WO2017220195A1

WO2017220195A1 - Device and method for temperature swing adsorption for the purification of gases

Info

Publication number: WO2017220195A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/000703
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klaus Michael
Original assignee: Donaldson Filtration Deutschland Gmbh
Priority date: 2016-06-21
Filing date: 2017-06-19
Publication date: 2017-12-28
Also published as: EP3260185A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for temperature swing adsorption comprising a first container and a second container and a third container, in the case of which the first, the second and the third container each have at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, wherein the first, the second, and the third container each have an inlet for the gas to be purified and an outlet for the purified gas, the first, the second, and the third container each have an inlet for cool regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the inlet for the purified gas, the first, the second, and the third container each have an outlet for heated regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the outlet for the purified gas, the first, the second, and the third container each have an inlet for heated regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the outlet for the purified gas, the first, the second, and the third container each have an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified, and the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container, and/or the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container, and/or the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE SWING ADSORPTION FOR

THE PURIFICATION OF GASES

The invention relates to a device for temperature swing adsorption comprising a first container and a second container and a third container, in the case of which the first, the second and the third container each have at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption. The invention further relates to a method for temperature swing adsorption and uses for the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention.

The priority of the European Patent Application 16 001 394.2 filed on 21. June 2016 is claimed and the text of the description, the text of the claims and the Fig. of that European Patent Application 16 001 394.2 incorporated into this description by way of reference.

Methods for separating gas mixtures under pressure by means of adsorption are known from practice. These methods are often also identified as pressure swing adsorption (PSA). In the context of these methods, specific porous materials, such as, for example, zeolites or active carbon, are used as adsorbents. The porous materials are thereby provided in a container, through which the gas to be purified flows. In the context of the PSA, the separation effect can be based on two different principles. The separation either takes place based on the equilibrium adsorption or on the basis of the separation based on the molecular sieve effect. In the case of the equilibrium adsorption, a component to be separated is adsorbed more strongly than another component, whereby an enrichment of the more poorly adsorbed component takes place in the gas phase. In the case of the second principle, certain molecules pass more quickly through the porous structure of the adsorbent. The component, which penetrates more poorly into the pores, thus requires less time for flowing past the adsorbent and thus reaches the outlet of the adsorbent more quickly than another component. In the case of the PSA, the gas is introduced into a fixed bed reactor, which is filled with the adsorbent, at an increased pressure (mostly between 6 and 10 bar). One or a plurality of components of the mixture is adsorbed by the adsorbent. After a while, the adsorbent bed is largely saturated. At this point, the process is switched over via valves in such a way that the outlet for the purified gas on the container is closed and an outlet for the adsorbed component is opened. This is accompanied by a pressure reduction. In the case of the lower pressure, the adsorbed gas is desorbed again and can be discharged at the outlet for the adsorbed gas. For a continuous operation, provision is made for two adsorbers, which are alternately loaded and unloaded. The disadvantage of the PSA is the necessity of providing mechanical energy in order to bring the gas to be purified to the elevated pressure.

As an alternative to the PSA, a method for separating gas mixtures using thermal energy by means of adsorption is known, which is also known as temperature swing adsorption (TSA). This method utilizes the temperature-dependence of the adsorption. The adsorbent is loaded with the component to be separated and is largely freed of this component in a subsequent step by introducing thermal energy. Two adsorbers are thus necessary for continuously operating a TSA device. The first adsorber is loaded, while the additional adsorber is desorbed in parallel thereto. The desorption (regeneration) takes place by means of a heated regeneration gas. To heat the regeneration gas, water vapor or electric energy is used in the prior art. In contrast to the PSA, the TSA requires thermal energy, which, however, is less cost-intensive than the mechanical energy, which is necessary for building up the pressure in the context of the PSA. The TSA can thus also be used in substance systems comprising high adsorption enthalpies. As a rule, the cycle times of the TSA are several hours.

In this context, the invention was based on the object of proposing a device and a method as well as uses, in the case of which a temperature swing adsorption can be carried out with low energy use.

This object is solved by means of the subject matters of patent claims 1 , 2, 11 and 17. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims and the description following hereafter.

The invention is based on the basic idea of not only providing a second container, which is desorbed (regenerated), parallel to the first container, in which the gas to be purified is purified, but to provide a second and a third container and to use the energy, which is introduced into the adsorbent during the desorption while a heated regeneration gas passes through, for heating the regeneration gas. The additional container is thus a container, the adsorbent of which is already regenerated by being flown through by a heated regeneration gas, but in which the adsorbent is not at a higher temperature level than it is to have for the use for purifying the gas. In the case of the device according to the invention and in the case of the method according to the invention, the regeneration gas, which is used to regenerate the container with adsorbent to be regenerated, flows through this container comprising adsorbent, which is regenerated, but which is still too hot.

The device for the temperature swing adsorption has a first container and a second container and a third container. The first container has an adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption. The second container also has an adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption. The third container also has an adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption.

It is the goal of carrying out a temperature swing adsorption to remove a substance from a gas. A linguistic differentiation has emerged to some extent in the technical language, in the case of which the removal of water from the gas is identified as

"drying" and the removal of substances other than water is identified as "purifying". To simplify the description of the invention at hand, the term "purifying" will be used in the description of this invention for the removal of a substance from a gas, without differentiating between the removal of water or the removal of substances other than water. The use of the term "purifying" in the description thus also includes the term

"drying", which is used in the technical language to some extent. In a first embodiment, the "purifying" by means of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention can be the primary removal of water alone. In a second embodiment, the "purifying" by means of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention can be the primary removal of a substance other than water alone. In a third embodiment, the "purifying" by means of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention can be the removal of water and a substance other than water. The adsorbent to be used is chosen as a function of the purification task to be carried out. If water is to primarily be removed from natural gas, for example an adsorbent is chosen, which has a high affinity for water, but which may not have such an affinity for other substances, such as, CO, for example. Combinations of adsorbents are also conceivable in the respective containers. The container in a first embodiment can thus contain (preferably only) one adsorbent, which removes water, but removes a substance other than water to an insignificant extent, and an adsorbent, which removes water to an insignificant extent, but which removes a substance other than water from the gas, or in a second embodiment can thus container (preferably only) one adsorbent, which removes water to an insignificant extent, but which removes a substance other than water from the gas, and an adsorbent, which removes water from the gas, but which removes a substance other than water to an insignificant extent, or in a third embodiment can thus contain (preferably only) one adsorbent, which removes water from the gas, but which removes a substance other than water to an insignificant extent, and an adsorbent, which removes water and a substance other than water from the gas, or in a fourth embodiment can thus contain (preferably only) one adsorbent, which removes water from the gas, but which removes a substance other than water to an insignificant extent, and an adsorbent, which removes water to an insignificant extent, but which removes another substance from the gas, and an adsorbent, which removes water and a substance other than water from the gas.

The container can for example have a molecular sieve or can consist of a plurality of layers, e.g. of a layer of silica gel and can have a molecular sieve as further layer in the container. An aluminum gel can also be used.

In particular nitrogen or waste gas from the air separation is preferably used as regeneration gas. It is also conceivable, however, to use a partial stream of the purified gas as regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, however, the regeneration gas is a gas separately introduced and not a partial stream of the purified gas. In general, all gases, which do not include the substance to be removed or include it only to a small extent, can be used as regeneration gas.

In a preferred embodiment, the first, the second and the third container have the same adsorbent or the same combination of adsorbents, respectively.

The basic idea of the invention can be realized by means of a device comprising three containers. One of the containers purifies the gas in the respective operating state, while a different container (which had been used for purification in the previous operating state) is simultaneously regenerated with heated regeneration gas, and a third container (which had been regenerated with heated regeneration gas in the previous operating state) for heating the regeneration gas. When realizing the invention with three containers, the containers are interconnected in such a way that the container, which had been used to heat the regeneration gas in the respective operating state, is used to purify the gas in the next operating state. However, embodiments comprising more than three containers are also conceivable. In these embodiments, the excess containers, thus the containers, which are not used to purify the gas or to heat the regeneration gas in the respective operating state or which must be regenerated with heated regeneration gas, are in a stand-by. When realizing the invention with more than three containers, the containers are interconnected in such a way that the container, which had been used to heat the regeneration gas in the respective operating state, is switched into the stand-by in the next operating state and that a container, which is currently in stand-by, is used to purify the gas in the next operating state.

