Method & apparatus for separating and neutralizing ammonia
First Claim
1. An apparatus for separating and neutralizing entrained ammonia from an oil stream being removed from a refrigeration system comprised of:
- a) a treatment tank for holding an aqueous media;
b) a closed receiving tank for receiving an ammonia-entrained oil supply from said refrigeration system;
c) a circulation pipeline having a first end and a second end with said first end of said circulation pipeline being oriented in the bottom of said treatment tank and in fluid communication therewith and with said second end being oriented in the top of said treatment tank and in fluid communication therewith;
d) means for pumping said aqueous media through said circulation pipeline, located intermediate said first end and said second end of said circulation pipeline;
e) means for drawing gases from said receiving tank and introducing said gases to said aqueous solution;
f) means for controllably introducing a neutralizing agent into said aqueous solution;
g) means for connecting said receiving tank to said refrigeration system;
h) means for draining said receiving tank, and i) means for discharging said aqueous mixture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a method and apparatus to provide for the safe and effective removal and neutralization of ammonia from a stream of waste oil or other liquid. The apparatus consists of a receiving tank, a treatment tank, circulation piping, associated controls, pumping and monitoring mechanisms. The primary utility for the invention is with commercial and industrial refrigeration units. The neutralizing solution in the treatment tank is circulated through the piping which includes a venturi that is used to induce a negative gauge pressure in the receiving tank by creating a suction that draws gases from the receiving tank. The negative pressure allows the receiving tank to pull the mixture of waste oil and entrained ammonia from the drain port of the refrigeration system even when the system is below atmospheric pressure. The venturi also removes ammonia gas from the receiving tank. The system provides for the introduction of a neutralizing agent such as carbon dioxide to be mixed with liberated ammonia as it is drawn into the circulation piping and returned to the treatment tank. Other paths in the circulation piping pass the neutralizing solution through a heat exchanger in the receiving tank or just return it to the treatment tank for mixing. Heat transfer cools the treatment tank and heats the receiving tank which facilitates evaporation of liquid ammonia.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for separating and neutralizing entrained ammonia from an oil stream being removed from a refrigeration system comprised of:
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a) a treatment tank for holding an aqueous media;
b) a closed receiving tank for receiving an ammonia-entrained oil supply from said refrigeration system;
c) a circulation pipeline having a first end and a second end with said first end of said circulation pipeline being oriented in the bottom of said treatment tank and in fluid communication therewith and with said second end being oriented in the top of said treatment tank and in fluid communication therewith;
d) means for pumping said aqueous media through said circulation pipeline, located intermediate said first end and said second end of said circulation pipeline;
e) means for drawing gases from said receiving tank and introducing said gases to said aqueous solution;
f) means for controllably introducing a neutralizing agent into said aqueous solution;
g) means for connecting said receiving tank to said refrigeration system;
h) means for draining said receiving tank, and i) means for discharging said aqueous mixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of separating and neutralizing entrained ammonia from an oil stream being removed from a refrigeration system, comprising the steps of:
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a) removing the ammonia-entrained oil supply from said refrigeration system and placing said ammonia-entrained oil supply into a receiving tank;
b) heating said receiving tank to above a temperature required to evaporate the entrained ammonia from said oil supply, whereupon said released gaseous ammonia rises and enters a first end of a transfer pipeline extending from the top of said receiving tank and travels through said transfer pipeline into a treatment tank;
c) mixing said released gaseous ammonia with an aqueous media in said treatment tank by orienting the second end of said transfer pipeline at or above the level of said aqueous media in said treatment tank;
d) placing a neutralizing agent into said aqueous media; and
e) pumping the mixture of said aqueous media, acid and released ammonia from said treatment tank, circulating said mixture through a closed system of piping for return to said treatment tank. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of separating and neutralizing entrained ammonia from an oil stream being removed from a refrigeration system, comprising the steps of:
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a) containing a quantity of aqueous solution in a treatment tank;
b) pumping said aqueous solution through a first pipeline both originating and terminating in said treatment tank;
c) drawing gases from a receiving tank, creating a pressure in said receiving tank lower than the pressure of said refrigeration system;
d) connecting said receiving tank to said refrigeration system so that the lower pressure in said receiving tank removes said oil stream from said refrigeration system;
e) further drawing ammonia gas from said receiving tank and introducing said ammonia gas into said aqueous solution; and
f) adding a neutralizing agent to said aqueous solution as needed. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification