(99d) Fast Cycle Rotary Adsorption Bulk Separator at Low Pressure

The separation of gaseous mixtures at low pressures into their constituent components has been a challenge as it is energy intensive and costly. The paper addresses the technology of rotary adsorption to perform separations at low pressures, utilizing the partial pressure difference and a displacement purge (may also include inert purge) stream. This may be applied to hydrogen enrichment from syngas mixtures, where carbon dioxide is to be rejected with nitrogen-enriched air as the displacement purge stream containing residual oxygen/nitrogen. This technology has diverse applications like High Temperature Fuel Cell (HTFC, such as Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell and Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) off-gas, PSA off-gas, CO2 removal and other bulk separations.

Examples will be discussed such as the application to HTFC anode exhaust: · Enables bulk separation of CO2 from the HTFC anode exhaust stream and overall improved hydrogen recovery efficiency. · Utilizes external purging instead pressure-swing for adsorbent regeneration o Bulk separator H2 recovery of over 90% is achievable o Operates at near atmospheric pressure with low pressure drop

Benefits of Bulk Separation Rotary Adsorption Module will be examined: · Enrichment the H2 concentration in HTFC anode exhaust · Decreases in the down stream H2 purification PSA operating pressure · Bulk separation operation at < 3 psig and requiring minimal operating energy · Fast-cycle structured adsorbent bed and rotary valve technology increases the bulk separator's hydrogen production per unit volume and enables a small, efficient device