Abstract: In a pressure swing adsorption plant for the purification and separation of gases, with several adsorbers, conducting respectively within one cycle the steps of adsorption, expansion or pressure equalization, purging, and pressure buildup, using as the purge gas residual gas released during the expansion of adsorbers, wherein pressure buildup is conducted at least in part with product gas, and when there is a malfunction in an adsorber yielding purge gas, the product gas is employed not only for the pressure buildup but also for purging one or more adsorbers. The amount of purge gas is controlled so that the adsorber or adsorbers, which are in the pressure buildup phase reach the desired adsorption pressure within a previously determined period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for controlling the opening and closing of valves in lines interconnecting a plurality of adsorbers in a cyclically operating pressure-swing adsorption apparatus includes a common pneumatic signal line associated with all the valves of a single line. An electrical signal supply provides an electronic signal to a current-pressure transducer for converting the electronic signal to a pneumatic signal transmitted through the common pneumatic signal line. Transmission of the pneumatic signal to the valves is controlled by three-way magnetic valves which are operated by a computer which transmits an on-off digital signal to each three-way valve. According to the digital signal transmitted by the computer, each three-way valve will either allow said pneumatic signal to be transmitted to a respective valve associated therewith for causing the valve to open, or prevent the pneumatic signal from affecting the respective valve thus maintaining it closed.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi-adsorber pressure-swing adsorber installation in which each adsorber is, in a given cycle, operated for a plurality of time slots in an adsorption stage, subjected to a plurality of pressure-relief phases over corresponding time slots by pressure equalization with other adsorbers, the pressure-relief phases are followed by purging phases and ultimately pressure buildup phases likewise by pressure equalization with other adsorbers.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the admission of gas to a cylinder of a piston-type machine, or for the discharge of gas therefrom, comprises a magnetic armature shiftable between a pair of magnetic poles formed to receive the armature with minimal radial play and with a predetermined air gap from the attracting pole in the energized condition of the coil. The energizing circuit includes an inductive proximity switch which is triggered without engagement by a metal formation on the crankshaft and applies its signal to a pulse former generating a steep-flank pulse triggering a timer to produce two rectangular voltage pulses of different durations. These pulses are applied to a gating circuit which produces a stepped signal with a high initial amplitude which is amplified and applied to a power converter energizing the coil with a corresponding current waveform. A monitoring circuit responds to deenergizing the coil to drain residual magnetism from the pole piece to enable a spring to rapidly close the valve.

Abstract: A connector for a low-temperature-fluid duct comprises male and female connector members which interfit and, like the duct portions to which they are connected, have respective coaxial nested pipes including a first pipe forming a central flow passage for the deep-cooled medium, a second pipe defining with the first pipe a flow passage for a mixture of liquid and gaseous phases of this medium, a third pipe defining with the second pipe an inner vacuum chamber, a fourth pipe defining with the third pipe another flow passage for the medium, usually in a gaseous state, a fifth pipe defining with the fourth pipe an outer vacuum chamber, etc. According to the invention, the vacuum chambers of each connector member are sealed at the ends of the respective pipes and overlap the interfitting parts of the respective flow passages.