In the case of the device according to the invention, the first container has an inlet for the gas to be purified and an outlet for the purified gas. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for the gas to be purified is arranged below the outlet for the purified gas on the first container. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for the gas to be purified in the case of the first container is arranged on the lower end of the container, and the outlet for the purified gas is arranged on the upper end of the container, so that the gas to be purified flows through the container from bottom to top.

In the case of the device according to the invention, the second container has an inlet for the gas to be purified and an outlet for the purified gas. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for the gas to be purified is arranged below the outlet for the purified gas on the second container. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for the gas to be purified in the case of the second container is arranged on the lower end of the container and the outlet for the purified gas is arranged on the upper end of the container, so that the gas to be purified flows through the second container from bottom to top.

In the case of the device according to the invention, the third container has an inlet for the gas to be purified and an outlet for the purified gas. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for the gas to be purified is arranged below the outlet for the purified gas on the third container. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for the gas to be purified in the case of the third container is arranged on the lower end of the container and the outlet for the purified gas is arranged on the upper end of the container, so that the gas to be purified flows through the third container from bottom to top.

In the case of the device according to the invention, the first container has an inlet for cool regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for cool regeneration gas is formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified. The number of openings on the container can be reduced in this way. In the case of the device according to the invention, the second container has an inlet for cool regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for cool regeneration gas is formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified. The number of openings on the container can be reduced in this way. In the case of the device according to the invention, the third container has an inlet for cool regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for cool regeneration gas is formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified. The number of openings on the container can be reduced in this way.

In the case of the device according to the invention, the first container has an outlet for heated regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet for heated regeneration gas is formed by the outlet for the purified gas. The number of openings on the container can thus be reduced in this way. In the case of the device according to the invention, the second container has an outlet for heated regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet for heated regeneration gas is formed by the outlet for the purified gas. The number of openings on the container can thus be reduced in this way. In the case of the device according to the invention, the third container has an outlet for heated regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet for heated regeneration gas is formed by the outlet for the purified gas. The number of openings on the container can be reduced in this way.

In the case of the device according to the invention, the first container has an inlet for heated regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for heated regeneration gas is formed by the outlet for the purified gas. The number of openings on the container can thus be reduced in this way. In the case of the device according to the invention, the second container has an inlet for heated regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for heated regeneration gas is formed by the outlet for the purified gas. The number of openings on the container can thus be reduced in this way. In the case of the device according to the invention, the third container has an inlet for heated regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the inlet for heated regeneration gas is formed by the outlet for the purified gas. The number of openings on the container can thus be reduced in this way.

In the case of the device according to the invention, the first container has an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas is formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified. The number of openings on the container can thus be reduced in this way. In the case of the device according to the invention, the second container has an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas is formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified. The number of openings on the container can thus be reduced in this way. In the case of the device according to the invention, the third container has an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas. In a preferred embodiment, the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas is formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified. The number of openings on the container can thus be reduced in this way.

In a preferred embodiment, the first container is a container comprising a hollow cylindrical middle section, a base section and a head section, particularly preferably comprising a base section, which is embodied in a cover-shaped manner, and/or a head section, which is embodied in a cover-shaped manner. Particularly preferably, the base section has the shape of a spherical segment, a spherical layer or a spherical sector; the base section, however, can also be formed by a flat cover, which closes the hollow cylindrical middle section of the container on the lower end. Particularly preferably, the head section has the shape of a spherical segment, a spherical layer or a spherical sector; the head section, however, can also be formed by a flat cover, which closes the hollow cylindrical middle section of the container on the upper or lower end. Particularly preferably, provision is made on the highest point of the head section for an opening, particularly preferably the outlet for purified gas. Particularly preferably, provision is made on the lowest point of the base section for an opening, particularly preferably the inlet for the gas to be purified. However, embodiments, in the case of which the opening is not arranged on the uppermost or lowermost point, are also conceivable. Depending on the arrangement of the containers in the system, an opening can also be embodied laterally on the base or head section or even laterally on the middle section.

In a preferred embodiment, all containers of the device, which are used to purify the gas, are embodied identically.

The device according to the invention embodied in this way comprising three containers can be operated in a total of three general operating states. In a first operating state, the gas to be purified flows through the first container, is thus supplied to the first container via the inlet for the gas to be purified, flows through the adsorbent located in the first container and is discharged from the first container via the outlet for the purified gas of the first container. At the same time, (cool) regeneration gas is supplied to the second container via the inlet for cool regeneration gas. The cool regeneration gas flows through the adsorbent in the second container and is heated thereby and leaves the second container as heated regeneration gas on the outlet for heated regeneration gas. Heated regeneration gas is supplied to the third container via its inlet for heated regeneration gas. The heated regeneration gas flows through the adsorbent in the third container and is loaded thereby and leaves the third container as loaded, heated regeneration gas via the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas. In a second operating state, the gas to be purified flows through the second container, is thus supplied to the second container via the inlet for the gas to be purified, flows through the adsorbent located in the second container and is discharged from the second container via the outlet for the purified gas of the second container. At the same time, (cool) regeneration gas is supplied to the third container via the inlet for cool regeneration gas. The cool regeneration gas flows through the adsorbent in the third container and is heated thereby and leaves the third container as heated regeneration gas at the outlet for heated regeneration gas. Heated regeneration gas is supplied to the first container via its inlet for heated regeneration gas. The heated regeneration gas flows through the adsorbent in the first container and is loaded thereby and leaves the first container as loaded, heated regeneration gas via the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas. In a third operating state, the gas to be purified flows through the third container, is thus supplied to the third container via the inlet .for the gas to be purified, flows through the adsorbent located in the third container and is discharged from the third container via the outlet for the purified gas of the third container. At the same time, (cool) regeneration gas is supplied to the first container via the inlet for cool regeneration gas. The cool regeneration gas flows through the adsorbent in the first container and is heated thereby and leaves the first container as heated regeneration gas at the outlet for heated regeneration gas. Heated regeneration gas is supplied to the second container via its inlet for heated regeneration gas. The heated regeneration gas flows through the adsorbent in the second container and is loaded thereby and leaves the second container as loaded, heated regeneration gas via the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas.

In the case of such a device, the advantages of the invention, namely the energy saving, can already be attained, when the heated regeneration gas, which escapes at the outlet for heated regeneration gas, flows into another container via the inlet for heated regeneration gas, in particular after a further heating as heated regeneration gas, only in one of the operating states. At least in this operating state, the heat stored in a container comprising adsorbent, which is regenerated, but still too hot, from a previous operating state is then utilized to heat the regeneration gas, which is then utilized in the operating state, which is then at hand, to regenerate another container. In a preferred embodiment, the advantages provided by the invention are maximized, however, and the heat from the regeneration of the adsorbent, which is still present in a container, is utilized in every operating state to heat the regeneration gas.

A first embodiment of the device according to the invention is thus conceivable, in the case of which only the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container. An embodiment, in the case of which only one outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected, to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected is also conceivable. An embodiment, in the case of which only the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container, is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is also conceivable. However, the advantages of the invention are better utilized when, in the case of an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container and when the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container. The advantages of the invention are also better utilized when, in the case of an embodiment of the invention, the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container and when the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container. Equally, the advantages of the invention are better utilized when, in an embodiment of the invention, the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container and when the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container. The advantages of the invention are maximally utilized when, in the case of an embodiment of the invention, the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container and when the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container and when the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container. This embodiment allows reusing the heat, which is stored in the adsorbent regenerated in a previous operating state, in every operating state of the device.

