Adsorber, purification system, and purification method
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adsorber designs for cryogenic fluid processing and air separation systems are inefficient due to oversized moisture removal layers, leading to higher costs, increased waste, and longer regeneration cycles, while also restricting operational flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The proposed adsorber configuration includes a smaller proportion of water adsorbent material, typically between 10% to 45% alumina as the first layer, with the remaining 55% to 90% being molecular sieve material, allowing water to break through to a downstream layer, which enhances the adsorption capacity and efficiency of impurities like CO2 and N2O, reducing the overall adsorbent bed volume and vessel size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large proportion of adsorbent material is allocated to moisture removal layer, then water breakthrough is prevented, but adsorber size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent bed is segmented into multiple functional layers with distinct roles: a moisture removal layer (10-30% of bed volume) using alumina or silica gel, a water breakthrough layer (70-90% of bed volume) using molecular sieves like 13X or NaLSX that can handle both water and other impurities, and optionally a polishing layer for final purification. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, preventing water breakthrough while minimizing overall adsorber size.
Solution Approach 2:
The molecular sieve layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it removes water that breaks through the moisture removal layer, captures carbon dioxide, absorbs nitrous oxide, and traps hydrocarbons. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated layers for each impurity, significantly reducing the required adsorber volume while maintaining reliable purification performance.
2Reliability
If a large proportion of adsorbent material is used for moisture removal, then purification reliability is improved, but regeneration time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented layer structure enables differentiated regeneration strategies. The moisture removal layer requires thermal regeneration at higher temperatures (200-400°C) to desorb water, while the molecular sieve layer can be regenerated at lower temperatures (100-200°C) using pressure swing or thermal swing methods. This segmentation allows parallel or sequential regeneration of different layers, significantly reducing total regeneration time compared to regenerating a single large homogeneous bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes in the regeneration process by applying different temperature and pressure conditions to different layers. The molecular sieve layer can undergo rapid pressure swing regeneration (changing pressure from high to low) or moderate thermal regeneration, while the moisture removal layer receives targeted thermal treatment. These parameter variations enable faster, more efficient regeneration while maintaining purification reliability.
3Reliability
If conventional moisture removal design is used, then water removal is ensured, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented adsorbent bed configuration allows independent operation and regeneration of different layers based on process requirements. The moisture removal layer can be regenerated more frequently at lower costs, while the molecular sieve layer handles variable impurity loads. This segmentation provides operational flexibility to adjust regeneration cycles, switch between pressure swing and thermal swing modes, and adapt to varying feed compositions without compromising water removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables dynamic operation by allowing the system to switch between different regeneration modes (pressure swing, thermal swing, or combined) and to adjust the proportion of time each layer spends in service versus regeneration. The molecular sieve layer can dynamically adapt to varying concentrations of CO2, N2O, and hydrocarbons, while the moisture removal layer maintains consistent water removal performance, providing overall operational flexibility and versatility.
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 configuration results in smaller, more cost-effective adsorbers with reduced operational expenses, faster regeneration cycles, and improved flexibility, maintaining equivalent or superior water removal capacity and purification efficiency compared to conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
a first layer of adsorbent material for removal of water
Implementation Method 2
a second layer of adsorbent material for removal of water as well as other impurities that include carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An adsorber for utilization in purification systems for cryogenic fluid processing can include a first layer of adsorbent material and a second layer of adsorbent material within a bed of adsorbent material within the adsorber. The first layer can include alumina or other water removal adsorbent material while the second layer can include NaMSX or other suitable molecular sieve adsorbent material. The first layer can be sized to be substantially smaller than the second layer to facilitate a pre-selected ratio of water adsorption to molecular sieve adsorption so that water can break through the first layer to the second layer during purification operations while the volume of the adsorber can be provided in a much smaller size with much less adsorbent material utilized in the bed as compared to conventional designs. Embodiments can provide an increased purification operational capacity with reduced need for adsorbent material.