Union Carbide Corporation

John J Collins

Louis L Fornoff

Raymond A Reber

In an adiabatic pressure swing system for air separation by selective adsorption in at least two zeolitic molecular sieve beds in which the coldest gas temperature in the depressed temperature section adjacent the inlet end is no warmer than 35.degree. F and the .DELTA.T at least 50.degree. F, heat is transferred thereto by metal solid conduction within the bed at rate sufficient to maintain such temperature at least 20.degree. F warmer but less than 110.degree. F.

Air separation by adsorption

In the prevention of atmospheric pollution by sulfur dioxide emissions from acid absorbers in contact process sulfuric acid plants in which the unconverted SO.sub.2 is accumulated by adsorption in a zeolite adsorbent bed and desorbed back into the acid production system, it is found that ambient moist air, after partial dehydration in an acid scrubber is suitably used both to cool down and hot purge desorb the zeolite beds. In addition the pure water derived from the ambient air is advantageously used in the acid-making system.

Process for removing sulfur dioxide from gas streams

In an adiabatic pressure swing process for air separation by selective adsorption in at least two zeolitic molecular sieve beds in which air is introduced at below 90.degree.F, the coldest gas temperature in the inlet end is 35.degree.F and the .DELTA.T at least 15.degree.F, the inlet end is heated to maintain the gas at maximum of at least 20.degree.F warmer than without heating, but below 175.degree.F.

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Katonah, NY, United States of America

John J Collins