Abstract: An apparatus for removing moisture from an air or gas stream by adsorption is disclosed. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved seal and method for removing the seal and an improved L-, V-, or pie-shaped duct that promotes laminar flow (viz. not turbulent) of a moisture- or solvent-laden stream within the rotary adsorption apparatus. This, in turn, reduces the amount of insulation needed as well as isolates the heated duct from the exterior surfaces. The method allows for simplified maintenance of the rotary adsorption apparatus in comparison with conventional seals, which are typically riveted, screwed, or mechanically attached to an adsorption apparatus.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating the components of a gas mixture by PSA in a four-vessel adsorption system operated as two pairs of adsorption vessels. The vessels of each pair are operated 180.degree. out of phase, such that one vessel of a pair is in the adsorption mode while the other vessel of the pair is undergoing adsorbent regeneration. The apparatus includes the two pairs of adsorption vessels, an intermediate gas storage reservoir which is used to temporarily store gas removed from the nonadsorbed gas outlet end of the adsorption vessels for use in various steps of the process, one gas blower and a pair of vacuum pumps. The adsorption cycle is such that the pairs of adsorption vessels are operated out of phase relative to each other and the blower and both vacuum pumps are in continuous operation throughout the process. The process and system are particularly well adapted to the separation of nitrogen from oxygen by vacuum swing adsorption.

Abstract: A multi-chamber canister for a pressure swing absorption system within a general housing assembly. The chambers include a first molecular sieve chamber for receiving a first molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas and at least a second molecular sieve chamber disposed within the housing assembly for receiving a second molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas component. Furthermore, a supply chamber is disposed within the housing for receiving air from the ambient environment and for communicating air to either first or second molecular sieve chambers.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorber (PSA) air prepurifier includes at least a first adsorber and a second adsorber and a controller for controlling air feed to the first adsorber and the second adsorber. The invention is a "realtime" method for controlling cycle times for each adsorber and includes the following steps. During a determined time period, flow is measured to an adsorber that is coupled to an air inlet. An actual totalized flow to the on-line adsorber is accumulated, based upon the measured flow values. During this time, air feed conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, relative humidity) are monitored and periodically, a maximum totalized flow to the adsorber is calculated, determined, at least in part, based upon the monitored air feed conditions.

Abstract: Air is supplied along a pipeline to an apparatus for separating an oxygen-enriched gas stream from the air by vacuum swing adsorption. The oxygen-enriched gas stream is supplied to a burner which fires into a furnace. A hot gas stream leaves the furnace through an outlet. Steam is raised from the hot gas in a waste heat boiler. Steam so raised flows through one or more of the eductors to draw through a pipeline the vacuum necessary for the operation of the vacuum swing adsorption apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum swing adsorption apparatus for separating a gas mixture includes a pipeline along which the vacuum is able to be drawn. The apparatus is provided with a plurality of eductors each connected to the pipeline 6 and in parallel with the other eductor respective stop valves. The stop valves are arranged and operable so as to select the number of eductors in communication with the pipeline. Thus the degree of vacuum to which the apparatus is subjected may be varied.

Abstract: A thermodynamic pressure swing adsorption cycle utilizing "loudspeaker" diaphragms or pistons which are located at the top and bottom of a column containing a bed of adsorbent. The diaphragms are vibrated out of phase with each other so as to provide a displacement wave in the gas mixture within the bed of adsorbent. In addition to this displacement wave the gas is compressed prior to upward displacement and the gas pressure is lowered before the downward displacement by way of a second set of "loudspeakers" which form the side walls of the column. The second set of loudspeakers vibrate in phase with each other and operate at the same frequency as the displacement speakers.

Abstract: A compact desiccant-operated air dryer includes air directing housings, each housing including a separate desiccant bed. Each housing includes an associated desiccant bed to provide dehumidification to process air flow during a dehumidification phase of the housing; during operation, at least one desiccant housing will be in the dehumidification phase so as to provide continuous dehumidification. The associated desiccant bed for a desiccant housing is reactivated during the reactivation phase of the desiccant housing. Each desiccant housing extends between two external chambers at each end; a process inlet chamber and reactivation outlet chamber at one end, and a process outlet chamber and a reactivation inlet chamber at the other end. Each housing is connected to the two chambers at each end by a distinct associated inlet or outlet.

