Abstract: A framework for building an adaptive management system is described herein. Tools for building customized Agents that communicate by way of an interface abstraction over many mediated and non-mediated communications channels are described herein, wherein such tools allow for the Agents to be decoupled in terms of at least one of space, time, transport, synchronization, or communications direction.

Abstract: A framework for building an adaptive management system is described herein. Tools for building customized Agents that communicate by way of an interface abstraction over many mediated and non-mediated communications channels are described herein, wherein such tools allow for the Agents to be decoupled in terms of at least one of space, time, transport, synchronization, or communications direction.

Abstract: The selective adsorption of nitrogen from air is used in a system including a number of adsorbers, to give oxygen enriched gas at elevated pressure, the adsorber is regenerated by depressurization under atmospheric pressure with a pump and by repressurization with oxygen enriched gas. The pumping duration is at most equal to the duration of the production step.

Abstract: In the process for the production of oxygen by adsorption, the following combination of steps are used: the number of adsorbers is at least three; the time of pumping y under sub-atmospheric pressure during step b) is higher than dephasing T/n, and at least equal to the time x of the production step; the phase of pumping of the column of adsorbent material is carried out by using on said adsorption column successively at least two systems of pumping wherein one is in operation from the start of the pumping operation, another one is adapted to operate until pumping is over.

Abstract: A method of adsorption separation of gases of the kind which regenerates the adsorbant by pressure viariation and used two adsorbers, wherein the recompression stage includes at least one recompression stage using the oxygen produced, and a final recompression stage up to the high point of the cycle pressure using air intake without draw-off; and wherein the pressure high-point of the cycle is selected between 1.2 and 2 .times.10.sup.5 Pa and the pressure low-point is selected between 0.3-0.7.times.10.sup.5 Pa, at least the final part of the desorption stage being carried out by pumping. The method is essentially relevant to the production of oxygen.

Abstract: An adsorber having an upright longitudinal extent includes two perforated parallel panels extending within the vessel formed therein and spaced apart defining an adsorbent mass chamber. The adsorbent mass is in two longitudinal parts having a first part of fine particles and a second part of larger particles. The gas to be treated is circulated horizontally between the two perforated panels. This device allows the treatment cycle to be less than 60 seconds with the same or better performance. This adsorber and process are preferably used for the separation of oxygen from air.

Abstract: Gaseous oxygen is produced under a medium pressure which is higher than atmospheric pressure, and lower than a so-called high pressure. The medium pressure may also vary with time after which gaseous oxygen is brought to the high pressure. Each of the adsorbers of a high pressure PSA (Pressure swing Adsorption) adsorption device, undergoes a cycle including the following stage: (a) a stage of first pressure surge from a low pressure of the low pressure cycle to the medium pressure, during which oxygen under a medium pressure is introduced at a first end or outlet end, of the adsorber; (b) a stage of second pressure surge up to the high pressure; (c) a stage of production under high pressure, during which a gas substantially below the high pressure containing at least one component which is more easily adsorbed than oxygen, is introduced through a second end, or inlet end of the adsorber the gas being for example air, the first end being open; and (d) a stage of decompression to the low pressure of the cycle.

Abstract: Process for separating a gaseous mixture by adsorption includes the steps of: (a) a cocurrent isobaric production (f.sub.p1 -f.sub.p2); (b) a pressure equalization between the adsorber undergoing decompression and another adsorber undergoing countercurrent recompression (f.sub.c1 -N.sub.4); (c) a cocurrent partial emptying to a reservoir (f); (d) a final countercurrent decompression (f.sub.a); (e) a countercurrent scavenging by the gas of the reservoir (f.sub.b); (f) a countercurrent partial recompression by at least one pressure equalization (f'.sub.e); (g) a countercurrent final recompression (f'.sub.di -F'.sub.

Abstract: This PSA cycle comprises two successive pressure equilibration steps in the course of which gas is withdrawn in a cocurrent manner from an adsorber at the beginning of countercurrent decompression and respectively introduced in a countercurrent manner and then in a cocurrent manner in another adsorber at the beginning of recompression. Application in the production of impure oxygen from air of the atmosphere.

Abstract: The adsorption cycle comprises the following stages:(a) an isobaric adsorption stage at a high pressure of the cycle in which the mixture to be treated is admitted into the adsorber through a first end, termed inlet end, of the adsorber, circulates through the adsorber and is withdrawn therefrom by its other end, termed outlet end, the direction of circulation of the mixture being termed cocurrent;(b) a first stage for the cocurrent decompression of the adsorber to a medium pressure of the cycle;(c) a second stage for the countercurrent decompression of the adsorber to a low pressure of the cycle, the gas withdrawn in the course of this stage being the production gas, and(d) a stage for raising the pressure of the adsorber to the high pressure of the cycle.Application in the recovery of carbon dioxide from sources which contain only 10 to 30% thereof.

Abstract: The case 2 of the container 1 having a vertical axis X-X contains two adsorbent beds 3,4 in the form of sleeves retained by three cylindrical grates 5, 6, 7. The intermediate grate 6 is axially rigid and radially flexible while the innermost and outermost grates 5,7 are axially flexible and radially rigid. This enables the container and the adsorbent beds to support without damage the successive heating and cooling stages in the course of the adsorbent regeneration stages. Application to the purification of large amounts of air intended to be distilled.

Abstract: In a method comprising an isobaric production phase, a co-current depressurization phase, optionally carried out in a plurality of stages, a counter-current elution phase and a counter-current repressurization phase, optionally carried out in a plurality of stages, the successive balancing phases between two adsorption columns 1, 2, 3, 4 are carried out by passage in an auxiliary column 46, 70 with flow in opposite directions of the gaseous currents corresponding to two successive balancings.

Abstract: The gas originating from the expansion during the stage (T.sub.6) is directed into a buffer tank and each adsorber has an operating cycle delayed by 1/nth of the cycle period (T) with respect to a preceding one, and each production stage has a duration of (x/n)T, "n" being greater than or equal to 6, and "x" greater than or equal to 2, and each expansion stage at an intermediate pressure has a shorter duration than each elution stage.

Abstract: An adsorber having an upright longitudinal extent includes two perforated parallel panels extending within the vessel formed therein and spaced apart defining an adsorbent mass chamber. The adsorbent mass is in two longitudinal parts having a first part of fine particles and a second part of larger particles. The gas to be treated is circulated horizontally between the two perforated panels. This device allows the treatment cycle to be less than 60 seconds with the same or better performance. This adsorber and process are preferably used for the separation of oxygen from air.