Abstract: The present invention is an integrated process for the adsorptive recovery of a high purity carbon monoxide product from a gas mixture containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrogen, with the potential additional recovery of a hydrogen-rich stream and the recycle of the resulting gas mixture to a reformation reaction to produce the gas mixture with a more favorable carbon monoxide and hydrogen product slate. Separate carbon dioxide recovery can be performed. Hydrogen recovery can be either by adsorptive or by membrane technology. The process achieves high recoveries at reduced capital cost and at reduced product cost.

Abstract: An improved pressure swing adsorption process is disclosed for the recovery of two individual components from a multicomponent gas mixture. The process utilizes a first group of adsorbent beds selective for the secondary component product and a second group of beds selective for tertiary impurities in the mixture. The gas mixture is passed through the first and second beds in series and high purity primary component product is discharged from the second beds. The secondary component product is recovered by desorption from the first beds. Product recovery is improved by recycling depressurization gas from the first beds and by several novel pressure equalization steps. The process can be used to recover high-purity hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a gas mixture containing these components along with minor amounts of methane, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen.

Abstract: Crude ammonia synthesis gas is obtained by primary steam reforming of a hydrocarbon gas mixture rich in methane, such as natural gas, followed by secondary reforming of the primary reformate with added air and shift conversion of the contained CO to CO.sub.2. The shift conversion product is first freed of contained CO.sub.2 by selective absorption in a novel PSA unit having an integrated B section for removal of remaining impurities such as carbon monoxide and methane, thereby providing as product a gas stream comprised of hydrogen and nitrogen in approximate 3:1 molar ratio accompanied by a small amount or argon derived from the air stream used in the secondary reforming step. Alternative embodiments are disclosed for removal of CO from the gas stream, before its entry into the NH.sub.3 conversion operation; any residual CO that might have slipped thorugh the absorbent bed of the B section is converted to CH.sub.4.