Abstract: Each adsorber (1, 2) is dimensioned in such a way that it operates in substantially adiabatic mode and its production dead volume (27), which is the free volume in permanent communication with the outlet side end of the mass of adsorbent (6), is between about 10% and 60% of the volume of the mass of adsorbent. Oxygen may thus be produced from atmospheric air.

Abstract: A valve free oxygen concentrator includes first and second nitrogen filters. Air is pumped into and through the first filter while the second filter is simultaneously evacuated. Alternately, air is pumped into and through the second filter while the first filter is simultaneously evacuated. The filters extract nitrogen from the air pumped therethrough to produce concentrated oxygen. The extracted nitrogen is subsequently exhausted from the filters. The concentrated oxygen is directed from the filters to a patient or other destination that requires concentrated oxygen.

Abstract: The apparatus for the separation of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) comprises at least one adsorber A and a first vessel T which can be selectively connected to the adsorber in order temporarily to store the gas which is extracted from the adsorber and reintroduced into it during a cycle, the vessel T having a fixed free internal volume V, a vertical main direction of height h, with the relationship 25.ltoreq.h.sup.3 /V.ltoreq.150, and the gas fraction entering and leaving the vessel T at its lower part, and remaining therein for a time which does not exceed 300 seconds. The apparatus is useful in the production of oxygen or hydrogen.

Abstract: A fluid storage and dispensing system includes a storage and dispensing vessel containing a solid-phase physical sorbent material for holding a sorbable fluid, and a motive transport assembly associated with the storage and dispensing vessel. The storage and dispensing vessel is arranged for selectively flowing fluid into the vessel for storage, and out of the vessel for dispensing. The sorbable fluid physically adsorbed on the solid-phase physical sorbent medium may be selectively desorbed by pressure differential desorption and/or thermal desorption, to dispense gas when the vessel is in motive transport and/or when the vessel is at rest.

Abstract: A twin tower gas drying system for cleaning and drying a stream of unpurified pressurized gas received from a source thereof for use of a pneumatic system. The drying system includes a manifold block provided with the plurality of ports. A separator and sump is connected to such block and to one of the ports for initially separating moisture and particulates from such stream of unpurified gas, and for directing the remainder of the stream to the one port in the block. A pair of desiccant containing canisters are threadably mounted on a surface of the block opposite that of the separator and sump by two respective threaded shuttle valves. The canisters and shuttle valves are, in addition, connected in fluid communication with certain of the ports provided in the block for supplying and removing pressurized air from the canisters. A port is provided for discharging dry clean air from the block. Other ports provided in the block exhaust purged air to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus are provided for recovering hydrocarbons from an intermittent or continuous inlet air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture. The air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture is caused to flow through a bed of solid adsorbent whereby hydrocarbons are removed therefrom and a residue gas stream of substantially hydrocarbon-free air is produced. The substantially hydrocarbon-free air is vented into the atmosphere and a second bed of solid adsorbent having hydrocarbons previously adsorbed thereon is regenerated by evacuation. As long as the concentration of hydrocarbons contained in the vented air is below a predetermined concentration, the inlet air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture is caused to continue to flow through the first bed of adsorbent. After the second bed of adsorbent is regenerated, the pumping and evacuation of the second bed is shut down and not restarted so long as the monitored concentration of hydrocarbons is below the predetermined concentration.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating one or more volatile contaminant components from a gas using a pressure and temperature swing adsorbent filtration filter bed system containing three or more layers of adsorbent materials characterized in that the layers comprise a first layer of adsorbent material, a second layer of dessicant material and a third layer of material capable of adsorbing contaminants that are not retained by the first layer. Preferably the third layer is capable of adsorbing contaminants of relatively low boiling point, e.g. of boiling point less than 50.degree. C., and preferably comprises a microporous adsorbent. The second layer of dessicant material preferably comprises a zeolite.

