Abstract: A pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) system includes a plurality of substantially similar pairs of towers, each tower containing adsorbent material for separating a gas into components. Each tower has a top header and the bottom headers, the headers being connected to extensions which define conduit segments. When a new pair of towers is placed alongside an existing pair of towers, the conduit segments are aligned to define longer conduits spanning all of the pairs of towers. Thus, the longer conduits can be used to direct gas into towers from all of the pairs, and to withdraw product gas from towers in all of the pairs. The capacity of the PSA system can thus be easily expanded or reduced. Some or all of the piping used to direct gas to and from the towers is replaced by one or more control blocks, which define passages for gas flow.

Abstract: A shipboard system provides dry, oil-free utility air and inert gas for use on a marine vessel. A compressor converts ambient air into a pressurized air stream. The air stream is cooled by heat exchange with sea water in the vicinity of the vessel. The air stream is then dried in a dehydration membrane module, and some of the product of the dehydration module is taken for use as utility air. The remainder of the dried air is passed through an air separation module which includes a polymeric membrane. The product of the air separation module includes a nitrogen-enriched gas which is used as an inert gas on the vessel. The compressor is the only mechanically moving component of the system.

Abstract: A shipboard system provides dry, oil-free utility air and inert gas for use on a marine vessel. A compressor converts ambient air into a pressurized air stream. The air stream is cooled by heat exchange with sea water in the vicinity of the vessel. The air stream is then dried in a dehydration membrane module, and some of the product of the dehydration module is taken for use as utility air. The remainder of the dried air is passed through an air separation module which includes a polymeric membrane. The product of the air separation module includes a nitrogen-enriched gas which is used as an inert gas on the vessel. The compressor is the only mechanically moving component of the system.

Abstract: An air-separation system, useful in high-temperature environments, produces a superheated compressed air stream which is sufficiently cool to be applied to an air-separation membrane. Ambient air is compressed, and then cooled by a fan. The cooled compressed air, after being filtered, is passed through a heat exchanger where it is heated by thermal contact with incoming compressed air. The cooled compressed air thus becomes superheated, and can then be conveyed into a polymeric membrane module without damaging the polymer. A valve enables some of the compressed air to bypass the heat exchanger, thus controlling the degree to which the cooled compressed air stream is heated.

Abstract: A portable system for air separation or air dehydration, or both, is carried on a truck or equivalent vehicle. The air separation system includes, at a minimum, a feed compressor and a gas separation membrane. The air dehydration system includes a feed compressor and an air dehydration membrane. The feed compressor receives power from the engine of the vehicle, only when the vehicle is not moving under its own power. Heat from the vehicle engine may also be used to heat the compressed air stream to prevent the formation of water. The system can also be used to perform air dehydration and air separation simultaneously. The system is substantially self-contained, and can be easily driven from one location to another, simply by driving the vehicle to another location. The invention is especially useful in providing air separation or air dehydration services, or both, for relatively brief periods, at multiple locations.