WO2010056245A1 - Systèmes et procédés de gestion de cycles de fractionnateur - Google Patents

Systèmes et procédés de gestion de cycles de fractionnateur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010056245A1
WO2010056245A1 PCT/US2008/083397 US2008083397W WO2010056245A1 WO 2010056245 A1 WO2010056245 A1 WO 2010056245A1 US 2008083397 W US2008083397 W US 2008083397W WO 2010056245 A1 WO2010056245 A1 WO 2010056245A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fractionator
vessel
gas stream
control assembly
sorbate
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/083397
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Donald H. White
Brian G. Mcgill
Original Assignee
Donaldson Company, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Donaldson Company, Inc. filed Critical Donaldson Company, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US2008/083397 priority Critical patent/WO2010056245A1/fr
Publication of WO2010056245A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010056245A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/26—Drying gases or vapours
    • B01D53/261—Drying gases or vapours by adsorption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
    • B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
    • B01D53/0454—Controlling adsorption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/26—Drying gases or vapours
    • B01D53/263—Drying gases or vapours by absorption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2253/00—Adsorbents used in seperation treatment of gases and vapours
    • B01D2253/10—Inorganic adsorbents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/70—Organic compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/602
    • B01D2257/702—Hydrocarbons
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/70—Organic compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/602
    • B01D2257/708—Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/80—Water
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/402—Further details for adsorption processes and devices using two beds