Abstract: A device for removing noxious and aromatic matter from a conducted air flow into the interior of a vehicle comprises an air conduction housing with a reactor containing an adsorbent. To attain consistently good adsorption and absorption power with small amounts of adsorbing and absorbing material, the air conduction housing is designed with two separate parallel air flow channels, in each of which there is a reactor in the form of a flat wall. An adsorption air flow acts upon the adsorbent in one air flow channel and a desorption air flow acts upon the adsorbent in the other air flow channel, the direction of air flow into the reactor in the adsorption operation being opposite that in the desorption operation.

Abstract: A process for the purification of gases loaded in particular with chemical residues, in particular of the exhaust air from printing equipment, in which process the gas to be purified is drawn off from the regions producing the impurities and led via piping to an arrangement of adsorber-filter cartridges that serve for the separation of the impurities from the gas and are periodically separated in a cyclical manner from the exhaust flow for the carrying out of a regeneration process.

Abstract: An alternating pressure apparatus for obtaining oxygen from the air has two adsorbers to which an air blower for adsorption air and a vacuum pump stand for desorption are connected. The vacuum pump stand has two vacuum pumps in tandem. The second vacuum pump in the direction of flow is configured as a rotary piston pump with preliminary inlet cooling for the defined inflow of outside air at atmospheric pressure. The inlet of the second vacuum pump is connected to the outlet of the first vacuum pump without the use of gas cooling by water injection or by a heat exchanger. The alternating pressure apparatus operates with a desorption pressure between 300 mbar and 500 mbar.

Abstract: An improved oxygen generator (20) includes an air compressor (21) having a pressure port (22) and a suction port (23) and being selectively operable to produce a flow of air from the suction port to the pressure port; a molecular sieve (30) having an inlet communicating with the compressor and having an outlet, the sieve being adapted to adsorb nitrogen from a flow of gas passing therethrough; a storage tank (33) communicating with the sieve outlet and adapted to store oxygen-rich gas passing through the sieve; and a control valve (24) operatively arranged between the compressor and the sieve and being selectively movable between a first position in which air flows from the compressor suction port through the sieve to the storage tank and a second position in which oxygen-rich gas flows from the storage tank through the sieve and control valve to desorb nitrogen in the sieve.

Abstract: Method for drying a gas which has been compressed by a compressor (1) wherein compressed gas (2) from the compressor is driven through an amount of drying agent (3) until a dried, compressed gas (4) is obtained. An amount of used drying agent (7) is regenerated by driving a part (5) of dried compressed gas (4), which is heated first by the compression heat of compressor (1), through used drying agent (7). Moisture is absorbed from used drying agent (7) by a part (5) of the dried compressed gas (4), which is then condensed and separated by cooling. Part (5) of dried compressed gas (4) is then mixed with compressed gas (2) from the compressor to be dried.

Abstract: An acoustic oxygen sensor is provided which can be used in the output lines leading from the sieve beds. This sensor can be used in communication with a microprocessor to control the production and evacuation cycles of the sieve beds, i.e., for example to determine the period for which a bed is supplied with compressed air and communicates with the reservoir as well as to determine the pressure of the compressed air and to determine the amount of time that the product gas is fed through the flow equalization path to supply an aliquot of purging gas to a used bed. In the feedback loop, the microprocessor utilizes the measured oxygen concentration and flow rate to optimize the settings necessary to achieve maximum oxygen concentration and flow rate efficiency. Since the microprocessor has the ability to make incremental changes and compare relative values, the optimum values can be determined empirically eliminating the need to perform complex theoretical calculations.

