Performance stability in shallow beds in pressure swing adsorption systems

摘要

PSA process for oxygen production comprising (a) providing an adsorber having a first layer of adsorbent selective for water and a second layer of adsorbent selective for nitrogen, wherein the heat of adsorption of water on the adsorbent in the first layer is equal to or less than about 14 kcal/mole at water loadings less than about 0.05 mmol per gram; (b) passing a feed gas comprising at least oxygen, nitrogen, and water successively through the first and second layers, adsorbing water in the first layer of adsorbent, and adsorbing nitrogen in the second layer of adsorbent, wherein the mass transfer coefficient of water in the first layer is in the range of about 125 to about 400 sec -1 and the superficial contact time of the feed gas in the first layer is between about 0.08 and about 0.50 sec; and (c) withdrawing a product enriched in oxygen from the adsorber.