It is conceivable that, in a phase of the utilization of the device according to the invention, only the heated regeneration gas provided at the outlet for heated regeneration gas of a container is utilized as "heated regeneration gas" at the inlet for heated regeneration gas of another container for regenerating the adsorbent in this container. Even though this would lead to an inferior regeneration of the adsorbent in this operating state, because due to heat losses, the regeneration gas, which was heated when flowing through a container, the adsorbent of which had been heated in the previous operating state by means of heated regeneration gas, is heated, will not reach the same temperature level, which a heated regeneration gas, which had been utilized in the previous operating state, has introduced into the adsorbent. The resulting disadvantage of an adsorbent, which is then regenerated to an inferior extent in the operating state at hand, may be accepted, depending on the task, or may be compensated by that other regeneration gas, which does not originate from the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the respective container and which had been heated via a heater, is additionally introduced into the container comprising the adsorbent to be regenerated via a separate line. This is why it is conceivable that the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container without interconnecting a heater, and/or that the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container without interconnecting a heater, and/or that the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container without interconnecting a heater. In a particularly preferred embodiment, provision is made, however, for the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container to be connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container by interconnecting a heater, and/or for the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container to be connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container by interconnecting a heater, and/or for the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container to be connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container by interconnecting a heater. The interconnecting of a heater makes it possible to ideally condition the regeneration gas for the regeneration of the adsorbent, irrespective of the efficiency of the heat exchange in response to heating the regeneration gas, when it flows through the adsorbent, which had been heated in the previous operating state, in the container, which had been regenerated previously, for the purpose of heating.

In particular electric heaters or heat exchangers can be used as heaters, wherein a gas, which is to be used as regeneration gas, is heated by means of the heat exchangers. This can take place for example by heat exchange with hot fluids, which are already present at the location or the industrial plant, respectively, in which the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention, respectively, is utilized, such as for example with water vapor, hot water or heat transfer oil. In such a case, a gas other than the fluid can be used as regeneration gas, thus for example nitrogen as regeneration gas. However, circumstances, under which a gas, which can already be used as regeneration gas, is produced in heated form at the location or the industrial plant, respectively, in which the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention, respectively is used, are conceivable as well. In such cases, the heater can be forgone and the hot regeneration gas, which is already present, can be used.

In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, provision is made for a supply network for regeneration gas. This supply network for regeneration gas has a regeneration gas inlet. The provision of such a supply network for regeneration gas provides the opportunity to reduce the number of the regeneration gas inlets. The advantages of this embodiment are already attained, when only two of the three inlets for cool regeneration gas of the respective containers are combined, while the remaining container has its own regeneration gas inlet. An embodiment is thus conceivable, in the case of which the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the first container and the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the second container are connected to the inlet for regeneration gas of the supply network, while the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the third container has its own regeneration gas connection. An embodiment is also conceivable, in the case of which the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the second container and the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the third container are connected to the inlet for regeneration gas of the supply network, while the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the first container has its own regeneration gas connection. An embodiment is also conceivable, in the case of which the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the first container and the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the third container are connected to the inlet for regeneration gas of the supply network, while the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the second container has its own regeneration gas connection.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the first container, the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the second container, and the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the third container are connected to the inlet for regeneration gas of the supply network. Embodiments are conceivable, in the case of which the regeneration gas inlet is directly embodied as distributor, and the inlet for cool regeneration gas of a container, which is to be connected to the regeneration gas inlet of the supply network in each case, is directly connected to the regeneration gas inlet via an independent line. In such an embodiment, provision can be made in the respective line for a stop valve. The number of the lines to be provided, however, can be reduced in that the supply network has a manifold, which leads away from the regeneration gas inlet, wherein the inlet, which is to be connected to the regeneration gas inlet in each case, for cool regeneration gas of a respective container is connected to the manifold via a supply line. In a preferred embodiment, provision is made in the respective supply line for a stop valve.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a manifold network for heated regeneration gas. This manifold network can have a manifold and provides the opportunity to reduce the number of required connections between the containers. Advantages can thereby already be attained, when the outlet for heated regeneration gas in the case of a discharge line is connected to the manifold only for some of the available containers. An embodiment is thus conceivable, in the case of which the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, and the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line. An embodiment is also conceivable, in the case of which the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, and the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line. An embodiment is also conceivable, in the case of which the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, and the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line. Particularly preferably, however, the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, and the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line. The number of required lines can thus be maximally reduced. In a preferred embodiment, provision is made for a stop valve in the respective discharge line, which connects an outlet for heated regeneration gas of a container to the manifold.

The presence of the manifold of the manifold network for heated regeneration gas can also be utilized to connect to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the respective container. Advantages can thereby already be attained, when only one inlet for heated regeneration gas of a container is connected to the manifold. Larger advantages, however, can be attained, when the inlets for heated regeneration gas of a plurality of containers are connected to the manifold. An embodiment is thus conceivable, in the case of which the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the manifold via a supply line, and the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the manifold via a supply line. An embodiment is also conceivable, in the case of which the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the manifold via a supply line, and the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the manifold via a supply line. An embodiment is also conceivable, in the case of which the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the manifold via a supply line, and the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the manifold via a supply line.

In a preferred embodiment, however, the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the manifold via a supply line, the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the manifold via a supply line, and the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the manifold via a supply line. The lines to be provided can thus be maximally reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made for a stop valve in the respective supply line, which connects an inlet for heated regeneration gas to the manifold.

The presence of a manifold network for heated regeneration gas comprising a manifold can also be utilized advantageously in the case of the embodiments of the device, in which one or a plurality of heaters are provided for heating a heated regeneration gas to a heated regeneration gas. The presence of the manifold makes it possible to reduce the number of the heaters. The advantages of the invention can thereby already be utilized, when the outlets for heated regeneration gas are collected in the manifold for only two of the available three containers, and are supplied to a commonly used heater. The advantages of this embodiment, however, are maximized, when the outlet for heated regeneration gas of each container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line and when a heater is provided in the manifold. The heater is thereby particularly preferably provided at a location of the manifold, which is located downstream from the connecting points of the respective discharge line to the manifold.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made for a by-pass line, which connects the regeneration gas inlet to the manifold. In a preferred embodiment, provision is made in the by-pass line for a stop valve. In a preferred embodiment, in the case of which provision is made in the manifold for a heater, the by-pass line opens into the manifold upstream of the heater. In this preferred embodiment, the heater is provided downstream from the opening of the by-pass line in the manifold. The provision of the by-pass line allows the use of additional regeneration gas in response to the regeneration of the containers or to provide additional heated regeneration gas, respectively. The benefits of the invention are based on utilizing the heat stored in the adsorbent, which had been regenerated in the previous operating state. When starting the system for the first time, however, there is no container, which already has an adsorbent, which had been heated in a previous operating state. This is why it is necessary, for example when starting the system, to initially guide regeneration gas to the manifold via a by-pass line, to heat it by means of a heater in the manifold, and to provide it as heated regeneration gas to the container, which has adsorbent to be regenerated, at the inlet for heated regeneration gas.

The flow-through of a container with regenerated adsorbent comprising regeneration gas provided according to the invention from an inlet for cool regeneration gas to an outlet for heated regeneration gas serves the purpose, among others, to cool the regenerated adsorbent in this container, thus to lower it to a temperature level, which the adsorbent is to have in order to then be used next for purifying the gas. Operating methods are thereby conceivable, in the case of which the regenerated adsorbent, which is cooled in that regeneration gas flows through by heating the regeneration gas, reaches the desired temperature level before the regeneration phase has been completed in the other container. In the case of such an operating method, the by-pass line allows the decoupling of the container, which had still been used up to that point to heat the regeneration gas (in that the regenerated adsorbent had been cooled down to the desired temperature level) from being flown through by regeneration gas and to provide the heated regeneration gas required for the additional regeneration of the adsorbent in the other container as heated regeneration gas by supplying regeneration gas from the regeneration gas inlet to the manifold via the by-pass line, and by heating by means of a heater in the manifold. In the case of the embodiment alternative, which will be described below, in the case of which a pressure build-up is to take place in this container, the opportunity provided by providing the by-pass line of no longer allowing regeneration gas to flow through the container, in which the regeneration gas had been heated by being flown through by regenerated, but heated adsorbent, also provides advantages.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made at the inlet for the gas to be purified of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a temperature sensor for measuring the gas temperature. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the inlet for the gas to be purified of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a flowmeter. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the inlet for the gas to be purified of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a pressure gauge.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made at the outlet for the purified gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a temperature sensor for measuring the gas temperature. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the outlet for the purified gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a flow meter. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the outlet for the purified gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a pressure gauge.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made at the inlet for cool regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a temperature sensor for measuring the gas temperature. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the inlet for cool regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a flow meter. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the inlet for cool regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a pressure gauge.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made at the outlet for heated regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a temperature sensor for measuring the gas temperature. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the outlet for heated regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a flow meter. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the outlet for heated regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a pressure gauge.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made at the inlet for heated regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a temperature sensor for measuring the gas temperature. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the inlet for heated regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a flow meter. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the inlet for heated regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a pressure gauge.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made at the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a temperature sensor for measuring the gas temperature. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a flow meter. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of at least one container, preferably of each container, for a pressure gauge.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made at the regeneration gas inlet for a temperature sensor for measuring the gas temperature. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the regeneration gas inlet for a flow meter. In addition or in the alternative, provision is made in a preferred embodiment at the regeneration gas inlet for a pressure gauge.