Abstract: An antidiffusion layer is provided between a first fuel adsorption layer communicated with a fuel tank and a second fuel adsorption layer communicated with air. Since adsorbing ability of the antidiffusion layer is lower than that of the first and second fuel adsorption layers, pore diffusion of the fuel vapor from the first fuel adsorption layer to the second fuel adsorption layer is reduced. Since the antidiffusion layer forms a plurality of nonlinear passages, air diffusion of the fuel vapor is reduced. Therefore, the diffusion of the fuel vapor is suppressed with a thin, small and simple antidiffusion layer, and the canister can be simplified and the reduction of the number of parts and the cost thereof can be realized.

Abstract: A VPSA apparatus includes a first adsorbent bed and a second adsorbent bed, a feed blower for providing a flow of a gas mixture at about atmospheric pressure to the beds, and a vacuum blower for removing a flow of gas therefrom and venting the gas to a space at atmospheric pressure. The VPSA process causes the first adsorbent bed to be poised for evacuation by the vacuum blower and concurrently, the second adsorbent bed is under vacuum conditions and is poised for pressurization by the feed blower. A single motor is coupled by a common shaft to both the feed blower and the vacuum blower and operates both. A conduit/valve arrangement is operative during at least a portion of a process time when the adsorbent beds are in pressurizing/evacuation states, respectively, to couple the feed blower to the second adsorbent bed when at vacuum and for concurrently coupling the vacuum blower to the first adsorbent bed which is to be evacuated.

Abstract: A plant for separating a gas mixture includes several units having different functions, including a compression unit, a purification unit and a separating unit. Each unit has an attendant cabin which contains monitoring and control systems and, optionally, an analysis system and an electrical distribution system which are necessary for the operation of the respective unit only. The plant may be an apparatus for separating air by cryogenic distillation.

Abstract: A compact organic solvent recovery system includes a backup treatment apparatus for environmentally safe treatment of an organic solvent leaking into a gas exiting an adsorption tower packed with an adsorbing material such as particulate active charcoal or active carbon fiber. Adsorption treatment of organic solvents includes introducing an organic solvent containing gas to be treated into an organic solvent recovery apparatus including an adsorption tower packed with adsorbing material. By subsequently introducing steam into the adsorption tower, the organic solvents are desorbed. By introducing the treated gas discharged from the organic solvent recovery apparatus into the backup treatment apparatus, the organic solvents leaking into the treated gas are adsorbed, and the gas treated in the backup treatment apparatus is simultaneously discharged as purified gas.

Abstract: A process for separating oxygen and nitrogen using an adsorption system comprising at least one main adsorption vessel containing an adsorbent selective for one component and at least one auxiliary adsorption vessel containing an adsorbent selective for the same component, the auxiliary vessel(s) being operated under conditions which result in the production of a product gas of lower purity than the product gas from the main adsorption vessel(s). The lower purity product gas from the auxiliary vessel is used to purge or pressurize the main adsorption vessel(s).

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator is provided which has a first molecular sieve bed connected to a four-way valve (i.e., a cross-over valve) which either joins the sieve bed to a pressurized air source (compressed air) or alternatively vents it to atmosphere. A second molecular sieve bed is also joined to the four-way valve in a corresponding manner. The sieve beds are joined at the outlet end to a product reservoir. The sieve beds are also in fluid communication at the outlet end by a pressure equalization flow path. A concentration equalization valve regulates the flow in the pressure equalization flow path. In accordance with the present invention, the microprocessor uses a closed-loop feedback circuit to evaluate the amount of time that the output product gas is allowed to flow into the used sieve bed. Specifically, an incremental step advance is used assuming a peak value of the time of flow one direction as compared to the time of flow in the second direction.

Abstract: A new synthetic, pyrolized, spherical adsorbent, with a moving or fluidized bed VOC control/solvent recovery system, also described as a control/solvent recovery system.