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to regenerable fractionator systems for reducing sorbate concentration levels in air or other gases.
  • Fractionator systems for reducing sorbate concentration in air or other gases include one or more vessel beds.
  • each vessel bed of a fractionator system cycles between a reduction phase, in which the vessel bed removes sorbate from the gas stream (e.g., via an adsorption process, an absorption process, etc.), and a regeneration phase, in which sorbate is removed from the bed off-stream (e.g., via a desorption process) by a purge stream.
  • the reduction and regeneration phases of the vessel beds can be staggered. For example, a first vessel bed removes sorbate while a second vessel bed regenerates and vice versa.
  • Various fractionator systems can include various control mechanisms for determining when to cycle between the reduction and regeneration phases.
  • control mechanisms include a timer control mechanism, a capacitance probe control mechanism, and a dew point monitoring control mechanism.
  • These conventional control mechanisms exhibit short-comings that can result in excessive, wasteful purge air consumption or that can result in the production of air of insufficient purity.
  • the regenerable fractionator system can include a control assembly that manages the operating cycle of the fractionator system based on readings obtained from one or more MOS sensors.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one example regenerable fractionator system configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one example control assembly suitable for use in operating one or more valve assemblies of a fractionator system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operational flow for an example management process according to which a control assembly can manage a fractionator system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure
  • FIGS. 4-6 are schematic diagrams showing portions of example fractionator systems having control assemblies that manipulate the gas flow pathways of a fractionator vessel based on readings obtained from one or more MOS sensors in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams of piping tees configured to route flow samples of gas from fractionator vessels to measuring sensors (e.g., MOS sensors) in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;
  • sensors e.g., MOS sensors
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a circuit corresponding to an example humidity sensor suitable for use in a fractionator system configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 are graphs showing the response of a Synkera VOC sensor when exposed to toluene at a flow rate of about 2 lpm (liters per minute), 75 0 F, 0% RH, and circuit gain to max in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.
  • a "dirty" gas stream is a gas stream containing sorbate and a "clean” gas stream is a gas stream from which at least some sorbate has been removed.
  • elements that are "operationally coupled” are arranged together with suitable intermediate components to enable the elements to perform a specified function.
  • the present disclosure is directed to a new control assembly for a regenerable fractionator system configured to remove sorbate from a dirty gas stream fed through one or more fractionator vessels.
  • Example sorbates to be removed include water vapor, oil vapor, hydrocarbon gases, volatile organic compounds, and/or other contaminants.
  • the new control assembly includes one or more chemiresistive sensors configured to detect the presence of sorbate in gas stream at one or more locations (e.g., a gas input, mid-bed, a gas output, etc.) within the fractionator system.
  • Chemiresistive sensors include metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) sensors.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one example regenerable fractionator system 100.
  • the fractionator system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a first fractionator vessel 110, a second fractionator vessel 115, and a control assembly 120. In other embodiments, however, the fractionator system 100 can include greater or fewer fractionator vessels.
  • Each fractionator vessel 110, 115 contains a bed (e.g., a desiccant bed) 112, 117, respectively, configured to remove (e.g., adsorb, absorb, etc.) sorbate from a gas stream fed through the fractionator vessel to reduce a concentration level of one or more sorbates within the gas stream.
  • the first vessel 110 has at least a first port 135 and a second port 145 through which gas streams and purge streams enter and exit the vessel.
  • the second vessel 115 also has at least a first port 165 and a second port 155 through which gas streams and purge streams enter and exit the vessel.
  • the control assembly 120 cycles each fractionator vessel 110, 115 between a reduction configuration and a regeneration configuration.
  • the fractionator vessel 110, 115 reduces a sorbate concentration level of a dirty gas stream passing through the bed.
  • sorbate is released (e.g., desorbs) from the bed and exits the vessel 110, 115 via a purge stream.
  • the fractionator system 100 can operate continuously.
  • FIG. 1 shows the gas flow paths along which gas and purge streams are routed during operation of the fractionator system.
  • the first vessel 110 is arranged in the reduction configuration and the second vessel 115 is arranged in the regeneration configuration.
  • the gas flow paths of the first phase are shown in dashed lines.
  • the dirty gas stream 130 includes compressed (i.e., pressurized) air. Use of alternative compressed gases (e.g., another inert gas), however, is consistent with the scope of the disclosure.
  • a dirty gas stream 130 containing sorbate to be removed is fed into the first port 135 of the first vessel 110 in a feed direction FD.
  • the bed 112 removes sorbate from the gas stream 130 to produce a clean gas output stream 140 having a reduced sorbate concentration level, hi one embodiment, the clean output stream 140 is substantially free of sorbate.
  • the clean output stream 140 exits the first vessel 110 at the second port 145 and is directed to downstream applications via flow path 147. hi one embodiment, the second port 145 is arranged opposite the first port 135.
  • sorbate to be removed from the dirty gas stream 130 includes water vapor.
  • the bed 112 can include a desiccant (e.g., activated carbon, activated aluminum, zeolites, deliquesent salt, silica gel, etc.) configured to sorb (e.g., adsorb or absorb) moisture from the dirty gas stream 130 to produce a clean (i.e., dried) gas stream 140.
  • sorbate to be removed can include other contaminants (e.g., oil vapor).
  • the vessel bed 112 can include a sorbent configured to sorb the contaminant to be removed.
  • a purge input stream 150 is fed into the second vessel 115 at the second port 155.
  • a portion of the clean gas output stream 140 is directed to the second port 155 of the second vessel 115 along flow path 142 to form the purge input stream 150 or a portion thereof.
  • the purge input stream 150 is produced separately from the clean gas output stream 140.
  • the purge input stream 150 is heated, either within the second vessel 115 or prior to being introduced into the second vessel 115, to facilitate the regeneration process (e.g., to promote desorption). In other embodiments, the purge input stream 150 is not sufficiently heated to affect the regeneration process significantly.
  • the purge input stream 150 travels through the second vessel 115 in a purge direction PD, which runs at least partially counter-current to the feed direction FD, to regenerate the bed 117 of the second vessel 115.
