Energy-saving process for the separation of organic compounds from gases

US5759236A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Engelhard Process Chemicals GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Heinrich Thomas Bruck · Hennef (Sieg), DE
• Leo Vondenhoff · Schorndorf, DE
• Michael Hoffmeister · Laatzen, DE
• Torsten Schmidt · Chemnitz, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 17, 1996
• Grant date: Jun 2, 1998
• Expiry date: May 17, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10S95/901
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for separating organic compounds, such as solvents, from gases, e.g. waste gases of paint shops. The gases to be treated are conducted in an adsorber over a sorbent which is composed of particulate activated carbon in an oxidic carrier. The charged sorbent is regenerated by passing therethrough, preferably according to the countercurrent principle, a heated regeneration gas, the regeneration gas charged with desorbate is cooled so that organic compounds condense and can then be separated, whereupon the regeneration gas is reheated and reused for the desorption of the charged sorbent. Heating of the regeneration gas as well as cooling of the regeneration gas charged with desorbate are, at least partially, effected by a heat pump. It will be expedient to provide at least two adsorbers which are charged and regenerated alternately. An apparatus for carrying out the process is additionally described.