×

Adsorption process

  • US 4,000,990 A
  • Filed: 04/16/1975
  • Issued: 01/04/1977
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1975
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A process for purifying a fluid stream which includes an impurity and a product fluid, said process comprising:

  • providing at least three adsorption zones each of which has an inlet and an outlet, each of the adsorption zones including adsorbent material capable of selectively adsorbing the impurity from the fluid stream;

    introducing the fluid stream into the inlet of the first of said adsorption zones and contacting the fluid stream with the adsorbent material of the first adsorption zone at a first pressure to thereby adsorb the impurity in the adsorbent material and provide product fluid;

    discharging the product fluid from the outlet of said first adsorption zone during first and second periods;

    reducing the pressure in a second of the adsorption zones during the first period to a second pressure which is less than said first pressure, said second adsorption zone having previously been used for adsorption of the impurity from the fluid stream;

    reducing the pressure in the second adsorption zone during at least a portion of the second period to a third pressure which is less than said second pressure and which is less than atmospheric pressure to desorb at least some of the impurity from the second adsorption zone;

    providing a pressure in a third of the adsorption zones during at least a portion of the first period which is less than said second pressure and which is less than atmospheric pressure to desorb at least some of the impurity from the third adsorption zone, said third adsorption zone having previously had the pressure therein reduced to about the second pressure;

    repressurizing the third adsorption zone during at least a portion of the second period;

    terminating the introduction of the fluid stream into the inlet of said first adsorption zone and the repressurization of said third adsorption zone;

    introducing the fluid stream into the inlet of the third adsorption zone to adsorb the impurity in the adsorbent material of the third adsorption zone and to provide product fluid;

    discharging the product fluid from the outlet of said third adsorption zone during a third period; and

    maintaining the pressure in said second adsorption zone below atmospheric pressure during at least a portion of the third period to desorb some of the impurity from the third adsorption zone during the third period.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×