Method for operating an industrial plant with an adsorption device and industrial plant with an adsorption device

Abstract

In a method for operating an adsorption device a laden gas stream is fed to an inlet of a sorption buffer device. In the device the laden gas stream passes through a sorbent for receiving a loading of sorbable substance along a sorption path from the inlet to an outlet. The sorbable substance passes from the gas stream to the sorbent, or vice versa, depending on the loading of the gas stream and the sorbent. During a phase of elevated loading, a region with an elevated loading of the sorbent extends from the inlet along the sorption path. During a phase of reduced loading, the region with the elevated loading of the sorbent is shifted in the direction toward the outlet. Length of the sorption path and quantity of the sorbent in the sorption buffer device are selected for accommodating at least three different regions of elevated loading.

Claims

1. A method for operating an industrial plant (100) having an adsorption device (10) which emits a gas stream (G.sub.1) laden with a sorbable substance with a predefined mass flow rate, wherein phases (P1) of reduced loading (φ.sub.1) and phases (P2) of elevated loading (φ.sub.2), which follow one another in a temporally alternating manner, are involved for the laden gas stream (G.sub.1), said method comprising: feeding (710) the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) to an inlet (42) of a sorption buffer device (40); conducting (720) the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) in the sorption buffer device (40) through a sorbent (44), which is suitable for receiving a loading (ψ) of the sorbable substance, along a sorption path (45), which leads from the inlet (42) to an outlet (43) of the sorption buffer device (40), wherein the sorbable substance passes from the gas stream to the sorbent (44), or from the sorbent (44) to the gas stream, in dependence on the loading of the gas stream (φ) and the loading of the sorbent (ψ); and withdrawing (730) a treated gas stream (G.sub.4) at the outlet (43) of the sorption buffer device (40); wherein, during a phase (P2) of elevated loading (φ.sub.2) of the gas stream (G.sub.1) with the sorbable substance, a region (B.sub.1) with an elevated loading (ψ) of the sorbent (44) with the sorbable substance, which region extends from the inlet (42) of the sorption buffer device (40) along the sorption path (45), is formed, and, during a subsequent phase (P1) of reduced loading (φ.sub.1) of the gas stream (G.sub.1), the region with the elevated loading (ψ) of the sorbent (44) is shifted along the sorption path (45) in the direction toward the outlet (43) of the sorbent buffer device (40), and wherein a length (l) of the sorption path (45) and a quantity of the sorbent (44) in the sorption buffer device (40) are selected (721) in such a way that the sorption buffer device (40) is set up for accommodating at least three different regions (B.sub.1-B.sub.5) of elevated loading (ψ) of the sorbent (44) along the sorption path (45) during the operation of the industrial plant (100).

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: expanding (731) the treated gas stream (G.sub.4) with the aid of a pressure reducer (50) arranged in the outflow direction with respect to the sorption buffer device (40), wherein an expanded gas stream (G.sub.5) is produced; and feeding (732) the expanded gas stream (G.sub.5) to a gas pipeline (60) arranged downstream of the sorption buffer device (40).

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein a gas pressure difference between the sorption buffer device (40) and the gas pipeline (60) is 5 bar-10 bar.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: cooling (713) the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) with the aid of a gas-cooling device (30) arranged upstream of the sorption buffer device (40), wherein a cooled gas stream (G.sub.3) is produced.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the temperature of the cooled gas stream (G.sub.3) is 20° C.-50° C.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising compressing (712) the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) with the aid of a compressor (20), wherein a pressurized gas stream (G.sub.2) is produced.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pressure of the pressurized gas stream (G.sub.2) is 20-30 bar.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adsorption device (10) comprises a temperature-change adsorption device (11), a pressure-change adsorption device (12), or both.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) comprise(s) gaseous hydrogen, gaseous carbon monoxide, gaseous carbon dioxide, gaseous organic compounds, gaseous water, gaseous nitrogen, gaseous oxygen, a gaseous noble gas, or combinations of these.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) has a water quantity of 0-4000 ppm by mole, and the treated gas stream (G.sub.4) has a water quantity of 500-2000 ppm by mole.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phase (P2) of elevated loading (φ.sub.2) of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) comprises a duration of 2-10 h, and the phase (P1) of reduced loading (φ.sub.1) of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) lasts at least twice as long as the phase (P2) of elevated loading (φ.sub.2) of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1).

