Abstract: A hydrogen feed stream comprising oxygen and one or more impurities selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, argon, methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and water, is purified using a cryogenic temperature swing adsorption (CTSA) process with high overall recovery of hydrogen. The CTSA is regenerated using an inert gas to prevent an explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen from occurring.

Abstract: Trace hydrogen may be removed from a dry gas by passing the dry gas at a temperature from about 0° C. to about 60° C. through at least one layer of a first hopcalite catalyst to produce product gas that is at least substantially free of hydrogen, wherein the first hopcalite catalyst has a molar ratio of copper to manganese of more than 0.55. Advantages include increase hydrogen capacity, lower feed and regeneration temperatures and lower sensitivity to carbon dioxide than equivalent processes using standard hopcalite catalyst having a Cu/Mn molar ratio from 0.45 to 0.55.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption process for reducing fluctuations in the flow rate of tail gas from the adsorption unit and reducing fluctuations in the stoichiometric oxidant flow rate required to completely combust the tail gas in a reformer furnace. Constant flow rate and constant fuel property can be obtained by intelligent mixing designs.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption process for reducing fluctuations in the flow rate of tail gas from the adsorption unit and reducing fluctuations in the stoichiometric oxidant flow rate required to completely combust the tail gas in a reformer furnace. Constant flow rate and constant fuel property can be obtained by intelligent mixing designs.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing helium, neon, or argon product gas using an adsorption separation unit having minimal dead end volumes. A second separation unit receives a stream enriched in helium, neon, or argon, and a stream is recycled from the second separation unit back to the adsorption separation unit in a controlled manner to maintain the concentration of the helium, neon, or argon in the feed to the separation unit within a targeted range.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing helium, neon, or argon product gas using an adsorption separation unit having minimal dead end volumes. A second separation unit receives a stream enriched in helium, neon, or argon, and a stream is recycled from the second separation unit back to the adsorption separation unit in a controlled manner to maintain the concentration of the helium, neon, or argon in the feed to the separation unit within a targeted range.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for separating ethane and heavier hydrocarbons from a natural gas stream. In aspects of the invention, an adsorption unit is integrated with a cryogenic gas processing plant in order to overcome methane recovery limitations by sending the tail gas from the adsorption unit to the cryogenic gas processing plant to recover methane that would otherwise be lost.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating CO2 and sulfur-containing compounds from a synthesis gas obtained from gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock. The primary separating steps are performed using a sour pressure swing adsorption (SPSA) system, followed by an acid gas enrichment system and a sulfur removal unit. The SPSA system includes multiple pressure equalization steps and a rinse step using a rinse gas that is supplied from a source other than directly from one of the adsorber beds of the SPSA system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for separating CO2 and sulfur-containing compounds from a synthesis gas obtained from gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock. The primary separating steps are performed using a sour pressure swing adsorption (SPSA) system, followed by an acid gas enrichment system and a sulfur removal unit. The SPSA system includes multiple pressure equalization steps and a rinse step using a rinse gas that is supplied from a source other than directly from one of the adsorber beds of the SPSA system.

Abstract: A feed gas comprising CO2, H2S and H2 is treated to produce an H2-enriched product and an H2S-lean, CO2 product. The feed gas is separated to provide the H2-enriched product and a stream of sour gas. The stream of sour gas is divided into two parts, one of which is processed in an H2S removal system to form one or more streams of sweetened gas, and the other of which bypasses the H2S removal system, the stream(s) of sweetened gas and the sour gas bypassing the H2S removal system then being recombined to form the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas. The division of the sour gas between being sent to and bypassing the H2S removal system is adjusted responsive to changes in the H2S content of the sour gas, so as to dampen or cancel the effects of said changes on the H2S content of the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide impurities are removed from a dry gas comprising the impurities, wherein the dry gas is at least substantially free of carbon dioxide, by passing the dry gas with sufficient residence time, e.g. at least 1.5 s, through a layer of catalyst comprising a mixture of manganese oxide and copper oxide. The use of expensive noble metal catalysts to remove hydrogen may thereby be avoided. In addition, regeneration of the catalyst using oxygen-containing regeneration gas does not reduce the effectiveness of the catalyst.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide impurities are removed from a dry gas comprising the impurities, wherein the dry gas is at least substantially free of carbon dioxide, by passing the dry gas with sufficient residence time, e.g. at least 1.5 s, through a layer of catalyst comprising a mixture of manganese oxide and copper oxide. The use of expensive noble metal catalysts to remove hydrogen may thereby be avoided. In addition, regeneration of the catalyst using oxygen-containing regeneration gas does not reduce the effectiveness of the catalyst.

