Fluid fractionator

Abstract

An improved apparatus for fractionating fluid mixtures by pressure swing molecular adsorption employing a rotary distributor valve and an array of adsorber columns. The columns are contained within a product holding tank. The valve sequences to provide a quasi steady-state flow, allowing optimization of adsorption/desorption cycles, and eliminating most of the valves, switches and plumbing usually required.

I claim, 
     
       1. An improved process for removing a fluid component of a particular fluid from a stream of a mixture of fluids or a contaminating component from a stream of a single fluid through pressure swing adsorption having a pressurizing phase and a desorbing phase comprising the steps of: a. admitting a pressurized fluid mixture into a rotary valve distributor;   b. said rotary valve distributor comprising: i. a fluid manifold for receiving said fluid mixture and purging said contaminating component;   ii. an immobile port plate having a first and second plurality of openings in fluid communication with a first and second plurality of columns; said port plate further having an integral inlet channel for a substantially continuous flow of fluid; and   iii. rotatable distributor means in fluid communication with said manifold, said means comprising a rotor and rotor shoe having an arcuate distribution port which sequentially pressurizes said first plurality of columns as said rotor shoe rotates said distribution port over said first plurality of openings in said port plate; an arcuate exhaust port which sequentially and simultaneously exhausts fluid carrying the contaminating component and emanating from each of said second plurality of columns as said rotor rotates said exhaust port over said second plurality of openings in said port plate; a cross-porting channel with two ports, each situated between the two arcuate ports, for connecting two columns, which are in transition between the pressurizing and desorbing phases, allowing rapid pressure equalization; said rotor shoe further having an integral exhaust channel for a substantially continuous exhaust of fluid carrying the contaminating component; and     c. sequentially distributing said compressed fluid mixture, by means of a rotating member of said rotary valve distributor, into one or more of said first plurality of columns packed with an adsorbent material selective for the fluid or contaminant to be removed, where said fluid or contaminant is retained and desired product fluid is allowed to pass through; and   d. simultaneously refluxing, under low pressure, a portion of product fluid through one or more of said second plurality of columns, each fluid entering through an orifice at one end of each said column and exiting through the opposite end and into the atmosphere; and   e. simultaneously withdrawing purified product fluid as required.   
     
     
       2. An improved process for removing a fluid component of a particular fluid from a stream of a mixture of fluids or a contaminating component from a stream of a single fluid as recited in claim 1 wherein said adsorbent in step c is a zeolite. 
     
     
       3. An improved process for removing a fluid component of a particular fluid from a stream of a mixture of fluids or a contaminating component from a stream of a single fluid as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said pluralities of columns contains two or more columns. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture by pressure swing molecular adsorption having a pressurizing phase and a desorbing phase which comprises: a. a first and second plurality of adsorber columns, each containing molecular adsorption medium for fractionation of a mixture of fluids passed thereinto by separation of said mixture into a purified portion which passes through said first and second pluralities of columns and exits therefrom during said pressurizing phase and a retained portion which is retained by said medium during said desorbing phase;   b. chamber means containing said columns, means for receiving and storing said purified portion and a fluid exit port for removal of a first part of said purified portion from said chamber;   c. a distributor valve assembly comprising i. a fluid manifold for receiving said fluid mixture and purging said retained portion;   ii. an immobile port plate having a first and second plurality of openings in fluid communication with said columns; said port plate further having an integral inlet channel for a substantially continuous flow of fluid; and   iii. rotatable distributor means in fluid communication with said manifold, said means comprising a rotor and rotor shoe having an arcuate distribution port which sequentially pressurizes said first plurality of columns as said rotor shoe rotates said distribution port over said, first plurality of openings in said port plate: an arcuate exhaust port which sequentially and simultaneously exhausts fluid carrying the retained portion and emanating from each of said second plurality of columns as said rotor rotates said exhaust port over said second plurality of openings in said port plate; a cross-porting channel with two ports, each situated between the two arcuate ports, for connecting two columns, which are in transition between the pressurizing and desorbing phases, allowing rapid pressure equalization; said rotor shoe further having an integral exhaust channel for a substantially continuous exhaust of fluid carrying the retained portion; and     means for rotating said rotatable distributor means.   
     