  • the purge input stream 150 accumulates sorbate from the bed 117 as the purge gas stream 150 passes through the bed 117 to produce a purge exhaust stream 160.
  • the purge exhaust stream 160 exits the second vessel 115 through the first port 165 of the second vessel 115.
  • the vessel configurations and the gas flow pathways are switched. Accordingly, the first vessel 110 is configured for regeneration of the bed 112 and the second vessel 115 is configured to remove sorbate from a dirty gas stream, m FIG.
  • the gas flow pathways of the second phase are shown in dotted lines and primes are added to common reference numbers to indicate how the gas flow pathways of the second phase relate to the gas flow pathways of the first phase.
  • a dirty gas stream 130' can be fed into the second vessel 115 and a purge input stream 150' can be fed into the first vessel 110 during the second phase.
  • the dirty gas stream 130' is fed into the first port 165 of the second vessel 115 and the clean gas output stream 140' exits through the second port 155 of the second vessel 115.
  • the gas and purge streams enter and exit the vessels 110, 115 through different ports.
  • the control assembly 120 determines when to proceed to the next phase of the fractionator cycle and reconfigures each vessel 110, 115 to the alternate configuration at each phase change. In general, the control assembly 120 determines when to proceed to the next phase based on at least one characteristic of the gas stream and/or the operating environment. For example, the control assembly 120 can make the determination based at least partially on a sorbate concentration level of the gas stream (e.g., at the input of the vessel, at the output of the vessel, or at an intermediate point within the vessel), a sorbate concentration level of the sorbent in the vessel bed arranged in the reduction configuration. In other embodiments, the control assembly 120 can base the determination at least partially on other such characteristics of the gas stream and/or the vessel arranged in the reduction configuration.
  • a sorbate concentration level of the gas stream e.g., at the input of the vessel, at the output of the vessel, or at an intermediate point within the vessel
  • the control assembly 120 can base the determination at least partially on other such characteristics of the gas stream and/or the
  • control assembly 120 can make the determination based at least partially on a sorbate concentration level of the purge stream (e.g., at the input of the vessel, at the output of the vessel, or at an intermediate point within the vessel), a sorbate concentration level of the sorbent within the vessel bed arranged in the regeneration configuration, or another such characteristic of the purge stream and/or the vessel arranged in the regeneration configuration.
  • a sorbate concentration level of the purge stream e.g., at the input of the vessel, at the output of the vessel, or at an intermediate point within the vessel
  • a sorbate concentration level of the sorbent within the vessel bed arranged in the regeneration configuration e.g., at the input of the vessel, at the output of the vessel, or at an intermediate point within the vessel
  • a sorbate concentration level of the sorbent within the vessel bed arranged in the regeneration configuration e.g., at the input of the vessel, at the output of the vessel, or at an intermediate point within the vessel
  • the control assembly 120 is operationally coupled to one or more valve assemblies to enable actuation of the valve assemblies.
  • elements that are "operationally coupled" are arranged together with suitable intermediate components to enable the elements to perform a specified function.
  • the control assembly 120 can be operationally coupled to a valve assembly by an electrical connection to enable the control assembly 120 to send operation instructions to the valve assembly to open and/or close gas flow pathways, hi another embodiment, the control assembly 120 can be operationally coupled to the valve assembly through a mechanical connection to enable manipulation of the valve assembly by the control assembly 120.
  • valve assemblies control the gas stream and purge stream flow pathways within the fractionator system 100.
  • the control assembly 120 is operationally coupled to valve assemblies 172, 174, 176, 178, which control into which vessel 110, 115 the dirty gas stream is fed and into which vessel 110, 115 the influent purge stream is fed.
  • the control assembly 120 is electrically coupled to the valve assemblies 172, 174, 176, 178 via electrical connection 122. In other embodiments, however, the control assembly 120 can connect to the valve assemblies 172, 174, 176, 178 via a mechanical connection or via any other suitable connection.
  • valve assemblies include ball- valves, flapper valves, and slider valves.
  • control assembly 120 determines when to move to the next phase of the fractionator cycle based on an input signal received from at least one MOS sensor 125 that is operationally coupled to the control assembly 120.
  • the MOS sensor 125 is electrically connected to the control assembly 120 to enable readings obtained at the MOS sensor 125 to be forwarded to the control assembly 120.
  • at least one MOS sensor is installed on or in each fractionator vessel 110, 115.
  • one MOS sensor 125 can service two or more fractionator vessels.
  • a valve assembly 182 can communicatively couple the MOS sensor 125 to whichever vessel 110, 115 is currently on-stream (i.e., configured in the reduction configuration).
  • Sorbate in the gas stream, the purge stream, or a sample thereof reacts with the MOS sensor 125 (e.g., via physisorption and/or chemisorption). These reactions are converted to an electrical signal that is sent to the control assembly 120.
  • the control assembly 120 processes the received electrical signal and correlates the signal to an amount (e.g., concentration, level, etc.) of sorbate in the gas stream, purge stream, and/or vessel bed.
  • the MOS sensor 125 continuously obtains and transmits these electrical signals to the control assembly 120.
  • the MOS sensor 125 can obtain and transmit these electrical signals at periodic intervals (e.g., every few milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, etc.) depending on the application.
  • the MOS sensor 125 is positioned within a housing of the control assembly 120 (e.g., see FIG. 5). In other embodiments, the MOS sensor 125 can be positioned remote from the control assembly 120. For example, the MOS sensor 125 can be positioned within one of the fractionator vessels 110, 115 (e.g., see FIG. 4). hi another embodiment, the MOS sensor 125 can be positioned remotely external to the vessels 110, 115 and the control assembly 120 (e.g., see FIG. 6). In certain embodiments, the MOS sensor 125 is operationally coupled to one or more of the vessel ports (e.g., vessel ports 135, 145, 155, 165).
  • the vessel ports e.g., vessel ports 135, 145, 155, 165.
  • control assembly 120 determines when an input signal received from the MOS sensor 125 indicates a sorbate concentration level of the effluent gas stream 140 meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold. In another embodiment, the control assembly 120 determines when the received input signal indicates a sorbate concentration level of a sample taken from the dirty gas stream 130 passing through the vessel bed 112, 117 meets or exceeds a predetermined threshold.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of one example control assembly 200 that can be used to operate one or more valve assemblies of a fractionator system, such as valve assemblies 172, 174, 176, 178, 182 of fractionator system 100 of FIG. 1.
  • the control assembly 200 includes a housing 210 containing a sensor module 205.
  • the housing 210 of the control assembly is operationally coupled to one or more fractionator vessels.
  • the sensor module 205 is configured to obtain a reading indicating a sorbate concentration level of a gas stream, a purge stream, and/or an operating environment of a fractionator system.
  • the sensor module 205 includes one or more MOS sensors configured to obtain such readings.
  • the sensor module 205 is operationally coupled to one or more MOS sensors located external to the housing 210.
  • the sensor module 205 can be operationally coupled to the MOS sensor via input line 201.
  • the input line 201 includes a conductive member (e.g., wire) suitable for transmitting electrical signals between the MOS sensor and the sensor module 205.
  • Other types of input lines 201 configured to provide readings obtained by the MOS sensor to the sensor module 205 also are consistent with the scope of the disclosure.
  • the housing 210 of the control assembly 200 also contains a processor 202, a memory 203, and a power source 206 electrically coupled to each other.
  • the processor 202 is operationally coupled to the sensor module 205 and configured to process the readings obtained at the sensor module 205.
  • the memory 203 stores instructions 204 for operating the fractionator system.
  • the memory 203 can store instructions 204 indicating operating parameters, such as a duration length of each phase of the fractionator cycle.
  • the memory 203 can store instructions 204 indicating predetermined thresholds and/or baseline readings to which to compare readings received at the sensor module 205. Additionally, in some embodiments, the memory 203 can store a log of previous sensor readings.
  • the control assembly 200 also includes a valve control module 207 configured to implement some of the instructions 204 stored in the memory 203.
  • the valve control module 207 is coupled to a second output line 209 that operationally couples the control assembly 200 to valve assemblies of the fractionator system (e.g., valve assemblies 172, 174, 176, 178, 182 of FIG. 1).
  • the valve control module 207 supplies power from the power source 206 to the valve assemblies, thereby enabling the valve assemblies to operate to route the gas and purge streams through the fractionator system.
  • the second output line 209 can include electrical wire connections.
  • the valve assemblies can be coupled to separate power sources or mechanically operated. Accordingly, the output line 209 can provide operating instructions to the valve assemblies using any suitable connection type including a mechanical connection.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operational flow for an example management process 300 according to which a control assembly, such as control assembly 200, can manage a fractionator system.
  • a control assembly such as control assembly 200
  • the management process 300 will be described herein as being implemented by the control assembly 120 of FIG. 1 to operate the first vessel 110 of the fractionator system 100 of FIG. 1.
  • the management process 300 begins at a start module 302, performs any suitable initialization procedures, and proceeds to an execute operation 304.
  • the execute operation 304 arranges the vessels and flow pathways of the fractionator system into the appropriate configurations and implements a first phase of the fractionator cycle.
  • the execute operation 304 can configure the first vessel 110 for sorbate reduction and can feed the dirty gas stream 130 into the first vessel 110.
  • the execute operation 304 also feeds the purge gas stream 140 into the second vessel 115 of the fractionator system 100.
  • the execute operation 304 determines which vessels should be fed the dirty gas stream and which vessels should be fed the influent purge stream at each phase of the fractionator cycle.
  • the control assembly 120 of FIG. 1 can send instructions to a valve assembly 172 to open the first port 135 of the first vessel 110 to enable the dirty gas stream 130 to enter the first vessel 110 through the first port 135.
  • the control assembly 120 mechanically manipulates the valve assembly 172 to open the first port 135.
  • the control assembly 120 also can send instructions to or otherwise manipulate the second port 145 of the first vessel 110 to enable egress of the clean gas stream 140 from the first vessel 110.
  • the control assembly 120 also can send instructions to the same or another valve assembly (e.g., valve assembly 176) to open the second port 155 of the second vessel 115 to enable the purge stream to enter the second vessel 115.
  • the control assembly 120 also can send instructions to or otherwise manipulate the first port 165 of the second vessel 115 to enable egress of the purge exhaust stream 160 from the first vessel 115.
  • a measure operation 306 evaluates a sorbate level of the influent dirty gas stream, the gas stream passing through the operating environment (e.g., one or more of the vessel beds), the effluent clean gas stream, the influent purge stream, the purge stream passing through the operating environment, and/or the purge exhaust stream, m one embodiment, the measure operation 306 evaluates the sorbate level of a flow sample obtained from the gas stream at a location remote from the vessel bed.
  • the measure operation 306 is implemented by one or more MOS sensors. In certain embodiments, the measure operation 306 also can be implemented using additional types of sensors as well.
  • the control assembly 120 of FIG. 1 can obtain a reading of the sorbate level or a characteristic indicative of the sorbate level using the MOS sensor 125.
  • the MOS sensor 125 is located within the control assembly 120 or otherwise external to the vessels 110, 115.
  • a gas sample can be obtained from the appropriate vessel 110, 115 and directed to the MOS sensor 125 to obtain the reading (e.g., see FIGS. 5 and 6).
  • the MOS sensor 125 can be located within the vessel 110, 115 (e.g., see FIG. 4) or otherwise outside the control assembly 120. In such embodiments, signals from the MOS sensor 125 can be transmitted or otherwise provided to the control assembly 120.
  • the measure operation 306 determines a moisture partial pressure of the influent dirty gas stream, the effluent clean gas stream, and/or the gas stream passing through the operating environment (e.g., within the vessel bed configured for reduction). In other embodiments, the measure operation 306 determines a moisture partial pressure of the purge exhaust stream, the influent purge stream, and/or the purge stream passing through the operating environment (e.g., at an intermediate point within the vessel), hi one embodiment, the measure operation 306 determines the moisture partial pressure at atmospheric pressure. In another embodiment, the measure operation 306 determines the moisture partial pressure at system operating pressure. In other embodiments, the measure operation 306 determines the sorbate level based on other characteristics.
  • a determination module 308 determines when the control assembly should cycle the fractionator system to the next phase of the fractionator cycle based on the readings obtained from MOS sensor. In some embodiments, the determination module 308 determines whether a reading obtained by the MOS sensor has reached a predetermined threshold. In other embodiments, the determination module 308 determines whether a reading obtained by the MOS sensor is elevated above a baseline by a predetermined amount.
  • the control assembly 120 of FIG. 1 can instruct one or more of the valve assemblies 172, 174, 176, 178 to adjust the gas flow paths within the fractionator system 100 when one or more readings obtained from the MOS sensor 125 reach a predetermine threshold.