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mass flow rate of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) and/or of the treated gas stream (G.sub.4) lies between 500 standard m.sup.3/h and 20 000 standard m.sup.3/h.

13. An industrial plant for the implementation of the method as claimed in claim 1, comprising: the adsorption device (10) from which the gas stream (G.sub.1) laden with a sorbable substance with a predefined mass flow rate is emitted, and the sorption buffer device (40) to which the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) is fed to the inlet (42) thereof; wherein a length (l) of a sorption path (45) and a quantity of a sorbent (44) in the sorption buffer device (40) are set up in such a way that the sorption buffer device (40) is suitable for accommodating the at least three different regions (B.sub.1-B.sub.5) of elevated loading (ψ) of the sorbent (44) along the sorption path (45) during the operation of the industrial plant (100).

14. The industrial plant as claimed in claim 13, wherein the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) is treated in such a way that the treated gas stream (G.sub.4) has a reduced loading (φ′.sub.2) in relation to the elevated loading (φ.sub.2) of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) and the treated gas stream (G.sub.4) has an elevated loading (φ′.sub.1) in relation to the reduced loading (φ.sub.1) of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1).

15. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the treated gas stream (G.sub.4) comprise(s) gaseous hydrogen, gaseous carbon monoxide, gaseous carbon dioxide, gaseous organic compounds, gaseous water, gaseous nitrogen, gaseous oxygen, a gaseous noble gas, or combinations of these.

16. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the treated gas stream (G.sub.4) comprise(s) gaseous hydrogen, gaseous carbon monoxide, gaseous carbon dioxide, gaseous organic compounds, gaseous water, gaseous nitrogen, gaseous oxygen, a gaseous noble gas, or combinations of these.

17. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) has a water quantity of 0-4,000 ppm by mole, and the treated gas stream (G.sub.4) has a water quantity of 750-1,500 ppm by mole.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the phase (P2) of elevated loading (φ.sub.2) of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) comprises a duration of 2-10 h, and the phase (P1) of reduced loading (φ.sub.1) of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) lasts at least three times as long as the phase (P2) of elevated loading (φ.sub.2) of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1).

19. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mass flow rate of the laden gas stream (G.sub.1) and/or of the treated gas stream (G.sub.4) lies between 8,000 standard m.sup.3/h and 17,000 standard m.sup.3/h.

20. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length (l) of the sorption path (45) and a quantity of the sorbent (44) in the sorption buffer device (40) are selected (721) in such a way that the sorption buffer device (40) is set up for accommodating at least four different regions (B.sub.1-B.sub.5) of elevated loading (ψ) of the sorbent (44) along the sorption path (45) during the operation of the industrial plant (100).

21. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length (l) of the sorption path (45) and a quantity of the sorbent (44) in the sorption buffer device (40) are selected (721) in such a way that the sorption buffer device (40) is set up for accommodating at least five different regions (B.sub.1-B.sub.5) of elevated loading (ψ) of the sorbent (44) along the sorption path (45) during the operation of the industrial plant (100).

22. The industrial plant as claimed in claim 13, wherein the length (l) of the sorption path (45) and the quantity of a sorbent (44) in the sorption buffer device (40) are set up in such a way that the sorption buffer device (40) is suitable for accommodating at least four different regions (B.sub.1-B.sub.5) of elevated loading (ψ) of the sorbent (44) along the sorption path (45) during the operation of the industrial plant (100).

