Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a staged complementary swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO.sub.2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

An oxygen separator for generating an oxygen-enriched gas from an oxygen comprising gas, said oxygen separator comprising: a) an oxygen separator device comprising i) a sorbent material for sorbing at least one component of the oxygen comprising gas; and ii) at least two controllable interfaces, comprising a first controllable interface and a second controllable interface, for controlling the communication of gas between the inside and the outside of the oxygen separator device, b) a processor for controlling the oxygen separator such that a plurality of phases are sequentially carried, amongst them a purging phase; wherein the processor is configured to control the at least two controllable interfaces such that a flow of gas is generated between the first controllable interface and the second controllable interface during at least the purging phase, wherein the second controllable interface is located and/or controlled such that it controls the fluidic coupling between the inside of the oxygen separator device and a volume of non-oxygen-enriched gas during the purging phase.

Various equipment and methods associated with providing a concentrated product gas are provided. In one embodiment, the equipment includes an input device first and second sieve tanks, a variable restrictor, and a controller. In one embodiment, the method includes: a) selecting a desired output setting for the concentrated product gas from a plurality of output settings, b) separating one or more adsorbable components from a pressurized source gaseous mixture via first and second sieve tanks in alternating and opposing pressurization and purging cycles to form the concentrated product gas, and c) selectively controlling a variable restrictor based at least in part on the desired output setting to selectively provide flow between the first and second sieve tanks such that the flow for at least one output setting is different from the flow for at least one other output setting in relation to corresponding pressurization cycles.

A method and system for manufacturing and using a self-supporting structure in processing unit for adsorption or catalytic processes. The self-supporting structure has greater than 50% by weight of the active material in the self-supporting structure to provide an open-celled structure providing access to the active material. The self-supporting structures, which may be disposed in a processing unit, may be used in swing adsorption processes and other processes to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons.

A hydrogen gas dryer or system for drying or removing water from hydrogen gas for use in hydrogen-cooled generators includes a drying tower or column comprising a housing, a heater, a desiccant, and a controller. The system is configurable and operable for regeneration of the saturated column, with activation of the heater to cause water retained in the saturated desiccant to turn into steam such as steam and exit on its own via the vent. A supply of generally dry hydrogen is used to purge the remaining vaporized water from the isolated substantially dry regenerated desiccant.

A pressure swing adsorption process for producing a gas stream enriched in a compound X from a feed gas stream is provided. The process includes at least 2 adsorbers, with each adsorber being subjected to a pressure cycle having a high pressure and a low pressure. The process includes adsorption at the high pressure with production of the gas stream enriched in compound X; then depressurization; then elution at the low pressure; and finally repressurization to the high pressure. The elution gas is made up fractions of gas stream resulting from the depressurization of an adsorber and the gas stream enriched in compound X. The pressure cycle has a phase time corresponding to the duration of a pressure cycle divided by the number of adsorbers and the fraction of the gas stream enriched in compound X is determined as a function of the phase time.

In various aspects, methods are provided for hydrogen production while reducing and/or mitigating emissions during various refinery processes that produce syngas, such as power generation. Syngas can be effectively separated to generate high purity carbon dioxide and hydrogen streams, while reducing and/or minimizing the energy required for the separation, and without needing to reduce the temperature of the flue gas. In various aspects, the operating conditions, such as high temperature, mixed metal oxide adsorbents, and cycle variations, for a pressure swing adsorption reactor can be selected to minimize energy penalties while still effectively capturing the CO.sub.2 present in syngas.

Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve passing fluids through an adsorbent bed unit having a contactor disposed within to separate contaminates from other target components. The process includes a purge stream that introduced into the contactor at a location between a first portion and a second portion of the contactor.

Disclosed herein are rotary valve assemblies, comprising a single rotor, for use in adsorption based separation processes. Also disclosed are adsorption based separation apparatuses including said rotary valve assemblies, and adsorption based separation processes using said adsorption based separation apparatuses.

Provided are apparatus and systems having an adsorbent bed unit for use in a cyclical swing adsorption process. The process is utilized to remove contaminants from a gas feed streams. The adsorbent bed unit includes an assembly of thermal polygon contactors with each of the thermal polygon contactors having one or more internal channels and two or more of the thermal polygon contactors form one or more external channels. The external channels having adsorbent coating that is utilized to remove contaminants from a gas feed streams.