Process for the separation of contaminants from feed streams using magnetic beds

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the separation of components or mixtures from feedstreams using magnetically stabilized beds. More particularly, the invention relates to the removal of contaminants from fluid streams in a continuous process by use of solid absorbents which also include a magnetizable component capable of adsorbing the contaminants from the fluid streams wherein the adsorption and desorption are carried out at substantially the same pressure. The adsorbent particles and magnetizable component which flow or move through the vessel are stabilized against fluid by-passing and solids back-mixing and recirculation generally associated with fluidized beds (except for the flow or movement of the solids through the contacting vessels) during adsorption and desorption by the use of an applied magnetic field. The use of the applied magnetic field enables one to use small size adsorbent particles without encountering high pressure drops as with fixed bed processes. The small adsorbent particles give faster transfer of the contaminants than with larger particles which allows for closer approach to equilibrium, the use of smaller beds than by use of fixed beds and the possibility of using one bed rather than a multiplicity of beds as with fixed bed processes.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.