CA2390668A1 - Layered manifold pressure swing adsorption device and method - Google Patents

Layered manifold pressure swing adsorption device and method Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2390668A1
CA2390668A1 CA002390668A CA2390668A CA2390668A1 CA 2390668 A1 CA2390668 A1 CA 2390668A1 CA 002390668 A CA002390668 A CA 002390668A CA 2390668 A CA2390668 A CA 2390668A CA 2390668 A1 CA2390668 A1 CA 2390668A1
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Prior art keywords
adsorber
fluid
swing adsorption
pressure swing
light reflux
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CA002390668A
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French (fr)
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CA2390668C (en
Inventor
Bowie Keefer
Matthew Babicki
Brian G. Sellars
Ian S. Parker
David G. Doman
Alain Carel
Surajit Roy
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Xebec Adsorption Inc
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Individual
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Priority claimed from CA002320551A external-priority patent/CA2320551C/en
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Priority to CA002390668A priority Critical patent/CA2390668C/en
Priority claimed from PCT/US2001/030134 external-priority patent/WO2002024309A1/en
Publication of CA2390668A1 publication Critical patent/CA2390668A1/en
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Publication of CA2390668C publication Critical patent/CA2390668C/en
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Abstract

Rotary PSA systems, both axial and radial flow, with M > 1, provide interpenetrating, layered manifolds to accommodate all of the steps of a complex PSA cycle, suitable with equal compactness for any value of "M". Thi s approach extends readily to accommodate a plurality of rotary PSA modules an d their cooperating compression machinery within a single layered manifold assembly for a single PSA plant train. The rotary PSA apparatus includes stators that define fluid ports, which include PSA cycle sectors, each secto r being defined by a light product delivery port, light product withdrawal ports, and light reflux return ports. Adsorber elements may directly contact one or more of the stators in a fluidly sealing manner. A PSA method uses th e described apparatus and then supplies at least one feed fluid to pressurize an adsorber sets to substantially a higher pressure to initiate the PSA cycle.< /SDOAB>

Claims (77)

