Process and apparatus for the separation of gases

A cyclic adsorption process for simultaneously separating a first gas from a first gas mixture in a first adsorption chamber which contains an adsorbent which selectively adsorbs said first gas from said first gas mixture, and a second gas from a second gas mixture in a second adsorption chamber which contains an adsorbent which selectively adsorbs said second gas from said second gas mixture, said first and second adsorption chambers being disposed longitudinally relative to each other in a cylindrical vessel and being separated by a first planar partition which, in conjunction with the cylindrical sidewall of the vessel forms a gas-tight barrier between the adsorption chambers, comprising repeatedly performing in sequence the steps:

• (a) passing said first gas mixture through said first adsorption chamber at an adsorption pressure in the range of about 1.05 to about 20 bara and at an adsorption temperature in the range of about -50.degree. to about 150.degree. C., thereby adsorbing said first gas and producing a first gas-depleted nonadsorbed gas stream, while simultaneously passing said second gas mixture through said second adsorption chamber at an adsorption pressure in the range of about 1.05 to about 20 bara and at an adsorption temperature in the range of about -50.degree. to about 150.degree. C., thereby adsorbing said second gas and producing a second gas-depleted nonadsorbed gas stream;
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• (b) regenerating the adsorbent in the first and second adsorption chambers by passing a purge gas through these chambers at a pressure substantially the same as the pressure at which step (a) is carried out, or by simultaneously reducing the pressure in said first and second adsorption chambers, or by simultaneously increasing the temperature in the first and second adsorption chambers, or by a combination of these procedures, thereby desorbing said first gas from the adsorbent in said first adsorption chamber and producing a first gas-enriched gas stream, and simultaneously desorbing said second gas from the adsorbent in said second adsorption chamber and producing a second gas-enriched gas stream;
• the difference in pressure between said first and second adsorption chambers at all times during the process being less than that at which stress failure occurs.

Apparatus for separating a strongly adsorbed gas from a weakly adsorbed gas comprising:

• (a) a horizontally disposed elongate vessel having a cylindrical sidewall and convex endwalls;
• (b) first, second and third planar, circular, gas impermeable partitions positioned within said vessel perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said vessel, the perimeters of said partitions being in continuous gas-tight engagement with said side wall, said first and third partitions being proximate opposite ends of said sidewall and said second partition being positioned intermediate said first and third partitions, such that a first right circular cylindrical chamber is formed between said first and second partitions, a second right circular cylindrical chamber is formed between said second and third partitions, a first product gas buffer compartment is formed between said first partition and one of said convex endwalls, and a second product gas buffer compartment is formed between said third partition and the other of said convex endwalls, said first and second right circular cylindrical chambers containing strongly adsorbed gas-selective adsorbent;
• (c) first conduit means passing through said sidewall and providing fluid communication between a source of feed gas, said first and second cylindrical chambers and said first and second product gas buffer compartments;
• (d) second conduit means passing through said sidewall at a point diametrically opposite the point at which said first conduit passes through said sidewall, and providing fluid communication between said first and second cylindrical chambers, a waste gas disposal means and a source of purge gas;
• (e) third conduit means providing fluid communication between said first and second gas product buffers and product gas discharge means;
• (f) valve means in said first conduit means for selectively directing the flow of feed gas to said first and second chambers and for selectively directing the flow of sorbate to said first and second product gas buffer compartments;
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• (g) valve means in said second conduit means for selectively directing the flow of nonadsorbed gas from said first and second chambers to said waste gas disposal means and for selectively directing the flow of purge gas to said first and second chambers.

Apparatus for separating a strongly adsorbed gas from a weakly adsorbed gas comprising:

• (a) a horizontally disposed elongate vessel having a cylindrical sidewall and convex endwalls;
• (b) first, second and third planar, circular, gas impermeable partitions positioned within said vessel perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said vessel, the perimeters of said partitions being in continuous gas-tight engagement with said side wall, said first and third partitions being proximate opposite ends of said sidewall and said second partition being positioned intermediate said first and third partitions, such that a first right circular cylindrical chamber is formed between said first and second partitions, a second right circular cylindrical chamber is formed between said second and third partitions, a first product gas buffer compartment is formed between said first partition and one of said convex endwalls, and a second product gas buffer compartment is formed between said third partition and the other of said convex endwalls, said first and second right circular cylindrical chambers containing the same adsorbent or different adsorbents;
• (c) first conduit means passing through said sidewall and connecting said first cylindrical chamber with a source of a first feed gas and said first product gas buffer compartment;
• (d) second conduit means passing through said sidewall and connecting said second cylindrical chamber with a source of second feed gas and said second product gas buffer compartment;
• (e) third conduit means passing through said sidewall at a point diametrically opposite the point at which said first conduit means passes through said sidewall, and connecting said first cylindrical chamber with a first gas discharge conduit and a source of first purge gas;
• (f) fourth conduit means passing through said sidewall at a point diametrically opposite the point at which said second conduit passes through said sidewall, and connecting said second cylindrical chamber with a second gas discharge conduit and a source of second purge gas;
• (g) conduit means connecting said first and second gas product buffers with product gas discharge means;
• (h) valve means associated with said first conduit means for selectively providing fluid communication between said first cylindrical chamber and either said source of first feed gas or said first product gas buffer compartment;
• (h) valve means associated with said second conduit means for selectively providing fluid communication between said second cylindrical chamber and either said source of second feed gas or said second product gas buffer compartment;
• (i) valve means associated with said third conduit means for selectively providing fluid communication between said first cylindrical chamber and either said first gas discharge conduit or said source of first purge gas;
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• (j) valve means associated with said fourth conduit means for selectively providing fluid communication between said second cylindrical chamber and either said second gas discharge conduit or said source of second purge gas.