Pressure swing adsorption system using product gas as replacement for purge gas

摘要

In a pressure swing adsorption plant for the purification and separation of gases, with several adsorbers, conducting respectively within one cycle the steps of adsorption, expansion or pressure equalization, purging, and pressure buildup, using as the purge gas residual gas released during the expansion of adsorbers, wherein pressure buildup is conducted at least in part with product gas, and when there is a malfunction in an adsorber yielding purge gas, the product gas is employed not only for the pressure buildup but also for purging one or more adsorbers. The amount of purge gas is controlled so that the adsorber or adsorbers, which are in the pressure buildup phase reach the desired adsorption pressure within a previously determined period of time.