Pneumatically actuated electronic control for a fluid mixture adsorption

Abstract

A control system for sequentially communicating a source of pressurized fluid mixture to first and second beds of adsorption material to separate at least one component from the fluid mixture and produce a product fluid. A pressure transducer connected to a supply conduit develops a switching signal corresponding to a predetermined fluid pressure in the fluid mixture communicated to the first and second beds of adsorption material. An electronic controller responds to the switching signal to sequentially develop first and second electrical signals. The electronic controller allows the first and second electrical signals to overlap for a predetermined controlled time period. Valve mechanisms sequentially respond to the first and second electrical signal to prevent communication of the fluid mixture to one of the first and second chambers while allowing communication to the second chamber. A first branch of an outlet conduit connects the first bed of adsorpton material to a storage chamber while a second branch of the outlet conduit connects the second bed of adsorption material to the storage chamber. An equalizer valve located in an intermediate conduit between the first and second branches of the outlet conduit, reacts to first and second overlap of the electrical signals to allow the fluid pressure in the first and second beds of adsorption material to equalize when the communication of fluid mixture to the first and second beds of adsorption material is interrupted to complete a cycle of operation.