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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Selective adsorption process

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6137664

In pressure swing adsorption processing including higher pressure adsorption, cocurrent depressurization to intermediate pressure, countercurrent depressurization and/or lower pressure purge and repressurization, a cocurrent purge step is employed at adsorption pressure prior to cocurrent depressurization. Methane or natural gas is advantageously employed as the cocurrent purge gas. The cocurrent purge step reduces the storage of product gas, such as hydrogen, in the bed, enhances product recovery and correspondingly reduces the amount of desired product gas discharged with the waste gas discharged the countercurrent depressurization and/or purge steps used for bed regeneration. The value of the waste gas as a fuel is likewise enhanced by the presence of said methane or natural gas therein.

Assignee:
Union Carbide Corporation
Patent Number(s):
US 4475929
OSTI ID:
6137664
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English