Adsorber and process for the separation by adsorption

Abstract

An adsorber having an upright longitudinal extent includes two perforated parallel panels extending within the vessel formed therein and spaced apart defining an adsorbent mass chamber. The adsorbent mass is in two longitudinal parts having a first part of fine particles and a second part of larger particles. The gas to be treated is circulated horizontally between the two perforated panels. This device allows the treatment cycle to be less than 60 seconds with the same or better performance. This adsorber and process are preferably used for the separation of oxygen from air.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for the separation of at least one component from a gas mixture by adsorption, where the gas is circulated through . .an.!. .Iadd.at least one .Iaddend.adsorbent mass in an adsorber which can be subjected to cyclical pressure variations, including the steps of circulating the gaseous mixture in a first direction in the adsorbent mass, wherein the mass has its longest dimension orthogonal to the first direction and longer than the average dimension of the adsorbent mass in the direction of circulation of the gas, the adsorbent mass including, at least in a downstream portion relative to the flow of gas, during its production phase, particles which have a granulometry smaller than 1.7 mm, and whereby the duration of the cycle is between 20 and 60 seconds while the pressure loss between the inlet and the outlet of the adsorbent mass during the passage of the gaseous mixture to be treated is less than 200 mb. 
     
     
       2. A process as defined in claim 1, characterized in that the granulometry of the adsorbent particles is between 0.8 and 1.5 mm. 
     
     
       3. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the duration of the cycle is between 40 and 50 seconds. 
     
     
       4. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure loss is no higher than a value in the order of 100 mb. 
     
     
       5. A process as defined in claim 4, wherein the pressure loss is no higher than a value in the order of 50 mb. 
     
     
       6. A process according to claim 1, wherein an upstream portion of the adsorbent mass in the direction of flow of the gaseous mixture during the production phase is formed of particles having a granulometry greater than 1.7 mm. 
     
     
       7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the totality of the adsorbent mass has a particle size having a granulometry of between 0.4 and 1.7 mm. 
     
     
       8. A process according to claim 1, wherein the percentage by weight of the particles of the adsorbent mass as a factor of the weight of the total adsorbent mass is between 30 and 70%. 
     
     
       9. A process according to claim 1, wherein the longest dimension of the adsorbent mass is 1.5 to 3 times the average dimension of the adsorbent mass in the flow direction of the gaseous mixture in the production phase. 
     
     
       10. A process according to claim 1, wherein said first direction is horizontal. 
     
     
       11. A process for filling an adsorber vessel.Iadd., with at least one adsorbent mass, .Iaddend.having a cylindrical form and a longitudinal axis and wherein filling pipes are provided for passing through a portion of the vessel wall and communicating with an adsorbent mass chamber within the vessel such that the vessel is laid with its longitudinal axis in the horizontal direction and the filling pipes extending upwardly so that the adsorbent material or particles can be filled into the adsorbent mass chamber through the filling pipes, and when the adsorbent chamber is completely filled, the vessel is raised to such that its longitudinal axis is in the vertical. 
     
     
       12. An adsorber for separating a gaseous mixture comprising a closed vessel containing . .an.!. .Iadd.at least one .Iaddend.adsorbent mass of adsorbent particles, wherein the vessel has its longest dimension in the longitudinal axis and includes two spaced-apart, parallel, perforated panels extending longitudinally and defining therebetween and with parts of the vessel wall, a chamber containing the adsorbent particles of the adsorbent mass, one of the panels defining with the adjacent portion of the vessel wall, an inlet collection chamber, an inlet pipe passing through the vessel wall and communicating with the inlet collection chamber for receiving admission of the gaseous mixture while the other perforated panel defines with an adjacent vessel wall an outlet collection chamber, an outlet pipe extending through the vessel wall communicating with the outlet collection chamber to allow the evacuation of the gaseous mixture, such that a flow of the gaseous mixture can pass from the inlet collection chamber to the outlet collection chamber through the adsorbent mass between the perforated panels, at least a portion of the adsorbent particles contained in the chamber between the perforated panels having a granulometry of less than 1.7 mm. 
     
