Adsorption column set for separating two or more gases of a gas mixture from each other using pressure swing adsorption

1. An adsorption column set for separating two or more gases of a gas mixture from each other using pressure swing adsorption, the adsorption column set including:

a first adsorption column set comprising at least two adsorption columns and including an adsorption medium to adsorb a first gas by action of pressure, and each adsorption column including a feed connection, a discharge connection and a first connecting connection, wherein the at least two adsorption columns of said first adsorption column set are connected in series,

a number of additional adsorption column sets comprising an equal number of additional adsorption columns as there are adsorption columns in the first adsorption column set forming one or more additional adsorption columns in parallel with a respective one of the adsorption columns of the first adsorption column set, each additional column including a second connecting connection,

disconnectable connecting connectors connecting each parallel additional adsorption column to the adsorption column of said first adsorption column set using said first and second connecting connections, wherein each first adsorption column and at least one additional adsorption column connected in parallel form an unrestricted continuous volume for gas,

auxiliary equipment supported in a vicinity of the adsorption columns feeding a gas mixture to the adsorption columns and discharging separated gases according to pressure swing adsorption, comprising operation valves of each first adsorption column restricting flow of the gas mixture and separated gases jointly for the first adsorption column and additional adsorption columns forming the unrestricted continuous volume,

wherein each first adsorption column is arranged at a different pressure level using the auxiliary equipment.

2. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein the volume of each adsorption column is 0.01-5 m3.

3. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein the volume of each adsorption column is 0.05 and 2 m3.

4. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , said adsorption column set further including a frame for supporting the first adsorption column set in a place of use, the frame including connection means connecting the additional adsorption columns to the frame with a dedicated additional frame.

5. An adsorption column set according to claim 4 , wherein the frame comprises anchoring members connecting the dedicated additional frame to the frame for increasing capacity.

6. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting connections are T-branches.

7. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein said auxiliary equipment is also adapted for operating the additional adsorption columns.

8. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the auxiliary equipment are such that capacity of the auxiliary equipment corresponds to the aggregated need of the adsorption column and 1-10 additional adsorption columns connected thereto.

9. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the auxiliary equipment are such that capacity of the auxiliary equipment corresponds to the aggregated need of the adsorption column and 2-4 additional adsorption columns connected thereto.

10. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary equipment includes for each adsorption column of the first adsorption column set

a feed line connected to the feed connection feeding a gas mixture to the adsorption columns,

a discharge line connected to said discharge connection discharging gases from the adsorption columns.

11. An adsorption column set according to claim 10 , wherein the auxiliary equipment includes

pressurisation means connected to the feed line pressurising the gas mixture while feeding the gas mixture to at least one adsorption column,

vacuum means arranged in the discharge line creating a vacuum in the adsorption column providing desorption of gas adsorbed in adsorption medium,

intermediate feed lines between adsorption columns increasing and decreasing the pressure of the adsorption columns in a staged manner.

12. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary equipment includes

a valve system comprising the operation valves of each adsorption column, namely a feed valve and a discharge valve, as well as an intermediate feed valve restricting the feed and discharge flows of the adsorption columns,

a control system controlling the valve system in a staged manner, arranged to feed the gas mixture in a staged manner to each adsorption column at a different pressure level utilising the pressure of the previous adsorption columns.

13. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein each additional adsorption column is directly connected to the adsorption column via the connecting connection and second connecting connection forming the unrestricted continuous volume relative to each other.

14. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein the operation valves of each adsorption column feed a gas mixture to the additional adsorption column connected to the related adsorption column via the feed connection of the related adsorption column.

15. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein each additional adsorption column also includes a feed connection and a discharge connection, the feed connection or the discharge connection or both including the connecting connection connecting said additional adsorption columns successively in parallel with each adsorption column for increasing capacity.

16. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , further including a detachable closure for each connecting connection of a last additional adsorption column set for plugging the connecting connection.

17. An adsorption column set according to claim 1 , wherein each connecting connection comprises a flanged connection.

18. An adsorption column set according to claim 11 , wherein said intermediate line is connected between the discharge line of one adsorption column of the first adsorption column set and the feed line of another adsorption column of the first adsorption column set that is in a lower pressure level.