SWITCHING VALVE FOR MULTI-CHAMBER ADSORBENT AIR AND GAS FRACTIONATION SYSTEM

摘要

A unique switching valve for use with a mufti-chamber adsorbent air and gas fractionation system for controlling the flow of fluid which comprises a valve housing including an inlet port, two outlet ports and an exhaust port and first valve and second valve members in the valve housing which are moveable between a first position and second position for alternately permitting and blocking fluid flow between the inlet port and the outlet ports and between the outlet ports and the exhaust port. The first and second valve members include means for permitting a predetermined controlled flow of fluid between the inlet port and the outlet ports and means for permitting a predetermined controlled flow between the outlet ports and the exhaust port which simplify the design and control of the switching valve by eliminating the need for separate repressurization and depressurization valves. A mufti-chamber adsorbent air and gas fractionation system utilizes the unique switching valve and comprises a pair of adsorption chambers adapted for air flow therethrough and periodic cycling between an adsorption cycle and a regeneration cycle where each chamber is alternately placed in communication with an inlet line which receives a pressurized air feed stream and an exhaust line maintained at a reduced pressure so that one chamber receives the pressurized air feed stream and is in the adsorption or drying cycle while the other chamber is simultaneously connected to the exhaust line and is in the reduced- pressure desorption or regeneration cycle.