23. The industrial plant as claimed in claim 13, wherein the length (l) of the sorption path (45) and the quantity of a sorbent (44) in the sorption buffer device (40) are set up in such a way that the sorption buffer device (40) is suitable for accommodating at least five different regions (B.sub.1-B.sub.5) of elevated loading (ψ) of the sorbent (44) along the sorption path (45) during the operation of the industrial plant (100).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantageous configurations and aspects of the method form the subject matter of the dependent claims and of the exemplary embodiments of the method described below. The method will be explained in more detail hereinafter on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the appended figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a P & I diagram (piping and instrumentation diagram) of a first exemplary embodiment of an industrial plant which is suitable for the implementation of the method;

(3) FIG. 2 shows one example of a profile over time of a loading of a laden gas stream and of a treated gas stream;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a number of diagrams of one example of a loading of a sorbent in the sorption buffer device with a sorbable substance at different times;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a P & I diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of an industrial plant which is suitable for the implementation of the method;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a diagram of one example of a loading of a sorbent in the sorption buffer device with a sorbable substance at one time;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a P & I diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of an industrial plant which is suitable for the implementation of the method; and

(8) FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram for an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating an industrial plant.

(9) FIG. 1 shows a P & I diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of an industrial plant 100 which is suitable for the implementation of the method. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the industrial plant 100 comprises an adsorption device 10 and a sorption buffer device 40. During a phase P1 (see FIG. 2), the adsorption device 10 of the exemplary embodiment emits for approximately 18 h a laden gas stream G.sub.1, the loading of which is reduced. During a phase P2 which follows, said adsorption device emits for approximately 6 h a laden gas stream G.sub.1, which is laden with 1200-4000 ppm of water. The laden gas stream G.sub.1 comprises 70% H.sub.2, 10% CO and 20% CH.sub.4, based on the volume, and flows at a mass flow rate of 8000-17 000 standard m.sup.3/h.

(10) The laden gas stream G1 is fed to the sorption buffer device 40. The latter has a container 41 which is laden with a sorbent 44 and which has an inlet 42 and an outlet 43. The container 41 is filled with the sorbent 44, through which sorbent a gas stream is able to flow on a sorption path 45. The container 41 of the exemplary embodiment has the shape of a cylinder, with an inner diameter of 2.2 m and a height of 7.5 m, and is filled with approximately 22 t of silica gel as the sorbent 44. The laden gas stream G1 enters via the inlet 42 the interior, filled with the sorbent 44, of the container 41 and flows through the latter along the sorption path 45, said path leading from the inlet 42 to the outlet 43. Here, the loading of the gas stream G1 is made more homogeneous in such a way that the treated gas stream G4 has a loading of 750 ppm 1500 ppm and a dew point reduction by 10° C.-15° C. is achieved.

(11) FIG. 2 shows one example of a profile over time of a loading φ of a laden gas stream G.sub.1 and of a treated gas stream G.sub.4, which can occur for example in an industrial plant 100 according to the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. It is a diagram with a time axis t and a loading axis φ depicted. A first phase P1, during which the laden gas stream G.sub.1 has a reduced loading φ.sub.1, starts at a time t.sub.1. The phase P1 ends at a time t.sub.2, at which the loading φ of the laden gas stream G.sub.1 increases to an elevated loading φ.sub.2, which persists for the duration of the phase P2 until the time t.sub.3. The diagram shows only a small detail comprising a phase P1 with reduced loading φ.sub.1 and a phase P2 with elevated loading φ.sub.2. As indicated, this time period is preceded by further phases and is followed by further phases. Here, the duration of individual phases and the loading φ of a gas stream may differ from the example shown. Moreover, between the two phases, it is also possible for a gradual change in the loading φ of a gas stream to occur.

(12) Shown additionally in the diagram in FIG. 2 is one example of a profile of a loading φ of the treated gas stream G.sub.4 (dashed line). During the phase P1, when the laden gas stream G.sub.1 has a reduced loading φ.sub.1, the treated gas stream G.sub.4 has a loading φ′.sub.1 which is elevated in relation to the reduced loading φ.sub.1. During the phase P2, when the laden gas stream G.sub.1 has an elevated loading φ.sub.2, the treated gas stream G.sub.4 has a loading φ′.sub.2 which is reduced in relation to the elevated loading φ.sub.2. Thus, overall, homogenization of the loading φ of the gas stream is achieved, this being reflected by a reduced difference of the elevated loading φ.sub.2,φ′.sub.2 and the reduced loading φ.sub.1,φ′.sub.1.

