Indexing rotary dual valve for pressure swing adsorption systems

An indexing rotary dual valve for use in a pressure swing adsorption system (PSA) having at least two beds operating in multiple steps in the PSA cycle comprising:

• a first valve assembly comprising a first stationary section having apertures adapted such that each aperture accommodates a different gas feed line from a PSA bed;
• a first rotatable valve section having at least two spaced-apart openings separated at a preselected arcuate degree setting, and at least one channel disposed on the first valve section connected to at least one of the openings adapted for providing regulation of the pressurization of a gas from a PSA bed;
• and a second stationary section and all sections form the first valve assembly having a gas output opening adapted for exiting a gas product;
• an indexing drive mechanism adapted for providing a preselected index setting and capable of controlling the intervals of each step in the PSA cycle;
• and
• a first rotatable shaft having the first valve assembly and the first indexing drive mechanism spaced apart and secured to the first shaft;
• a second valve assembly comprising a third stationary section, a second rotatable valve section having at least two spaced-apart openings separated at a preselected arcuate degree setting, and a fourth stationary section having aperture adapted such that each aperture accommodates a different gas feed line from a PSA bed, and all sections from the second valve assembly having a gas input opening adapted for receiving a feed gas and providing a constant equal or unequal feed flow rate between the PSA beds;
• a second indexing drive mechanism adapted for providing a selected index setting and capable of controlling the intervals of each step in the PSA cycle;
• and
• a second rotatable shaft having the second valve assemble and the second indexing drive mechanism spaced apart and secured to the second shaft.

A pressure swing adsorption process (PSA) having at least two beds operating in multiple steps in a PSA cycle for recovering high purity gas product from a feed gas containing impurities using an indexing rotary valve comprising:

• a) providing a source of feed gas;
• a source of suction force, multiple bed system, and an indexing rotary valve;
• b) feeding said feed gas through the indexing rotary valve to a bed for selectively removing an undesired component from said feed gas using selected adsorbers under selected pressures and using the indexing rotary valve for providing a constant equal feed flow to one PSA bed or unequal feed flow to more than one PSA bed, for controlling the depressurization by varying equalization down in one bed and equalization up in another bed to increase a high purity gas product output and purge gas;
• and
• c) using the indexing rotary valve for receiving and repelling the feed gas, controlling the interval of each step in the PSA cycle, for receiving and repelling the purge gas, and for receiving and thus collecting and dispensing the high purity gas product.