1. A rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus, including a module comprising:
a stator defining plural fluid inlet, exhaust and delivery ports;
a plurality of adsorber elements operably coupled to a rotor, the rotor being capable of rotation relative to the stator for rotating the adsorber elements adjacent the inlet ports;
a first manifold for receiving a feed fluid and being intermittently fluidly coupled through the fluid inlet ports to first ends of the adsorber elements in adsorber sets; and a second manifold positioned adjacent the first manifold and intermittently fluidly coupled to first ends of the absorber elements in the adsorber sets for receiving an exhaust fluid from the first end of the adsorber elements through plural exhaust ports defined by the stator and through a fluid conduit penetrating through the first manifold.
2. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1, the module further including first and second adsorber sets, the first and second adsorber sets sequentially receiving feed fluid from the first manifold.
3. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 comprising from 2 to about 20 adsorber sets.
4. The rotary pressure swing adsorption according to claim 1 wherein the adsorber sets each include 6 adsorber elements.
5. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 with the module having three adsorber sets.
6. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 with the module having six adsorber sets.
7. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 where the feed fluid is air, the adsorber elements include a nitrogen selective zeolite and the exhaust fluid is nitrogen.
8. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 where the adsorber elements in the module are annularly arranged about an axis of rotation.
9. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 8 wherein there are n adsorber sets each set having m adsorbers at an angular spacing of 360/M.
10. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the module is a rotary adsorber module.
11. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 where the first and second manifolds are annular.
12. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 with the module comprising at least one manifold in addition to the first and second manifolds.
13. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 12 where the manifolds are annular and are arranged coaxially one above the other.
14. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the stator includes first and second valve surfaces, and the fluid delivery ports are circumferentially spaced about an axis and over a majority of the planar surfaces.
15. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 14 where the fluid inlet ports are spaced over 360 degrees of the stator.
16. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 14 wherein there are c fluid delivery ports at an angular spacing of 360/c.
17. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the stator includes first and second valve surfaces, and the fluid exhaust ports are circumferentially spaced about an axis and over a majority of the planar surfaces.
18. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 17 where the stator includes first and second planar valve surfaces and fluid flow through the apparatus is axial and normal to the first and second planar valve surfaces.
19. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 17 where the stator includes first and second cylindrical valve surfaces, fluid flow through the apparatus is radial and the first and second valve faces are concentric to the fluid flow.
20. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first manifold is connected to a compressor.
21. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the second manifold is connected to fluid exhaust means.
22. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first manifold is connected to a compressor and the second manifold is connected to fluid exhaust means, and wherein the fluid delivery means and the fluid exhaust means are operably coupled to a motor.
23. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 1 where the fluid ports are tapered.
24. A rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus, comprising at least one module which includes:
a plurality of adsorber elements;
a first stator defining plural fluid inlet ports;
a first manifold for receiving a feed fluid and being intermittently fluidly coupled through the fluid inlet ports to first ends of the adsorber elements in adsorber sets;
a second stator comprising pressure swing adsorption cycle sectors, each sector being defined by a light product delivery port, light product withdrawal ports, and light reflux return ports; and a second manifold intermittently fluidly coupled to first ends of the absorber elements in the adsorber sets for receiving an exhaust fluid from the first end of the adsorber elements.
25. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 24 where the first and second manifolds are interpenetrating, layered manifolds.
26. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 24 where the manifolds are substantially planar layered manifolds.
27. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 26 where the manifolds are interpenetrating.
28. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 24 where the manifolds are nested, concentric manifolds positioned about a radial flow module.
29. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 28 where the manifolds are interpenetrating.
30. The rotary pressure swing apparatus according to claim 25 where the second manifold receives air through a fluid conduit penetrating through the first manifold.
31. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 24 further including seals in the valve faces positioned effectively to minimize fluid leaks.
32. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 24 wherein ends of the adsorber elements are in direct, fluidly sealing contact with the stators.
33. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 24 including a seal located adjacent one of the stators and first ends of the adsorber elements and positioned effectively to reduce fluid leaks, and second ends of the adsorber elements are in direct, fluidly sealing contact with the other of the stators.
34. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 24 where ends of the adsorber elements are positioned within from about 10 microns to about 50 microns of stator valve faces.
35. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 24 where ends of the adsorber elements are positioned within from about 0 microns to about 10 microns of stator valve faces.
36. The rotary pressure swing apparatus according to claim 24 where the adsorber elements include first and second ends, spacers to define flow channels between the first and second ends, and at least one of the adsorber elements includes a filler material in a portion of the flow channel adjacent at least one of the first and second ends.
37. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 36 where plural adsorber elements include filler material adjacent at least one of the first and second ends.
38. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 36 where the adsorber elements include filler material adjacent both the first and second ends.
39. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 36 where the filler material is selected from the group consisting of ceramics, metals, plastics, and combinations thereof.
40. The pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 24 where there are three adsorber elements in the sector, with each adsorber element belonging to a different adsorber set.
