Vacuum Swing Adsorption

Vacuum swing adsorption 1
Vacuum swing adsorption

Vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) is a non-cryogenic gas separation technology.
Using special solids, or adsorbents, VSA segregates certain gases from a gaseous mixture under minimal pressure
according to the species' molecular characteristics and affinity for the adsorbents. These adsorbents (e.g., zeolites)
form a molecular sieve and preferentially adsorb the target gas species at near ambient pressure. The process then
swings to a vacuum to regenerate the adsorbent material.
VSA differs from cryogenic distillation techniques of gas separation as well as pressure swing adsorption (PSA)
techniques because it operates at near-ambient temperatures and pressures. VSA may actually be best described as a
subset of the larger category of PSA. It differs primarily from PSA in that PSA typically vents to atmospheric
pressures, and uses a pressurized gas feed into the separation process. VSA typically draws the gas through the
separation process with a vacuum. For oxygen and nitrogen VSA systems, the vacuum is typically generated by a
blower. Hybrid VPSA systems also exist. VPSA systems apply pressurized gas to the separation process and also
apply a vacuum to the purge gas. VPSA systems, like one of the portable oxygen concentrators, are among the most
efficient systems, measured on customary industry indices, such as recovery (product gas out/product gas in),
productivity (product gas out/mass of sieve material). Generally, higher recovery leads to a smaller compressor,
blower, or other compressed gas or vacuum source and lower power consumptions. Higher productivity leads to
smaller sieve beds. The consumer will most likely consider indices which have a more directly measurable
difference in the overall system, like the amount of product gas divided by the system weight and size, the system
initial and maintenance costs, the system power consumption or other operational costs, and reliability.
Comparison of VSA to PSA

The simplicity of the VSA process may allow for greater efficiency and cost savings, and less maintenance than PSA
systems. The VSA process operates on the steepest part of the isotherm curves and thus has the potential to extract
maximum sieve and power efficiencies. The integrated rotary lobe blower, which also serves as a vacuum
regenerator, results in low feed pressure. The dramatically lower pressure swings in the VSA system eliminate the
need for a feed air compressor, which translates into lower power consumption for VSA systems. As a result, power
savings of as much as 50% can be achieved, when compared to the most simple PSA systems. However, VPSA
systems typically have comparable or better power efficiencies.
The low pressure air input into the adsorber vessel in combination with the high efficiency of the vacuum applied
during the desorption stage means that a single absorption vessel may be used. In contrast to traditional PSA
systems, which require feed air compressors as well as process valves and associated dryers and feed air filtering
systems, this single-vessel VSA system eliminates many of the design problems associated with two-bed PSA.
Maintenance issues typically associated with two-bed PSA systems are greatly reduced with VSA technology. VSA
systems are less susceptible to sieve dusting because the pressure swings are of a lower order of magnitude. These
lower operating pressures also eliminate any water condensate. Overall, VSAs are not as susceptible to humid
environments as PSA systems, while PSA feed compressors require water removal hardware, and oil-removal
hardware if an oil-lubricated compressor is utilized. Oil-less compressors are available, but are typically higher
priced than oil-lubricated compressors. The above-mentioned rotary lobe blower is a rotary device that does not
require the high level of routine maintenance typical of air compression systems. The use of a vacuum step provides
a superior regeneration of the molecular sieve, thus extending sieve life. Overall, the VSA adsorber vessel has much
longer service life than two-bed PSA vessels, which commonly need re-packing of sieve material every 3–5 years.
Vacuum swing adsorption 2
Commercial uses
The design simplicity and efficiency that VSA technology offers has generated products that are more energy- and
cost-efficient than traditional gas separation units. VSA processes are used at refineries, chemical and petrochemical
plants, water treatment facilities, and landfills. VSA technology is used to purify air, soil, water, and hydrogen, and
to manufacture oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen.
VSA technology plays an increasingly important role in the commercial production of oxygen. Oxygen concentrators
that use VSA processes are a more lucrative and reliable option than oxygen cylinders for many industries. Its
mobility and constant supply of oxygen makes it a perfect choice for governments and aid organizations in their
emergency medicine and disaster relief operations, as well as for district hospitals in developing nations. Other
commercial applications of oxygen concentrators include the fields of aquaculture and high-altitude work
environments, including in the mining industry or the Goldmud-Lhasa railroad in Tibet. VPSA technology has
allowed the development of a portable oxygen concentrator weighing less than 15 pounds (7 kg), but with
continuous flows of oxygen up to 3 LPM and pulse flows up to an equivalent of 7.2 LPM.
VSA is also used in hypoxic air fire prevention systems to produce air with a low oxygen concent.
For the oil and gas industry, the production of liquid nitrogen via PSA technology is key in cases where a high
nitrogen flow rate and/or high discharge pressure is required. As an inert gas, nitrogen is preferred over air for
cleaning out newly drilled wells as well as maintaining old wells. In addition, nitrogen is used for fracturing, pipeline
purging and drying, cementing, and pressure maintenance.
References
• Hutson, Nick D.; Rege, Salil U.; and Yang, Ralph T., “Air Separation by Pressure Swing Absorption Using
Superior Absorbent,” National Energy Technology Laboratory, Department of Energy, March 2001
• Adsorption Research, Inc., “Absorption is the Solid Solution,”[1]
• Ruthven, Douglas M., Principles of Absorption and Absorption Process, Wiley-InterScience, Hoboken, NJ, 2004,
p. 1
• Yang, Ralph T., “Gas Separation by Absorption Processes,”Series on Chemical Engineering, Vol. I, World
Scientific Publishing Co., Singapore, 1997
• Ruthven, Douglas M.; Farooq, Shamsuzzaman; and Knaebel, Kent S., Pressure Swing Absorption, Wiley-VCH,
Weinheim, Germany, 2001
• Santos, João C.; Magalhães, Fernão D.; and Mendes, Adélio, “Pressure Swing Absorption and Zeolites for
Oxygen Production,”in Processos de Separação, Universidado do Porto, Porto, Portugal
References
[1] http:/ / www. adsorption. com/ publications. htm
Article Sources and Contributors 3
Article Sources and Contributors

Vacuum swing adsorption Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=495481828 Contributors: Badon, Brewcrewer, Daniel, HiEv, KKnaebel, Law Lord, Lockley, MBisanz,
Pcmadman, R'n'B, Ranchoschmitz, Reyk, Sorgina.13, Stefanokappa, Tom Morris, 7 anonymous edits
License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Vacuum Swing Adsorption

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vacuum Swing Adsorption

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vacuum Swing Adsorption

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Vacuum swing adsorption 1

Vacuum swing adsorption

Comparison of VSA to PSA

Article Sources and Contributors

You might also like