Abstract: A shuttle valve mechanism for a twin tower, desiccant containing compressed air cleaning and drying system housed within a rectangular cover member attachable over desiccant containing chambers to form a closure thereover with a slide valve chamber therein containing a reciprocal valve member with passageways interconnecting the two ends of the slide valve chamber with the two desiccant containing chambers. The reciprocal valve member is provided with an aperture to permit a purge percentage of the air dried in one chamber to be admitted into the other chamber to effect a purge cycle whereby the purge percentage will remove moisture from the desiccant.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ammonia adsorption apparatus for removing ammonia contained in a treated gas discharged from a denitrator for decomposing nitrogen oxides present in exhaust gas using ammonia as a reducing agent, comprising at least two adsorption towers into which ammonia-containing exhaust gas is introduced in a vertical direction for removing the ammonia by adsorption, wherein, during regeneration of each adsorption tower, hot gas used for desorption purposes flows from a top toward a bottom of the adsorption tower and cooling gas flows from the bottom toward the top of the adsorption tower.

Abstract: A two stage rotary concentrator takes the gas from the first stage desorption section and passes it back into a second stage concentrator process. A second stage desorption gas is passed over the rotary concentrator in a second stage desorption section. The gas from the second stage desorption section may then be passed for final treatment. The invention greatly reduces the volume of air which must be sent for final treatment.

Abstract: A rotary valve system which includes of a pair of valve assemblies each of which has valve parts with flat faces which, when pressed together and rotated, provide valving action between various ports incorporated in one valve part of each assembly. The first valve part of each assembly contains a circular array of through openings, each of which is connected to a conduit. The second valve part of each assembly contains several passages which provide communication between various openings of the first valve part and valve apertures located in the second valve part of each assembly. The second valve part of each assembly also contains one or more passages which provide communication between members of one or the other array of openings. The valve system can be effectively used to automate operation of a gas or liquid adsorption system comprising two or more adsorption vessels, the number of vessels being equivalent to the total number of openings in either array.

Abstract: An ozone storage system which allows energy required for producing and storing ozone to be reduced and which supplies ozone as stored to an ozone consumer stably in continuation.

Abstract: A process and device for scrubbing flows of gaseous effluents loaded with polluting substances, wherein the effluents are caused to circulate through a device including an array of scrubber units (4a to 4n) juxtaposed in an enclosure (3), each containing materials adsorbing the substances. When the adsorbing load thereof is saturated and for the scrubber units (4) to regain the scrubbing capacity thereof, they are selectively and successively isolated by a mobile collector (8) during the time required for their desorption by heating and for the substances to be transferred by an auxiliary fluid (a fraction of the circulating effluents for example or a gas delivered selectively to the inlet of the scrubber unit to be desorbed by an auxiliary circuit), and the substances mixed with the auxiliary fluid are possibly transferred towards a reactor (10) suited for removing them. The process can be applied for concentrating and scrubbing of polluting substances such as VOCs or gas dehumidification.

Abstract: The invention provides a regenerable supported amine sorbent having an amine concentration of from about 35 wt. % to about 75 wt. %. The balance of the sorbent is a porous support which provides the sorbent with structural rigidity and a surface for gas/solid contact. The invention further provides a process for making the sorbent and system for cyclically absorbing and desorbing carbon dioxide using a plurality of sorbent beds.

Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption apparatus to vary selectively the concentration of at least one constituent of a gaseous mixture by sending a gaseous mixture into an adsorber to generate a particular product gas while delivering to another adsorber both a predetermined portion of the product gas to purge the other adsorber of its adsorbed gas and a selected amount of the product gas, independent of the flow rate and in addition to the predetermined portion, to produce a desired relative concentration of the constituents of the product gas from a range of relative concentrations.

Abstract: An absorber fluid return circuit is provided for a volatile liquid vapor recovery system. The vapor recovery system includes at least one adsorbent bed for capturing volatile liquid vapor, a vacuum pump for regenerating the adsorbent bed, an absorber tower for condensing volatile liquid vapor and an absorber fluid source. The absorber fluid return circuit includes an absorber fluid return pump having an inlet and outlet and a first conduit for directing absorber fluid from the absorber tower to the inlet of the return pump. A second conduit directs absorber fluid from the outlet of the return pump to the absorber fluid source. A variable speed motor drives the return pump. The variable speed motor is controlled by a controller operatively connected to a sensor for sensing the level of absorber fluid in the absorber tower, a variable speed AC drive for varying the speed of the drive motor.

