JPS631087B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fluid separation device using molecular sieves, and more particularly, to fluid separation devices that use molecular sieves to separate elements in a fluid mixture so as to yield a product fluid during a first mode of operation. flowing a pressurized fluid mixture in a first direction through particles in a bed of adsorbent material to be adsorbed by the particles; a member for causing a removal fluid to flow in a second direction through the bed, the bed of adsorbent material having first and second flow chambers connected to an inlet and an outlet, respectively; The present invention relates to a fluid separation device of the type held in a container having a housing having a holding device for holding the device.

It has been found that pressurized air can be decomposed by removing various elements from it through the use of molecular sieves. U.S. Patent No. 2944627, No. 3280536
Molecular sieve devices, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. It is common practice in such separation devices to use several beds of molecular sieve material. As one bed is disconnected, the other bed is sequentially provided with a source of pressurized air by operation of a control valve to establish a continuous supply of oxygen-enriched product fluid.

In beds of adsorbent material disclosed in the prior art with the same cylindrical arrangement, the particles of adsorbent material closest to the inlet to which pressurized air is applied adsorb most of the nitrogen in the production of an oxygen-enriched fluid. It turned out that. In this way, particles of adsorbent material near the outlet are not effectively used in producing an oxygen-enriched product fluid.

Furthermore, it has been discovered that the efficiency of such molecular sieves is also related to temperature. Experiments have shown that the most effective separation occurs when the pressurized air and bed of adsorbent material are maintained at approximately 27°C. Unfortunately, when molecular sieve separators are used in aircraft, temperatures in the unpressurized aircraft cabin can reach -55° at temperatures close to 9000 m. Under these conditions, the effectiveness of such prior art molecular separation devices is significantly reduced;
The oxygen-enriched product fluid in such aircraft is largely eliminated at altitudes where the pilot needs oxygen most.

Accordingly, the main object of the present invention is to provide a fluid separation device comprising a container for holding a quantity of adsorbent material, each adsorbent material having a
It is characterized by the adsorption of the same amount of elements per unit flow from the fluid mixture during the operating period.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a molecular sieve device in which the bed of adsorbent material and the main components of the device are maintained at an optimal predetermined temperature range regardless of the temperature of the surrounding environment.

According to the teachings of the present invention, these objects are achieved in the fluid separation device described above, in which the holding device includes a first large portion adjacent to the first flow chamber and a second large portion adjacent to the second flow chamber. and a small portion of said first
a flow chamber for dispensing a fluid mixture into the first large section during a first mode of operation, and a second flow chamber distributing a removal fluid to the second small section during a second mode of operation. This is achieved by the fact of distributing. In other words, the vessel has an inlet cross-sectional area that is larger than the outlet cross-sectional area, and the velocity of the outlet fluid product is equalized to the velocity of the inlet fluid mixture to compensate for the elements from the fluid mixture that are adsorbed and desorbed by the adsorbent material. It's matching.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the holding device has a frustoconical portion of the housing, the cross-sectional area of the bed of adsorbent material being directly proportional to the distance from the first larger portion to the second smaller portion. and compensate for changes in flow rate due to adsorption of elements in the fluid mixture by the particles.

In an alternative embodiment, the retention device comprises a cylindrical portion of the housing and a first portion of the housing associated with said housing portion at one end.
a perforated first plate defining an intermediate flow chamber by an end cap thereof, and a first plate disposed within the cylindrical housing portion to separate the first separator chamber from the second separator chamber. and the first
and second separator chambers are connected to each other by the intermediate flow chamber, each having a cylindrical member holding a predetermined amount of adsorbent and meshing with the first plate; a perforated second plate surrounding said cylindrical member for retaining particles of adsorbent material within said cylindrical member for retaining particles of adsorbent material within a second separator chamber; a third plate with holes arranged therein, the cylindrical member and the first and second
The second end cap of the housing defines first and second flow chambers adjacent the first and second separator chambers, respectively.