     
       5. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture as described in claim 4, wherein said each of said pluralities of adsorber columns contains two or more columns. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture as described in claim 5, wherein said columns have a high length to diameter ratio. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture as described in claim 6, wherein said columns contain means to reduce reflux pressure. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture as described in claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.7.Iaddend., wherein said means to reduce reflux pressure comprises a small orifice at the end of each column opposite said connection to said distributor valve manifold. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture as described in claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.8.Iaddend., wherein said columns are sealed by a mechanical sealing means at the end opposite to the orifice. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture as described in claim 9, wherein said columns contain spring means to keep the medium compacted. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture as described in claim 4, wherein said fluid mixture is nitrogen and trace amounts of other fluids. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture as described in claim 4, wherein said chamber means is closed at one end and sealed by said distributor valve assembly at the other end. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus for fractionating a fluid mixture as described in claim 4, wherein said chamber has said fluid exit port for removal of aid purified portion locate din said fluid manifold. .Iadd. 
     
     
       14.  In combination in a fluid fractionator, first means for providing a plurality, more than two (2), of columns each including second means for passing a particular component of the fluid and for adsorbing other components of the fluid,   third means for providing the fluid under pressure to the columns in the plurality,   distributor means for sequentially selecting first successive ones of the columns in the plurality on a cyclic basis to receive the pressurized fluid for the passage of the particular component of the fluid through such columns and for the adorption of the other components of the fluid and for selecting second successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis to release the adsorbed fluid components from the columns after the passage of the particular component of the fluid through the columns,   there being third successive ones of the columns in the plurality other than the first and second successive ones of the columns in the plurality, and   fourth means for equalizing the pressures in the third successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       15.  In a combination as set forth in claim 14, the columns in the plurality being disposed in a rotary arrangement,   the distributor means being operative on the cyclic basis to select the first, second and third successive ones of the columns on the cyclic basis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. In a combination as set forth in claim 14,   fifth means for storing the particular fluid component passing through the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis, and   sixth means for exhausting the fluids from the second successive ones of   
     
     
        the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17.  In a combination as set forth in claim 14, the distributor means being rotary and including first port means for communicating the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality with the third means on the cyclic basis and including second port means for communicating the second successive ones of the columns in the plurality with the atmosphere on the cyclic basis and including third port means for communicating the third successive ones of the columns in the   
     
     
        plurality with each other on the cyclic basis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18.  In a combination as set forth in claim 14, the fluid being air and the particular fluid component including oxygen and the other components including nitrogen,   fifth means for storing the oxygen passing through the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis,   sixth means for exhausting to the atmosphere the adsorbed fluid components including nitrogen from the second successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis, and   seventh means for providing an outlet for the oxygen stored in the fifth   
     
     
        means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19.  In combination in a fluid fractionator, first means for providing a plurality, more than two (2), of columns each including second means for passing a particular component of the fluid and for adsorbing other components of the fluid,   third means for providing the fluid under pressure to the columns in the plurality,   distributor means for selecting first successive ones of the columns on a cyclic basis to receive the pressurized fluid for the passage of the particular component of the fluid through such columns on the cyclic basis and for the adsorption of the other components of the fluid on the cyclic basis and for selecting second successive ones of the columns on the cyclic basis to release the adsorbed components from such columns on the cyclic basis after the passage of the particular component of the fluid through such columns,   the distributor means including a member movable on the cyclic basis and constructed to select sequentially on the cyclic basis the first and second successive ones of the columns in the plurality in accordance with such movement,   the movable member being the only member movable in the combination.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.20.  In a combination as set forth in claim 19, the movable member including a first channel in communication with the third means for providing the pressurized fluid and a second channel for releasing the pressurized fluid, the distributor means including ports for communicating with the first and second channels and the columns in the plurality to establish the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality in communication with the first channel on the cyclic basis and the second successive ones of the columns in the plurality in communication with the second channel on the cyclic basis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. In a combination as set forth in claim 20,   fourth means for providing a communication of the second channel with the atmosphere, and   fifth means for collecting the particular fluid passing through the first   
     
     
        successive ones of the columns in the plurality. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22.  In a combination as set forth in claim 21, the fluid constituting air and the particular component constituting oxygen, and   means for providing for a controlled passage of oxygen from the collecting   
     
     
        means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23.  In a combination as set forth in claim 22, there being third successive ones of the columns in the plurality other than the first and second successive ones of the columns in the plurality,   the movable member in the distributor means including a third channel for equalizing the pressure in the third successive ones of the columns in the   
     
     
        plurality on the cyclic basis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24.  In combination in a fluid fractionator, means for defining a plurality, more than two (2), of columns,   means in each of the columns in the plurality for passing a particular component of the fluid and for adsorbing other components of the fluid,   means for providing the fluid under pressure to the columns in the plurality,   means for selecting the columns in the plurality on a sequential and cyclic basis to introduce the fluid under pressure to first successive ones of the columns in the plurality for the passage of the particular fluid component through the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the sequential and cyclic basis and to adsorb the other fluid components in the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the sequential and cyclic basis and to desorb the other fluid components in second successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the sequential and cyclic basis,   means for collecting the particular fluid component passing through the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the sequential and cyclic basis,   the number of the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the sequential and cyclic basis being greater than one to produce a substantially constant pressure of the particular fluid component in the collecting means and the number of the second successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the sequential and cyclic basis being greater   
     