  • the control assembly 120 determines when to switch phases based on a differential amount between the reading obtained from the MOS sensor 125 and one or more baseline readings.
  • the control assembly 125 compares the MOS sensor readings to previously obtained readings.
  • the predetermined threshold, baseline reading, and/or previously obtained readings can be stored in the memory of the control assembly 120 (e.g., see memory 203 of control assembly 200 of FIG. 2).
  • control assembly 120 makes the determination based on an average or mean value of multiple readings obtained from the MOS sensor 125 within a predetermined timeframe (e.g., milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc.).
  • a predetermined timeframe e.g., milliseconds, seconds, minutes, etc.
  • other types of signal filtering e.g., noise reduction, etc.
  • analysis, and/or amplification can be applied to the MOS sensor reading prior to making the determination.
  • the determination module 308 can determine when the moisture partial pressure reading obtained by the MOS sensor 125 reaches or exceeds about 5% to about 50% relative humidity in the operating environment (e.g., at about mid-bed). Indeed, in some embodiments, the determination module 308 determines whether the moisture partial pressure reading reaches or exceeds about 25% relative humidity in the operating environment. In another embodiment, the determination module 308 can determine whether the moisture partial pressure reading of the clean gas stream reaches or exceeds about 0.1% to about 1.0%. In other embodiments, the determination module 308 can determine whether a sorbate partial pressure reading (e.g., for toluene or another volatile organic compound) reaches or exceeds 0.5 and 10 parts per million (ppm) in the operating environment. In one embodiment, the determination module 308 can determine whether the sorbate partial pressure reading reaches or exceeds about 1 ppm.
  • a sorbate partial pressure reading e.g., for toluene or another volatile organic compound
  • the management process 300 cycles back to the measure operation 306 and begins again. If the determination module 308 determines the sorbate concentration level has reached a predetermined threshold or differs from a baseline by a predetermined amount, however, then the management process 300 proceeds to a switch operation 310, which advances the fractionator system to the next phase in the fractionator cycle. hi general, the switch operation 310 arranges the vessels and flow pathways of the fractionator system into the appropriate configurations and implements the next phase of the fractionator cycle.
  • the control assembly 120 operates the appropriate valve assemblies 172, 174, 176, 178 to close the respective ports of the vessels 110, 115 to inhibit egress of the clean air stream 140, 140'.
  • the control assembly 120 also can operate the valve assemblies 172, 174, 176, 178 to close the ports of the vessels 110, 115 to the dirty gas stream 130, 130' and the influent purge stream 150, 150'.
  • the control assembly also operates the appropriate valve assembly 172, 178 to inhibit egress of the purge exhaust stream 160, 160' from the appropriate vessel.
  • control assembly 120 performs any appropriate preparation of the vessels 110, 115 and flow pathways prior to continuing with the next phase of the fractionator cycle.
  • the control assembly 120 may preheat an influent purge stream and/or the vessel bed to be configured for regeneration.
  • the control assembly 120 operates the appropriate valve assemblies 172, 174, 176, 178 to introduce the gas stream 130' into the second vessel 115 and the purge stream 150' into the first vessel 110 and to allow egress of the clean gas stream 140' and the purge exhaust stream 160'.
  • the control process 300 completes and ends at a stop module 312. FIGS.
  • Each of the partial fractionator systems 400, 500, 600 includes a fractionator vessel 410, 510, 610 having a vessel bed 412, 512, 612, a first port 411, 511, 611 arranged at a first end of the vessel 410, 510, 610, and a second port 417, 517, 617 arranged at an opposite end of the vessel 410, 510, 610, respectively.
  • each of the first ports 411, 511, 611 accommodates both ingress of a dirty gas stream 130 and egress of a purge exhaust stream (not shown).
  • each vessel 410, 510, 610 can include different ports for gas streams and purge streams.
  • a valve assembly 472, 572, 672 is coupled to the first port 411, 511, 611 of the vessel 411, 511, 611, respectively, to selectively feed a dirty gas stream into the vessel 411, 511, 611 along a feed direction FD .
  • valve assembly 472, 572, 672 based on readings obtained from one or more MOS sensors 425, 525, 625.
  • the control assembly 420, 520, 620 also operates the same or a different valve assembly (not shown) to enable selective ingress and/or egress of a purge stream in subsequent phases.
  • one or more MOS sensors 425, 525, 625 are operationally coupled to the fractionator vessels 410, 510, 610, respectively, hi some embodiments, the one or more MOS sensors can be positioned within a fractionator vessel.
  • FIG. 4 shows a MOS sensor 425 positioned within a vessel 410.
  • the MOS sensor 425 can be arranged within a mid- stream region 413 of the vessel 410.
  • the mid-stream region 413 of the vessel 410 includes a middle 50% of the vessel 410.
  • the mid-stream region 413 includes a middle 25% of the vessel 410.
  • the one or more MOS sensors 425 can be arranged within a first region 414 of the vessel 410 at which the dirty gas stream enters the vessel 410.
  • the first region 414 of the vessel 410 includes about 50% of the vessel 410 extending inwardly from the first port 411.
  • the first region 414 includes about 25% of the vessel 410 extending inwardly from the first port 411.
  • the first region 414 includes about 15% of the vessel 410 extending inwardly from the first port 411.
  • the one or more MOS sensors 425 can be arranged in a second region at or adjacent the second port 417.
  • multiple MOS sensors can be arranged throughout the vessel 410.
  • the sensor 425 protrudes sufficiently into an interior of the vessel 410 to mitigate wall effects.
  • the MOS sensor 425 can be arranged at any suitable location within the vessel 410 (e.g., in contact with the sorbent, in contact with inner walls of the vessel 410, etc.).
  • Signals from the MOS sensor 425 are transmitted to the control assembly 420 via an input line 421 (e.g., an electrically conductive wire).
  • the control assembly 420 maintains the current gas flow pathway configuration of the fractionator system 400 if the control assembly 420 determines the signals indicate an acceptable sorbate concentration (e.g., in the clean gas stream, in the sorbent, etc.). If the control assembly 420 determines the signals indicate an unacceptable sorbate concentration, however, then the control assembly 420 can operate the valve assembly 472 to alternate vessel and pathway configuration.
  • control assembly 420 maintains the gas flow pathway configurations when the signals indicate an unacceptable sorbate concentration in the purge exhaust stream of a vessel bed (not shown) configured in the regeneration phase and/or the sorbent of that vessel bed.
  • the control assembly 420 can operate the valve assembly 472 to alternate the vessel and pathway configurations when the sorbate concentration levels of the purge exhaust stream and/or the purge stream passing through the operating environment (e.g., the vessel bed configured for regeneration) attain or cross acceptable levels.
  • the control assembly 420 can send an instruction
  • valve assembly 472 (e.g., an electrical signal) to the valve assembly 472 along an output line 429.