In yet another embodiment, the fluid separation device chamber according to the invention comprises at least two vessels, each containing a bed of adsorbent particles as described above, and further comprises a source of pressurized fluid mixture in the first or second vessel. a supply conduit for connecting to the first and second containers, and a valve arrangement connected to the conduit for controlling communication of the fluid mixture source to the first and second containers, wherein the fluid mixture is in the container. elements are adsorbed into the particles to produce a product fluid, while a removal fluid removes the elements from the particles in the other of said first and second vessels by flowing the elements from the particles to the surrounding environment. The apparatus further includes a heating device associated with the supply conduit for maintaining the pressurized fluid mixture within a predetermined temperature range. Preferably, this heating device is automatically controlled during operation by a sensing device responsive to a predetermined temperature range.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Molecular sieve separation device 10 shown in FIG.
control valves 64 and 6 connected through supply conduit 12 to a source of pressurized air or other fluid mixture;
I have 8. Control valves 64 and 68 are sequentially energized to supply pressurized air to first and second containers, each of which contains adsorbent material. The adsorbent material in vessels 14 and 16 adsorbs at least one element (nitrogen) from the pressurized air to create a dissolution product (oxygen-enriched air).

The portion of the molten product produced in the first and second vessels 14 and 16 is kept from communicating with the storage vessel 20 and is communicated as a removal fluid to the vessel 14 or 16 which does not receive pressurized air. The removal fluid enters the vessel at low pressure and desorbs any elements contained therein from the adsorbent material. After that,
The removal fluid and desorbed elements flow to the surrounding environment as a discharge fluid. A shroud 24 surrounding the molecular sieve device 10 directs the exhaust fluid past the first and second vessels 14 and 16 and maintains its temperature within a predetermined temperature regardless of the temperature of the surrounding environment.

More specifically, supply conduit 12 is connected to chamber 26 of heating element 28 . An electrical resistance coil 30 located within the chamber 26 is connected to ground 34 by a conductor 32 and to a terminal of an electronic control unit 36 by a conductor 38. The electrical energy in resistive coil 30 is converted to heat, increasing the temperature of the fluid mixture flowing through chamber 26.

A temperature sensing device 56 within chamber 26 has a chip 58 that extends through housing 28 to continuously sense the temperature of the fluid mixture within chamber 26. A signal representative of the temperature within chamber 26 is communicated to electronic control unit 36 via conductor 50 . Whenever the temperature within chamber 26 reaches a preset temperature, communication of electrical energy from electronic control unit 36 via conductor 38 is interrupted and resistive coil 30 becomes inactive.

Furthermore, a temperature control device or thermostat 40 disposed within the shroud 24 is connected to the electronic control device 3.
6 and is connected to a blow-off valve 19 operated by a solenoid. A temperature controller or thermostat 40 senses the temperature within the shroud 24 and provides a temperature signal to the electronic controller 36 when the temperature within the shroud 24 falls below a predetermined value. The temperature signal is processed by electronic control unit 36, which then provides an air signal via conductor 70 to the solenoid-operated blow-off valve. The solenoid-operated blow-off valve 19 allows the pressurized air heated in the chamber 26 of the heating member 28 to proportionately enter the shroud area and adjust the temperature therein to a predetermined temperature independently of the temperature of the environment surrounding the shroud 24. Maintained within specified temperature.

More specifically, the temperature control device or thermostat 40 has a bimetallic strip;
One end of this strip is fixed to the housing 42 and a terminal 4 is connected to ground by a conductor 39.
4 and position the other end 52. The housing 42 has a series of openings 46 through which the air within the shroud passes without significant obstruction and connects the bimetallic strips. In response to the temperature of the air, the bimetallic strip bends at a preset temperature to form a bridge between terminals 44 and 50, closing the electrical circuit between ground 34 and electronic control unit 36. Closing this electrical circuit is a temperature signal that operates electronic controller 36 to energize solenoid blowout valve 19 and allow hot pressurized air to enter shroud 24 .

