FEED PURGE CYCLES IN PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION

Three new pressure swing adsorption cycles for the production of oxyge n-enriched air at very high recoveries are developed. The cycles invol ve a purge step using low-pressure feed gas. Local equilibrium theory is used to predict purities and recoveries for air separation with 5A zeolite. Novel methods for drying the inlet air are developed. For low product purities these processes are predicted to have very high reco veries and adsorbent productivities. A simple new method for determini ng the location of a curved shock wave is illustrated. Other possible applications of PSA feed purge cycles are briefly discussed.