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Abstract

Pressure swing adsorption separation of a gas mixture containing a more readily adsorbed component and a less readily adsorbed component is performed within an apparatus containing an adsorbent bed with cyclically varied geometry, such that the bed volume can be expanded or contracted. Variable volume displacement means at either end of a flow path through the adsorbent bed are operated cyclically to generate flow of a gas mixture along the flow path, in a first direction when the more readily adsorbed component is preferentially adsorbed during the high pressure portion of the cycle while the bed volume is relatively contracted, and in a second reverse direction during the low pressure portion of the cycle while the bed volume is relatively expanded. The apparatus separates the gas mixture and also converts thermal energy by a thermodynamic cycle, such that heat and the more readily adsorbed component are transported in the second direction, while the less readily adsorbed component is transported in the first direction. Adsorbent bed volume is contracted while pressure is rising, and expanded while pressure is reducing, thus minimizing flow along the flow path except when the more readily adsorbed component is maximally or minimally adsorbed, and consequently improving performance of the pressure swing adsorption cycle.

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First Claim