  • the control assembly 420 mechanically communicates with the valve assembly 472 to actuate the valve assembly 472.
  • the valve assembly 472 directs the dirty gas stream 130 into another fabrication vessel (not shown) when alternating the flow pathway.
  • the control assembly 420 also can direct the same or another valve assembly (not shown) to direct a purge gas stream into the vessel 410.
  • one or more MOS sensors can be positioned external to a fractionator vessel.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 show MOS sensors 525, 625 positioned external to vessels 510, 610, respectively.
  • the fractionator vessels 510, 610 include sampling conduits 514, 614 extending between the vessel 510, 610 and the respective MOS sensor 525, 625.
  • the sampling conduits 514, 614 route a sample of the gas stream (e.g., the influent dirty gas stream, an intermediate portion of the dirty gas stream, the clean gas stream, etc.) from the vessels 510, 610 to the respective MOS sensors 525, 625 along a sample direction SD.
  • Control assemblies 520, 620 operate valve assemblies 572, 672, respectively, based on the readings of the obtained from the sample.
  • each sampling conduit 514, 614 has a sufficient transverse cross-sectional size to enable a sample portion of the gas stream passing through the respective vessel 510, 610 to flow to the respective MOS sensor 525, 625.
  • the sampling conduit 514 extends outwardly from a mid-stream region 513 of the vessel 510 to a MOS sensor 525 remote from the vessel bed 512. Accordingly, the gas sample sent to the MOS sensor 525 is taken from a dirty gas stream passing about mid-bed through the vessel 510.
  • the sampling conduit 614 extends outwardly from the second port 617 of the vessel 610 to the MOS sensor 625.
  • a vessel can include two or more sampling conduits to enable sampling of a gas stream in different stages of the reduction process.
  • a fractionator vessel can include a first sampling conduit extending outwardly from a mid-stream region of the vessel and a second sampling conduit extending outwardly from the second port of the vessel.
  • a sampling conduit can extend outwardly from the first port of the vessel in addition to or instead of one or both of the first and second conduits.
  • each sampling conduit leads to a separate MOS sensor.
  • multiple sampling conduits lead to the same MOS sensor.
  • multiple sampling conduits can lead to a single sensor housing (not shown) in which one or more MOS sensors can be contained.
  • the one or more MOS sensors can be selectively communicatively coupled to each sampling conduit via a valve assembly (e.g., valve assembly 682 of FIG. 6).
  • a small screen bushing can be installed in the mid-stream region of the vessel for extraction of a small flow sample of gas and conveyance of the gas to a monitoring tee where the one or more MOS sensors are installed. The bushing can extend into the vessel to eliminate wall effects and/or to obtain a representative sample of gas passing through the vessel.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic diagrams of a piping tee
  • the piping tee 710 configured to route a flow sample of gas from a fractionator vessel to a measuring sensor (e.g., a MOS sensor) 725.
  • the piping tee 710 has a first end 711 configured to operationally couple to a sampling conduit 714, a second end 713 configured to operationally couple to the MOS sensor 725, and a third end 715 configured to vent the flow sample.
  • the ends 711, 713, 715 of the piping tee 710 define internal threads by which the piping tee 710 can be operationally coupled to other components.
  • the third end 715 of the piping tee 710 receives a drill plug 718 defining a discharge orifice.
  • the third end 715 operationally couples to a throttle 719 (e.g., a metering valve) that selectively vents the flow sample.
  • the throttle 719 enables measurement of sorbate concentration (e.g., moisture partial pressure) at the system operating pressure
  • the piping tee 710 can include a second throttle arranged between the sampling conduit 714 and the MOS sensor 725.
  • the second throttle can enable measurement of sorbate concentration at atmospheric pressure.
  • the MOS sensor is selected to respond to the sorbate to be filtered.
  • the MOS sensor can be selected to respond rapidly to the presence of contaminants, such as moisture, hydrocarbon oils, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
  • the MOS sensor can be selected to respond in less than one minute to 90% full scale, hi some embodiments, the MOS sensor is selected to detect water vapor to 10 ppm by volume at -76°F (-60 0 C). Indeed, in some embodiments, the MOS sensor is selected to have an environmental temperature range of about -4°F (about -20°C) and 122 0 F (about 50°C). hi some embodiments, the MOS sensor is selected to have an environmental humidity range from 0 humidity to about 90% relative humidity, non-condensing. In some embodiments, the MOS sensor is selected to be a resistive-type, solid-state sensor, hi one example embodiment, the MOS sensor is selected to include a thin, dense, anodic aluminum oxide solid-state sensor.
  • MOS sensor suitable for use in fractionator systems as described herein is a VOC sensor manufactured by Synkera Technologies, Inc. of Longmont, CO. This type of VOC sensor is at least suitable for removing oil vapor from compressed air.
  • MOS sensor suitable for use in the above described fractionator systems is the relative humidity (RH) sensor available from Synkera Technologies, Inc.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a circuit 900 corresponding to the Synkera RH sensor. Such a MOS sensor is at least suitable for removing moisture from (i.e., drying) compressed air.
  • fractionator systems can include multiple components
  • MOS sensors In some embodiments, multiple MOS sensors of the same type (e.g., humidity sensors) can be arranged at multiple locations within each fractionator vessel. In other embodiments, multiple types of MOS sensors (e.g., one or more humidity sensors and one or more VOC sensors) can be arranged within each vessel.
  • multiple types of MOS sensors e.g., one or more humidity sensors and one or more VOC sensors
  • fractionator vessels within a breathing air system can include at least one humidity MOS sensor and at least one VOC sensor in tandem to remove both moisture and oil vapor from compressed air.
  • these sensors can be used in tandem to provide instrumentation air
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 are graphs 1000, 1100 showing the response of the
  • Synkera VOC sensor when exposed to toluene at a flow rate of about 2 lpm (liters per minute), 75°F, 0% RH, and circuit gain to max.
  • Each graph 1000, 1100 has an x-axis indicating time in minutes and a y-axis indicating the sensor response.
  • the VOC sensor response ramps up to a stable reading after about 6-8 minutes.
  • the Synkera VOC sensor was exposed to clean air.
  • the VOC sensor response tapered off within 1-2 minutes when no longer exposed to the toluene.
  • the graph 1100 shown in FIG. 11 plots the response of the VOC sensor to toluene at a concentration of about 5 ppm over a first couple of hours. Subsequently, the concentration of toluene was increased to about 10 ppm at about
  • Synkera VOC sensor has a rapid response time when exposed to changes in toluene concentration levels. The results further indicate that at least the Synkera VOC sensor is sufficiently sensitive to detect low concentration levels of toluene.
  • the Synkera VOC sensor is sufficiently sensitive to detect low concentration levels of other sorbates (e.g., other volatile organic compounds) of similar scale.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Separation By Low-Temperature Treatments (AREA)

