The present invention relates to an intensified 5-bed and 6-bed PSA process cycles features, as well as fast rate adsorbents that enable the intensified PSA system to meet cost and performance target are identified. The proposed capital efficient H.sub.2PSA system offers opportunity to reduce PSA capital expenditure by ten percent (10%).

The invention relates to a method for regulating a unit for separating a gas stream, having P adsorbers, where P≥2, each following a PSA-type adsorption cycle with a phase time shift, the method involving the steps of operating the unit according to the nominal cycle when the required flow rate is equal to a nominal flow rate or optionally when the required flow rate is higher than the nominal flow rate, and operating the unit according to the reduced cycle when the required flow rate is lower than or equal to a predetermined flow rate, the predetermined flow rate being lower than the nominal flow rate.

A three-product PSA system which produces three product streams from a feed gas mixture comprising a light key component, at least one heavy key component, and at least one intermediate key component is described. The three-product PSA system produces a high pressure product stream enriched in the light key component, a low pressure tail gas stream enriched in the at least one heavy key component, and an intermediate pressure vent gas stream enriched in the at least one intermediate key component.

The present invention relates to an intensified 5-bed and 6-bed PSA process cycles features, as well as fast rate adsorbents that enable the intensified PSA system to meet cost and performance target are identified. The proposed capital efficient H.sub.2PSA system offers opportunity to reduce PSA capital expenditure by ten percent (10%).

A three-product PSA system which produces three product streams from a feed gas mixture comprising a light key component, at least one heavy key component, and at least one intermediate key component is described. The three-product PSA system produces a high pressure product stream enriched in the light key component, a low pressure tail gas stream enriched in the at least one heavy key component, and an intermediate pressure vent gas stream enriched in the at least one intermediate key component.

A three-product PSA system which produces three product streams from a feed gas mixture comprising a light key component, at least one heavy key component, and at least one intermediate key component is described. The three-product PSA system produces a high pressure product stream enriched in the light key component, a low pressure tail gas stream enriched in the at least one heavy key component, and an intermediate pressure vent gas stream enriched in the at least one intermediate key component.

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, depressurization to the low pressure with production of at least one portion of an elution gas, c) elution at the low pressure, and repressurization to the high pressure. The pressure cycle has a phase time corresponding to the duration of a pressure cycle divided by the number of adsorbers. The pressure of the pressure cycle is modified to keep the phase time of the PSA equal to or within 5% of the nominal phase time.

The invention relates to a method for regulating a unit for separating a gas stream, having P adsorbers, where P2, each following a PSA-type adsorption cycle with a phase time shift, the method involving the steps of operating the unit according to the nominal cycle when the required flow rate is equal to a nominal flow rate or optionally when the required flow rate is higher than the nominal flow rate, and operating the unit according to the reduced cycle when the required flow rate is lower than or equal to a predetermined flow rate, the predetermined flow rate being lower than the nominal flow rate.