Abstract: A distributor apparatus arrangement distributes a gas within a vessel that includes an adsorbent bed, the gas distribution occurring with a minimum of gas mal-distribution. The distributor apparatus includes an inlet gas coupler that feeds gas to a conduit oriented adjacent a surface of the bed. A slit opening is positioned in a wall of the conduit and extends along a length of the conduit. The slit has an opening extent near the inlet fluid coupler that is larger than an opening extent of the slit near the distal end of the conduit. The slit opening is oriented towards a wall of the vessel and away from the bed so as to enable gas flow that exits therefrom to impact upon the wall and be deflected thereby to the bed. In a preferred arrangement, the slit is defined by perforations that exhibit a 50% aperture ratio.

Abstract: An axial flow adsorber apparatus includes a bed of adsorbent material, a barrier in the form of an open-cell material combined with a distribution screen or baffle, graded balls, and an inflatable bladder. The adsorbent bed is the active adsorbent required for a separation process. The barrier combines the open-cell material, which provides uniform retention of all adsorbent material, with the distribution screen, which provides uniform flow and pressure distribution across the bed. The barrier substantially covers a top surface of the adsorbent bed to prevent fluidization of the bed. Graded balls on the barrier uniformly distribute a downward pressure supplied by the inflatable bladder above the balls. The uniform pressure is transmitted through the balls to the barrier to further suppress fluidization. The balls also serve to direct gas flow in the upper end of the vessel and reduce void volume in the apparatus that would trap product gas.

Abstract: Separation of one or more fluidic components from a feed fluid containing a plurality of components is accomplished by adsorbent powder entrained in a stream of fluid, such as gas, and preferably is operated as a temperature swing adsorption process using waste thermal energy from a plant.

Abstract: A method for more efficiently cooling and liquefying industrial gas wherein refrigeration for the cooling and liquefaction is generated using first and second defined multicomponent refrigerant fluids in separate refrigeration circuits to cover a wide temperature range from ambient to cryogenic temperature.

Abstract: Particle loader assembly for loading particles into a vessel to form a particle bed comprising inner and outer radially disposed concentric layers of particles the inner layer containing at least one type of particle of different granulometry or composition or both granulometry and composition from a type of particle contained in the outer layer.

Abstract: The invention comprises particle loader assembly for loading particles into a vessel to form a particle bed comprising inner and outer radially disposed concentric layers of particles said inner layer containing at least one type of particle of different granulometry or composition or both granulometry and composition from a type of particle contained in said outer layer.

Abstract: Multiple thermal pulses are employed to regenerate segments of an adsorber bed simultaneously in thermal swing adsorption processes. The invention is particularly applicable to air purification as it helps to reduce purge flow and improve regeneration efficiency.

Abstract: A vessel for use in a pressure swing adsorption gas separation process includes an enclosing wall which defines an enclosed space having a top region and a bottom region. An annular adsorbent bed is positioned within the enclosed space and has a porous outer wall, a porous inner wall and adsorbent material positioned between the walls. The porous outer wall is separated from the enclosing wall to create a gas feed channel therebetween, and the porous inner wall surrounds an inner tank whose wall surface is separated from the porous inner wall and creates a product flow channel therebetween. A gas feed/distribution baffle structure is positioned in the bottom region of the vessel and in fluid communication with the gas feed channel to provide a gas feed thereto. The gas feed enters the gas feed channel and the adsorbent bed via the porous outer wall and in a direction generally radially towards the inner porous wall and product flow channel.