 |
|
|
|
|
|
 Title: |
US6105390:
Apparatus and process for the refrigeration, liquefaction and separation of gases with varying levels of purity
[ Derwent Title ]
|
| Country: |
US United States of America
|
| |
| Inventor: |
Bingham, Dennis N.; Idaho Falls, ID
Wilding, Bruce M.; Idaho Falls, ID
McKellar, Michael G.; Idaho Falls, ID
|
| Assignee: |
Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC, Idaho Falls, ID
other patents from BECHTEL BWXT IDAHO, LLC (765648) (approx. 113)
News, Profiles, Stocks and More about this company
|
| Published / Filed: |
2000-08-22
/ 1998-12-16
|
| Application Number: |
US1998000212490
|
| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
F25J 1/00;
F25J 3/00;
F25J 3/06;
IPC-7:
F25J 1/00;
|
| ECLA Code: |
F25J1/00; F25J1/00A6; F25J1/00A6B; F25J1/00C2E; F25J1/00C2E2; F25J1/00C2F; F25J1/00C2V; F25J1/02A; F25J1/02A2; F25J1/02Z4U; R25J205/10; R25J220/62; R25J220/64; R25J230/08; R25J230/30; R25J230/60; R25J245/02; R25J290/62;
|
| U.S. Class: |
Current:
062/613;
062/619;
062/621;
062/910;
Original:
062/613;
062/619;
062/621;
062/910;
|
| Field of Search: |
062/611,613,619,621,87,910,5
|
| Government Interest: |
CONTRACTUAL ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION
The United States has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC07-94ID13223 between the U.S. Department of Energy and Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company.
|
| Priority Number: |
| 1998-12-16 |
US1998000212490 |
| 1997-12-16 |
US1997000069698P |
|
| Abstract: |
A process for the separation and liquefaction of component gasses from a pressurized mix gas stream is disclosed. The process involves cooling the pressurized mixed gas stream in a heat exchanger so as to condense one or more of the gas components having the highest condensation point; separating the condensed components from the remaining mixed gas stream in a gas-liquid separator; cooling the separated condensed component stream by passing it through an expander; and passing the cooled component stream back through the heat exchanger such that the cooled component stream functions as the refrigerant for the heat exchanger. The cycle is then repeated for the remaining mixed gas stream so as to draw off the next component gas and further cool the remaining mixed gas stream. The process continues until all of the component gases are separated from the desired gas stream. The final gas stream is then passed through a final heat exchanger and expander. The expander decreases the pressure on the gas stream, thereby cooling the stream and causing a portion of the gas stream to liquify within a tank. The portion of the gas which is not liquefied is passed back through each of the heat exchanges where it functions as a refrigerant.
|
| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Workman Nydegger & Seeley ;
|
| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Capossela, Ronald;
|
| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
Family Legal Status Report
|
| Parent Case: |
RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority from provisional application Ser. No. 60/069,698 filed Dec. 16, 1997. For purposes of disclosure this provisional application is incorporated by reference.
|
| Designated Country: |
AL AM AP AT AZ BA BB BG BR BY CH CN CU CZ EA EE ES FI GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS KE KG BE DE DK FR GB IT
|
| Family: |
Show 11 known family members
|
First Claim:
Show all 30 claims |
We claim:
1. A compressorless process for separating and cooling a pressurized mixed gas stream having at least two components, wherein the latent energy of each individual, separated component is captured by the process to further cool the pressurized mixed gas stream, the process comprising the steps of:
- a. cooling the mixed gas stream to a temperature below a condensation point of a first component within the mixed gas stream;
- b. separating the condensed first component from the mixed gas stream, thereby creating a liquid first component stream;
- c. cooling the liquid first component stream by expansion; and
- d. using the expanded first component stream to cool the mixed gas stream.
|
| Background / Summary: |
Show background / summary
|
| Drawing Descriptions: |
Show drawing descriptions
|
| Description: |
Show description
|
| Forward References: |
Show 18 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
|
