Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
In a pressure swing adsorption process utilizing a plurality of interconnected adsorbers, comprising the steps within one cycle of adsorption, expansion or pressure equalization, purging, and pressure buildup, wherein purified product gas is withdrawn during the adsorption step; purge gas for the purging step comprises residual gas released during the expansion of at least one adsorber; the pressure buildup step is conducted at least in part by blowing in product gas, and wherein there is a malfunction in the at least one adsorber yielding the purge gas so that insufficient purge gas is available, the improvement comprising employing the product gas for the pressure buildup and for purging one or several other adsorbers; and adjusting the amount of product gas used as purge gas so that the adsorbers, which are in the pressure buildup step, reach the desired adsorption pressure within a previously determined period of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a pressure swing adsorption process utilizing a plurality of interconnected adsorbers, comprising the steps within one cycle of adsorption, expansion or pressure equalization, purging, and pressure buildup, wherein purified product gas is withdrawn during the adsorption step; purge gas for the purging step comprises residual gas released during the expansion of at least one adsorber; the pressure buildup step is conducted at least in part by blowing in product gas, and wherein there is a malfunction in the at least one adsorber yielding the purge gas so that insufficient purge gas is available, the improvement comprising employing the product gas for the pressure buildup and for purging one or several other adsorbers; and adjusting the amount of product gas used as purge gas so that the adsorbers, which are in the pressure buildup step, reach the desired adsorption pressure within a previously determined period of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the amount of purge gas is throttled if the desired adsorption pressure has not been reached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the amount of purge gas is increased if the desired adsorption pressure has been reached.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the malfunctioning adsorber is replaced by switching the process over to a process using one less adsorber while providing a continuous mode of operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the product gas used for both pressure buildup and purging is from the same adsorber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the product gas used for both pressure buildup and purging is the highest pressure gas withdrawn from an adsorber.