     
        than one. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  In a combination as set forth in claim 24, each of the columns in the plurality having a reduced length than would exist in such columns if the number of the first ones of the columns in the plurality on the sequential and cyclic basis was only one. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.26.  In a combination as set forth in claim 24, there being third columns in the plurality in transition between adsorbing the other fluid components and desorbing the other fluid components, and   means for equalizing the pressure in the third columns in the plurality. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. In a combination as set forth in claim 24,   the selecting means including a movable member having a first channel communicating with the fluid pressure means and the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the sequential and cyclic basis in accordance with the movement of the member and having a second channel communicating with the second successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the sequential and cyclic basis in accordance with the movement of the member,   the movable member being the only movable member in the combination.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.  In a combination as set forth in claim 27, the fluid constituting air, the particular fluid component including oxygen and the adsorbed fluid components including nitrogen, and   means operatively coupled to the collecting means for providing a   
     
     
        controlled flow of oxygen. .Iaddend. .Iadd.29.  In combination in a fluid fractionator, a product tank,   a plurality, more than two (2), of columns disposed in the product tank for introducing a particular component of the fluid into the product tank,   means disposed in each of the columns in the plurality for passing the particular fluid component into the product tank and for adsorbing other components in the fluid,   a manifold defining one boundary of the product tank,   means for providing the fluid under pressure to the manifold, and   valve means operatively coupled to the manifold and defining a unitary structure with the manifold and the product tank for providing in a sequence on a cyclic basis for the introduction of the fluid under pressure into first particular ones of the columns in the plurality for the passage of the particular fluid component through the first particular ones of the columns in the plurality into the product tank and for providing in the sequence on the cyclic basis for the exhausting of the other fluid components from second particular ones of the columns in the   
     
     
        plurality. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30.  In a combination as set forth in claim 29, the valve means including a movable member having a first channel for communicating in the sequence with the first particular ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis and having a second channel for communicating in the sequence with the second particular ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. In a combination as set forth in the claim 30,   there being third particular ones of the columns in the plurality in the sequence on the cyclic basis other than the first and second particular ones of the columns in the plurality, and   the valve means including a third channel for communicating in the sequence with the third particular ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis to neutralize the pressure of the fluid in the third   
     
     
        particular ones of the columns in the plurality. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32.  In a combination as set forth in claim 30, the movable member being a rotary member,   the rotary member being the only movable member in the combination.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.33.  In combination in a fluid fractionator, means for providing a fluid under pressure,   a plurality, more than two (2), of columns each including means for passing a particular component of the fluid through the columns and for adsorbing other components of the fluid in the columns,   a product tank disposed in enveloping relationship to the columns in the plurality and constructed to hold the columns in the plurality,   means disposed in the product tank and operatively coupled to the columns in the plurality for providing for the passage of the particular fluid component through the columns in the plurality into the product tank,   valve means movable on a cyclic basis and including a first channel for receiving the fluid under pressure and including a second channel for communicating with the atmosphere, and   manifold means operatively coupled to the valve means for introducing the fluid under pressure to the first channel for passage sequentially to first successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis and for passing the adsorbed components of the fluid sequentially from second successive ones of the columns in the plurality to the second   
     
     
        channel on the cyclic basis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34.  In a combination as set forth in claim 33, the valve means being disposed on the manifold means, and   means disposed on the valve means for covering the valve means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35. In a combination as set forth in claim 34,   the valve means including a third channel,   there being third successive ones of the columns in the plurality other than the first and second successive ones of the columns in the plurality, the third successive ones of the columns in the plurality being disposed between the first success ones of the columns in the plurality and the second successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis,   the third channel in the valve means communicating on the cyclic basis with the third successive ones of the columns in the plurality to equalize the pressures in the third successive ones of the columns in the plurality on the cyclic basis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. In a combination as set forth in claim 35,   the valve means being the only movable means in the combination. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd.37.  In a combination as set forth in claim 35, the fluid constituting air and the particular component constituting oxygen, and   means for providing a controlled passage of oxygen from the product tank.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.38.  In a combination as set forth in claim 33, means disposed at a first end of the columns in the plurality for providing for a controlled passage of the particular fluid component from the first successive ones of the columns in the plurality into the product tank of the cyclic basis,   the manifold means partially defining the product tank at a second end of the columns in the plurality opposite the first end. .Iaddend.