Investigation of Xenon Extraction from ASU Streams by Low-Temperature Adsorption

The article considers a method for extracting xenon from gas concentrates on the basis of batch adsorption separation. An experimental unit for studying xenon adsorption dynamics at cryogenic temperatures was developed. Simulations were carried out in order to investigate the process of xenon adsorption from an air separation unit (ASU) “safety stream” on different sorbent materials (four types of silica gel and active aluminum oxide). A krypton-nitrogen-helium (Kr-N2-He) mixture was selected for the purposes of modeling to comply with fire and explosion safety requirements and to reduce the duration of the experiment. From analyzing the data obtained using the described, specially-developed experimental technique, we selected the sorbent having the maximum dynamic capacity for our application.