In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides for a pressure build-up in the container, which contains regenerated adsorbent and which is to be used next for purifying the gas. On principle, the gas to be purified is at a higher pressure level than the regeneration gas. The gas to be purified has a pressure in the range of between 4 bar and 20 bar, for example, in some embodiments of above 70 bar, partly of more than 100 bar. In contrast, the regeneration of the adsorbent with regeneration gas is carried out a pressure level of partly 1 bar above ambient pressure or in the range of 2, 3 or 4 bar.

So that the pressure drop is minimized when switching from one container, which had been used in the respective operating state to purify the gas, to another container, which is to now be used to purify the gas, it is advantageous when the container, which is to be used next for purifying the gas, is already brought to the pressure level of the gas to be purified. This can in particular be attained in that a portion of the gas, which is purified in the one container in the respective operating state, is diverted and is introduced into the container, which is to be used next for purifying the gas. The benefits of the invention are thereby already attained to a certain extent, when this only takes place in certain operating situations, thus only when a certain container purifies the gas and another certain container is provided next for the purification. The benefits of this embodiment are thus already attained to a certain extent, when only one outlet for the purified gas of the first container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the second container. The advantages of this embodiment are also attained to a certain extent, when only the outlet for the purified gas of the second container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the third container. The benefits of the invention are also attained to a certain extent, when the outlet for the purified gas of the third container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the first container. The advantages of this embodiment, however, are realized to the largest extent, when the outlet for the purified gas of the first container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the second container, and the outlet for the purified gas of the second container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the third container. The advantages of this embodiment are also realized to the largest extent, when the outlet for the purified gas of the first container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the second container, and the outlet for the purified gas of the third container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the third container. The advantages of this embodiment are also realized to the largest extent, when the outlet for the purified gas of the second container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the second container, and the outlet for the purified gas of the third container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the third container. The advantages of this embodiment are maximized, when the outlet for the purified gas of the first container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the second container, and the outlet for the purified gas of the second container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the third container, and the outlet for purified gas of the third container is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the first container.

Particular advantages of the structural setup are thereby attained when, in the case of a container, which is to be embodied as container comprising an inlet for purified gas, the inlet for purified gas is embodied by the outlet for purified gas of this container. This embodiment can thus be realized in that the outlet for the purified gas of the first container is connected to the outlet for purified gas of the second container and/or the outlet for purified gas of the second container is connected to the outlet for purified gas of the third container and/or the outlet for the purified gas of the third container is connected to the outlet for purified gas of the first container.

The device according to the invention can be realized with three containers. However, it can also be realized with more than three containers, for example with four or more containers. The provision of a fourth or additional container can be used to always keep one of the containers of the device in stand-by during an operating state, whereby stand-by is in particular understood as a state, in which the gas to be purified and the regeneration gas does not flow through the respective container (whether for heating the regeneration gas or with heated regeneration gas). The stand-by can be used on the one hand to carry out maintenance work on the container, for example the replacement of the adsorbents, while the system continues to operate. However, the stand-by can be used predominantly to reduce the time, during which a container is used for purifying the gas, without thereby reducing the time, which is available for the regeneration of the container. For example a switchover can thus be made from a container, which purifies the gas, to a container, which is in stand-by and which then purifies the gas, even when other containers are still in the regeneration phase.

The invention provides for the container, which purified the gas in the state prior to the previous state of the gas and which had been regenerated in the previous state by being flown through with heated regeneration gas, to be used to heat the regeneration gas. When assigning ordinal numbers for the containers (first container, second container, third container, fourth container, n-th container), it is advisable for the realization of the invention in a preferred embodiment that the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the (n-1)th container is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the (n)th container and that the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the container with the highest ordinal number is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container.

In a preferred embodiment, the device has a manifold network for loaded, heated regeneration gas. This manifold network can have a manifold and provides the opportunity to reduce the number of required connections. Advantages can thereby already be attained, when the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas is connected to the manifold via a discharge line only for some of the available containers. An embodiment is thus conceivable, in the case of which the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, and the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line. An embodiment is also conceivable, in the case of which the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, and the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line. An embodiment is also conceivable, in the case of which the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, and the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line. Particularly preferably, however, the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of the first container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of the second container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line, and the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of the third container is connected to the manifold via a discharge line. The number of required lines can thus be maximally reduced. In a preferred embodiment, provision is made for a stop valve in the respective discharge line, which connects an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas of a container to the manifold. The manifold for loaded, heated regeneration gas can be used to guide the loaded, heated regeneration gas out of the device, in order to discharge it into the atmosphere, for example in the case of uncritical or permitted gases, or to return it into a process or to use it as combustion gas to generate power or to burn it via a torch.

It has been described above that individual openings of a container in preferred embodiments can have a plurality of functions, for example that the inlet for cool regeneration gas can be formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified, or that the outlet for heated regeneration gas can be formed by the outlet for the purified gas, or that the inlet for heated regeneration gas can be formed by the outlet for the purified gas, or that the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas can be formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified, or that an inlet for purified gas can be formed by the outlet for purified gas. These multifunctions of an opening can be attained for example by means of shuttle valves in the supply or discharge lines, respectively, to the respective openings, in the case of which the respective opening of the container is connected to a first line or to a second or even to a third line, depending on the position of the valve body.

The method according to the invention makes use of the fact that a heated regeneration gas in a first operating state in response to the regeneration of an adsorbent in a container inputs heat into this adsorbent, which, in a second operating state, can contribute to the heating of a regeneration gas, which is used to regenerate an adsorbent in another container. According to the invention, it is provided for this purpose in the case of the method for temperature swing adsorption in a first operating state that the gas to be purified is introduced into the first container via an inlet for the gas to be purified of a first container, which has at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, and is discharged from the first container via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the first container, a regeneration gas is heated and is introduced into the third container via an inlet for heated regeneration gas of a third container, which has at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, and is discharged from the third container as loaded, heated regeneration gas via an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the third container, and in a second operating state the gas to be purified is introduced into the second container via an inlet for the gas to be purified of a second container, which has at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, and is discharged from the second container via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container, or that the gas to be purified is introduced into the fourth container via an inlet for the gas to be purified of a fourth container, which has at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, and is discharged from the fourth container via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the fourth container, while a second container is in a stand-by, a regeneration gas is introduced into the third container via an inlet for cool regeneration gas of the third container, and is discharged from the third container as heated regeneration gas via an outlet for heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the third container, the heated regeneration gas is heated and is introduced into the first container via an inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container, and is discharged from the first container as loaded, heated regeneration gas via an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the first container.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made that prior to a change from the first operating state into the second operating state, the outlet for the purified gas of the first container is closed and the first container is subjected to a depressurization. At this point in time, the gas to be purified can thereby already be introduced into the second container via the inlet for the gas to be purified of the second container, and can be discharged from the second container via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container. The continuity of the purification of the gas is ensured through this.

In a preferred embodiment, a transitional operating state is thus interconnected between the first operating state and the second operating state. In this transitional operating state, the gas to be purified is introduced into the second container via the inlet for the gas to be purified of the second container, and is discharged from the second container via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container. Moreover, the outlet for the purified gas of the first container is closed in this transitional operating state and the first container is subjected to a depressurization. The depressurization of the first container can take place, for example, in that an outlet for gas on the first container is open, which is connected to the atmosphere or to at least one supply network or to a collection container at a lower pressure level. This outlet for gas of the first container can be the inlet for the gas to be purified of the first container or - if embodied separately - the inlet for cool regeneration gas of the first container, or - if embodied separately - the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas.