Abstract

Des modes de réalisation à titre d'exemple d'un système de fractionnateur pour réduire la concentration en sorbate d'un courant de gaz comprennent un lit de récipient qui est configuré pour enlever (par exemple, adsorber) du sorbate provenant du courant de gaz et est configuré pour recevoir un courant de purge à régénérer. Un ensemble de commande pour le système de fractionnateur comprend un ou plusieurs capteurs chimi-résistifs configurés pour détecter la présence de sorbate dans le courant de gaz et/ou le courant de purge (par exemple, à mesure que le gaz ou le courant de purge passe à travers l'environnement opérationnel du système de fractionnateur). L'ensemble de commande gère les phases d'un cycle de fractionnateur sur la base des relevés obtenues par les capteurs chimi-résistifs. Les capteurs chimi-résistifs comprennent les détecteurs à métal-oxyde-semi-conducteur (MOS).
PCT/US2008/083397 2008-11-13 2008-11-13 Systèmes et procédés de gestion de cycles de fractionnateur WO2010056245A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2008/083397 WO2010056245A1 (fr) 2008-11-13 2008-11-13 Systèmes et procédés de gestion de cycles de fractionnateur

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2008/083397 WO2010056245A1 (fr) 2008-11-13 2008-11-13 Systèmes et procédés de gestion de cycles de fractionnateur

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010056245A1 true WO2010056245A1 (fr) 2010-05-20

Family

ID=40886049

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2008/083397 WO2010056245A1 (fr) 2008-11-13 2008-11-13 Systèmes et procédés de gestion de cycles de fractionnateur

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2010056245A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102204906A (zh) * 2011-04-14 2011-10-05 苏州大学 Brca1诱导剂吲哚-3-甲醇在制备放射损伤防护药物中的应用