The pressurized fluid mixture or air is discharged from the chamber 26 at a minimum temperature controlled by the sensing device 56 into the first
to the T-junction 18 for distribution along a branch conduit 62 to a second control valve 64 or along a branch conduit 66 to a second control valve 68 . Control valves 64 and 68
selects the flow path of the pressurized fluid mixture to the first container 14 or to the second container 16 in response to electrical signals from the electronic controller 36 .

The control valve 64 has a housing 7 in which a control chamber is arranged.
I have 2. The first port 76 connects the control chamber 74 to T
A second port 78 connects the control chamber 74 to a conduit going to the first container 14, while a second port 78 connects to the branch conduit 62 going to the connection. A wall 82 separates control room 74 from atmospheric chamber 84 . Conduit 86, which connects atmospheric chamber 84 to the surrounding environment, is also spirally wrapped around the mouth of supply conduit 12, as shown in FIG.
The pressurized fluid mixture or air flowing into the shroud 24 or simply being passed through the interior of the shroud 24 is subjected to a thermal reaction.

A plunger 88 disposed within the coil 92 of the solenoid 94 has a stem 90 extending through a guide or bearing wall 96 and into the control chamber 74 . A first poppet 98 attached to stem 90 is located adjacent first port 76, while a second poppet 100 attached to stem 90 connects control chamber 74 to atmospheric chamber 84. It is located adjacent to the connecting opening 102.
Spring 104 acts on plunger 88 to urge first poppet 98 toward its seat, preventing fluid communication between branch conduit 62 and control chamber 74 whenever coil 92 is energized. coil 92
Castration is controlled by electrical signals passed from electronic control unit 36 via conductor 106.

Similarly, control valve 68 has a housing 108 containing a control chamber 110. Control room 110
The branch conduit 66 and the control chamber 110 are connected to the second container 1.
6 and a second port 114 that connects to a conduit 116 going to 6. Control room 110 is separated from atmospheric chamber 118 by wall 120. Conduit 122 connecting atmospheric chamber 118 to the surrounding environment is supply conduit 1
12 to impart a thermal reaction to the pressurized fluid mixture or air flowing through the supply conduit 12 via conductance.

The plunger 124, which is located in the coil 126 of the solenoid 128, is connected to the guide or bearing wall 1.
stem 13 extending into control chamber 110 via 32;
It has 0. A first poppet 134 attached to the stem 130 is located adjacent the first port 112, while a second poppet 136 attached to the stem connects the control chamber 110 to the atmospheric chamber 118. The opening 138 is located adjacent to the opening 138 where the opening 138 is opened. Spring 140 is plunger 1
24 and seats the first poppet 130 to prevent communication between the branch conduit 66 and the control chamber 110 whenever the coil 126 is energized. Castration of coil 126 is controlled by an electrical signal transmitted via conductor 142 from electronic control unit 36 .

Since the first and second containers 14 and 16 are identical, only the first container 14 will be described in detail in FIG.

The first container 14 has a cylindrical portion 144 with first and second end caps 146 and 148 connected by a clamping member 150 to set the container 14 sealed. Shoulder 147 holds plate 152 away from end cap 146 to define chamber 164. A number of openings 160 and 162 disposed therein freely communicate with a chamber 164 therethrough. first plate 15
2 and end plate 146 adjacent end 146 of flow chamber 1 .
64. The sleeve or tubular member 166 has a second end cap 148 in which a seal 174 is disposed.
and a second end 174 with a first end 170 located on the rib 168 and a sealing portion on the plate 152.
They interlock to establish chambers 176 and 178 within container 14.

