Pressure Swing Adsorption Bed Single-Phase Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas separation systems, such as those for natural gas and biogas, face inefficiencies in removing contaminating gases like nitrogen, which often require multiple phases of pressurization and result in hydrocarbon loss and increased capital costs.
Innovation Solution
A pressure swing adsorption method and system that uses a one-step pressurization phase, where a first gas component pressurizes an adsorption bed with an adsorbent, allowing the second gas component to adsorb and be recovered, reducing the need for additional pressurization and receiver tanks, and optimizing adsorbent usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple phases of pressurization are used in gas separation systems, then contaminating gases can be removed, but hydrocarbon loss increases and capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter profile from multiple phases to a single pressurization phase, followed by depressurization. This parameter change allows the system to achieve contaminant removal while reducing hydrocarbon loss, as the single pressurization phase prevents excessive hydrocarbon adsorption that would occur with multiple pressurization phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through the pressure swing adsorption cycle, alternating between a single pressurization phase and a depressurization phase. This periodic action enables continuous operation with reduced hydrocarbon loss compared to conventional multi-phase pressurization cycles.
2Reliability
If multiple phases of pressurization are used in gas separation systems, then contaminating gases can be removed, but capital costs increase due to additional receiver tanks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for multiple receiver tanks by using a single pressurization phase followed by depressurization. The contaminating gases are removed during the single pressurization phase, and the adsorbent is regenerated during depressurization, eliminating the need for separate receiver tanks for each pressurization phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pressurization phase serves multiple functions: it pressurizes the adsorption bed, enables contaminant removal, and allows hydrocarbon recovery. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate receiver tanks that would be required if multiple pressurization phases were used.
3Reliability
If larger adsorption beds are used to improve separation, then contaminant removal increases, but capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using a single pressurization phase followed by depressurization, which improves the efficiency of the adsorption process. This parameter change allows smaller adsorption beds to achieve the same separation effectiveness as larger beds would provide with conventional multi-phase pressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous useful action through the pressure swing adsorption cycle, where the adsorbent continuously separates contaminants from hydrocarbons during the single pressurization phase and is regenerated during depressurization. This continuous action maximizes the utilization of the adsorption bed volume, allowing smaller beds to achieve equivalent separation performance.
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
This approach enhances the separation of hydrocarbons from impurities, reduces hydrocarbon loss, and lowers capital costs by allowing smaller adsorption beds and fewer receiving tanks, resulting in a product gas with fewer impurities and reduced operational expenses.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorbent for substantially adsorbing a second gas component of the feed gas
Implementation Method 2
pressurizing an adsorption bed to an adsorption pressure using a first gas component of a feed gas
Implementation Method 3
depressurizing the pressurized adsorption bed to recover at least a portion of the second gas component of the feed gas in the pressurized adsorption bed
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure swing adsorption method for separating gas components includes pressurizing an adsorption bed to an adsorption pressure using a first gas component of a feed gas, the adsorption bed including an adsorbent for substantially adsorbing a second gas component of a feed gas; introducing the feed gas to the pressurized adsorption bed, wherein the first gas component of the feed gas substantially passes through the pressurized adsorption bed and the second gas component of the feed gas substantially adsorbs onto the adsorbent; and depressurizing the pressurized adsorption bed to recover at least a portion of the second gas component of the feed gas in the pressurized adsorption bed.