Abstract: Composite adsorbent beads have a porous and non-adsorbent core comprising at least one inorganic material and a porous and adsorbent shell comprising at least one adsorbent layer comprising a porous adsorbent material on the surface of the core. The core preferably comprises agglomerated inorganic particles having a mean particle size equal to or smaller than the mean particle size of the surrounding agglomerated adsorbent particles. The beads preferably are manufactured by calcining together a non-sintered core and the adsorbent layer. The beads can be used at the outlet end of an adsorption column to improve performance.

Abstract: Method for recovering a desired component from a waste gas comprising (a) at an operating facility, introducing a waste gas comprising the desired component and one or more undesired components into an adsorber containing adsorbent material selective for the desired component, adsorbing at least a portion of the desired component therein, (b) terminating flow of waste gas into the adsorber; and (c) recovering and concentrating the desired component by either (1) isolating the adsorber, transporting the adsorber to a central processing facility, or (2) withdrawing from the adsorber an intermediate gas enriched in the desired component, compressing the intermediate gas and storing it in a vessel, isolating the vessel, transporting the vessel to a central processing facility to provide a concentrated product further enriched in the desired component.

Abstract: Both power and H2 are produced from a gaseous mixture, comprising H2 and CO2, using first and second pressure swing adsorption (PSA) systems in series. The gaseous mixture is fed at super-atmospheric pressure to the first PSA system, which comprises adsorbent that selectively adsorbs CO2 at said pressure, and CO2 is adsorbed, thereby providing an H2-enriched mixture at super-atmospheric pressure. A fuel stream is formed from a portion of the H2-enriched mixture, which is combusted and the combustion effluent expanded to generate power. Another portion of the H2-enriched mixture is sent to the second PSA system, which comprises adsorbent that selectively adsorbs CO2 at super-atmospheric pressure, and CO2 is adsorbed, thereby providing a high purity H2 product. In preferred embodiments, the division of H2-enriched mixture between forming the fuel stream and being fed to the second PSA system is adjustable.

Abstract: A feed gas comprising CO2, H2S and H2 is treated to produce an H2-enriched product and an H2S-lean, CO2 product. The feed gas is separated to provide the H2-enriched product and a stream of sour gas. The stream of sour gas is divided into two parts, one of which is processed in an H2S removal system to form one or more streams of sweetened gas, and the other of which bypasses the H2S removal system, the stream(s) of sweetened gas and the sour gas bypassing the H2S removal system then being recombined to form the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas. The division of the sour gas between being sent to and bypassing the H2S removal system is adjusted responsive to changes in the H2S content of the sour gas, so as to dampen or cancel the effects of said changes on the H2S content of the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed from a hydrogen rich gas stream using adsorbents having a low loss of carbon dioxide adsorption capacity upon sulfur loading including high purity silica gels, titania or highly cross-linked, non-chemically reactive resins. The adsorbents may be used to adsorb both carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, or may be used as a guard bed upstream of a separate carbon dioxide adsorbent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the improvements to a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process used for Xe recovery. By only collecting the recovered gas mixture after the initial evacuation of N2 from the adsorbent vessel and void space, the recovered Xe is not diluted by N2 contained in the adsorbent vessel and void space. The concentration of the recovered Xe can by increased (high purity), simultaneously little Xenon is lost. During the initial evacuation of N2, the vessel has been evacuated to a pressure less than 1 atmospheric pressure, for example, from 100 to 1 torr.

Abstract: A feed gas comprising CO2, H2S and H2 is treated to produce an H2-enriched product and an H2S-lean, CO2 product. The feed gas is separated to provide the H2-enriched product and a stream of sour gas. The stream of sour gas is divided into two parts, one of which is processed in an H2S removal system to form one or more streams of sweetened gas, and the other of which bypasses the H2S removal system, the stream(s) of sweetened gas and the sour gas bypassing the H2S removal system then being recombined to form the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas. The division of the sour gas between being sent to and bypassing the H2S removal system is adjusted responsive to changes in the H2S content of the sour gas, so as to dampen or cancel the effects of said changes on the H2S content of the H2S-lean, CO2 product gas.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for separating ethane and heavier hydrocarbons from a natural gas stream. In aspects of the invention, an adsorption unit is integrated with a cryogenic gas processing plant in order to overcome methane recovery limitations by sending the tail gas from the adsorption unit to the cryogenic gas processing plant to recover methane that would otherwise be lost.