Separation of chemical species of a mixture using vortex separation

• US 5,476,537 A
• Filed: 06/20/1994
• Issued: 12/19/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Inventors: Gernand, Joseph J., Yi, Alex C.
• Primary Examiner(s): SPITZER, ROBERT H
• Application Number:
  US08/262,710
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 95/31-35, 96/175, 55/277, 55/459.1, 55/459.4
• US Class Current: 95/34
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 19/0057 the centrifugal movement being caused by a vortex, e.g. using a cyclone, or by a tangential inlet
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/14 Fractional distillation or use of a fractionation or rectification column
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 45/12 by centrifugal forces centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/24 by centrifugal force centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/2405 provoking a turbulent flow of the reactants, such as in cyclones, or having a high Reynolds-number
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00121 by direct heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00164 controlling the flow
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 3/06 Construction of inlets or outlets to the vortex chamber
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/02 Construction of inlets by which the vortex flow is generated , e.g. tangential admission, the fluid flow being forced to follow a downward path by spirally wound bulkheads, or with slightly downwardly-directed tangential admissionfluid dynamics in general F15D
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/081 Shapes or dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B04C 5/14 Construction of the underflow ducting; Apex constructions; Discharge arrangements ; discharge through sidewall provided with a few slits or perforations provided with a great number of slits or perforations B04C5/10
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 2205/10 using combined expansion and separation, e.g. in a vortex tube, "Ranque tube" or a "cyclonic fluid separator", i.e. combination of an isentropic nozzle and a cyclonic separator; Centrifugal separation
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/04248 Generation of cold for compensating heat leaks or liquid production, e.g. by Joule-Thompson expansion
• CPC Class Codes: F25J 3/04975 adapted for special use of the air fractionation unit, e.g. transportable devices by truck or small scale use

Abstract

An apparatus and method for separating chemical species of a mixture. A partially liquefied mixture having a mass fraction of less than 30% liquid is provided. This mixture is introduced in a tangential direction relative to and adjacent an inner surface of an elongated enclosure. The enclosure has a first end, an opposite second end, and a longitudinal axis. The inner surface has a substantially circular cross-section. The introduction of the mixture is at a sufficient velocity to form a vortex region in the enclosure. The vortex region contains at least two phases which interact. A first of the phases is a gas comprising a relative volatile chemical species, and the second of the phases is a relatively less volatile chemical species. The relatively volatile first gas phase exits from the first end of the enclosure and the relatively less volatile second phase exits from the second end of the enclosure. The present invention provides separation in an inexpensive, lightweight, low maintenance environment.

Claims

1. A method for separating chemical species of a mixture, comprising the step of:

providing a partially liquefied gaseous mixture having a mass fraction of less than 30% liquid;

introducing said partially liquefied gaseous mixture in a tangential direction relative to and adjacent an inner surface of an elongated enclosure, said enclosure having a first end, an opposite second end, and a longitudinal axis, said inner surface having a substantially circular cross-section, the introduction of said partially liquefied gaseous mixture being of sufficient velocity to form a vortex region in said enclosure, said vortex region containing at least two phases which interact,

a first of said phases being a gas comprising a relatively volatile chemical species and

a second of said phases being a relatively less volatile chemical species, said relatively volatile first gas phase exiting said first end of said enclosure, and

said relatively less volatile second phase existing said second end of said enclosure.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second phase being a liquid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of introducing said mixture comprises injection at near sonic speeds.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of introducing said mixture comprises injection of air.