     
       13. An adsorber according to claim 12, wherein compensator means are provided for compensating for the settling of the adsorbent particles in the adsorbent mass chamber. 
     
     
       14. An adsorber according to claim 13, wherein the perforated panels extend from the bottom end wall of the vessel to a short distance from the top end wall, and the compensating means comprises a flexible diaphragm defining a pressure chamber with the top end wall between the ends of the panels and the top end wall and connector means are provided to communicate the pressure chamber with a source of pressure or vacuum. 
     
     
       15. An adsorber according to claim 12, wherein the dimension of the vessel in the longitudinal axis is 1.5 to 3 times the transverse dimension between the perforated panels. 
     
     
       16. An adsorber according to claim 12, wherein the vessel has a cylindrical configuration with convex end walls. 
     
     
       17. An adsorber according to claim 12, said adsorbent particles extending in a longitudinal stratified layer in contact with the downstream perforated panel relative to the flow of the mixed gas from the inlet to the outlet. 
     
     
       18. An adsorber according to claim 17, wherein the adsorbent chamber is totally filled with adsorbent particles having a granulometry of between 0.4 and 1.7 mm. 
     
     
       19. An adsorber according to claim 17, wherein the layer of the particles having a granulometry of less than 1.7 mm has a thickness which is less than the distance between the two perforated panels, and the remaining portion of the chamber is filled with adsorbent particles having a granulometry of greater than 1.7 mm. 
     
     
       20. An adsorber according to claim 12, wherein a series of filling pipes extends through the vessel wall, the outlet collector chamber, and communicate with the adsorbent chamber through the downstream perforated panel, and these filling pipes are adapted to be closed by suitable valve means. 
     
     
       21. An adsorber according to claim 12, wherein said longitudinal axis is vertical. 
     
     
       22. A pressure swing adsorber device for separating a gaseous mixture, comprising a closed vessel having a vessel wall and containing . .an.!. .Iadd.at least one .Iaddend.adsorbent mass, wherein the vessel has its longest dimension along a vertical axis and includes two spaced-apart parallel, perforated panels extending vertically and defining therebetween and with parts of the vessel walls an inner volume filled with the adsorbent mass, one of said panels defining with an adjacent portion of the vessel wall a lateral inlet connection chamber, an inlet pipe passing through the vessel wall and communicating with the inlet connection chamber, the other perforated panel defining with an adjacent portion of the vessel wall a lateral outlet connection chamber, an outlet pipe extending through the vessel wall and communicating with the outlet connection chamber, whereby a flow of the gaseous mixture can pass from the inlet pipe to the outlet pipe substantially horizontally through the adsorbent mass enclosed between the perforated panels. 
     
     
       23. The adsorption device of claim 22, further including, within an upper portion of the vessel, compensator means for compensating the . .setting.!. .Iadd.settling .Iaddend.of the adsorbent mass. .Iadd. 
     
     
       24.  A device for contacting a gas mixture with a particulate solid, comprising a vertically elongated vessel, two horizontally spaced apart vertical perforated panels disposed within the vessel and delimiting a vertically extending inner space between the panels and two outer spaces on sides of the panels opposite said inner space, particulate material between said two panels, said particulate material being arranged in two vertically extending masses of particulate material with one said mass differing from the other said mass, said two masses meeting along a vertical interface, and means for passing gases substantially horizontally through said particulate material between said outer spaces. .Iaddend..Iadd.25. A device as claimed in claim 24, further including gas flow restraining means disposed within an upper portion of the vessel. .Iaddend..Iadd.26. A device as claimed in claim 24, wherein the particulate material is an adsorbent. .Iaddend..Iadd.27. A device as claimed in claim 26, wherein said adsorbent selectively adsorbs a component of air. .Iaddend..Iadd.28. A device as claimed in claim 24, wherein said masses of particulate material differ from each other as to granulometry. .Iaddend.