Abstract: A method of controlling an oxygen concentrator having a first sieve bed operated over successive control periods according to a duty cycle for alternately pressurizing and flushing the first sieve bed and a second sieve bed operated over the successive control periods according to a reciprocal of the duty cycle is disclosed. The duty cycle and the reciprocal duty cycle are adjusted during every second one of the successive control periods to change the pressurizing relative to the flushing of the first sieve bed and to change the flushing relative to the pressurizing of the second sieve bed, for reducing concentration of oxygen produced. The duty cycle and the reciprocal duty cycle are adjusted during remaining control periods to change the flushing relative to the pressurizing of the first sieve bed and to change the pressurizing relative to the flushing of the second sieve bed, such that water vapor is purged from the first and second sieve beds after pressurizing thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing oxygen-enriched air at a first pressure and at a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. The apparatus comprises, in combination, a pressure swing adsorption system and a pressure intensifier. The pressure swing adsorption system for enriching the oxygen content of air has a pressure of at least the first pressure. The pressure swing adsorption system is adapted to provide oxygen-enriched air to a first outlet at the first pressure and to provide oxygen-enriched air to a pressure intensifier at the first pressure. The pressure intensifier pressurizes the oxygen-enriched air and provides the oxygen-enriched air to a second outlet at the second pressure.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently controlling the operation of a vapor recovery system including a first reaction vessel and first bed of adsorbent, a second reaction vessel and second bed of adsorbent and a vacuum pump for selectively regenerating those beds of adsorbent. The method includes the step of adsorbing vapor from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture on the first bed of adsorbent in the first reaction vessel, measuring a total amount of the vapor adsorbed by the first bed of adsorbent, comparing the total amount of vapor adsorbed on the first bed of adsorbent to a first predetermined value which is a percentage of the first bed adsorbance capacity and regenerating the first bed of adsorbent and adsorbing the vapor from the air-volatile liquid vapor mixture on the second bed of adsorbent in the second reaction vessel upon reaching the first predetermined value.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating the components of a gas mixture in a pair of adsorption vessels using a single gas compressor/pump to move gas into and out of the adsorption vessels. The cycle is such that the gas compressor/pump is in continuous operation. The adsorption cycle is non-symmetrical in that the series of steps carried out in one of the adsorbers is not the same as the series of steps carried out in the other adsorber. The apparatus includes an intermediate gas storage container which is used to temporarily store gas removed from the nonadsorbed gas outlet end of the adsorption vessels so that it can be used to partially pressurize the adsorption vessels upon completion of the adsorbent regeneration step of the adsorption cycle.

Abstract: In a method for recovering and/or purifying water which is absorbed from a humid atmosphere, the moisture from the air is adsorbed on a suitable medium (3) in a defined space, whereupon by the application of heat the moisture is brought to a condenser (1) where it passes into a liquid state (10) and is collected in a suitable manner. In order to improve the efficiency of this method the defined, sealed space is opened for the adsorbing medium (3), for free access to air at night-time and is closed during the hot day-time period. Condensed water is passed out through a collecting funnel (2) and a channel (5) to a collection container (6). A device is also described in the form of a housing with walls (7) which can be opened and closed, in which there is located an adsorbing medium (3). In the upper part of the housing there is provided a condenser (1). The condenser (1) is equipped with a drop collector (2) which is connected to an outlet pipe (5) to a collection container (6).

Abstract: A fill system and methodology for the manufacture of fluid storage and dispensing vessels containing sorbent material for holding a sorbable fluid, for on-demand dispensing of the fluid in the use of the vessel. The fill system and methodology are directed to minimizing the processing time required to dissipate the heat of sorption incident to the loading of the sorbable fluid onto the sorbent material, so that thermal equilibration time in the manufacture of the vessels is substantially reduced in relation to the use of only ambient convective air cooling for dissipation of the heat of sorption from the fluid-filled vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed showing a system for continuous purification of bulk source specialty gases to less than 10 part per billion levels. Corrosive and non-corrosive specialty gases are purified using this system. Depending on whether corrosive or non-corrosive gases are being purified and the contaminants of concern, the purification beds contain an absorber and/or getter. A dual bed system allows one bed to purify at ambient temperatures while a second bed undergoes regeneration, providing continuous purification for a bulk source specialty gas.

