EP0112640A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Process for obtaining high concentration argon by pressure-swing-adsorption
Assignee: Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-11-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A process for obtaining high concentration argon from air by means of pressure-swing-adsorption, characterized by passing air through a zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus and a carbon molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus in this order, subjecting the air to pressure-swing-adsorption operation independently in the above pieces of adsorption apparatus, thereby obtaining concentrated argon and high purity oxygen simultaneously.
Inventors
- 👤 Saburo Hayashi
- 👤 Hiroo Tsuchiya
- 👤 Kazuo Haruna
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 09:09
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/04; C; C01; C01B; C01B23/00; B01D53/047; B01D2256/00; B01D2256/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A process for selectively obtaining argon and oxygen from a starting gas comprising oxygen as the major component and at least 3% of argon by a pressure-swing-adsorption method, characterized by subjecting the starting gas to pressure-swing-adsorption in a carbon molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus to obtain concentrated argon and high concentration oxygen simultaneously.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A process for selectively obtaining argon and oxygen from a starting gas comprising oxygen as the major component and at least 3% of argon by a pressure-swing-adsorption method, characterized by subjecting the starting gas to pressure-swing-adsorption in a carbon molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus to obtain concentrated argon and high concentration oxygen simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the carbon molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus comprises a first adsorption apparatus and a second adsorption apparatus, and wherein, in the first adsorption apparatus, the starting gas is subjected to pressure-swing-adsorption to separate it into high concentration oxygen and an intermediate concentration argon, and the intermediate concentration argon is subjected to pressure-swing-adsorption in the second adsorption apparatus to obtain a highly concentrated argon gas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A process according to claim 2, wherein the first adsorption apparatus consists of three adsorption columns and the second adsorption apparatus comprises two adsorption columns, and the desorbed gas from the second adsorption apparatus is recycled and mixed with the starting gas at the inlet of the first adsorption apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the concentrated argon gas obtained from the carbon molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus is subjected to pressure-swing-adsorption in a zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A process according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the starting gas is a gas comprising oxygen as the major component and argon which has been obtained by subjecting air to pressure-swing-adsorption in a zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to Claim 4, wherein the starting gas is a gas comprising oxygen as the major component and argon which has been obtained by subjecting air to pressure-swing-adsorption in a zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process according to Claim 4, wherein the desorbed gas from the zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus is further subjected to pressure-swing-adsorption in a second zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus to recover argon, and the resulting concentrated argon gas is mixed with the starting gas at the inlet of the first zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A process according to any of Claims 4, 6 and 7, wherein the concentrated argon gas from the carbon molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus is, before being sent to the zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus, supplied to an oxygen-removing apparatus, where hydrogen is added to the gas to convert the gas to a high concentration argon gas substantially free from oxygen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the concentrated argon gas from the carbon molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus is treated in a cryogenic air separation plant to liquefy argon to remove nitrogen, whereby a high concentration argon gas is obtained.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to Claim 5, wherein the concentrated argon gas from the carbon molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus is treated in a cryogenic air separation plant to liquefy argon and separate nitrogen, whereby a high concentration argon gas is obtained.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A process according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the starting gas is a side cut from the liquefaction-rectification column of a cryogenic air separation plant which is a mixed gas comprising oxygen as the major component and about 12% of argon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to Claim 9, wherein the starting gas is a side cut from the liquefaction-rectification column of a cryogenic air separation plant which is a mixed gas comprising oxygen as the major component and about 12% of argon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the adsorption pressure is 0.3 to 10 kg/cm 2 G.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the desorption pressure is 760 Torr or lower.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to Claim 4, wherein the zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus consists of three adsorption columns.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to Claim 7, wherein each of the first and second zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus consists of three adsorption columns.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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