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3523244A (en) * 1967-11-01 1970-08-04 Panametrics Device for measurement of absolute humidity
US4127395A (en) * 1976-10-18 1978-11-28 Pall Corporation Adsorbent fractionator with fail-safe automatic cycle control and process
GB2083372A (en) * 1980-09-13 1982-03-24 Geraetebau Gmbh & Co Kg Installation for monitoring solvent concentrations in enclosed air spaces
EP0099591A2 (fr) * 1980-05-02 1984-02-01 Pall Corporation Dispositif de fractionnement à adsorbant avec contrôle automatique du cycle et procédé
US4649364A (en) * 1983-09-20 1987-03-10 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Bifunctional environment sensor
US4971610A (en) * 1988-08-18 1990-11-20 Henderson Terry D Dewpoint demand control system for regenerative dryer
WO1997020079A1 (fr) * 1995-11-28 1997-06-05 Purdue Research Foundation Modification du gruau de mais donnant des caracteristiques d'adsorption d'eau superieures
DE19841814A1 (de) * 1998-09-12 2000-03-16 Sandler Helmut Helsa Werke Filtereinrichtung mit Adsorptionsfilter, Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Filtereinrichtung sowie Verwendung einer Filtereinrichtung und Verwendung eines Sensorarray-Detektors
EP1806169A1 (fr) * 2006-01-10 2007-07-11 Consultatie Implementatie Technisch Beheer B.V. Procédé et dispositif de mesure de la saturation de filtre
DE102006053216A1 (de) * 2006-02-17 2008-05-15 Zeosys Gmbh Filterpatrone zur Rückgewinnung niedrigsiedender halogenierter Kohlenwasserstoffe

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3523244A (en) * 1967-11-01 1970-08-04 Panametrics Device for measurement of absolute humidity
US4127395A (en) * 1976-10-18 1978-11-28 Pall Corporation Adsorbent fractionator with fail-safe automatic cycle control and process
EP0099591A2 (fr) * 1980-05-02 1984-02-01 Pall Corporation Dispositif de fractionnement à adsorbant avec contrôle automatique du cycle et procédé
GB2083372A (en) * 1980-09-13 1982-03-24 Geraetebau Gmbh & Co Kg Installation for monitoring solvent concentrations in enclosed air spaces
US4649364A (en) * 1983-09-20 1987-03-10 Omron Tateisi Electronics Co. Bifunctional environment sensor
US4971610A (en) * 1988-08-18 1990-11-20 Henderson Terry D Dewpoint demand control system for regenerative dryer
WO1997020079A1 (fr) * 1995-11-28 1997-06-05 Purdue Research Foundation Modification du gruau de mais donnant des caracteristiques d'adsorption d'eau superieures
DE19841814A1 (de) * 1998-09-12 2000-03-16 Sandler Helmut Helsa Werke Filtereinrichtung mit Adsorptionsfilter, Verfahren zum Betrieb einer Filtereinrichtung sowie Verwendung einer Filtereinrichtung und Verwendung eines Sensorarray-Detektors
EP1806169A1 (fr) * 2006-01-10 2007-07-11 Consultatie Implementatie Technisch Beheer B.V. Procédé et dispositif de mesure de la saturation de filtre
DE102006053216A1 (de) * 2006-02-17 2008-05-15 Zeosys Gmbh Filterpatrone zur Rückgewinnung niedrigsiedender halogenierter Kohlenwasserstoffe

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102204906A (zh) * 2011-04-14 2011-10-05 苏州大学 Brca1诱导剂吲哚-3-甲醇在制备放射损伤防护药物中的应用

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4127395A (en) Adsorbent fractionator with fail-safe automatic cycle control and process
US8584505B2 (en) Measuring instrument and method for detecting the content of oil, hydrocarbons and oxidizable gases in air or compressed air
Li et al. Competition of CO2/H2O in adsorption based CO2 capture
EP0009139B1 (fr) Dispositif et procédé de fractionnement par adsorption sans apport de chaleur avec contrôle du cycle à microprocesseur
US10046270B2 (en) Method for operating an air-drying device for drying air, air-drying device for drying air as well as compressed air system
US4402211A (en) System for monitoring abnormality of oil-filled electric devices
CA2246564C (fr) Appareil et methode permettant le captage du mercure gazeux et la differenciation de composes distincts du mercure
US3448561A (en) Adsorbent fractionator with automatic cycle control and process
US6374662B1 (en) Devices and methods for measuring odor
US8206311B2 (en) Analyzer for nitric oxide in exhaled breath with multiple-use sensor
EP0072463A2 (fr) Dispositif de fractionnement d'un gaz afin de réduire la concentration d'un ou de plusieurs premiers gaz dans un mélange avec un second gaz
RU2668326C1 (ru) Система датчиков и сепаратор кислорода, содержащий систему датчиков
JP6523797B2 (ja) Ｃｏ２濃度計用ゼロガス精製器及びｃｏ２濃度計測システム
US20150369784A1 (en) Device for measuring residual oil
US9329161B2 (en) Monitoring of the functionality of a converter of a breath analysis apparatus
KR20180138561A (ko) 열탈착부와 ndir부를 갖는 배출가스 분석장치 및 그 분석방법
US20220266192A1 (en) Kit for concentrating low-concentration air pollutants
WO2010056245A1 (fr) Systèmes et procédés de gestion de cycles de fractionnateur
JP4157492B2 (ja) ホルムアルデヒドガス検出装置
JP2009018970A (ja) 酸素濃縮装置
Gawłowski et al. Dry purge for the removal of water from the solid sorbents used to sample volatile organic compounds from the atmospheric air
JP4941681B2 (ja) 油中溶存ガス分析装置
JP4137300B2 (ja) ガス吸収缶検査方法及び検査装置
JP5082419B2 (ja) におい識別装置
EP2013615B1 (fr) Mécanisme d'absorption de co2 pour instruments d'analyse élémentaire

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 08876451

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 08876451

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1