In a preferred embodiment, the regeneration gas is removed from the second container prior to changing from the first operating state into the second operating state. For this purpose, a portion of the purified gas, which is discharged from the first container via the outlet for purified gas, can flow into the second container via an inlet for purified gas of the second container and can displace the regeneration gas located in the second container. This takes place in particular in a preparatory operating state, which precedes the above-mentioned transitional operating state. In this preparatory operating state - as in the first operating state - the gas to be purified is introduced into the first container via the inlet for the gas to be purified of the first container and is discharged from the first container via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the first container. As in a preferred exemplary embodiment of the first operating state - the regeneration gas in this preparatory operating state, however, is introduced into the second container via an inlet for cool regeneration gas of the second container, and is discharged from the second container as heated regeneration gas via an outlet for heated regeneration gas (from where - if applicable after a further heating - it can flow into the third container as heated regeneration gas via the inlet for heated regeneration gas), after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container. In this preparatory operating state, an outlet for gas of the second container, which can preferably be the inlet for the gas to be purified of the second container, is in fact connected to the atmosphere or to a collection container and a portion of the purified gas, which is discharged from the first container via the outlet for purified gas, is introduced into the second container via an inlet for purified gas of the second container. In a preferred embodiment, the diverted, purified gas is oftentimes at a higher pressure level than the regeneration gas, which flows through the second container in the preferred embodiment of the first operating state. The second container can thus be rinsed with purified gas. After the second container has been rinsed with purified gas, the outlet for gas of the second container can be closed. The internal pressure of the second container is increased thereby by means of the purified gas, which still flows into the second container.

In a preferred embodiment, the second container is thus initially rinsed by means of purified gas in such a way in the preparatory operating state that regeneration gas is no longer located in the second container. The additional openings of the second container are closed only then, so that the continued inflow of purified gas via the inlet for purified gas into the second container leads to an increase of the internal pressure in the second container. The second container can be freed from regeneration gas in this way in the preparatory operating state and can be filled with purified gas and can be brought to the pressure level of the purified gas. As a result, the gas to be purified flows into a container (the second container), which already contains purified gas and which is at the pressure level of the gas to be purified, in response to switching from the preparatory operating state into the transitional operating state, in which the gas to be purified is not supplied with the first container, but now with the second container. A pressure drop in the lines of the gas to be purified or of the purified gas, respectively, is avoided in this way, and the input of regeneration gas into the purified gas is avoided as well.

The benefits of the invention are in particular attained when as many operating states are provided as are necessary to allow each of the available containers to assume one of the three possible states once (purifying the gas, heating the regeneration gas, regenerating the adsorbent).

In a preferred embodiment, a third operating state is thus provided, in the case of which, when carrying out the method on a device comprising a first, a second and a third container, the gas to be purified is introduced into the third container via an inlet for the gas to be purified of a third container, and is discharged from the third container via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the third container, a regeneration gas is introduced into the first container via an inlet for cool regeneration gas of the first container, and is discharged from the first container as heated regeneration gas via an outlet for heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the first container, the heated regeneration gas is heated and is introduced into the second container via an inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container, and is discharged from the second container as loaded, heated regeneration gas via an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is made for an additional transitional operating state, in which the gas to be purified is introduced into the third container via the inlet for the gas to be purified of the third container, and is discharged from the third container via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the third container. Moreover, the outlet for the purified gas of the second container is closed in this transitional operating state and the second container is subjected to a depressurization.

In a preferred embodiment, provision is also made for an additional transitional operating state, which precedes the third operating state, in the case of which the third container is rinsed with purified gas, until regeneration gas is no longer present in the third container. The additional openings of the third container are then closed, so that the continued inflow of purified gas via the inlet for purified gas into the third container leads to an increase of the internal pressure in the third container.

In a preferred embodiment, in the case of which the method is carried out on a device comprising a first, a second, a third and a fourth container, it can be provided that the gas to be purified is introduced into the second container via an inlet for the gas to be purified of the second container, which was in stand-by in the second state, and is discharged from the second container via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container, while the third container is in stand-by, a regeneration gas is introduced into the first container via an inlet for cool regeneration gas of the first container, and is discharged from the first container as heated regeneration gas via an outlet for heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the first container, the heated regeneration gas is heated and is introduced into the fourth container via an inlet for heated regeneration gas of the fourth container, and is discharged from the fourth container as loaded, heated regeneration gas via an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the fourth container.

In a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention is carried out by means of a device according to the invention or particularly preferably by means of preferred embodiments of the device according to the invention, respectively.

The device according to the invention and/or the method according to the invention are used in particular in response to the natural gas drying and the removal of residual content of C0₂; they are also used in response to the C0₂ drying and removal of methanol.

The invention will be explained in more detail below by means of a drawing, which only represents an exemplary embodiment of the invention: Fiq. 1 shows the schematic set-up of a device according to the invention comprising four containers in a schematic sketch; Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a first operating state of the device according to the invention in a schematic sketch, whereby the figure only shows the line sections, which are required for the realization of the operating state;

Fig. 3 shows a partial state of the first operating state, in the case of which the regeneration gas is no longer guided through the second container, but via a by-pass line, in a schematic sketch, whereby the figure only shows the line sections, which are required for the realization of this state;

Fig. 4 shows a first phase of a preparatory operating state for switching from the first operating state into a transitional operating state in a schematic sketch, whereby the figure only shows the line sections, which are required for the realization of this state;

Fig. 5 shows a second phase of a preparatory operating state for switching from the first operating state into a transitional operating state in a schematic sketch, whereby the figure only shows the line sections, which are required for the realization of this state;

Fig. 6 shows a transitional operating state between the first operating state and a second operating state in a schematic sketch, whereby the figure only shows the line sections, which are required for the realization of this state;

Fig. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a second operating state of the device according to the invention in a schematic sketch, whereby the figure only shows the line sections, which are required for the realization of the operating state;

Fig. 8 shows a partial state of the second operating state, in the case of which the regeneration gas is no longer guided through the third container, but via a by- pass line, in a schematic sketch, whereby the figure only shows the line sections, which are required for the realization of this state;

Fig. 9 shows a first phase of a preparatory operating state for switching from the second operating state into a transitional operating state in a schematic sketch, whereby the figure only shows the line sections, which are required for the realization of this state; Fiq. 10 shows a second phase of a preparatory operating state for switching from the second operating state into a transitional operating state in a schematic sketch, whereby the figure only shows the line sections, which are required for the realization of this state, and

Fig. 1 1 shows the states of the four containers in the first operating state, second operating state, third operating state and in the fourth operating state, schematically by means of symbols.

The device according to the invention has a first container 1 , a second container 2, a third container 3, and a fourth container 4. The first, second, third and the fourth container each contain an adsorbent (not illustrated in detail), which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption. Provision is made for example in each of the containers for an aluminum gel or silica gel for removing water as input layer and for a molecular sieve for removing an additional substance. The interior set-up of the containers 1 to 4 is identical.

Each container has an upper opening 5 and a lower opening 6. Depending on the current operating state of the respective container, the upper opening 5 is used as outlet for the purified gas, as outlet for heated regeneration gas, as inlet for heated regeneration gas, as inlet for purified gas. Depending on the operating state of the respective container, the lower opening 6 is used as inlet for the gas to be purified, as inlet for cool regeneration gas or as outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas.

The device has an inlet 7 for the gas to be purified. A manifold 8 continues from the inlet 7 for the gas to be purified. A supply line 9 in each case leads from the manifold 8 to the lower opening 6 of the respective container 1 to 4, so that the inlet for the gas to be purified of the respective container 1 to 4 (formed by the lower opening 6) is connected to the inlet 7 for the gas to be purified. A stop valve 10 is located in each supply line 9.

The device has an outlet 1 1 for purified gas. Upstream of the outlet 1 1 for purified gas, provision is made for a manifold 12. The outlet for purified gas (opening 5) of each container 1 to 4 is connected to the manifold 12 via a discharge line 13. A stop valve 14 is located in each discharge line 13.