A second plate 180 surrounding tubular member 166 operates in conjunction with cylindrical housing 144, first plate 152, and tubular member 166 to define the limits of chamber 176. End cap 148 and second plate 18
A spring 182 disposed between the second plate 180 and the first plate 152 presses the second plate 180 toward the first plate 152 for adsorption and detachment in one operating cycle.
The fixed amount of adsorbent material placed in 6 is kept at approximately the same density. Second plate 180 has a number of openings 184 disposed therein creating a number of flow passageways between flow distribution chamber 186 and chamber 176. Inlet 188 is connected to end cap 148
is connected to a conduit 80 coming from control valve 64.

A third plate 190 is disposed within the tubular member 166 and is aligned with the bolt 156 of the fastening member 150 . Shoulder 16 above end cap 148
A spring 192 disposed between the third plate 190 and the third plate 190 urges the third plate 190 toward the first plate 152 to define the dimensions of the chamber 178. Spring 192 applies a constant force to the mass of adsorbent members disposed within chamber 178 to substantially equalize the density of the adsorbent material within chamber 176.
The third plate 190 has a number of openings 194 therethrough, defining the chamber 176 and the opening 2 in the end cap 148.
00 passageway 198 providing substantially unrestricted flow communication.

Additionally, second end cap 148 has an annular recess or groove 202 disposed thereon.
The bolt 156, which projects through the opening 206 and into the second end cap 148, is inserted into the recess or groove 2.
It extends into 02. A nut 204 attached to bolt 156 is protected from damage by being placed within a groove or recess 202.
When nut 204 and bolt 156 are loaded to a preset tension, seals 174, 206, 208 and 210 are caused to seat to create a sealed container 14.

Port 200 in container 14 connects product conduit 212
It is connected to the storage container 20 via. A check valve 214 in conduit 212 connects storage vessel 20 to vessel 14.
prevents backflow of fluid to the however,
The production conduit 212 is connected to the container 1 by means of an intermediate conduit 220.
6 is connected to a production conduit 216 that connects the port 218 to the storage container 20. A constriction 222 in intermediate conduit 220 limits the amount of production fluid flowing through intermediate conduit 220. Similarly, a check valve 224 located in the production conduit 216 prevents backflow of production fluid from the storage vessel 20 to the vessel 16.

The separation device described above operates as follows.

Before an aircraft equipped with the fluid separation device 10 shown in FIG.
26 is closed and electrical energy is supplied to the power source 228.
to the electronic control unit 36. Thereafter, electronic controller 36 similarly transmits an electrical signal to pressurization control valve 230 and one of control valves 64 or 68.

The electrical signal opens the pressurized fluid supply control valve 230;
A pressurized fluid mixture or air is allowed to flow into the supply conduit 12. As long as the temperature of the fluid downstream of heating device 28, as measured by probe 58, is above 27° C. or other preselected temperature, air coil 30 in heating device 28 remains closed.
However, whenever the pressurized fluid temperature downstream of heating device 28 is below 27° C. or some other preselected value, coil 30 receives electrical current from controller 36 to heat the fluid mixture in chamber 26. do.
Further, if the temperature within shroud 24 is below 27 degrees or other predetermined temperature, ends 52 of the bimetallic strips will mate with terminals 44, causing terminals 50 and 54 to interlock.
A bridge is formed between the conductor 39 and the conductor 39 so that current flows to the ground 34 through the conductor 39. The electronic control unit 36 then transmits an electrical signal to the blowout valve 19 so that the heated pressurized air flows into the shroud 24 and increases the temperature therein. If the pressurized fluid mixture or air communicating through supply conduit 12 to chamber 26 is above 27°C, temperature sensing device 56 remains closed. However, if the temperature
If it is below 27° C., the temperature signal is transmitted to the electronic control valve 36 and the resistive coil 30 is supplied with electrical energy to heat the pressurized air supplied to the chamber 26. In this manner, via temperature sensing device 56 and thermostat 40, the pressurized fluid mixture or air in supply conduit 12 and the temperature within shroud 24 are brought to approximately 27°C or other preselected temperature. maintained.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pressurized fluid mixture or air flows through T-connection 18 to control valve 68. Coil 126 within solenoid 128 is energized by an electrical signal transmitted via conductor 142 from electronic control unit 36 . When energized, the coil 126 positions the plunger 124 in the center of the coil 126 to the opposite side of the spring. The movement of the plunger 124 causes the poppet 134 to
2 so that the poppet 136 is seated on the seat 138, and the poppet 136 is moved away from the air chamber 118.
from the control room 110. The pressurized fluid mixture or air flows through control valve 68 and is communicated by conduit 116 to port 189 in container 16 .

