Reactivation system for water-carbon dioxide adsorbers

摘要

A cyclic process for the separation of water and carbon dioxide contaminants from a feed gas stream by adsorption on molecular sieve adsorbents and the subsequent regeneration of the adsorbents is disclosed. Adsorption of the water and CO.sub.2 contaminants is accomplished by passing the feed gas stream through first and second adsorbent zones, containing molecular sieve adsorbents. Water is adsorbed in the first zone and the carbon dioxide is adsorbed primarily in the second zone. Regeneration of the adsorbent zones is accomplished by the sequential steps of:PP(1) introducing a heated regeneration gas intemediate the first and second adsorbent zone and passing the heated regeneration gas through the first adsorbent zone in a countercurrent direction until the regeneration gas exiting the first adsorbent zone reaches approximately 250 F. to 350 F.;P P (2) discontinuing the introduction of the heated regeneration gas and introducing cool regeneration gas at the feed gas inlet through the first adsorbent zone and passing the cool regeneration gas sequentially through the first and second adsorbent zones, thereby pushing a thermal pulse through the second zone and continuing the flow of cool regeneration gas until the first and second zones are cooled to the adsorption operating temperature.