METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVED CONTROL OF PSA FLOW VARIATIONS

A pressure swing adsorption system and a pressure swing adsorption process are provided. The system includes a plurality of vessels and a throttling assembly disposed in a fluid path between at least two of the vessels. The vessels each contain an adsorbent mass configured to separate a gas mixture by absorbing at least one gas component in the adsorbent mass. The throttling assembly includes at least two throttling orifices configured to regulate fluid flow between the at least two vessels. The system is configured to separate the gas mixture using at least two independent pressure swing adsorption cycles, each of the cycles being performed in respective sets of vessels of the plurality of vessels.