PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION PROCESS FOR PURIFYING A HIGH PRESSURE FEED GAS MIXTURE WITH RESPECT TO ITS LESS STRONGLY ADSORBED COMPONENT

摘要

A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process is set forth for purifying a high pressure (greater than 200 psig) feed gas mixture with respect to its less strongly adsorbed component. In addition to the basic adsorption, depressurization and repressurization steps, the process of the present invention utilizes a low pressure purge step and one or more pressure equalization transfers. A key to the present invention is that the depressurization step is performed to a sub-ambient pressure level. An important application of the present invention is the purification of a high pressure natural gas feed stream with respect to its methane/C2 hydrocarbon component wherein said methane/C2 hydrocarbon component is produced at high purity and high recovery.