Adsorbents for rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption processes

A method for the separation of a gas mixture comprising

• (a) providing a reformer gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen;
• (b) providing a pressure swing adsorption system having a plurality of adsorber vessels, each vessel having an inlet and an outlet;
• (c) providing a first bed of adsorbent material disposed within each adsorber vessel, wherein the first bed of adsorbent material is selective for the adsorption of carbon monoxide and nitrogen, and providing a second bed of adsorbent material disposed between the inlet of the adsorber vessel and the first bed of adsorbent, wherein the second bed of adsorbent material is selective for the adsorption of methane and carbon dioxide;
• (d) initiating a feed step that comprises (1) introducing the reformer gas into the inlet of the adsorber vessel, passing the reformer gas consecutively through the second bed of adsorbent material and the first bed of adsorbent material, and (2) withdrawing a purified hydrogen product from the outlet of the adsorber vessel;
• (e) continuing the feed step for a feed time period of about 30 seconds or less;
• and
• (f) terminating the feed step;
• wherein the adsorbent material in the first bed is characterized by any of
• (1) a Henry's law constant for carbon monoxide between about 2.5 and about 5.5 (mmole/g)/atm;
• (2) a carbon monoxide heat of adsorption between about 6.0 and about 7.5 kcal/gmole;
• (3) a selectivity of carbon monoxide to nitrogen between about 5.0 and about 8.0.