The performance of a tapered pressure swing adsorption (PSA) column is investigated on the basis of rigorous nonisothermal numerical modeling, for simultaneous nitrogen purification and butane vapor recovery. The results indicate that the tapered column improves the process performance when feeding from the wider end of the column and purging from the narrower end. An optimum taper angle (5 degrees) is also found for the constant length and volume system investigated with an order of magnitude increase in the light product purity. The favorable effects are manifested through complex temperature variations and corresponding local concentration wave velocity variations associated with heating and cooling effects that are caused by adsorption and desorption of the butane vapor. The favorable effects of a tapered PSA column also improve as the heat effects become more pronounced.