Fluid handling method with improved purification
First Claim
1. In a process for effecting a pressure change in a working fluid by passing the working fluid through a rotor and wherein a shaft extends longitudinally from and rotates with said rotor within a surrounding housing means which defines a contact zone between the rotor and a first seal means generally surrounding the shaft in axially spaced relation to the rotor to receive a lubricant fluid and a contact fluid, said lubricant fluid having a minimum boiling point and an additive fluid mixed therewith is injected into the first seal means adjacent the shaft at a pressure sufficient to cause the lubricant fluid to flow axially toward the rotor, the steps comprising:
- collecting from said contact zone a composite liquid comprising said contact fluid, said additive fluid and said lubricant fluid; and
separating said contact fluid from said composite liquid in the presence of said additive fluid having a boiling point greater than the maximum boiling point of said contact fluid, but less than the minimum boiling point of said lubricant fluid.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention pertains to improvements in a fluid handling system in which a working fluid passes through a rotor while undergoing a pressure change. A shaft extends longitudinally from and rotates with the rotor. A first seal surrounds the shaft in axially spaced relation to the rotor, and a lubricant having a minimum boiling point is injected into the first seal adjacent the shaft at a pressure sufficient to cause the lubricant to flow axially toward the rotor. A housing surrounds the rotor and shaft and defines a contact zone between the rotor and the first seal for receiving both lubricant and a contact fluid such as the working fluid or a seal buffer gas used to isolate the working fluid from the lubricant. The contact fluid has a maximum boiling point substantially less than the minimum boiling point of the lubricant. A composite liquid comprising contact fluid and lubricant is collected from the contact zone and the contact fluid separated therefrom by fractional distillation in the presence of an additive fluid having a boiling point greater than the maximum boiling point of the contact fluid but less than the minimum boiling point of the lubricant.
29 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a process for effecting a pressure change in a working fluid by passing the working fluid through a rotor and wherein a shaft extends longitudinally from and rotates with said rotor within a surrounding housing means which defines a contact zone between the rotor and a first seal means generally surrounding the shaft in axially spaced relation to the rotor to receive a lubricant fluid and a contact fluid, said lubricant fluid having a minimum boiling point and an additive fluid mixed therewith is injected into the first seal means adjacent the shaft at a pressure sufficient to cause the lubricant fluid to flow axially toward the rotor, the steps comprising:
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collecting from said contact zone a composite liquid comprising said contact fluid, said additive fluid and said lubricant fluid; and separating said contact fluid from said composite liquid in the presence of said additive fluid having a boiling point greater than the maximum boiling point of said contact fluid, but less than the minimum boiling point of said lubricant fluid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a process for exchanging power with a working fluid wherein a shaft extends longitudinally from and rotates within a surrounding housing means which defines a contact zone with a first seal means generally surrounding the shaft to receive a lubricant fluid and a contact fluid, said lubricant fluid having a minimum boiling point and an additive fluid mixed therewith is injected into the first seal means adjacent the shaft at a pressure sufficient to cause the lubricant fluid to flow axially, the steps comprising:
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collecting from said contact zone a composite liquid comprising said contact fluid, said additive fluid and said lubricant fluid; and separating said contact fluid from said composite liquid in the presence of said additive fluid having a boiling point greater than the maximum boiling point of said contact fluid, but less than the minimum boiling point of said lubricant fluid.
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Specification