(13) In particular, it is possible that the treated gas stream G.sub.4 has a loading φ′ which tends to a reduced loading φ′.sub.1 slowly, for example in an exponentially decreasing manner, during a phase P1 of reduced loading φ.sub.1 of the laden gas stream G.sub.1. Also, it may in particular be the case that, from the value of reduced loading φ′.sub.1, the loading φ′ of the treated gas stream G.sub.4 tends to an elevated loading φ′.sub.2 of the treated gas stream G.sub.4 slowly, for example in an exponential manner, during a phase P2 with elevated loading φ.sub.2 of the laden gas stream G.sub.1.

(14) FIG. 3 shows a number of diagrams of one example of a loading ψ.sub.1 of a sorbent 44 with the sorbable substance in the sorption buffer device 40 along the length l=x.sub.2−x.sub.1 of the sorption path 45 at different times t.sub.1-t.sub.5. The diagrams are aligned with one another, and points on the x-axis arranged above one another correspond, this being illustrated by the through-going dashed lines. For reasons of clarity, the labeling of the x-axis can be found only under the diagram t.sub.5. Where the gas stream G is referred to below, this is intended to mean the gas stream in the sorption buffer device.

(15) FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of a method for operating an industrial plant.

(16) The first time is t.sub.1 and may coincide with the time t.sub.1 in FIG. 2. At this time t.sub.1, a phase P2 with an elevated loading φ.sub.2 of the gas stream G.sub.1 has just finished. During this phase P2, a region B.sub.1 with elevated loading ψ of the sorbent 44 has been formed in the section A.sub.1 of the sorption path 45. Said region B.sub.1 has a width which depends in particular on the duration of the phase P2, the mass flow rate and the loading φ.sub.2 of the laden gas stream G.sub.1 (see FIG. 2). A phase P1 with a reduced loading φ.sub.1 of the laden gas stream G.sub.1 follows at the time t.sub.1 and lasts until a time t.sub.2, as is illustrated for example in FIG. 2.

(17) The second time t.sub.2 may coincide for example with the time t.sub.2 in FIG. 2. As is illustrated in the diagram t.sub.2, the region B.sub.1 of elevated loading ψ of the sorbent 44 has been shifted from the section A.sub.1 to the section A.sub.2 of the sorption path 45 in the direction toward the outlet x.sub.2. This can be explained as follows: During the phase P1, the laden gas stream G.sub.1 has a reduced loading φ.sub.1, and for this reason a transfer of the sorbable substance from the sorbent 45, which is present with elevated loading ψ, in the section A.sub.1 to the gas stream G is possible, by which the loading ψ of the sorbent 45 in the section A.sub.1 is reduced. Therefore, after flowing through the section A.sub.1, the gas stream G can have a loading φ which is greater than the reduced loading φ.sub.1. When the gas stream G has flowed through the region A.sub.1, it flows along the sorption path 45 through the region A.sub.2, in which the sorbent 44 initially has a reduced loading ψ (according to the illustration of the diagram t.sub.1). A transfer of the sorbable substance from the gas stream G to the sorbent 44 can therefore take place in the region A.sub.2. Consequently, the region B.sub.1 of elevated loading of the sorbent 44 is shifted along the sorption path 45 to section A.sub.2. It may also be said that the loading front in the sorbent 45 is shifted.

(18) The third time t.sub.3 corresponds to a time after the time t.sub.2, when a further phase P2 has just finished. A further region B.sub.2 with an elevated loading of the sorbent 44 has therefore been formed in the section A.sub.1, and the region B.sub.1 of elevated loading ψ has been shifted along the sorption path 45 from the section A.sub.2 to the section A.sub.3.

(19) The fourth time t.sub.4 corresponds to a time after the time t.sub.3, when a further phase P1 has just finished. The two regions B.sub.1, B.sub.2 with elevated loading ψ of the sorbent 44 have therefore been shifted along the sorption path 45 to the in each case nearest section, A.sub.2 and A.sub.4 respectively.

(20) The fifth illustrated time t.sub.5 corresponds to a time after the time t.sub.4, when a further phase P2 has just finished, and for this reason a third region B.sub.3 of elevated loading ψ of the sorbent 44 has been formed in the section A.sub.1. The two further regions B.sub.1, B.sub.2 with elevated loading ψ of the sorbent 44 have again been shifted along the sorption path 45 to the in each case nearest section, A.sub.3 and A.sub.5 respectively.

(21) In the illustrated time course with snapshots of the loading front in the sorbent 44, the sorption buffer device 40 is suitable for accommodating three different regions B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3 with an elevated loading ψ of the sorbent 44. Between said regions B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3, there are in each case regions with a reduced loading ψ of the sorbent 44.

(22) A further effect is illustrated in FIG. 3. The relative loading ψ of the sorbent 44 in a region B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3 decreases when the region passes through the sorbent 44 along the sorption path 45. In FIG. 3, this is illustrated by the height of the loading ψ of a region B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3 at different times t.sub.1-t.sub.5. At the same time, a respective region B.sub.1, B.sub.2, B.sub.3 widens, since the total quantity of the sorbable substance is maintained.

(23) FIG. 4 shows a P & I diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of an industrial plant 200 which is suitable for the implementation of the method. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4, the industrial plant 200 comprises an adsorption device 10, a compressor 20, a gas-cooling device 30, a sorption buffer device 40, a pressure reducer 50 and a gas pipeline 60.

(24) The laden gas stream G.sub.1 coming from the adsorption device 10 is fed to the compressor 20 and compressed. For example, the pressure of the compressed gas stream G.sub.2 is 25 bar. The gas stream G.sub.2 subjected to pressure in this manner is fed to the gas-cooling device 30 and, there, is cooled to a gas temperature of 20° C.-50° C. Here, in particular during the phases P2 with an elevated loading φ.sub.2 of the laden gas stream G.sub.1, it is possible that a quantity of the sorbable substance in the gas-cooling device 30 is thereby separated out in a condensed state. The cooled gas stream G.sub.3 may therefore already have a loading φ′.sub.2 which is reduced in relation to the loading φ.sub.2 of the laden gas stream G.sub.1. The cooled gas stream G.sub.3 is then fed to the sorption buffer device 40. The sorption buffer device 40 of the exemplary embodiment is configured in such a way that it is suitable for accommodating five regions B.sub.1-B.sub.5 with elevated loading of the sorbent 44 (see FIG. 5). Otherwise, the sorption buffer device 40 functions as explained above on the basis of FIG. 3.

(25) Downstream of the sorption buffer device 40, the treated gas stream G.sub.4 is fed to a pressure reducer 50, which reduces the pressure of the gas to 15 bar. The gas stream G.sub.5 expanded in this manner in particular has a dew point which is below a temperature of the gas pipeline 60, by means of which the expanded gas stream G.sub.5 is transported for example to a further industrial plant (not shown). Consequently, condensation of the sorbable substance in the gas pipeline 60 is effectively prevented and negative effects, such as for example corrosion of the gas pipeline 60, are reduced.

(26) FIG. 5 shows a diagram of one example of a loading front of a sorbent 44 in a sorption buffer device 40 as can be used for example in one of the industrial plants 100, 200. Here, the loading front is illustrated at one time. In the example in FIG. 5, the sorption buffer device 40 is set up for accommodating a total of five regions B.sub.1-B.sub.5 with an elevated loading ψ of the sorbent 44. The five regions B.sub.1-B.sub.5 are situated in different sections A.sub.1-A.sub.5 along the sorption path 45 (see FIG. 4), and each have a relative maximum of the loading ψ of the sorbent 44. The illustrated time in FIG. 5 corresponds to a time after at least five cycles have elapsed, wherein one cycle comprises a sequence of one phase P1 with one following phase P2, for example according to FIG. 2.

(27) FIG. 6 shows a P & I diagram of a third exemplary embodiment of an industrial plant 300 which is suitable for the implementation of the method. The industrial plant 300 is designed in particular for the separation of a synthesis gas stream G.sub.S with provision of a first product G.sub.P1, which largely comprises CO, and a second product G.sub.P2, which largely comprises H.sub.2. In the exemplary embodiment, the adsorption device 10 is formed from a temperature-change adsorption device 11, a cold chamber 12 and a pressure-change adsorption device 13. The industrial plant 300 also has a compressor 20, a gas-cooling device 30, a sorption buffer device 40 and a gas pipeline 60.