As mentioned in the detailed description of container 14, the pressurized fluid mixture or air flows into flow distribution chamber 18.
6 and is uniformly distributed on plate 180 for communicating with the adsorbent material in chamber 176. The pressurized fluid mixture flows through openings 184 and is combined with individual particles of adsorbent material, where at least one component (nitrogen) is retained by adsorption.
As the pressurized fluid mixture passes through chamber 176,
The element (nitrogen) is gradually removed from the fluid mixture (air). However, upon entering intermediate flow chamber 164, a small percentage of the elements still remain in the fluid mixture. In order to remove the remaining fraction, it is therefore necessary to provide long flow paths in which the opportunities given to the elements to come into contact with the adsorbate are increased. In this manner, the intermediate fluid mixture flows from intermediate flow distribution chamber 164 through opening 162 into chamber 178 where synthetic product fluid (oxygen-enriched breathable air) is transferred via conduit 216 to storage vessel 20. Any remaining elements are removed before entering the flow distribution chamber 196 for distribution. The pressure of the production fluid emerging from chamber 196 overcomes spring 232 in check valve 224 and
Layer 234 of spheres 234 before entering storage container 20
Remove from. The fluid product (breathable air enriched with oxygen) is
It passes through a pressure regulator 238 in conduit 22 .

As the fluid product flows from container 16 into conduit 216, the removed portion is blown out through intermediate conduit 220 by passing through constriction 222. This removed portion of fluid product is located at port 220 in container 14.
and is uniformly distributed via flow chamber 196 to plate 190.

During this mode in one cycle of operation,
Solenoid 94 is inactive and spring 10
4' moves the plunger 90 to the seat poppet 98,
Communication through conduit 62 is prevented, but communication is provided from control chamber 74 to the atmosphere or the surrounding environment via atmospheric chamber 84 to allow chambers 176 and 178 to communicate with the atmosphere. As the removed portion of fluid product passes through the constriction 222, expansion occurs. This expanded removal fluid enters chamber 178 and is brought into contact with each particle of adsorbent material, completely removing the element from chamber 178. The desorbed elements and the removal products passing through the intermediate chamber 164 are separated by the opening 160.
It is evenly distributed through the chamber 176 and upon entering the chamber 176, further expansion occurs. Thereafter, this further expanded removed portion of the product fluid is removed from chamber 1.
Each particle of adsorbent material in 76 is contacted.
By then, the removed portion of the fluid product has reached chamber 186 and substantially the entire element has been removed from the adsorbent material in chamber 176.

After passing through control valve 64, the removed portion of the fluid product and the elements contained therein pass through port 188 for distribution to the surrounding environment through conduit 86. The removed portion of the fluid product and the elements are connected to conduit 86.
Once flowing into the heat exchange section 240, a thermal reaction is applied to the feed conduit 12 in the heat exchange section 240 to condition the pressurized fluid mixture flowing therein and reduce the amount of input heat required from the heating device.

Upon exiting conduit 86, the removed portion of the fluid product and the elements contained therein are separated by shroud 24.
It is allowed to flow around the separator exchange component before being communicated through opening 242 to the surrounding environment. In this way, the components within the separator are maintained at the same temperature during the cycle of operation regardless of the temperature of the surrounding environment.

