Absorbent with improved mass transfert for PSA or VSA process

摘要

The material is made such that the kinetic transport constants of the adsorbable components in the gaseous phase and in the solid phase are in a ratio of 0.1-10, determined for a gas flow speed of 0.2 m/s measured in air at 1 bar and 20 degrees C, or for a gas flow speed of 0.01 m/s measured in hydrogen at 30 bars and 40 degrees C Preferred Features: The ratio is 0.5-2. The pressure drop for a gas flow speed of 0.2 m/s is 1000-20000 Pa/m. The speed of the gas through the adsorbant material is 0.5 m/s. The mean dimension of the gaseous phase carrying the gas to be treated is 0.01-0.15 mm. An Independent claim is also included for a separation or purification process using the adsorbant material, preferably a PSA or VSA process, adsorbing nitrogen from air to produce a flow of air rich in oxygen, or to purify a gas containing hydrogen and an impurity chosen from CO, CH4, CO2, O2 and N2 (preferably CO) to produce a gas flow enriched in hydrogen. The process can be used to purify air of CO2 or H2O before cryogenic distillation.