(28) The synthesis gas stream G.sub.S firstly flows into the temperature-change adsorption device 11 and, there, is transformed into a gas stream G.sub.01 which chiefly comprises CO and H.sub.2. The further constituents of the synthesis gas stream G.sub.S are retained in the temperature-change adsorption device 11. The gas stream G.sub.01 is fed to the cold chamber 12, in which H.sub.2 is separated from CO. In the cold chamber 12, CO accumulates as product G.sub.P1 and may be used in further processes (not shown). The gas stream G.sub.02 chiefly comprises H.sub.2. As shown in the diagram, said gas stream G.sub.02 is used in phases for the regeneration of the temperature-change adsorption device 11. An elevated loading φ of the gas stream G.sub.1 occurs in particular during said regeneration. In the example of the profile over time in FIG. 2, this corresponds to the phase P2. The gas stream G.sub.02 is fed to the pressure-change adsorption device 13. There, in particular, H.sub.2 is separated from the gas stream G.sub.02 and provided as product G.sub.P2.

(29) The residual gas stream forms the laden gas stream G.sub.1, which flows through the further components of compressor 20, gas-cooling device 30 and sorption buffer device 40 and is finally introduced into a gas pipeline 60. Here, in each of these devices, the gas stream is transformed into a gas stream with changed state variables, for example as is described in the exemplary embodiment of the industrial plant 200 according to FIG. 4. The gas stream G.sub.1-G.sub.4 is suitable for example for combustion in a power plant (not shown).

(30) FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a method for operating an industrial plant, for example the industrial plant 100 of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1. The illustrated method comprises the steps of: feeding 710 of a laden gas stream G.sub.1 to a sorption buffer device 40. The gas stream G.sub.1 is in this case provided by an adsorption device 10. The feeding 710 can mean that the laden gas stream G.sub.1 is conducted from the adsorption installation 10 to an inlet 42 of the sorption buffer device 40 by means of a pipeline. conducting 720 of the laden gas stream G.sub.1 in the sorption buffer device 40 through a sorbent 44 along a sorption path 45. Here, it is in particular the case that, by means of sorption, a change in the loading φ of the gas stream G.sub.1 and in the loading of the sorbent 44 can take place in individual sections along the sorption path 45. Formed in particular is a loading front with multiple regions B.sub.1-B.sub.5 with elevated loading of the sorbent 44, which front is shifted along the sorption path 45 in dependence on the loading φ of the laden gas stream G.sub.1 and the mass flow rate of the laden gas stream G.sub.1. Here, the individual regions B.sub.1-B.sub.5 are characterized by local maxima in the loading ψ of the sorbent 44 and are separated from one another by local minima in the loading ψ. In the course of the shifting of the individual regions B.sub.1-B.sub.5, the loading ψ of the sorbent 45 is made more homogenous in such a way that an amplitude, which can be determined for example by a difference in the loading ψ of the sorbent 44 at a local maximum from that at an adjacent local minimum, decreases along the sorption path 45. tapping off 730 of the treated gas stream G.sub.4 at an outlet 43 of the sorption buffer device 40. Tapping off 730 consists in particular of introduction into a pipeline, connected to the outlet 43, in order to feed the treated gas stream G.sub.4 to further processes.

(31) FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of a method for operating an industrial plant, for example one of the industrial plants 100, 200, 300 of the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6. The method of this exemplary embodiment comprises the same method steps 710, 720, 730 as the preceding exemplary embodiment (see FIG. 7), wherein various method substeps are associated with the individual method steps.

