Abstract: A pressure-swing adsorber using type 13X (10 Angstrom) molecular sieve is used in lieu of or ahead of an activated or impregnated carbon filter in an NBC collective protection system. The pressure-swing adsorber removes a much wider range of toxic vapors from air than an impregnated carbon bed, is fully regenerable, and has a long service life. In one system for supplying purified air to a shelter, air is compressed by a gas turbine-driven compressor, fed through an aerosol removal system, purified by an industrial-type pressure-swing adsorber using type 13X molecular sieve, filtered by a Super HEPA filter, and expanded to atmospheric pressure in a turbo-generator. In another system for field medical oxygen generation, a compressor is driven by an electrical motor and the purified air is fed to a pressure-swing oxygen concentrator using type 5A molecular sieve.

Abstract: A capacitance probe having a relative thin profile and large cross section for use in short yet relatively large diameter desiccant beds is formed from two substantially identical members, each having a network of strip elements electrically and structurally connecting a plurality of plate elements. Upon inverting and rotating one member with respect to the other member, the plate elements of one member are interleaved with the plate elements of the other while leaving enough space to accommodate a sufficient volume of sorbent to serve as the dielectric. The probe may be employed with supporting circuitry to detect the advance of the moisture front as a change in dielectric constant of the sorbent. There is also provided a system to connect the two members in nonconducting relation so that a rigid structure results.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a sorbing apparatus comprising at least one chamber having first and second ports and defining a fluid flow path between the first and second ports. The chamber includes a bed of sorbent particles which are disposed in the fluid flow path and the sorbent bed includes particles of clinoptilolite. The sorbing apparatus further comprises fluid control means for alternately directing fluid containing the substance through the bed of sorbent particles, whereby the bed of sorbent particles sorbs at least a portion of the substance from the fluid, and directing a purging fluid through the bed of sorbent particles, whereby the bed of sorbent particles is regenerated.

Abstract: A method of operating a microcomputer for controlling a heat-reactivated dual-chamber gas adsorber ensures safe and reliable operation of the adsorber by recovering from disruption of the microcomputer execution sequence and sensing failure of the power control components which enable regeneration of the adsorbent. A non-volatile memory stores a code designating the "active-task" or subdivision of the adsorber cycle being controlled by the microcomputer. A reset circuit includes a watchdog timer responsive to disruption of the microcomputer's execution sequence. Upon reset of the microcomputer, the hardware components are set to an initial state and checked before resuming execution of the interrupted task. A purge circulation blower, for example, is turned on in the event that the heater cannot be turned off.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a sorbing apparatus including at least one chamber having first and second ports and defining a fluid flow path between the first and second ports. The chamber includes a bed of sorbent particles which are bound to one another by a polymeric binding agent that prevents movement of the particles with respect to one another. The apparatus further comprises a fluid controller which alternately directs a fluid having a first concentration of a component through the bed of sorbent particles wherein the bed sorbs the component from the fluid and directs a purging fluid through the bed of sorbent particles wherein the bed is regenerated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fractionating a mixture of gasses, by using a bed of sorbent which is conditionally depressurized and purged after adsorption intervals of a predetermined time duration, varies the time duration in response to demand as indicated by the decisions of whether purging is required. Preferably a historical record is kept of the recent purge decisions, and based upon this historical record, the duration of the adsorption interval is increased at a limited rate up to a maximum duration when purging is infrequently required, and is decreased at a limited rate down to a minimum duration when purging is frequently required.

Abstract: A series of valves are disclosed which are specially designed for use in desiccant dryers. Each of the valves utilizes a housing (12), fabricated of standard pipe components and communicating flanges (13, 14) in conjunction with a poppet (24) and seat (20) arrangement. A support (30) fixed to one side of the interior of the housing carries an axial rod (23) to which the poppets (24) are mounted. Two- and three-way valves include a piston (36) and cylinder arrangement within the support to actuate the poppets. The poppet (224) of the check valve (200) is actuated automatically in response to pressure differentials across the poppet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for removing a first polar gas from a mixture thereof with a second gas. The gas mixture is passed through a sorbent bed having a preferential affinity for the first polar gas and the first polar gas is sorbed thereon so as to produce a gaseous effluent which has a concentration of first polar gas therein below a predetermined maximum. Then the polar gas sorbed on the sorbent bed is removed therefrom by application of microwave energy, at a temperature at which the sorbent is transparent to such energy, while passing a purge flow of gas in contact with the bed to flush out desorbed first polar gas from the bed. The bed is allowed to cool to a relatively efficient temperature for adsorption. The gas mixture is then again passed in contact with the bed. If two beds are used, one bed can be desorbed while the other is on-stream thereby maintaining a substantially continuous flow of effluent gas.

Abstract: A process and appartus are provided for removing a first gas from a mixture thereof with a second gas. The gas mixture is passed through a sorbent bed having a preferential affinity for the first gas and comprising a microwave absorbent capable of absorbing microwave energy and the first gas is sorbed on the sorbent so as to produce a gaseous effluent which has a concentration of first gas therein below a predetermined maximum. Then the first gas sorbed on the sorbent bed is removed therefrom by application of microwave energy, at a temperature at which the microwve absorbent absorbs such energy and activates the first gas sufficiently to desorb the first gas, while passing a purge flow of gas in contact with the bed to flush out desorbed first gas from the bed. The bed is allowed to cool to a relatively efficient temperature for adsorption. The gas mixture is then again passed in contact with the bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for adsorbing one or more first gases from a mixture thereof with a second gas to reduce the concentration of first gas in the mixture to below a permissible maximum concentration. The flow rate, inlet and outlet temperatures, inlet and outlet pressures and regenerating pressures are sensed, and the sensed information fed to a microprocessor programmed to calculate the quantity of purge required to regenerate the adsorbent bed off-stream for regeneration, calculate the purge flow rate, and, based on these calculations, control the regeneration time so that purge flow ceases when the adsorbent bed has been regenerated, control the cycling time, and switch the adsorbent beds at the end of each cycle period. The system is particularly applicable to the drying of gases.