Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is a technology used to separate some gas species from a mixture of gases under pressure according to the species using molecular sieves desiccant.
2. 1. PSA Description
2. Molecular Sieves
3. Process
( Adsorption and
Desorption)
4. Application for PSA
process
5. Application of
Oxygen Gas
6. Advantages and
Disadvantages of
PSA techniques
7. Bibliography
3. Air
•Air, mixture of gases that composes
the atmosphere surrounding Earth.
• As we know Air contains 21%
Oxygen, 0.03% CO2, 78% Nitrogen,
0.9% Argon and 0.1% other trace
gases. Oxygen generation
systems separate this oxygen from
Compressed Air through a unique
process called Pressure Swing
Adsorption. (PSA).
4. •PSA stands for Pressure Swing Adsorption.
•Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is a technology
used to separate some gas species from a mixture of
gases under pressure according to the species'
molecular characteristics and affinity for
an adsorbent material.
5. •Molecular Sieves is a material that can absorb large
amount of moisture and certain other gases. (Used
in separation of mixture).
• It containing tiny pores of uniform size that is used
as an adsorbent for gases and liquid.
•Molecular Sieves comes in different Type, 3A, 4A,
5A and 13X ( used in oxygen plants).
6. • It is a form of SODIUM base - type -X crystal structure
(Pore diameter of MS is 10angstrom (i.e. - 1.0nm) )
• It absorbs the kinetic diameter less than 10A and excluded
the larger size.
• They are in the form of pellets & spheres
• It is commonly used for the separation of N2, from
O2.
This is its unique Characteristics.
• Application of Molecular Sieve 13X are: PSA Plant, Carbon
dioxide (CO2) Removal, Mercaptans removal from LPG,
Aerosol industries. Etc..
7. Process:
Pressure swing adsorption processes rely on the fact that
under high pressure, gases tend to be attracted to solid
surfaces, or "adsorbed".
It has 2-vessels filled with molecular sieves. Clean compressed
air at 30º c temp. Is passed through 1-vessel and oxygen
comes out as product gas. The other vessel is depressurized
to atmospheric pressure and purged with little quantity of
oxygen coming out from other vessel.
Let see the process step by step:
8. Step-I:
Compression feed air and conditioning:
Using an air compressor, the ambient air gets compresses,
dried by an air dryer and then filtered before entering the
process vessels.
9. Step II:
Adsorption:
The next step in the process of producing oxygen is the adsorption
process. The process removes impurities and produces almost 100%
pure oxygen. The pre-treated air passes through a vessel filled with
zeolite molecular sieve (zms). Here nitrogen and other gases get
adsorbed and most of the oxygen passes and this continues till zms
is fully exhausted.
Step III:
Desorption ( Regeneration):
The saturated zms is regenerated. This is done by pressure
reduction, using a simple pressure release system. This is after the
adsorption process. The waste stream moves into atmosphere. While
regenerated adsorbent is purged with oxygen. This is again used for
the generation of oxygen.
10. •PSA is Primary used in Oil Refineries.
•The separation of carbon dioxide from biogas to
increase the methane (CH4) content.
•Nitrogen generator units employ the PSA technique.
•PSA technology has a major use in the medical
industry to produce oxygen. Etc..
11. Step IV:
Receiver:
The adsorption and desorption process take place at equal
time intervals, and there is continuous generation of oxygen.
By using a connected oxygen receiver, a constant product flow
and purity is maintained, which can store the oxygen with
purities up to 95%.
12.
13. •PSA is Primary used in Refineries.
•The separation of carbon dioxide from biogas to
increase the methane (CH4) content.
•Nitrogen generator units employ the PSA technique.
•PSA technology has a major use in the medical
industry to produce oxygen. Etc..
14. Metal Industry:-
Oxygen is heavily used in the metal industry where it helps to
increase burning temperature by the production of ferrous
and non-ferrous metals and significantly improve the overall
process efficiency.
Chemical and Petrochemical Industries:-
In the chemical and petrochemical industries, oxygen is
widely used for oxidation of raw chemicals.
Pulp and Paper Manufacturing:-
Oxygen is increasingly important as a bleaching chemicals..
15. Hospitals and Fish Farming :-
The use of oxygen in the fish farming helps increase the
survival and fertility ratios and reduce the incubation period
Along with fish culture, oxygen is applied for shrimps, crabs
and mussels rearing.
Glass Industry:-
Glass manufacturing is a high-temperature, energy-intensive
activity, resulting in the emission of combustion by-products
(sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxides) and the
high-temperature oxidation of atmospheric nitrogen ( i.e.
Oxygen Combustion method).
Ampoules and vials Manufacturing companies are often use
oxygen gas.
Etc..
16. In Short:
Oxygen finds broad application in various technological
processes and in almost all industry branches. The primary
oxygen application is associated with its capability of
sustaining burning process, and the powerful oxidant
properties. Due to that, oxygen has become widely used in the
metal processing, welding, cutting and brazing processes. In
the chemical and petrochemical industries, as well as in the oil
and gas sector oxygen is used in commercial volumes as an
oxidizer in chemical reactions.
17. •Complete automation and simplicity of operation
•No manned attendance required during operation
•Enhanced failure safety and reliability
•Quick start and stop
•Moderate dimensions and light weight
•Low noise level
•Extended operational life
•Low operating costs
•No special workshop requirements
•Easy installation and integration into an existing air
system.