(32) Accordingly, the feeding 710 comprises passing through 711 of an adsorption device 10 by a synthesis gas stream G.sub.S for the purpose of providing a laden gas stream G.sub.1. Compression 712 of the laden gas stream G.sub.1 for the purpose of providing a gas stream G.sub.2 subjected to a pressure follows. Furthermore, the compressed gas stream G.sub.2 undergoes cooling 713 for the purpose of providing a cooled gas stream G.sub.3. The cooled gas stream G.sub.3 is then fed to the inlet 42 of the sorption buffer device 40.

(33) The method step of the conducting 720 of the gas stream comprises at least the substeps of selection 721 of a length of a sorption path 45, and of a quantity of a sorbent 44, in the sorption buffer device 40 in such a way that the latter is suitable for accommodating at least three, preferably four, more preferably five, different regions B.sub.1-B.sub.5 with elevated loading of the sorbent 44 along the sorption path 45, and of the flowing through 722 of the sorbent 44 along the sorption path 45 by means of the laden gas stream G.sub.1 for the purpose of providing a treated gas stream G.sub.4 at an outlet 43 of the sorption buffer device 40. The method step of the tapping off 730 comprises in particular expansion 731 of the treated gas stream G.sub.4 for the purpose of providing an expanded gas stream G.sub.5, and feeding 732 of the expanded gas stream G.sub.5 to a gas pipeline 60 for the purpose of transporting the expanded gas stream G.sub.5 to a further device or industrial plant.

REFERENCE SIGNS USED

(34) 100 Industrial plant

(35) 200 Industrial plant

(36) 300 Industrial plant

(37) 10 Adsorption device

(38) 11 Temperature-change adsorption device

(39) 12 Cold chamber

(40) 13 Pressure-change adsorption device

(41) 20 Compressor

(42) 30 Gas-cooling device

(43) 40 Sorption buffer device

(44) 41 Container

(45) 42 Inlet

(46) 43 Outlet

(47) 44 Sorbent

(48) 45 Sorption path

(49) 50 Pressure reducer

(50) 60 Gas pipeline

(51) 710 Method step (feeding)

(52) 711 Method step (conducting through adsorption device)

(53) 712 Method step (compression)

(54) 713 Method step (cooling)

(55) 720 Method step (conducting)

(56) 721 Method step (selection)

(57) 722 Method step (flowing through)

(58) 730 Method step (tapping off)

(59) 731 Method step (expansion)

(60) 732 Method step (feeding to a gas pipeline)

(61) A.sub.1 Section

(62) A.sub.2 Section

(63) A.sub.3 Section

(64) A.sub.4 Section

(65) A.sub.5 Section

(66) B.sub.1 Region with elevated loading of the sorbent

(67) B.sub.2 Region with elevated loading of the sorbent

(68) B.sub.3 Region with elevated loading of the sorbent

(69) B.sub.4 Region with elevated loading of the sorbent

(70) B.sub.5 Region with elevated loading of the sorbent

(71) G Gas stream in the sorption buffer device

(72) G.sub.01 Gas stream for feeding into the cold chamber

(73) G.sub.02 Gas stream for feeding into the pressure-change adsorption device

(74) G.sub.1 Laden gas stream

(75) G.sub.2 Compressed gas stream

(76) G.sub.3 Cooled gas stream

(77) G.sub.4 Treated gas stream

(78) G.sub.5 Expanded gas stream

(79) G.sub.P1 Product 1

(80) G.sub.P2 Product 2

(81) G.sub.S Synthesis gas stream

(82) l Length of the sorption path

(83) P1 Phase

(84) P2 Phase

(85) t Time

(86) t.sub.1 Time

(87) t.sub.2 Time

(88) t.sub.3 Time

(89) t.sub.4 Time

(90) t.sub.5 Time

(91) x Position

(92) x.sub.1 Position (inlet)

(93) x.sub.2 Position (outlet)

(94) φ Loading of the gas stream

(95) φ.sub.1 Reduced loading of the laden gas stream

(96) φ.sub.2 Elevated loading of the laden gas stream

(97) φ′.sub.1 Reduced loading of the treated gas stream

(98) φ′.sub.2 Elevated loading of the treated gas stream

(99) ψ Loading of the sorbent

(100) ψ.sub.1 Maximum loading of the sorbent

(101) ψ.sub.2 Minimum loading of the sorbent