VACUUM-PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION FRACTIONATOR AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

摘要

The present invention involves a vacuum-pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of components of a fluid mixture. The process includes (a) transferring a fluid mixture through an adsorbent bed at an elevated pressure Ph so as to produce a purified product fluid; (b) venting the adsorbent bed down to an ambient fluid pressure Pa; (c) applying a vacuum force to the adsorbent bed to bring the adsorbent bed to a reduced pressure P1; and (d) venting the adsorbent bed up to an ambient fluid pressure Pa.