Abstract: An air separation system and method for producing a plurality of oxygen product streams at varying pressures and purities. The system combines a VPSA oxygen generator with a multi-stage cascade membrane unit to provide a high pressure, low purity product stream and a low pressure, high purity product stream.

Abstract: A rapid pressure swing adsorption oxygen concentrator is provided having a plurality of at least three sieve beds cycled in sequence such that each is pressurized during one segment of a cycle and depressurized during a plurality of segments of a cycle while the other sieve beds are being sequentially pressurized. Preferably, approximately six sieves are provided and pressurized in sequence, with each being pressurized for approximately 60.degree. of the cycle and depressurized for from about 270.degree. to 300.degree. of the cycle. Each sieve is thereby pressurized for about one to two seconds and depressurized for about five to ten seconds. By utilizing the ability of the sieve material to adsorb faster than it can desorb gas, high output of up to 96% pure oxygen results with a low sieve volume and low power consumption.

Abstract: A rotary valve system which includes of a pair of valve assemblies each of which has valve parts with flat faces which, when pressed together and rotated, provide valving action between various ports incorporated in one valve part of each assembly. The first valve part of each assembly contains a circular array of through openings, each of which is connected to a conduit. The second valve part of each assembly contains several passages which provide communication between various openings of the first valve part and valve apertures located in the second valve part of each assembly. The second valve part of one assembly also contains one or more passages which provide communication between members of one or the other array of openings. The valve system can be effectively used to automate operation of a gas or liquid adsorption system comprising two or more adsorption vessels, the number of vessels being equivalent to the total number of openings in either array.

Abstract: A rotary valve assembly which includes of a pair of valve parts with flat faces which, when pressed together and rotated, provide valving action between various ports incorporated in one of the valve parts. The first valve part contains two circular arrays of through openings, each of which is connected to a conduit. The second valve part contains several passages which provide communication between various openings of the first valve part and valve ports located in the second valve part. The second valve part also contains one or more passages which provide communication between two openings of one array of openings and one opening of the other array of openings. The valve assembly can be effectively used to automate operation of a gas or liquid adsorption system comprising two or more adsorption vessels, the number of vessels being equivalent to the total number of openings in either array.

Abstract: A rotary valve assembly which includes a pair of valve parts with flat faces which, when pressed together and rotated, provide valving action between various ports incorporated in one of the valve parts. The first valve part contains two circular arrays of through openings, each of which is connected to a conduit. The second valve part contains several passages which provide communication between various openings of the first valve part and valve ports located in the second valve part. The second valve part also contains one or more passages which provide communication between members of one array of openings and between members of the other array of openings. The valve assembly can be effectively used to automate operation of a gas or liquid adsorption system comprising two or more adsorption vessels, the number of vessels being equivalent to the total number of openings in either array.

Abstract: A pre-compression dehydration system optimizes the gas flow parameters which are essential to the performance of a radial or spherical desiccant dryer. When used in conjunction with a low pressure dryer, the system protects the desiccant bed from channeling, which can cause the gas to flow unevenly through the desiccant bed and fail to make effective contact with the desiccant. The system provides a multiple zone, or divided, desiccant bed adsorption unit to maintain a proper flow distribution as required by the demand of the air compressor and to eliminate the potential for channeling. The system may also include a controller for automatically opening and closing the port access doors of the adsorption unit to control the amount of desiccant utilized to dry the air. A thermostatically controlled precooler may be provided for cooling the ambient air prior to adsorption to insure that the temperature of the effluent air will not exceed 100.degree. F. (37.8.degree. C.