Abstract: A strongly adsorbed gas is recovered from a multicomponent gas mixture comprised of the strongly adsorbed gas, a flammable gas component and oxygen by repeating as essential steps (a) cocurrently passing the gas mixture through a bed of adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs the strongly adsorbed gas, thereby producing a nonadsorbed gas product stream that is depleted in the strongly adsorbed gas, (b) terminating the flow of multicomponent gas mixture into the bed and depressurizing the bed by countercurrently withdrawing a strongly adsorbed gas-enriched product stream from the bed and (c) countercurrently repressurizing the bed with the multicomponent gas mixture.

Abstract: A process for separating methane from an oxygen-containing gas mixture which contains methane at a concentration greater than the upper explosive gas mixture limit by pressure swing adsorption without producing an explosive gas mixture. The process includes the steps of feeding the gas mixture into an adsorber which contains an adsorbent which preferentially adsorbs methane until the desired production pressure is attained in the adsorber and then stopping the flow of feed gas into the adsorber and charging methane product gas at the production pressure cocurrently into the adsorber while simultaneously withdrawing nonadsorbed product gas from the nonadsorbed product end of the adsorber. The desorbed product stream is enriched in methane relative to the feed stream and the concentration of methane in the nonadsorbed product stream is less than the minimum flammable mixture concentration.

Abstract: A process for producing a nitrogen-enriched product in improved yield and specific product comprising passing air through a bed of crushed zeolite having a particle size of 10 to 40 mesh, thereby adsorbing oxygen and producing the enriched nitrogen product.

Abstract: A volatile component is recovered from an inert gas blanketed gas source containing the volatile component, an inert carrier gas, water vapor and oxygen as an impurity by a continuous process including the steps of adsorbing the water vapor from the stream, condensing substantially all of the volatile component from the stream, heating the water vapor-free and volatile component-free gas stream, purging the adsorbers with the heated gas stream and venting the purge gas and desorbed moisture. Inert gas depleted from the source is replenished with oxygen-free inert gas, thereby minimizing the concentration of oxygen in the source.

Abstract: A process vessel has side walls of concrete which are lined with a gas and moisture-impermeable material to prevent:a) the egress of gas from the interior of the vessel; andb) ingress of moisture through the concrete into the interior of the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for recovering argon from a feed mixture comprising argon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen which comprises the steps of (a) purifying the feed mixture to remove contaminants, (b) compressing the purified feed mixture to a separation pressure, and (c) passing the compressed purified feed mixture through a pressure swing adsorption system to separate carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and all or most of the nitrogen from the mixture as adsorbed products and to produce an argon-rich fraction as a non-adsorbed product. The argon-rich fraction from step (c) may be further purified by passing the fraction to a cryogenic fractional distillation system to separate hydrogen and any remaining nitrogen from the fraction as a distillate product and to produce a pure argon product.

Abstract: A process for producing a substantially oxygen-free gaseous product such as argon containing not more than one ppm by volume of oxygen is disclosed. The process comprises introducing hydrogen into a gas stream which contains oxygen and moisture, contacting the gas stream with a dessicant to remove substantially all of the moisture therefrom, contacting the substantially anhydrous gas stream with an oxidation catalyst to convert substantially all of the oxygen in the gas stream to water, and contacting the resultant gas stream with a dessicant to remove the water created in the oxidation step. The product stream may be further purified to remove residual hydrogen contained therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a substantially pure nitrogen product from a gas stream containing as impurities carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor and hydrogen, comprising a first adsorption unit which removes water vapor and carbon dioxide from the gas stream, a catalytic reactor which oxidizes carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the gas stream leaving the first adsorption unit to carbon dioxide and water vapor, respectively, a second adsorption unit which removes water vapor and carbon dioxide from the catalytically treated gas stream, a cryogenic distillation unit which separates nitrogen from oxygen in the gas stream leaving the second adsorption unit and a conduit connecting the cryogenic distillation unit with the adsorption units for purging the adsorption units with waste gas from the cryogenic distillation unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing carbon dioxide and nitrogen from combustion exhaust gas containing less than about 10% oxygen by weight which comprises the steps of (a) treating the exhaust gas to remove particulate matter, (b) compressing the exhaust gas to a pressure in the range from about 25 psia to about 200 psia, (c) purifying the exhaust gas to remove trace contaminants, (d) separating the exhaust gas to produce a carbon dioxide rich fraction and a nitrogen rich fraction, (e) liquifying the carbon dioxide rich fraction and distilling off volatile contaminants to produce pure carbon dioxide, (f) purifying the nitrogen rich fraction to remove contaminants, and (g) cryogenically fractionally distilling the nitrogen rich fraction to produce pure nitrogen. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method for producing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon from a combustion exhaust gas.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the production of a petrochemical by the vapor phase reaction of a hydrocarbon with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a suitable catalyst to produce a flammable gaseous product stream comprising the desired petrochemical, unreacted hydrocarbon, oxygen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. In the improved process, a cooled or liquefied inert gas is injected as a quench fluid into the gaseous product stream exiting the hydrocarbon oxidation reactor, thereby cooling the stream to a temperature below the autoignition temperature of the flammable components of the stream, the petrochemical is recovered from the gaseous product and unreacted hydrocarbon is removed from the gaseous product and recycled to the reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of an alkylene oxide in which an alkene, and an oxygen containing gas are reacted in the presence of a flame suppressor under conditions of low alkene conversion and high alkylene oxide selectivity in which unreacted alkene is recycled to the reactor and there is efficient removal of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved PSA process for the pre-purification of air to remove water vapor and carbon dioxide prior to introduction into an air separation unit. The subject process includes a step of efficiently regenerating the adsorptive beds utilized to remove the impurities wherein they are first vented to the atmosphere, then evacuated with atmospheric venting and finally purged under evacuation. Preferably, a pair of adsorptive beds operating out of phase undergo top and bottom pressure equalization prior to backfilling of the bed completing regeneration.