The device has a regeneration gas inlet 15. A manifold 16 connects to the regeneration gas inlet 15. The inlet for cool regeneration gas (lower opening 6) of each container 1 to 4 is connected to the manifold 16 via a respective supply line 17. A stop valve 18 is located in each supply line 17. The device according to the invention has a manifold network for heated regeneration gas. The manifold 19 of the manifold network has a first branch 20 and a second branch 21. The first branch 20 is provided upstream of a heater 22, which is arranged downstream from the first branch 20. The second branch 21 is provided downstream from the heater 22. The outlet for heated regeneration gas (upper opening 5) of each container 1 to 4 is connected to the first branch 20 of the manifold 19 via a discharge line 23. A stop valve 24 is provided in each discharge line 23.

The inlet for heated regeneration gas (upper opening 5) of each container 1 to 4 is connected to the second branch 21 of the manifold 9 via a supply line 25. A stop valve 26 is provided in each supply line 25.

The device according to the invention has a by-pass line 27, which leads from the manifold 16 to the first branch 20 of the manifold 19. A stop valve 28 is provided in the by-pass line 27.

The device according to the invention has an outlet 29 for loaded, heated regeneration gas. Upstream of the outlet 29 for loaded, heated regeneration gas, provision is made for a manifold 30. Each outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas (lower opening 6) of each container to 4 is connected to the manifold 30 via a discharge line 31. A stop valve 32 is provided in each discharge line 31.

Provision is in each case made parallel to the discharge line 31 and the stop valve 32 for a second discharge line 41 comprising a stop valve 42 and a throttle 43. They can be connected to the manifold 30 - as illustrated - or can be guided out of the device via a (non-illustrated) manifold.

Each inlet for purified gas (upper opening 5) of each container 1 to 4 is connected to the manifold 12 via a supply line 33. A stop valve 34 and an adjustable throttle 35 is provided in each supply line 33.

Provision is made on the upper opening 5 (used as outlet for the purified gas, outlet for heated regeneration gas, inlet for heated regeneration gas, inlet for purified gas, depending on the operating state) for a temperature sensor 36 for measuring the gas temperature in this part of the device according to the invention. A temperature sensor 36 is also provided at each lower opening 6 of each container 1 to 4, which is used as inlet for the gas to be purified, as inlet for cool regeneration gas or as outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, depending on the operating state of the respective container. A temperature sensor 36 is also provided downstream from the heater 22 in the second branch 21 of the manifold 19. Provision is made on the regeneration gas inlet 15 for a stop valve 37, an adjustable throttle 38, a pressure control valve 39 and a flow meter 40. Provision is further made for non-illustrated pressure gauges and manometers.

Figs. 2 to 10 describe operating states of the device according to the invention illustrated in Fig. 1. To increase clarity, the line sections, through which gas does not flow in the respective operating state, were removed in Figs. 2 to 10. Figs. 2 to 10 thus also show the line sections, which are minimally necessary for the respective operating state. If a decision is made to utilize the advantages of the invention only in certain operating states, the corresponding figures show the line sections, which are necessary for this purpose.

Fig. 2 shows a first operating state of the device according to the invention. The gas to be purified enters into the manifold 8 via the inlet 7 for the gas to be purified and flows via the supply line 9 through the open stop valve 10 into the first container 1 via the lower opening 6, which acts as inlet for the gas to be purified in this operating state. The gas to be purified flows through the adsorbent, which is present in the first container 1 , and is purified thereby and leaves the upper opening 5 of the first container 1 , which serves as outlet for the purified gas in this operating state, as purified gas. The purified gas flows via the discharge line 13 through the open stop valve 14 into the manifold 12 and leaves the device according to the invention via the outlet 1 for purified gas. Regeneration gas flows via the regeneration inlet 15 through the open stop valve 37 into the manifold 16. Via the supply line 17 and the open stop valve 18, the regeneration gas flows into the second container 2 via the lower opening 6, which serves as inlet for cool regeneration gas of the second container 2 in this operating state. In the description at hand of the first operating state, it is assumed that this operating state sets in at a point in time, at which the device according to the invention has already been operated, thus already had operating states, in which gas to be purified had been purified, prior to the first operating state described here (the operating states described in this exemplary embodiment follow each other cyclically). In the first operating state, hot adsorbent regenerated by the execution of the third operating state, which had been carried out immediately prior to this, is located in the second container 2. The regeneration gas is at a lower temperature level than the adsorbent, which is located in the second container 2, but which is hot. The regeneration gas flows through the second container 2 from the inlet for cool regeneration gas (lower opening 6) to the outlet for heated regeneration gas (upper opening 5) and thereby cools down the adsorbent located in the container 2. From the outlet for heated regeneration gas (upper opening 5), the heated regeneration gas flows via the discharge line 23 and the open stop valve 24 into the first branch 20 of the manifold 19. The heated regeneration gas flows through the first branch 20 and is heated in the heater 22. From the heater 22, the heated regeneration gas flows through the second branch 21 of the manifold 19. From the second branch 21 of the manifold 19, the heated regeneration gas flows through the supply line 25 via the open stop valve 26 via the upper opening 5, which acts as inlet for heated regeneration gas in this operating state into the third container 3. In the third operating state, which is carried out prior to carrying out the first operating state, the third container 3 was used to purify the gas. This is why loaded adsorbent is located in the third container 3. This loaded adsorbent is regenerated by the heated regeneration gas, which flows from the inlet for heated regeneration gas (upper opening 5) to the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas (lower opening 6) through the loaded adsorbent located in the third container 3. The loaded, heated regeneration gas leaves the third container 3 via the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas (lower opening 6) and passes through the open stop valve 32 and the discharge line 31 into the manifold 30 and is guided from the latter to the outlet 29 for loaded, heated regeneration gas.

In this operating state, the fourth container 4 has no function. For the sake of clarity, it has thus been removed from the illustration of Fig. 2. It is in stand-by.

The flow of the regeneration gas through the second container 2 has the goal of cooling down regenerated, but heated adsorbent in the second container 2. It is conceivable that the device according to the invention of the first operating state reaches the partial state, in which the regenerated adsorbent located in the second container 2 is cooled down sufficiently, but that the adsorbent, which is located in the third container 3 and which is to be regenerated, is not yet sufficiently regenerated. In such a partial state of the first operating state, the flow-through of the second container 2 with regeneration gas can be ended - as illustrated in Fig. 3. The regeneration gas is then guided from the regeneration gas inlet 15 via the by-pass line 27 through the open stop valve 28 into the first branch 20 of the manifold 19. The regeneration gas is then heated in the heater 22 and then reaches the third container 3 as heated regeneration gas via the manifold 21 and the supply line 25 through the open stop valve 26 via the upper opening 5, which serves as inlet for heated regeneration gas in this operating state and can be used to regenerate the adsorbent located in the third container 3. Comparable to the state illustrated in Fig. 2, the loaded, heated regeneration gas is introduced into the manifold 30 via the discharge line 31 and the open stop valve 32, and is guided out of the device from said manifold 30 via the outlet 29 for loaded, heated regeneration gas, at the lower opening 6, which serves as outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas in this operating state. To increase the clarity, any supply or discharge line to the second container 2 has been removed in Fig. 3, so as to thus suggest that the gas no longer flows through said second container in the partial state of the first operating state illustrated in Fig. 3. This exclusion of the second container 2 from the system can be attained in that the stop valves 18, 32, 24, 26, 14, 34 in the lines, which lead to the second container 2, or which lead away from the second container 2, are closed.

In preparation of the second operating state, the device is transferred from the first operating state illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 into a preparatory operating state. The latter is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. In this preparatory operating state, the heated regeneration gas, which has been guided to the heater 22 via the by-pass line 27, as illustrated in Fig. 3, can continue to flow through the third container 3. This is why the by-pass line 27 is still illustrated in Fig. 4. It is also conceivable, however, that the adsorbent located in the third container 3 is already regenerated sufficiently in this preparatory operating state, so that a flow-through of the third container 3 with regeneration gas can also be ended. In the preparatory operating state illustrated in Fig. 4, the second container 2 is prepared for gas to be purified to soon flow through it (or to next change into the stand-by). It is necessary for this purpose to remove regeneration gas, which is still located in the second container 2, from the second container 2 and to simultaneously increase the pressure in the second container 2 to the pressure level of the gas to be purified. In a first step (first partial state of the preparatory operating state; Fig. 4), a portion of the purified gas is guided from the manifold 12 and the open stop valve 34 and the adjustable throttle valve 35 via the supply line 33 via the upper opening 5, which serves as inlet for purified gas of the second container 2 in this operating state, into the second container 2 for this purpose.