After a predetermined period of time, the electronic control unit 36
is coil 1 of solenoid 128 in control valve 68
26, and the spring 140 is inserted into the poppet 13.
4 to occupy the seat on the seat 109 of the mouth 112,
Communication between control room 110 and branch conduit 66 is severed. Thereafter, the electronic control device 36 controls the control valve 6
Connect the conductor 10 to the coil 94 of the solenoid 94 in 4.
6 to supply electrical energy. Electrical energy supplied to coil 92 creates a magnetic field that moves plunger 88 in a direction opposite to spring 104, forcing poppet 100 onto seat 102 and opening communication with branch conduit 62 of control chamber 74. Thereafter, the temperature controlled pressurized fluid flows through control valve 64 to vessel 14 where a fluid product (breathable fluid enriched with oxygen) is created and transferred to storage vessel 20. a portion of which is passed through conduit 220 to remove elements from the particles within container 16 .

To evaluate the effectiveness of the insulated shroud 24, operation of the separator 10 without the shroud 24 was operated under the following conditions.

A pressurized fluid mixture or air was applied sequentially to the bed of material in vessels 14 and 16 by control valves 64 and 68 at 27° C. and 2.8 bar. The ambient temperature was maintained at 27° C. while producing fluids with oxygen concentrations at various flow rates as shown by curve 244 in FIG. Thereafter, the separator 10 was provided with pressurized air or fluid at 24°C and 2.8 bar, while the ambient temperature was kept at 10°C during the second evaluation and -1°C during the third evaluation. and the output curves 24 respectively plotted in FIG.
6 and 248.

In order to confirm the results of this first evaluation, we conducted a second evaluation.
A series of tests were carried out at these same temperatures and reducing the pressure of the fluid mixture to 1.75 bar.
When the separator 10 is operated on a pressurized fluid mixture or air at a temperature of 27° C. and the temperature of the surrounding environment, the output obtained is as shown in curve 25 in FIG.
It was indicated by 0. Later, when the inlet temperature of the pressurized fluid mixture was kept at 24°C and the ambient temperature was reduced to 10°C and -1°C, the fourth
Product output curves 252 and 254 shown in the figure
was created.

These tests demonstrate conditions for maintaining the temperature of the pressurized fluid mixture and bed of adsorbent material to optimize the separation of oxygen from air by the molecular sieve separator 10.

Thereafter, the separation device 10 shown in FIG.
A test was conducted on. The temperature of the fluid product applied to the bed of material in vessels 14 and 16 and the surrounding environment was maintained at approximately 27°C and 2.8 bar.
The production of the obtained oxygen-enriched product fluid is the fifth
This is illustrated by curve 256 in the figure.

Afterwards, the temperature of the surrounding environment was lowered to approximately -55°C. At this temperature, thermostat or temperature control device 40 and temperature sensing device 56 operate. A quantity of the fluid mixture preheated to 27°C was blown through the solenoid valve 19 to maintain the area within the shroud at approximately 27°C. However, the output of oxygen-enriched breathable fluid produced is illustrated by curve 258 in FIG.

Thereafter, temperature sensing device 56 and thermostat or control device 40 were deenergized to maintain the ambient temperature at -18°C. The production of oxygen-enriched product fluid is illustrated by curve 260 in FIG.

In this manner, these tests have shown that most effective molecular sieve separation devices are designed such that nearly each adsorbent particle is brought into contact with the fluid mixture through a bed of various regions of the adsorbent, so that the temperature of the device is approximately It is clear that it is made in a container kept at 27°C.

