Process and installation for the separation of a mixture of two gaseous components

• US 5,269,155 A
• Filed: 05/22/1991
• Issued: 12/14/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Waldemar Adelmann
• Original Assignee: Waldemar Adelmann
• Inventors: Adelmann, Waldemar
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennet, Henry A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOERRLER, WILLIAM CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US07/704,136
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 62/292, 62/85, 62/149, 55/23, 55/24, 55/50
• US Class Current: 62/292
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/102 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2256/24 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/402 using two beds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 5/0036 Multiple-effect condensation; Fractional condensation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 5/0039 Recuperation of heat, e.g. use of heat pump(s), compression
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 5/0054 General arrangements, e.g. flow sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/002 by condensation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/04 with stationary adsorbents B01D53/025 takes precedence

Abstract

In order to separate a mixture of two gaseous components with different boiling temperatures, it is proposed that the mixture be initially compressed and thereupon cooled so that its temperature lies below the boiling temperature of the gas components to be removed. The gas components to be removed undergo condensation and can be led off for reutilization without contaminating the environment. Furthermore, it is proposed to feed the gas mixture through activated carbon filters (4, 5) after the condensation process, in order to bind remaining proportions of the gas components to be removed. It is also intended to partially return the gas mixture for renewed liquefaction after it has passed through said activated carbon filters. At the same time, the invention proposes a suitable installation for the execution of this process.

Claims

1. A process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components having different boiling point temperatures formed during a re-utilization of PUR-foamed plastics, comprising the steps of:

compressing said mixture for raising the temperature of said mixture above the boiling point temperature of the gaseous component to be eliminated;

cooling said mixture of two gaseous components below the boiling point temperature of the gaseous component to be eliminated from said mixture, said gaseous component to be eliminated thereby being liquefied by condensation;

discharging the liquefied gas component of said cooling step into said tank thereby eliminating from said mixture the gaseous component to be eliminated and leaving a resulting gaseous mixture;

expanding the resulting gaseous mixture; and

,

exhausting the resulting gaseous mixture through at least one activated carbon filter for removing any remaining gaseous component to be eliminated.

2. The process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

regenerating said activated carbon filter by ventilating said activated carbon filter with a hot gas in a counterflow direction for extracting bound particles of said gas component to be eliminated, thereby providing a resulting mixture of gaseous filter residues and hot gas.

3. The process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 2, further comprising the step of:

subjecting said resulting mixture of gaseous filter residues and hot gas to said compressing step, said cooling step and said discharging step.

4. The process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 2, wherein said hot gas is a member selected from the group consisting of hot air and an inert gas.

5. The process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 1, wherein said exhausting step is carried out with two activated carbon filters.

6. A process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components having different boiling point temperatures formed during a re-utilization of PUR-foamed plastics, comprising the steps of:

compressing said mixture for raising the temperature of said mixture above the boiling point temperature of the gaseous component to be eliminated;

cooling said mixture of two gaseous components below the boiling point temperature of the gaseous component to be eliminated from said mixture, said gaseous component to be eliminated thereby being liquefied by condensation;

discharging the liquefied gas component of said cooling step into a tank thereby eliminating from said mixture said gaseous component to be eliminated and leaving a resulting gaseous mixture; and

,

passing said resulting gaseous mixture through at least one activated carbon filter for removing any remaining gaseous component to be eliminated;

repeating, at least one time, said compressing step, said cooling step and said discharging step;

expanding the resulting gaseous mixture; and

,

exhausting the resulting gaseous mixture through at least one activated carbon filter for removing any remaining gaseous component to be eliminated.

7. The process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 6, further comprising the step of:

regenerating said activated carbon filter by ventilating said activated carbon filter with a hot gas in a counterflow direction for extracting bound particles of said gas component to be eliminated, thereby providing a resulting mixture of gaseous filter residues and hot gas.

8. The process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

subjecting said resulting mixture of gaseous filter residues and hot gas to said compressing and cooling step and said discharging step.

9. The process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 7, wherein said hot gas is a member selected from the group consisting of hot air and an inert gas.

10. The process for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 6, wherein said passing step and and exhausting step are carried out with two activated carbon filters.

11. Apparatus for separating a mixture of two gaseous components having different boiling point temperatures formed during a re-utilization of PUR-foamed plastics, comprising:

a compressor for compressing a mixture of gases to a temperature above the boiling point temperature of a component of said mixture to be removed;

a cooling unit for cooling said mixture and liquifying the component of said mixture to be removed via condensation;

means for transferring said mixture from said compressor to said cooling unit;

a collection tank for collecting the component of said mixture to be removed in a liquified phase from said compressor and said cooling unit with a resultant gas mixture remaining after removal of the liquified phase;

a discharge valve for expanding the resultant gas mixture;

means for transferring the resultant gas mixture from said cooler through said discharge valve; and

,

activated carbon filter means for filtering the resultant gas mixture, received from said discharge valve, for removal of the component of said mixture to be removed.

12. The apparatus for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 11, further comprising a control instrument for regulating flow of the resultant gas mixture to said activated carbon filter means, said activated carbon filter means comprising two activated carbon filters with said control instrument regulating the flow of the resultant gas mixture so that if one of said activated carbon filters becomes overloaded, flow is changed over to the second of said activated carbon filters by said control instrument.

13. The apparatus for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 12, wherein said two activated carbon filters are arranged in parallel.

14. The apparatus for separating a mixture of two gaseous components according to claim 11, further comprising means for returning at least a portion of the resultant gas mixture to said compressor after passage through said activated carbon filter means.