The stop valve 32 is simultaneously opened in the discharge line 31 , while the stop valve 18 is closed. The purified gas, which flows into the second container 2 via the upper opening 5, can thus flow through the second container 2 from top to bottom and can thereby push regeneration gas, which is located in the second container 2, out of the second container 2 via the lower opening 6. This is favored in that the purified gas is at a higher pressure level than the regeneration gas, which is located in the second container 2. The regeneration gas, which is pushed out of the second container 2 via the lower opening 6, flows into the manifold 30 via the discharge line 31 and the open stop valve 32, and leaves the device according to the invention via the outlet 29.

When purified gas has flown through the second container 2 until regeneration gas is no longer located in the second container 2, the stop valve 32 is closed in the discharge line 31. This leads to a pressure build-up in the second container 2. The latter is now completely filled with purified gas and is brought to the pressure level of the purified gas by means of the pressure build-up, which results from the purified gas, which continues to flow, via the upper opening 5. This second step of the preparatory operating state is illustrated in Fig. 5.

The fourth container 4 is furthermore illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 again. This takes place so as to be able to point out that, in the first operating state (Fig. 3) as well as in the preparatory operating state (Fig. 4,5), the fourth container 4 is in the state, which the second container 2 reaches at the end of the second step of the preparatory operating state (Fig. 5): In the operating states illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5, the fourth container 4 is filled with purified gas and has the pressure and temperature level of the purified gas.

If the point in time is now reached during operation of the device according to the invention, at which the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent located in the first container 1 is depleted, a switch is made into the transitional operating state illustrated in Fig. 6, which serves for the preparation of the second operating state.

In this transitional operating state, the second container 2 and the third container 3 are initially excluded from the system. The second container 2 includes already regenerated adsorbent, it is filled with purified gas and is at the pressure and temperature level of the purified gas. It is thus in a stand-by position, in order to be used as container for the purification of the gas in the next subsequent operating state. In the transitional operating state illustrated in Fig. 6, the third container 3 is at the (lower) pressure level of the regeneration gas and contains regenerated, but hot adsorbent. The adsorbent in the first container 1 must be regenerated next. For this purpose, the first container 1 must be brought to the pressure level of the regeneration gas (relaxed). For this purpose, the stop valve 42 in the discharge line 41 of the first container 1 is opened. Gas comprising a high pressure level, which is still located in the first container 1 , after a switch-over has been made for the gas to be purified from the first container 1 to the fourth container 4, can flow into the manifold 30 via the lower opening 6 and the discharge line 41 via the open stop valve 42, and can leave the device according to the invention via the outlet 29.

After the first container 1 has been brought to the pressure level of the regeneration gas, the device is brought into the second operating state. The latter is illustrated in Fig. 7. The gas to be purified enters into the manifold 8 via the inlet 7 for the gas to be purified and flows into the fourth container 4 via the supply line 9 through the open stop valve 0 via the lower opening 6, which acts as inlet for the gas to be purified in this operating state. The gas to be purified flows through the adsorbent, which is present in the fourth container 4, and is purified thereby, and leaves the upper opening 5 of the fourth container 4, which serves as outlet for the purified gas in this operating state, as purified gas. The purified gas flows into the manifold 12 via the discharge line 13 through the open stop valve 14, and leaves the device according to the invention via the outlet 11 for purified gas.

Regeneration gas flows via the regeneration gas inlet 15 through the open stop valve 37 into the manifold 16. The regeneration gas flows into to third container 3 via the supply line 17 and the open stop valve 18 via the lower opening 6, which serves as inlet for cool regeneration gas of the second container 2 in this operating state. In the second operating state, hot adsorbent regenerated by the execution of the first operating state, which had been carried out immediately prior to this, is located in the third container 3. The regeneration gas is at a lower temperature level than the adsorbent, which is located in the third container 3, but which is hot. The regeneration gas flows through the third container 3 from the inlet for cool regeneration gas (lower opening 6) to the outlet for heated regeneration gas (upper opening 5) and thereby cools down the adsorbent located in the third container 3. From the outlet for heated regeneration gas (upper opening 5), the heated regeneration gas flows via the discharge line 23 and the open stop valve 24 into the first branch 20 of the manifold 19. The heated regeneration gas flows through the first branch 20 and is heated in the heater 22. From the heater 22, the heated regeneration gas flows through the second branch 21 of the manifold 19. From the second branch 21 of the manifold 19, the heated regeneration gas flows into the first container 1 through the supply line 25 via the open stop valve 26 via the upper opening 5, which acts as inlet for heated regeneration gas in this operating state. In the first operating state, which is carried out prior to carrying out the second operating state, the first container 1 was used to purify the gas. This is why loaded adsorbent is located in the first container 1. This loaded adsorbent is regenerated by the heated regeneration gas, which flows from the inlet for heated regeneration gas (upper opening 5) to the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas (lower opening 6) through the loaded adsorbent located in the first container 1. The loaded, heated regeneration gas leaves the first container 1 via the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas (lower opening 6) and passes through the open stop valve 32 and the discharge line 31 into the manifold 30 and is guided from the latter to the outlet 29 for loaded, heated regeneration gas.

In this operating state, the second container 2 has no function. For the sake of clarity, it has thus been removed from the illustration of Fig. 7 and 8. It is in stand-by.

It can easily be seen that the partial state, in which the regenerated adsorbent in the third container 3 has already cooled down sufficiently by being flown through with regeneration gas, can also be reached in the second operating state illustrated in Fig. 7, while the adsorbent to be regenerated must be regenerated in the first container 1. Comparable to the state illustrated in Fig. 3, it is also possible in the second operating state illustrated in Fig. 7, to exclude the third container 3 from the system and to allow regeneration gas to flow into the first container 1 via the by-pass line 27 to the heater. 22 and from the latter via the second part of the manifold 19 and the supply line 25 via the open stop valve 26 via the upper opening 5 (see Fig. 8).

In the preparatory operating state, which then follows (see Figs. 9 and 10), the third container 3 is initially rinsed by being connected to the manifold 12 (the regeneration gas located in the third container 3 is pushed out of the third container 3 through the lower opening 6 and the discharge line 31 through the open stop valve 32 into the manifold 30 and from there out of the outlet). The lower opening 6 is subsequently (see Fig. 10) closed by closing the stop valve 32, so that in the third container 3, the purified gas now located therein can build up the pressure in the third container 3. The device according to the invention is then (state of Fig. 10) in a comparable state, in which it was in Fig. 5.

The system can now be switched into a transitional operating state, comparable to the operating state illustrated in Fig. 6. In this transitional operating state, the third container 3 and the first container 1 are initially excluded from the system. The third container 3 contains already regenerated adsorbent, it is filled with purified gas and is at the pressure and temperature level of the purified gas. It is thus in a stand-by position, in order to be used as container for the purification of the gas in the next subsequent operating state. The first container 1 is at the (lower) pressure level of the regeneration gas and contains regenerated, but hot adsorbent. The adsorbent in the fourth container 4 must be regenerated next. For this purpose, the fourth container 4 must be brought to the pressure level of the regeneration gas (relaxed). For this purpose, the stop valve 32 in the discharge line 31 of the fourth container 4 is opened. Gas comprising a high pressure level, which is still located in the fourth container 4, after a switch-over has been made for the gas to be purified from the first container 1 to the second container 2, can flow via the lower opening 6 and the discharge line 31 via the open stop valve 32 into the manifold 30, and can leave the device according to the invention via the outlet 29.

It can be seen that the device then runs through states, which are comparable to the above-described states, namely runs through a third operating state, which is comparable to the operating state illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7, wherein regeneration gas flows through the first container 1 in the third operating state and heats it, the second container 2 purifies the gas, the third container 3 is on stand-by and the fourth container 4 is regenerated by regeneration gas, which is warmed in the first container 1 and heated in the heater 22. It can also be seen that, in the context of the third operating state, a state can be reached, in which the adsorbent is sufficiently cooled down in the first container 1 , so that the first container 1 can be excluded from the system, comparable to the third container 3 of Fig. 8 or comparable to the second container 2 in Fig. 3, and heated regeneration gas is generated in that regeneration gas is guided to the fourth container 4 from the regeneration gas inlet 15 via the bypass line 27 and the heater 22. It can also be seen that a preparatory operating state follows the third operating state, in which the first container 1 (comparable to the third container 3 in Fig. 9 or comparable to the second container 2 in Fig. 4) is rinsed with purified gas and a phase of the pressure build-up then takes place in the first container 1 (comparable in the third container 3 in Fig. 10 or to the second container 2 in Fig. 5).

Comparable to the state in Fig. 6 - this is followed by a state, in which the gas to be purified no longer flows through the second container 2, but the third container 3, and the second container 2, comparable to the first container 1 in Fig. 6, is subjected to a pressure relaxation, until the fourth operating state is then reached. In this fourth operating state, the first container 1 is in stand-by, the second container 2 is regenerated, the third container 3 purifies the gas to be purified, and the fourth container 4 warms the regeneration gas.

Fig. 11 shows the states of the four containers in the first operating state, second operating state, third operating state, and in the fourth operating state, schematically by means of symbols. It can be seen from the illustration, which of the four containers the gas purifies in the respective operating state, which container is in stand-by, which container heats the regeneration gas, so that it can then be introduced, heated via the heater (H), into the container, in which the adsorbent is to be regenerated.

Claims

Patent Claims:

A device for temperature swing adsorption comprising a first container (1) and a second container (2) and a third container (3), in the case of which the first, the second, and the third container (1 , 2, 3) each have at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, characterized in that

the first, the second, and the third container (1 , 2, 3) each have an inlet for the gas to be purified and an outlet for the purified gas,

the first, the second, and the third container (1 , 2, 3) each have an inlet for cool regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified,

the first, the second, and the third container (1 , 2, 3) each have an outlet for heated regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the outlet for the purified gas,

the first, the second, and the third container (1 , 2, 3) each have an inlet for heated regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the outlet for the purified gas,

the first, the second, and the third container (1 , 2, 3) each have an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified, and

the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container (1 ) is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container (2), and/or the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container (2) is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container (3), and/or the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container (3) is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container (1).

Device for temperature swing adsorption, comprising n containers (1 ,2,3) with n≥ 3, in the case of which each container (1 , 2, 3) has at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption,

characterized in that

each container (1 , 2, 3) has an inlet for the gas to be purified and an outlet for the purified gas,

each container (1 , 2, 3) has an inlet for cool regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified, each container (1 , 2, 3) has an outlet for heated regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the outlet for the purified gas, each container (1 , 2, 3) has an inlet for heated regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the outlet for the purified gas, each container (1 ,

2, 3) has an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, which is particularly preferably formed by the inlet for the gas to be purified, and

the outlet for heated regeneration gas of each container of the n containers is connected to at least one inlet for heated regeneration gas of another container of the n containers.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container (1) is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container (2) via a heater (22), and/or the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container (2) is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container (3) via a heater (22), and/or the outlet for heated regeneration gas of the third container (3) is connected to the inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container (1 ) via a heater (22).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by a supply network for regeneration gas comprising a regeneration gas inlet (15), wherein the respective inlet for cool regeneration gas of the respective container (1 , 2, 3, 4) is connected to the regeneration gas inlet (15).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by a manifold network for heated regeneration gas comprising a manifold (19), wherein each outlet for heated regeneration gas is connected to the manifold (19) via a discharge line (23), wherein provision is particularly preferably made in the respective discharge line (23) for a stop valve (24).

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that each inlet for heated regeneration gas is connected to the manifold ( 9) via a supply line (25), wherein provision is particularly preferably made in the respective supply line (25) for a stop valve (26).

7. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that provision is made in the manifold (19) for a heater (22).

8. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by a by-pass line (27), which connects the regeneration gas inlet (15) to the manifold (19), wherein provision is particularly preferably made in the by-pass line (27) for a stop valve (28).

Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at the outlet for the gas to be purified, and/or

at the outlet for the purified gas, and/or

at the inlet for cool regeneration gas, and/or

at the outlet for heated regeneration gas, and/or

at the inlet for heated regeneration gas, and/or

at the outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas

of at least one container (1 , 2, 3, 4), preferably of each container (1 , 2, 3, 4), and/or

at the regeneration gas inlet (15),

provision is made for a temperature sensor (36) for measuring the gas temperature, and/or for a flow meter (40), and/or for a pressure control valve (39).

Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the outlet for the purified gas of the first container (1 ) is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the second container (2), and/or the outlet for the purified gas of the second container (2) is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the third container (3), and/or the outlet for the purified gas of the third container (3) is connected to an inlet for purified gas of the first container (1 ).

A method for temperature swing adsorption, in the case of which in a first operating state the gas to be purified is introduced into the first container (1) via an inlet for the gas to be purified of a first container (1), which has at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, and is discharged from the first container (1) via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the first container (1), a regeneration gas is heated and is introduced into the third container (3) via an inlet for heated regeneration gas of a third container (3), which has at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, and is discharged from the third container (3) as loaded, heated regeneration gas via an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the third container (3),

and in a second operating state the gas to be purified is introduced into the second container (2) via an inlet for the gas to be purified of a second container (2), which has at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, and is discharged from the second container (2) via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container (2), or that the gas to be purified is introduced into the fourth container (4) via an inlet for the gas to be purified of a fourth container (4), which has at least one adsorbent, which is suitable for the temperature swing adsorption, and is discharged from the fourth container (4) via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the fourth container (4), while a second container (2) is in a stand-by,

a regeneration gas is introduced into the third container (3) via an inlet for cool regeneration gas of the third container (3), and is discharged from the third container (3) as heated regeneration gas via an outlet for heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the third container (3),

the heated regeneration gas is heated and is introduced into the first container (1 ) via an inlet for heated regeneration gas of the first container (1), and is discharged from the first container (1) as loaded, heated regeneration gas via an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the first container (1).

Method according to claim 11 , characterized in that, prior to a change from the first operating state into the second operating state, the outlet for the purified gas of the first container (1) is closed and the first container (1) is subjected to a depressurization.

Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the regeneration gas is introduced into the second container (2) via an inlet for cool regeneration gas of the second container (2) in the first operating state and is discharged from the second container (2) via an outlet for heated regeneration gas as heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container (2), and, prior to a change from the first operating state into the second operating state, the supply of regeneration gas into the second container (2) is stopped and a portion of the purified gas, which is discharged from the first container (1) via the outlet for purified gas, flows into the second container (2) via an inlet for purified gas of the second container (2).

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by a third operating state, in the case of which, when carrying out the method on a device comprising a first, a second and a third container (1 , 2, 3), the gas to be purified is introduced into the third container (3) via an inlet for the gas to be purified of a third container (3), and is discharged from the third container (3) via an outlet for purified gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the third container (3),

a regeneration gas is introduced into the first container (1) via an inlet for cool regeneration gas of the first container (1), and is discharged from the first container (1) as heated regeneration gas via an outlet for heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the first container (1),

the heated regeneration gas is heated and is introduced into the second container (2) via an inlet for heated regeneration gas of the second container (2), and is discharged from the second container (2) as loaded, heated regeneration gas via an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container (2).

15. Method according to one of claims 1 1 to 13, characterized by a third operating state, in the case of which, when carrying out the method on a device comprising a first, a second, a third, and a fourth container (1 , 2, 3, 4), the gas to be purified is introduced into the second container (2) via an inlet for the gas to be purified of the second container (2), which was in stand-by in the second state, and is discharged from the second container (2) via an outlet for purified gas after flowing through the adsorbent in the second container (2), while the third container (3) is in stand-by, a regeneration gas is introduced into the first container (1) via an inlet for cool regeneration gas of the first container (1), and is discharged from the first container (1) as heated regeneration gas via an outlet for heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the first container (1), the heated regeneration gas is heated and is introduced into the fourth container (4) via an inlet for heated regeneration gas of the fourth container (4), and is discharged from the fourth container (4) as loaded, heated regeneration gas via an outlet for loaded, heated regeneration gas, after flowing through the adsorbent in the fourth container (4).

16. Method according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that it is carried out by means of a device according to one of claims 1 to 10. Use of the device according to one of claims 1 to 10, and/or use of the method according to one of claims 11 to 16 for natural gas drying and removal of residual content of C0₂ or for C0₂ drying and removal of methanol.