Evaluating the operation of a molecular sieve separation device with variations in the area of the adsorbent bed between the inlet and outlet of the vessel, such as the stepped variant in the area shown in Figure 2, the optimal bed arrangement is , it is presumed that the cross-sectional area should become smaller from the inlet to the outlet, like the container 270 in FIG. The container 270 has an end cap 274 and a filter or plate 2.
It has a conical shape with a first flow chamber 272 disposed between the flow chamber 76 and the first flow chamber 272 . Filter or plate 2
76 allows uniform distribution of the fluid mixture from conduit 80 to the bed of adsorbent material remaining in chamber 280. The second plate or filter is located at the end cap 28.
4 and chamber 280 to establish flow through chamber 281. For some applications, springs 286 may be provided to apply a constant force to plate 282 to maintain uniform distribution in the bed of adsorbent material during removal flow conditions. The operational separation of elements from fluid mixtures is expected to be uniform. This is because the conical container 270 is designed to compensate for the reduction in fluid mixture flow that results from the adsorption of elements by the material.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a molecular sieve separation device constructed according to the principles of the present invention; FIG. 2 has interconnected first and second beds for holding a defined amount of adsorbed material; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the secondary variable region container for holding adsorbed substances in the molecular sieve separation device. Figure 4 shows the relationship between changes in ambient temperature and adsorption efficiency of the molecular sieve separation device. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the operation of a molecular sieve separator equipped with a temperature control device to support the separator at a substantially uniform temperature regardless of the temperature of the surrounding environment. 10... Separation device, 12... Supply conduit, 14, 16
...Container, 19...Blowout valve, 20...Storage container, 24
...Shrouding plate, 28...Housing, 30...Electric resistance coil, 36...Electronic control device, 40...Tirstat, 42...Housing, 56...Sensing device, 64,
68...Control valve, 94...Solenoid, 110...Control room, 118...Atmospheric chamber, 128...Solenoid, 14
6,148...end cap, 164...flow chamber, 17
6,178...chamber, 186...flow distribution chamber, 152,
180, 190...board, 174, 206, 208...
Sealed part.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A pressurized fluid mixture is applied to particles in a bed of adsorbent material such that elements in the fluid mixture are adsorbed by the particles to create a product fluid during a first mode of operation. a second direction in said cycle of operation.
a control member for directing a removal fluid to flow in a second direction through the bed to detach elements from the particles during a mode of operation, said bed of adsorbent material being connected to an inlet and an outlet, respectively; a fluid separation device held in a container having a housing having first and second flow chambers and a retention device for retaining particles between the flow chambers;
The holding device has a first large portion adjacent a first flow chamber and a second small portion adjacent a second flow chamber, said first flow chamber being configured to operate during a first mode of operation. uniformly distributing a fluid mixture to said first large section, and a second flow chamber distributing removal fluid to said second small section during a second mode of operation; having a trapezoidal portion 270, the cross-sectional area of the bed of adsorbent material decreases in direct proportion with the distance from the first large portion 276 to the second small portion 282, and the adsorption of elements in the fluid mixture by the particles. A fluid separation device characterized in that it compensates for changes in flow rate caused by. 2. The retention device further includes a resilient member disposed in one or both of the first and second flow chambers;
2. A fluid separation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic member acts on the adsorbent material particles to maintain bed density despite changes in pressure between the first and second flow chambers. 3 having at least two vessels each containing a bed of adsorbent particles, further comprising a supply conduit connecting a fluid source of the pressurized fluid mixture to the first or second vessel; and one of said first and second vessels; a valve arrangement for controlling communication of the fluid source to the container, in which elements in the fluid mixture are adsorbed onto particles to produce a product fluid;
The removal fluid is removed from the first by flowing into the surrounding environment.
and a fluid separation device removing elements from the particles in the other of the second vessel, further heating associated with said feeding device 12 to maintain the pressurized fluid mixture within a predetermined temperature range. A fluid separation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a device (28). 4. To control the operation of the heating device 28,
