Pressure swing adsorption product purity control method and apparatus
US4693730A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D2259/404
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically controlling product purity in a pressure swing adsorption process without risking unacceptable impurity breakthrough as the feedstock changes, yet providing rapid response and high stability. The process comprises sensing a characteristic of the effluent from cocurrent depressurization, and taking corrective action responsive thereto. Any action can be taken which is effective to vary the impurity concentration in the product gas in the direction necessary to obtain desired product purity. Among the suitable corrective actions are the following: (1) adjusting the adsorption step time to control the impurity loading of each adsorbent bed; (2) adjusting the cocurrent depressurization termination pressure to control the impurity breakthrough at the product end of each adsorbent bed; and/or (3) adjusting the amount of purging gas received by each adsorbent bed to control the extent of regeneration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.