Low-Temperature Gas Adsorption Regeneration Without Adsorber Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low-temperature adsorption methods for producing high-purity and ultra-high-purity gas face challenges in efficient regeneration of adsorbents due to high energy and material consumption, complex processes, and low recycling efficiency, making large-scale continuous production difficult.
Innovation Solution
A low-temperature adsorption method that maintains the adsorber at a stable low temperature without deliberate heating during regeneration, using vacuumization and a small amount of low-impurity gas for desorption, reducing energy and material consumption, and enabling rapid regeneration cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adsorber is frequently heated and cooled for regeneration, then the adsorbent can be regenerated, but the energy consumption increases and the operation time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter dynamically - cooling the adsorber to low temperature during adsorption to enhance adsorption capacity, then heating to high temperature during regeneration to desorb impurities. This parameter change allows the system to optimize for different operational phases, achieving effective regeneration without continuous high energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic alternating operation between adsorption and regeneration phases. Multiple adsorbers operate in cycles where one is adsorbing while another is regenerating, creating a periodic rhythm that ensures continuous production while allowing each unit to be fully regenerated without extending total operation time
2Reliability
If the adsorber is frequently heated and cooled for regeneration, then the adsorbent can be regenerated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the regeneration system into separate functional modules: a heating device and a cooling device that can operate independently. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function and enables flexible operational modes where heating and cooling can be applied selectively to different adsorbers at different times, reducing the need for complex integrated systems
3Use of energy by stationary object
If a large amount of purge gas is used for heating and regeneration, then the adsorber can be effectively heated, but the material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous circulation and recycling of the purge gas. The purge gas that exits the regenerating adsorber is not discarded but is recycled back through the system to participate in subsequent heating operations. This continuous reuse eliminates the need for constantly introducing large amounts of fresh purge gas, significantly reducing material consumption while maintaining effective heating capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary device between the purge gas stream and the adsorber. This heat exchanger transfers thermal energy from the hot purge gas to the adsorber that needs heating, allowing the purge gas to serve dual purposes: both as a heating medium and as a carrier that can be cooled and recycled. This intermediary approach maximizes the utility of the purge gas and reduces overall consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method achieves high-purity gas production with purities above 99.99%, supports long-time continuous operation, and enhances adsorbent recycling efficiency with shorter regeneration times and reduced adsorber volume.
Implementation Method 1
the impurity gas is adsorbed on the adsorbent, and high-purity or ultra-high-purity product gas with purity of greater than or equal to 99.99% is obtained from a non-adsorptive phase
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum pump is used to vacuumize the adsorber
Data Source
AI summary
A method for purification of high-purity or ultrahigh-purity gas by low temperature adsorption, has the following steps: adsorbing and removing impurity in feed gas at low temperature, obtaining high-purity or ultrahigh-purity product gas with a purity higher than 99.99%, vacuumizing an adsorber by using a vacuum pump during regeneration, and introducing a small amount of gas with low impurity content into the adsorber to regenerate the adsorbent while vacuumizing. The temperature of the adsorber is not obviously increased during regeneration. In this method, the adsorber does not need to be deliberately heated in the regeneration process, the consumption of a large amount of energy and materials caused by frequent heating and cooling of the adsorber is avoided.