Inventors:
Robert A. Null - Littleton CO
Lonnie C. Laughlin - Littleton CO
Michael L. Goldberg - Breckenridge CO
Assignee:
Wilkerson Corporation - Englewood CO
International Classification:
B01D 5304
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for adsorptive fractionation of a gaseous mixture. A twin tower fractionator or dryer apparatus includes a pair of sorbent beds. A filter and valve assembly directs a flow of the gaseous mixture from a source thereof to one of the beds for removing a gaseous component of said mixture while simultaneously directing a flow of purge gas through the other of said beds for stripping the adsorbed gas component therefrom and regenerating the bed. Microprocessor controlled valves control the flow of gases to and from said beds. The towers and associated manifolds are twin bore extrusion prism shaped of heat conductive material. The parallel bores extend axially longitudinally through the tower extrusion with each bore adapted to contain a sorbent bed or bed cartridge. Conductivity probes are used to sense the moisture or adsorbed component front in the sorbent bed. The adsorption cycle is controlled by controlling the cycling of the purge-valves which control flow of purge or regeneration gas through one of the beds while the other is on stream for adsorption.