Abstract: An improved adsorbent material is provided which is adsorptively selective for carbon monoxide and/or unsaturated hydrocarbon gases in the presence of other gas components. In an exemplary embodiment, the improved adsorbent provides a desirably large adsorptive working capacity for carbon monoxide and/or unsaturated hydrocarbons at elevated partial pressures of such gases, such as above about 0.2 bar. Such improved adsorbent is particularly suited for intensive cyclic adsorption separation processes, to selectively adsorb and desorb carbon monoxide and/or unsaturated hydrocarbons, having an adsorptive working capacity of at least about 0.6 mmol/g·bar at partial pressures above about 0.2 bar, as measured for adsorption of carbon monoxide at about 70° C.

Abstract: A method and system for adsorptive separation of a feed gas mixture provides for increased system efficiency and product recovery. The requirement for purge gas streams consuming desired product gas to regenerate adsorption beds is reduced through an inventive method for adsorbent selection and adsorption bed and process design.

Abstract: High density adsorbent structures may be constructed in parallel passage contactor configurations using improved high density adsorbent sheets. Improved high density adsorbent sheets may be formed using adsorptively active support or substrate materials upon which adsorbent material is applied, such as by coating processes, so that in the resulting high density adsorbent structure both the substrate and the coated adsorbent material are active in adsorption processes. Alternatively, improved high density adsorbent sheets may be formed comprising precursor materials, such as certain clays, which may be coated onto known support materials and thereafter converted to active adsorbent materials using known conversion techniques. This produces high-density adsorbent sheets comprising adsorbent material without inert binder material fractions. Improved self-supporting adsorbent sheets also may be formed without using support material, resulting in higher adsorbent densities relative to known adsorbent sheets.

Abstract: Using zeolites as the active adsorbent, adsorbent laminates have been fabricated with various sheet supports. These adsorbent laminates have been successfully operated for oxygen enrichment at high PSA cycle frequencies, such as upwards of at least 150 cycles per minute. Methods for making suitable adsorbent laminates are described. The methods generally involve forming a slurry comprising a liquid suspending agent, an adsorbent and a binder. Laminates are made by applying the slurry to support material or admixing support material with the slurry. The slurry can be applied to support material using a variety of techniques, including roll coaters, split roll coaters, electrophoretic deposition, etc. One method for making laminates by mixing support material with the adsorbent slurry comprises depositing the slurry onto a foraminous wire, draining the slurry material, and pressing the material to form a ceramic adsorbent paper. Spacers can be formed on adsorbent laminates to space one laminate from another.

Abstract: A process and system for providing a hydrogen-containing gas stream to a fuel cell anode that includes providing a hydrogen-containing gas stream that includes carbon monoxide, introducing the hydrogen-containing gas stream into a pressure swing adsorption module that includes at least one carbon monoxide-selective adsorbent to produce a purified hydrogen-containing gas stream, and introducing the purified hydrogen-containing gas stream to the fuel cell anode. The pressure swing adsorption module can also include a second adsorbent and/or catalyst. Also disclosed is a fuel cell system coupled to an internal combustion engine and a fuel cell system that utilizes fuel cell waste heat for vaporizing a hydrocarbon/water mixture.