41. The pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 40 wherein light reflux withdrawal ports are intermittently fluidly coupled to angularly lagging fluid return ports.
42. The pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the fluid ports are arranged such that second ends of the adsorber elements are intermittently sequentially fluidly coupled to the first light product delivery port, the light reflux withdrawal ports, and the light reflux return ports.
43. The pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 24 wherein each sector comprises a light product delivery port, a first light reflux withdrawal port, a second light reflux withdrawal port, a third light reflux withdrawal port, a third light reflux return port, a second light reflux return port, and a first light reflux return port.
44. The pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 43 further comprising a plurality of fluid conduits sealingly coupled to the first light reflux withdrawal port, the second light reflux withdrawal port, the third light reflux withdrawal port, the third light reflux return port, the second light reflux return port, and the first light reflux return port.
45. The pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 44 wherein the first light reflux withdrawal port is fluidly coupled to the first light reflux return port, the second light reflux withdrawal port is fluidly coupled to a buffer chamber, the buffer chamber subsequently being fluidly coupled to the second light return port, and the third light reflux withdrawal port is fluidly coupled to the third light reflux return port.
46. The pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the fluid ports are arranged such that the second ends of the adsorber sets are sequentially fluidly coupled to the first product delivery port, the first light reflux withdrawal port, the second light reflux withdrawal port, the third light reflux withdrawal port, the third light reflux return port, the second light reflux return port, and the first light reflux return port.
47. A rotary pressure swing adsorption device, comprising:
a stator defining plural fluid ports;
a plurality of adsorber elements having first and second ends, the adsorber elements being operably coupled to a rotor capable of rotation relative to the stator for rotating ends of the adsorber elements adjacent the fluid ports, at least a portion of the adsorber elements having reinforcing material adjacent the first end, the second end or both, and further with such elements directly fluidly coupling to the fluid ports;
a first annular manifold for receiving a feed fluid and being intermittently fluidly coupled through the fluid ports to first ends of the adsorber elements in adsorber sets;
and a second annular manifold intermittently fluidly coupled to first ends of the absorber elements in the adsorber sets for receiving an exhaust fluid from the first end of the adsorber elements through plural exhaust ports defined by the stator and through a fluid conduit penetrating through the first manifold.
48. A rotary pressure swing adsorption device for performing plural pressure swing adsorption cycles per revolution, including a module comprising:
a first stator having a first valve face and defining plural function ports;
a second stator having a first valve face and defining plural function ports;
plural adsorber elements positioned between the first stator and the second stator, the adsorber elements rotated by a rotor relative to the first and second stators;
a first manifold for delivering a feed fluid to first ends of the adsorber elements through the function ports defined by the first stator, the feed fluid undergoing pressure swing adsorption in the adsorber elements whereby a portion of a light fluid exiting a second end of a first adsorber element in a first adsorber set is delivered through a product port, a second portion of a light fluid is delivered as a first light reflux portion through a first light reflux port fluidly coupled to a first adsorber element in a third adsorber set lagging the first adsorber set, a third portion of a light fluid is delivered as a second light reflux portion to a buffer chamber, a fourth portion of a light fluid is withdrawn as a third light reflux portion through a third light reflux port fluidly coupled to a first adsorber element in a leading second adsorber set; and whereby a portion of a light fluid delivered by a last adsorber element in a third adsorber set is delivered through a third light reflux port to a second end of the first adsorber element in the first adsorber set, a portion of a light fluid delivered by the last adsorber element of a third adsorber set is delivered from a buffer through a second light reflux port to a second end of the first adsorber element in the first adsorber set, and a portion of a fluid delivered by a last adsorber element in a second adsorber set delivers a first light reflux portion through a first light reflux return port to a second end of the first adsorber element in the first subset.
49. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 47 wherein the adsorber elements comprise a spirally wound adsorbent sheet.
50. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 49 further comprising radially extending spacers disposed between the spirally wound adsorbent sheet to define flow channels.
51. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 47 wherein the adsorber elements comprise a first end and a second end, and the first and second ends are reinforced.
52. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to claim 51 wherein the adsorber element comprises first and second zones disposed between the first and second reinforced ends wherein the first zone includes a desiccant and the second zone includes a zeolite.
53. The rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus according to 48 comprising a plurality of annular layered, interpenetrating manifolds.
54. An adsorber element for use with a pressure swing adsorption apparatus, comprising:
plural fluid channels having first and second ends; and metal strips or filler material for at least a portion of the fluid channels and positioned adjacent at least one of the first and second ends for reinforcing the channels, the filler material being selected from the group consisting of clay, glass, ceramics, polymeric materials, sol-gels, metals and combinations thereof.
55. The adsorber element according to claim 54 comprising filler material for reinforcing substantially all of the fluid channels.
56. The adsorber element according to claim 53 and comprising filler material adjacent both the first and second ends.
57. The adsorber element according to claim 53 where the ends are reinforced against erosion by fluid flow.
58. The adsorber element according to claim 53 where the ends are reinforced against abrasion with the valve faces.
59. A rotary pressure swing adsorption device, comprising:
an adsorber housing; and a spirally wound adsorber housed in the housing, the adsorber having first and second ends engaging valve faces.
60. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according.to claim 59 where the first and second ends have a clearance gap between valve faces of from about 0 to about 10 microns.
61. The rotary pressure swing adsorption device according to claim 59 and including plural spirally wound adsorbers.
62. A method for separating at least one fluid from a mixture of fluids using a rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus having a plurality of adsorber elements annularly arranged in adsorber sets about a rotor portion of the apparatus, comprising:

