US4529412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for obtaining high concentration argon by pressure-swing-adsorption
Assignee: Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-11-17
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Granted: 1985-07-16
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Expires: 2003-11-17
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
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:46
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: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A process for selectively obtaining argon and oxygen from the starting gas comprising O 2 as the major component and at least 3% of argon by a pressure-swing-adsorption method, characterized by introducing the starting gas into a first adsorption apparatus containing three carbon molecular sieve-packed columns, subjecting said starting gas to pressure-swing-adsorption therein to obtain high purity O 2 and intermediate concentration Ar, subsequently introducing the intermediate concentration Ar into a second adsorption apparatus containing two carbon molecular sieve-packed columns, subjecting said intermediate concentration Ar to pressure-swing-adsorption therein, recycling the desorbed gas of the second adsorption apparatus to the inlet of the first adsorption apparatus, said pressure-swing-adsorption being conducted at an adsorption pressure of 0.3 to 10 kg/cm 2 G and at a desorption pressure of not more than 760 Torr in the first and second adsorption apparatuses, whereby high concentration argon is obtained.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A process for selectively obtaining argon and oxygen from the starting gas comprising O 2 as the major component and at least 3% of argon by a pressure-swing-adsorption method, characterized by introducing the starting gas into a first adsorption apparatus containing three carbon molecular sieve-packed columns, subjecting said starting gas to pressure-swing-adsorption therein to obtain high purity O 2 and intermediate concentration Ar, subsequently introducing the intermediate concentration Ar into a second adsorption apparatus containing two carbon molecular sieve-packed columns, subjecting said intermediate concentration Ar to pressure-swing-adsorption therein, recycling the desorbed gas of the second adsorption apparatus to the inlet of the first adsorption apparatus, said pressure-swing-adsorption being conducted at an adsorption pressure of 0.3 to 10 kg/cm 2 G and at a desorption pressure of not more than 760 Torr in the first and second adsorption apparatuses, whereby high concentration argon is obtained.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the concentrated argon obtained from the second adsorption apparatus is further subjected to pressure-swing-adsorption operation in a zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus to separate nitrogen, thereby obtaining high concentration argon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the concentrated argon obtained from the second adsorption apparatus is passed through a de-oxygenation apparatus prior to sending it to the zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus in which hydrogen is added to obtain high concentration argon substantially free from oxygen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the desorbed gas from the zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus is further subjected to pressure-swing-adsorption operation in a second zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus to recover argon, and the concentrated argon obtained is mixed with the starting gas at the inlet of the first zeolite molecular sieve-packed adsorption apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the concentrated argon is passed through a de-oxygenation apparatus in which hydrogen is added, thereby obtaining high concentration argon substantially free from oxygen, and this is sent to a low temperature liquefaction apparatus in which argon is liquefied to separate nitrogen, thereby obtaining high purity argon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said carbon molecular sieve has micro-pore diameter of 3 Å.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the adsorption pressure is 1 to 3 kg/cm 2 G.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the desorption is operated at a pressure of 400 Torr or less.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the desorption is operated at a pressure of 200 Torr or less.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-15 | 1989-01-14 | 1989-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-15 | 1993-01-14 | 1993-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-15 | 1997-01-14 | 1997-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |