Abstract: The invention relates to a method of adjusting a unit that is used to control an installation for the adsorption treatment of a gas, comprising: at least a first member and a second member (2, 5, R0, . . . , R9) which receive a gas; a connection conduit (3, 4, 6, 7) which connects the first and second members to one another; and a valve on the connection conduit, which is closed and opened selectively in accordance with a variable valve-opening parameter. The control unit controls the opening of the valve according to the opening parameter on the basis of: an earlier opening parameter for the valve, a provisional valve opening parameter and at least one correction parameter. The inventive method comprises a step (a) in which the correction parameter is adjusted as a function of the installation and flow parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of adjusting a unit that is used to control an installation for the adsorption treatment of a gas, comprising: at least a first member and a second member (2, 5, R0, . . . , R9) which receive a gas; a connection conduit (3, 4, 6, 7) which connects the first and second members to one another; and a valve on the connection conduit, which is closed and opened selectively in accordance with a variable valve-opening parameter. The control unit controls the opening of the valve according to the opening parameter on the basis of: an earlier opening parameter for the valve, a provisional valve opening parameter and at least one correction parameter. The inventive method comprises a step (a) in which the correction parameter is adjusted as a function of the installation and flow parameters.

Abstract: An installation and process for producing hydrogen, which includes a purification unit for purifying a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas and for producing hydrogen and a waste gas, along with the additional equipment required in order to continue operation in the event of a purification unit shutdown.

Abstract: A method of separating a gas mixture using a permeation membrane unit, wherein the gas mixture, containing primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is first treated to reduce the level of secondary components to lower than 100 molar ppm.

Abstract: An installation and process for producing hydrogen, which includes a purification unit for purifying a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas and for producing hydrogen and a waste gas, along with the additional equipment required in order to continue operation in the event of a purification unit shutdown.

Abstract: A method of separating a gas mixture using a permeation membrane unit, wherein the gas mixture, containing primarily hydrogen and carbon monoxide, is first treated to reduce the level of secondary components to lower than 100 molar ppm.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plant for processing a gas by adsorption, with N adsorbers R1 to R0 and variable N phase times. The method utilizes a mobile parameter for identifying the operating state of N adsorber which is in each successive phase time of the cycle. For a given phase time, a parameterized sequence (S, S′) of control steps for the plant are defined. A control sequencer of the plant is generated by matching an adsorber (R1 to R0) with each mobile parameter of the parameterized sequence during each phase time of the cycle, causing the succession of phase times of the cycle to be followed at all the adsorbers in operation.

Abstract: The plant (10) has N adsorbers (R1 to R0) operating according to a cycle with at most N phase times. For the method of controlling this plant, a mobile parameter for identifying the operating state of the adsorber which is in each successive phase time of the cycle is firstly associated with the said phase time. For a given phase time, a parameterized sequence (S, S′) of control steps of the plant (10) during the said given phase time is then defined, each adsorber controlled by the steps of the said sequence being denoted by the parameter for identifying the operating state of the said adsorber. A control sequencer of the plant (10) is lastly generated by matching an adsorber (R1 to R0) with each mobile parameter of the parameterized sequence during each phase time of the cycle, so as to cause the succession of phase times of the cycle to be followed at all the adsorbers in operation.

Abstract: A synthesis gas obtained by steam reforming is sent to a pressure swing adsorption unit (2) which separates a CO/H2 mixture, as a production gas, from the other constituents. The CO/H2 mixture is sent to a unit (3) for at least partially purifying CO, for example a permeation unit, which produces under pressure the CO with high purity or an H2/CO mixture with an adjusted CO content, containing very little impurities.

Abstract: A process for separation of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption, in which a pressure swing cycle comprising a sequence of steps which define adsorption, decompression/regeneration and pressure rise phases is employed for the or each adsorber. The cycle furthermore comprises at least temporarily at least one step of isolating the adsorber (II; IV) during which the pressure variation in the isolated adsorber is recorded.

Abstract: An installation for the separation of a gaseous mixture, particularly for the production of hydrogen, by pressure modulated adsorption, comprises at least one pair of adsorbers (I, II; III, IV) operating offset as to time according to a predetermined cycle comprising phases of adsorption, regeneration and pressure increase. Each adsorber is connected by an associated distribution conduit (6) and valved branch conduits (7) leading from one end to this distribution conduit (6), to at least three conduits (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) common to the assembly of the adsorbers (I, II; III, IV). The valved branch conduits (7) of the pair of adsorbers, adapted to ensure their connection to each common conduit (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), are connected to each other at their opposite ends to the distribution conduits (6), by a T connection (20) and are connected by this T connection (20) and a common straight tube, to the common conduit (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

Abstract: A process for recovering olefins from a gas stream containing olefins and hydrogen. The process comprises compressing the gas stream in at least one compression stage to form a compressed gas stream, contacting the compressed gas stream with a membrane at conditions effective to obtain a permeate stream rich in hydrogen and a retentate stream depleted in hydrogen, and introducing the permeate stream into a pressure swing adsorption system at conditions effective to obtain a nonadsorbed stream rich in hydrogen and a desorbed stream comprising olefins.

Abstract: A process for the generation of energy and of a hydrogen-rich mixture (30), includes the following steps:a) a partial oxidation of an incoming hydrocarbon gas mixture (15) is carried out using an oxidant mixture (16) which contains oxygen, so as to obtain as output from the unit a reaction gas (17) which contains hydrogen and CO;b) the reaction gas produced at the end of step a) is passed into a membrane separator (24) which generates, as its permeate output, a permeate gas mixture (25) enriched in the more permeable components of the reaction gas and, as its retentate output, a retentate gas mixture (26) enriched in the less permeable components of the reaction gas;c) the retentate gas mixture (26) is treated in an electricity generation unit (27);d) the permeate gas mixture (25) is separated in a preferential adsorption separator (29) so as to obtain, as unadsorbed product gas, the desired hydrogen-rich gas mixture (30).

Abstract: A process for recovering olefins from a cracking effluent containing olefins and hydrogen. The process comprises compressing the cracking effluent in at least one compression stage to form a compressed cracking effluent, contacting the compressed cracking effluent with a membrane at conditions effective to obtain a permeate stream rich in hydrogen and a retentate stream depleted in hydrogen, and introducing the permeate stream into a pressure swing adsorption system at conditions effective to obtain a nonadsorbed stream rich in hydrogen and a desorbed stream comprising olefins.

Abstract: This process comprises at least one stage of first decompression/first recompression by balancing the pressures between two adsorbers (2A to 2D) as well as the taking off of a constant product gas rate during the adsorption phase. In the course of the first decompression, the product gas taken off is passed to an auxiliary capacity (6) which is arranged in parallel to the product line (1) and can be connected to the product outlet side of each adsorber (2A to 2D). During the second recompression stage, the adsorber receives the product gas taken off in countercurrent and is at the same time put into communication with the auxiliary capacity. The process is useful in the production of hydrogen from a constant rate of a feed gas mixture.

Abstract: A process for the generation of energy and of a hydrogen-rich mixture (30), includes the following steps:a) a partial oxidation of an incoming hydrocarbon gas mixture (15) is carried out using an oxidant mixture (16) which contains oxygen, so as to obtain as output from the unit a reaction gas (17) which contains hydrogen and CO;b) the reaction gas produced at the end of step a) is passed into a membrane separator (24) which generates, as its permeate output, a permeate gas mixture (25) enriched in the more permeable components of the reaction gas and, as its retentate output, a retentate gas mixture (26) enriched in the less permeable components of the reaction gas;c) the retentate gas mixture (26) is treated in an electricity generation unit (27);d) the permeate gas mixture (25) is separated in a preferential adsorption separator (29) so as to obtain, as unadsorbed product gas, the desired hydrogen-rich gas mixture (30).

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption unit comprises at least two absorbers, each absorber having at least a port connectable to at least one pumping unit. The pumping unit includes a first pumping stage and a second pumping stage. Each of the pumping stages are capable of discharging into an outlet conduit. A circuit is provided for selectively and alternately connecting a port to a source of feed gas and to the pumping unit such that the first and second pumping stages are sequentially fluidly connected in parallel, and then in series to reduce the pressure at the port to an intermediate vacuum level, and then to a low vacuum level.

Abstract: A flow of air which has been compressed cooled dried is treated in a unit for separation by cryogenic distillation to give a flow of nitrogen; the oxygen enriched residual gases are, in part, sent at the inlet of a unit for separation by adsorption in which the outlet substantially produces oxygen. If the flow of oxygen is insufficient, additional air is injected. If the flow of oxygen is too important, an excess flow of residual gases is withdrawn. This apparatus enables to provide, at a lesser cost, independent flows of nitrogen and oxygen which are adjustable at will.

Abstract: In a unit for the production of oxygen by separation of air by adsorption with regeneration of the adsorbers (1-5) under vacuum, the sub-atmospheric depressurization is ensured with rejection to the atmosphere by pumping with two successive pumping devices: one, for example of the type of a volumetric compressor (13), operates to a pressure of the order of 0.5.times.10.sup.5 Pa absolute, while the other, for example of the type of a centrifugal compressor (14), operates alone to a pressure of the order of 0.2.times.10.sup.5 Pa absolute.