Abstract: An apparatus for freezing foodstuffs includes a drum 1 mounted for rotary movement at an angle to the horizontal such that individual compartments 12 in the drum 1 successively descend into and rise from a vessel 11 containing cryogenic fluid. Frozen products tumble under gravity towards a central outlet 5 in one surface 4 of the drum, guided by the curved partitions 14 defining individual compartments 12.

Abstract: A method of forming glass containers, including the steps of drying a stream of air, passing the dried air into a vacuum-insulated mixing chamber, evaporating liquid cryogen in the mixing chamber, allowing the resulting cryogen vapor to mix with the air to form a mixture at a temperature below -20.degree. C., passing the gas mixture into a vacuum-insulated manifold, and causing the gas mixture to flow from the manifold and into the insides of glass containers being formed in molds to cool the containers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for impregnating a cellular material with liquefied gas at a predetermined pressure for subsequent expansion of the impregnated cellular material including the steps of charging the cellular material into an impregnation vessel, purging the impregnation vessel with inert gas, pressurizing the impregnation vessel with inert gas to the predetermined pressure, transferring liquefied inert gas into the impregnation vessel from a process vessel in which the liquefied gas is stored at the predetermined pressure, soaking the cellular material in the liquefied inert gas for a predetermined time period, transferring unabsorbed liquefied gas from the impregnation vessel to the storage vessel, depressurizing the impregnation vessel by venting the inert gas therefrom and removing the impregnated cellular material from the impregnation vessel, the inert gas used to purge and pressurize the impregnation vessel being taken from a source completely independent of the liquefied inert gas contained in t

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the production of an anhydride by the vapor phase reaction of a hydrocarbon with substantially pure oxygen in the presence of a suitable catalyst. In the improved process, the anhydride product is removed, carbon monoxide, present in the reactor effluent as a by-product, is oxidized to carbon dioxide and part of the gaseous effluent, comprised mainly of carbon dioxide and unreacted hydrocarbon, is recycled to the reactor. Removal of carbon monoxide from the recycle stream reduces the hazard of a fire or explosion in the reactor or associated equipment. The use of carbon dioxide as the principal diluent increases heat removal from the reactor, thereby increasing the production capacity of the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for recovering argon from a feed mixture comprising argon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and hydrogen which comprises the steps of (a) purifying the feed mixture to remove contaminants, (b) compressing the purified feed mixture to a separation pressure, and (c) passing the compressed purified feed mixture through a pressure swing adsorption system to separate carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and all or most of the nitrogen from the mixture as adsorbed products and to produce an argon-rich fraction as a non-adsorbed product. The argon-rich fraction from step (c) may be further purified by passing the fraction to a cryogenic fractional distillation system to separate hydrogen and any remaining nitrogen from the fraction as a distillate product and to produce a pure argon product.

Abstract: A two bed pressure swing adsorption process is disclosed having high yield and high production rate. The process utilizes fine or normal size zeolite sieve material and relatively short cycle times. A power saving can be obtained by sequencing the various steps of the process to provide substantially continuous use of a vacuum pump.

Abstract: A gas treatment or separation apparatus includes a vessel (2) containing a bed (18) of particulate material. Within the bed (18) there is located a plurality of distensible hollow members (30) each capable of being placed in communication with a source of fluid under pressure. The members (30) restrain movement of the particulate material.

Abstract: A process for separation of a gas mixture containing three components, e.g. a mixture comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide produced by steam reforming a hydrocarbon, by pressure swing adsorption is disclosed.