4. The fluid separation device of claim 3, further comprising a sensing device (56) responsive to said predetermined temperature range. 5 further comprising a discharge conduit arrangement surrounding a portion of the supply conduit 12 connected to the valve arrangement 64 , 68 so as to heat the fluid mixture before being applied to the heating device 28 . The fluid separation device according to item 1 or 4. 6. At least the supply conduit, the valve arrangement, and the first and second vessels are insulated from the surrounding environment so that thermal energy transferred from the other of the first and second vessels when removing elements is 6. A fluid separation device according to any of claims 3 to 5, further comprising an enclosure device 24 to help maintain a predetermined temperature in the fluid mixture. 7 a blow-off valve device 19 connected to said supply conduit 12 and providing an actuation signal to said valve device such that a portion of the heated fluid mixture flows into the enclosure and heats the first and second containers; 7. A fluid separation device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an electronic control device responsive to the sensing device 40 for detecting. 8. A first direction in which the pressurized fluid mixture passes through the particles in a bed of adsorbent material such that elements in the fluid mixture are adsorbed by the particles to create a product fluid during a first mode of operation in one cycle. in the second cycle of operation.
a control member for directing a removal fluid to flow in a second direction through the bed to detach elements from the particles during a mode of operation, said bed of adsorbent material being connected to an inlet and an outlet, respectively; a fluid separation device held in a container having a housing having first and second flow chambers and a retention device for retaining particles between the flow chambers;
The holding device has a first large portion adjacent a first flow chamber and a second small portion adjacent a second flow chamber, said first flow chamber being connected to said first flow chamber during a first mode of operation. a first large portion uniformly distributing the fluid mixture and a second flow chamber distributing removal fluid to the second small portion during a second mode of operation; shaped part 1
44 and a first end cap 1 of the housing associated at one end with said housing part.
a perforated first plate 152 defining an intermediate flow chamber 164 by 46; Separator room 17
8, the first and second separator chambers are connected to each other by the intermediate flow chamber, each containing a cylindrical member 166 containing a defined amount of adsorbent material, a second perforated plate 180 surrounding said cylindrical member for retaining particles of material and disposed within said cylindrical member for retaining particles of adsorbent material in a second separator chamber; a third plate 190 with a hole in the housing;
48 define first and second flow chambers 18 adjacent said first and second separator chambers, respectively.
6,196 A fluid separation device characterized in that it has partitions. 9 The retention device further includes a resilient member 18 disposed in the first and second flow chambers 186, 196, respectively.
2,192, these resilient members are arranged in the first and second flow chambers, respectively, so as to maintain the density of the bed despite changes in pressure between the first and second flow chambers.
9. The fluid separation device according to claim 8, which acts on adsorbent particles contained in the separation device chambers 176, 178 of the fluid separation device. 10 having at least two vessels each containing a bed of adsorbent particles, further comprising a supply conduit connecting a fluid source of a pressurized fluid mixture to the first or second vessel; and one of said first and second vessels; a valve arrangement for controlling communication of the fluid source to the container, in which elements in the fluid mixture are adsorbed onto particles to produce a product fluid;
The removal fluid is removed from the first by flowing into the surrounding environment.
and a fluid separation device removing elements from the particles in the other of the second vessel, further heating associated with said feeding device 12 to maintain the pressurized fluid mixture within a predetermined temperature range. A fluid separation device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it has a device (28). 11. Claim 10, further comprising a sensing device (56) responsive to said predetermined temperature range to control operation of said heating device (28).
Fluid separation device as described in Section. 12 the valve devices 64, 68 to heat the fluid mixture before being applied to the heating device 28;
Claim 10 further comprising a discharge conduit arrangement connected to and surrounding a portion of said supply conduit 12.
12. The fluid separation device according to any one of Items 1 and 11. 13 at least the supply conduit, the valve device,
isolating the first and second containers from the surrounding environment;
further comprising an enclosure device 24 so that thermal energy transferred from the other of the first and second vessels when removing elements helps maintain a predetermined temperature in the fluid mixture;
A fluid separation device according to any one of claims 10 to 12. 14 a blow-off valve device 19 connected to said supply conduit 12 and providing an operating signal to said valve device so that a portion of the heated fluid mixture flows into the enclosure;
14. The fluid separation device of claim 13, further comprising an electronic control device responsive to the sensing device 40 for heating the first and second containers.