supplying at least one feed fluid to pressurize an adsorber element of the adsorber sets to substantially a higher pressure;

delivering first product fluid at substantially the higher pressure;
withdrawing light reflux fluid;

transferring light reflux fluid to a different portion of the apparatus;

exhausting at least one second product gas at substantially a lower pressure;

receiving at least one light reflux fluid from a different portion of the apparatus;

performing the process at a plurality of locations simultaneously; and performing multiple pressure swing adsorption processes per revolution of the rotor.
63. The method according to claim 62 wherein the withdrawn light reflux fluid is comprised of first, second, and third portions.
64. The method according to claim 63 wherein the first light reflux fluid is transferred to a second end of an adsorber element of a lagging adsorber set.
65. The method according to claim 63 wherein the second light reflux fluid is transferred to a pressure equalisation portion of the apparatus.
66. The method according to claim 63 wherein the third light reflux fluid is transferred to a second end of an adsorber element in a leading adsorber set.
67. The method according to claim 62 wherein received light reflux fluid is comprised of first, second, and third portions.
68. The method according to claim 67 wherein the first light reflux fluid is received from the second end of an adsorber element of a leading adsorber set.
69. The method according to claim 63 wherein the second light reflux fluid is received from a pressure equalisation portion of the apparatus.
70. The method according to claim 67 wherein the third light reflux fluid is received from a second end of an adsorber element of a lagging adsorber set.
71. The method according to claim 62 wherein withdrawing the light reflex fluid partially depressurises the adsorber element.
72. The method according to claim 62 wherein returning light reflex fluid purges and partially repressurizes the adsorber element.
73. The method according to claim 62 wherein each adsorber element undergoes 2 to 10 pressure swing adsorption cycles per revolution of the apparatus.
74. The method according to claim 73 wherein each adsorber element undergoes 6 pressure swing adsorption cycles per revolution of the rotor.
75. A method for separating at least one fluid from a mixture of fluids using a rotary pressure swing adsorption apparatus having a plurality of adsorber elements annularly arranged in adsorber sets about a rotor portion of the apparatus, comprising:
admitting feed fluid to first ends of first adsorber elements in plural adsorbent element sectors at an intermediate pressure between a lower operating pressure and a higher operating pressure;
pressurizing plural first adsorber elements to the higher operating pressure over a time period t from process initiation to about T/6 where T is a PSA cycle period;
withdrawing light reflux product at the higher operating pressure over a time period of from about T/6<t<T/3;
withdrawing a second light reflux portion to depressurize adsorber elements toward a second intermediate pressure over a time period of T/3<t<T/2;
withdrawing a third light reflux portion as purge flow for adsorber elements in another adsorber element set at about T/2;
exhausting a heavy product enriched in a more readily adsorbed component and depressurizing adsorber elements over a time period of from about T/2<t<5T/6;
and repressurizing adsorber elements from the lower pressure to the first intermediate pressure by transferring second light reflux fluid to the second ends of the adsorber elements over a time period of from about 5T/6<t<T.
76. The method according to claim 75 and further including withdrawing a first light reflux portion at about T/3, and admitting first light reflex fluid flow to the second ends of adsorber elements to pressurize the adsorber elements to the first intermediate pressure.
77. A method for making adsorber elements having narrow reinforced channels, comprising:
providing an adsorber having first and second ends and defining narrow flow channels having a width and a height, the width being from about 1 to about 100 times the height of the channel;
placing a fugitive material within the channel at the first and second ends;
adding a reinforcing material to the first and second ends and about the fugitive material, and allowing the reinforcing material to cure in place about the fugitive material; and removing the fugitive material to define fluid flow apertures through the reinforcing material at the first and second ends.

77. The method according to claim 77 where the narrow flow channels have a width of from about 1 to about 20 times the height of the channel.
CA002390668A 2000-09-25 2001-09-25 Layered manifold pressure swing adsorption device and method Expired - Lifetime CA2390668C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA002390668A CA2390668C (en) 2000-09-25 2001-09-25 Layered manifold pressure swing adsorption device and method

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2,320,551 2000-09-25
CA002320551A CA2320551C (en) 2000-09-25 2000-09-25 Compact pressure swing adsorption apparatus
US30172301P 2001-06-28 2001-06-28
US60/301,723 2001-06-28
PCT/US2001/030134 WO2002024309A1 (en) 2000-09-25 2001-09-25 Layered manifold pressure swing adsorption device and method
CA002390668A CA2390668C (en) 2000-09-25 2001-09-25 Layered manifold pressure swing adsorption device and method

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CA2390668A1 true CA2390668A1 (en) 2002-03-28
CA2390668C CA2390668C (en) 2009-12-15

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116106122A (en) * 2023-02-23 2023-05-12 廊坊市阳光建设工程质量检测有限公司 Device for detecting compressive strength of concrete by radial annular pressure of concrete core sample with any diameter

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116106122A (en) * 2023-02-23 2023-05-12 廊坊市阳光建设工程质量检测有限公司 Device for detecting compressive strength of concrete by radial annular pressure of concrete core sample with any diameter
CN116106122B (en) * 2023-02-23 2023-06-30 廊坊市阳光建设工程质量检测有限公司 Device for detecting compressive strength of concrete by radial annular pressure of concrete core sample with any diameter

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