Methods and systems for managing gas purification
AssigneeMecanique Analytique Inc.
InventorYves GAMACHE
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Abstract
A method for extending useful life of a sorbent for purifying a gas by sorption of an impurity is provided. The method generating a electrical discharge within the gas to obtain a spectral emission representative of a concentration of the impurity. The method also includes monitoring the concentration of the impurity according to the spectral emission. The method also includes lowering the concentration of the impurity by conversion of at least a portion of the impurity into a secondary impurity having a greater affinity to the sorbent than the impurity. The method also includes comparing the concentration of the impurity to a polluting concentration and managing the sorption of the gas onto the sorbent according to the comparison.
Claims58
A method for extending useful life of a sorbent, the sorbent being for purifying a gas by sorption of an impurity, the method comprising:
- generating an electrical discharge within the gas to obtain a spectral emission representative of a concentration of the impurity Ci;
- monitoring the concentration of the impurity Ci according to the spectral emission;
- lowering the concentration of the impurity Ci by conversion of at least a portion of the impurity into a secondary impurity having a greater affinity to the sorbent than the impurity;
- and
- comparing Ci to a polluting concentration Cp, and managing the sorption of the impurity according to the comparison, comprising:
- when Ci<Cp:
- allowing the sorption of the impurity onto the sorbent, to obtain a purified gas;
- and
- when Ci≧Cp:
- preventing the sorption of the impurity onto the sorbent.
A method for purifying a gas by sorption of an impurity onto a sorbent, the method comprising:
- generating an electrical discharge within the gas to obtain a spectral emission representative of a concentration of the impurity Ci;
- monitoring the concentration of the impurity Ci according to the spectral emission;
- lowering the concentration of the impurity Ci by conversion of at least a portion of the impurity into a secondary impurity having a greater affinity to the sorbent than the impurity, to obtain a pre-treated gas;
- and
- contacting the pre-treated gas with the sorbent for sorption of the impurity onto the sorbent when Ci is lowered below a polluting concentration Cp.
A system for purifying a gas by sorption of an impurity onto a sorbent, the system comprising:
- an electrical discharge reactor for generating an electrical discharge within the gas and obtaining a spectral emission representative of a concentration of the impurity Ci;
- a monitoring unit operatively connected to the electrical discharge reactor, for monitoring the concentration of the impurity Ci according to the spectral emission;
- a reaction chamber in fluid communication with the electrical discharge reactor, for lowering the concentration of the impurity Ci by conversion of at least a portion of the impurity into a secondary impurity having a greater affinity to the sorbent than the impurity;
- a purification unit comprising the sorbent, configurable to receive the gas from the reaction chamber and purify the gas by sorption to obtain a purified gas;
- and
- a control unit operatively connected to the monitoring unit and the purification unit, the control unit being configured to compare Ci to a polluting concentration Cp, wherein:
- the control unit enables sorption of the gas onto the sorbent when Ci<Cp;
- and
- the control unit prevents sorption of the gas onto the sorbent when Ci≧Cp.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.