Rare Gas Separation Flow Control for Stable Purity and Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas separation methods struggle to stabilize both the purity and recovery rate of rare gases when reusing discharged gases from facilities due to fluctuations in gas component concentrations, requiring complex control of separation conditions.
Innovation Solution
A gas separation method and device that adjusts the flow rates of introduced gases based on the flow rates and concentrations of components in the discharged gas, using flow rate controllers and an arithmetic device to maintain consistent gas composition in the raw material gas, thereby stabilizing the separation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the concentration of gas components in discharged gas fluctuates, then the separation process becomes unstable, but changing separation conditions requires complex control of flow rates and switching times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by measuring the concentration of gas components in the discharged gas and using this information to adjust the flow rates of introduced gases. The arithmetic device calculates the required flow rates based on measured concentrations, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically compensates for fluctuations in discharged gas composition without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control mechanism (the arithmetic device and flow rate controllers) that mediates between the fluctuating discharged gas and the separation process. This intermediary layer processes concentration information and translates it into appropriate flow rate adjustments, simplifying the control burden while maintaining separation stability
2Manufacturing precision
If the ratio of rare gas components decreases and other gas components increase, then the purity of separated rare gas decreases, but increasing adsorption capacity reduces pressure in the tower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being controlled from adsorption capacity to flow rate of introduced gases. By adjusting the flow rates based on the concentration of gas components in the discharged gas, the system maintains stable rare gas concentration in the raw material gas without requiring changes to adsorption tower pressure or capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing gases with controlled flow rates before they enter the separation process. The arithmetic device calculates and sets the flow rates of introduced gases in advance based on the measured concentration of discharged gas components, ensuring that the raw material gas maintains stable composition before entering the adsorption towers
3Productivity
If the ratio of rare gas components increases, then the recovery rate of rare gas decreases, but maintaining constant flow rates cannot compensate for composition fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback control to maintain rare gas recovery rate. By continuously measuring the concentration of gas components in the discharged gas and adjusting the flow rates of introduced gases accordingly, the system compensates for composition fluctuations and maintains stable rare gas concentration in the raw material gas, ensuring high recovery rate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flow rates of introduced gases adjustable and responsive to changing conditions. Rather than using fixed flow rates, the system dynamically adjusts flow rates based on the measured concentration of discharged gas components, allowing the system to adapt to varying operating conditions and maintain optimal recovery rate
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
Stabilizes the purity and recovery rate of rare gases by maintaining consistent gas composition without altering separation unit conditions, even with fluctuations in discharged gas composition.
Implementation Method 1
a first gas component and a second gas component are separated from a raw material gas containing a plurality of gas components by pressure adsorption
Data Source
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AI summary
The object of the present invention is to provide a gas separation method and a gas separation device capable of stably increasing both the purity and the recovery rate of separated rare gas while reusing a discharged gas from a rare gas using facility. The present invention provides a gas separation method in which a rare gas separated by a pressure adsorption method as a first introduced gas, and an impurity gas separated by a pressure adsorption method as a second introduced gas are introduced into a raw material gas, and each of the flow rates of the first introduced gas and the second introduced gas is controlled based on each of flow rates of the rare gas and impurity gas in the discharged gas from a rare gas using facility (20); and a gas separation device including: an introduction pipe (L6) for introducing rare gas in a separation gas container (6) into a raw material gas, an introduction pipe (L7) for introducing impurity gases in the separation gas container (7) into the raw material gas, a flow meter (2) provided in a supply pipe (L1) for supplying a discharged gas of a rare gas using facility (20), and an arithmetic device (12), and the arithmetic device (12) is electrically connected to each of the flow meter (2), the flow rate controller (8), and the flow rate controller (9).