adapted for operation at said reduced pressure. The off-gas from the separator is recovered essentially at the higher pressure of the gas stream. A portion of the off-gas is throttled to a lower pressure, with appropriate power recovery, and is passed to the pressure swing adsorption system as a co-feed gas, thereby contributing to the recovery of purified hydrogen product and to a reduction in the operating costs for the desired hydrogen separation and purification. The remaining off-gas is recovered as a relatively high pressure fuel or feed gas for other purposes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.