Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the level of a liquid. The apparatus includes an elongated probe comprising an electrically and thermally conductive material. The probe has an upper region to be disposed above the surface of the liquid, a lower region to be disposed below the surface of the liquid, and a middle region. A heater adds heat to the probe, and temperature sensors may measure the temperature of the probe in the upper and lower regions. Electrical circuitry may be used to control and receive signals from the various components and to measure the electrical resistance between a location in the upper region of the probe and a location in the lower region of the probe. The liquid level may be computed as a function of the measured values, the probe dimensions, and the known temperature dependence of the electrical resistance of the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the level of a liquid. The apparatus comprises an elongated, thermally conductive probe with an upper region to be disposed above the surface of the liquid, a lower region to be disposed below the surface of the liquid, and a middle region. A heater adds heat to the probe, and temperature sensors may measure the temperature of the probe in the upper and lower regions. An actuator may introduce a vibration into the probe at a first location, and a vibration sensor senses the arrival of the vibration at a second location. Electrical circuitry controls may be used to receive signals and make measurements. The liquid level may be computed by electrical circuitry controls via an equation.

Abstract: A method for thickening a cryogenic slurry is disclosed. The method comprises providing a cryogenic slurry flow path, a cryogenic liquid discharge path, and a filter medium between the cryogenic slurry flow path and the cryogenic liquid discharge path. The cryogenic slurry comprises a solid and a cryogenic liquid. The cryogenic slurry is fed into the cryogenic slurry flow path, generally tangential to the filter medium. This causes a portion of the cryogenic liquid to cross the filter medium into the cryogenic liquid discharge path as a cryogenic liquid discharge and the cryogenic slurry to thicken to produce a thickened slurry. The filter medium comprises a cryogenically-stable material such that adsorption of gases is inhibited, deposition of solids is prevented, and temperature-change induced expansion and contraction of the filter medium is optimized.

Abstract: A device for thickening a cryogenic slurry is disclosed. The device comprises a cryogenic slurry flow path, a cryogenic liquid discharge path, and a filter medium between the cryogenic slurry flow path and the cryogenic liquid discharge path. The cryogenic slurry comprises a solid and a cryogenic liquid. The cryogenic slurry is fed into the cryogenic slurry flow path, generally tangential to the filter medium. This causes a portion of the cryogenic liquid to cross the filter medium into the cryogenic liquid discharge path as a cryogenic liquid discharge and the cryogenic slurry to thicken to produce a thickened slurry. The filter medium comprises a cryogenically-stable material such that adsorption of gases is inhibited, deposition of solids is prevented, and temperature-change induced expansion and contraction of the filter medium is optimized.

Abstract: A method for removing a surface foulant is disclosed. An operating heat exchanger is provided. A carrier liquid that contains potential fouling agents is provided to the heat exchanger. The potential fouling agents foul at least a portion of the heat exchanger. The exchanger is operated such that the carrier liquid is at a vapor pressure equal to the operating pressure. Cavitation inducing devices are provided to the exchanger. A condition indicating fouling is detected. The cavitation inducing devices are operated on a portion of the exchanger to cause a localized pressure change, vaporizing a portion of the carrier liquid and forming a transient bubble or bubbles which collapse by cavitation, producing a localized shockwave, a re-entrant microjet, and extreme transient pressures and temperatures. These steps are repeated as necessary to remove the surface foulant. In this manner, the surface foulant is removed from the operating heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for preventing fouling of an operating heat exchanger is disclosed. A carrier liquid is provided to the heat exchanger. The carrier liquid contains a potential fouling agent. The potential fouling agent is entrained in the carrier liquid, dissolved in the carrier liquid, or a combination thereof. The potential fouling agent fouls the heat exchanger by condensation, crystallization, solidification, desublimation, reaction, deposition, or combinations thereof. A gas-injection device is provided on the inlet of the heat exchanger. A non-reactive gas is injected into the carrier liquid through the gas-injection device. The non-reactive gas will not foul the heat exchanger surface and will not condense into the carrier liquid. The non-reactive gas creates a disturbance by increasing flow velocity and creating a shear discontinuity, thereby breaking up crystallization and nucleation sites on the surface of the heat exchanger. In this manner, fouling of the operating heat exchanger is prevented.

Abstract: A device is disclosed comprising a diaphragm mechanism. A diaphragm mechanism comprises an enclosure defined by opposing flexible walls joined along a perimeter of the enclosure and one or more coiled springs contained entirely between the opposed flexible walls. A central, helical axis of the one or more coiled springs is disposed substantially parallel to the opposed flexible walls and arrayed in concentric spirals around a central hole or arrayed in parallel bands.

Abstract: A method for semi-continuous operation of a heat exchange process that alternates between two heat exchangers is disclosed. The method comprises, first, providing a contact liquid to a first heat exchanger while the second heat exchanger is on standby. The contact liquid contains a dissolved gas, an entrained gas, or residual small particles that foul the first heat exchanger by condensing or depositing as a foulant onto the first heat exchanger, restricting free flow of the contact liquid. Second, detecting a pressure drop across the first heat exchanger. Third, switching flows of the coolant from the first to the second heat exchanger. Fourth, removing the foulant from the now standby first heat exchanger by providing heat to the heat exchanger, passing a non-reactive gas through the heat exchanger, or a combination thereof. In this manner, the heat exchange process operates semi-continuously.

Abstract: Condensable vapors such as carbon dioxide are separated from light gases in a process stream. The systems and methods employ a circulating fluidized particle bed cooled by an out-bed heat exchanger to desublimate the solid form of condensable vapors from the process stream. Gas and solids may be sorted in a separator, and the solids may then be subcooled in a heat exchanger. The condensable vapors may be condensed on the bed particles or in the heat exchanger while the light gases from the process stream, which are not condensed, form a separated light-gas stream.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed herein for distributing a gas into a vessel. The method comprises providing a gas distribution apparatus, wherein an exposed surface of the apparatus comprises a material that inhibits adsorption of the gas and deposition of the gas' solid form. The material chosen is chemically repulsive to the gas and the gas' solid form. In this manner, desublimation of the gas and deposition of the gas' solid form onto the exposed surface is prevented. The device disclosed herein is the gas distribution apparatus referenced above.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed herein for distributing a gas into a vessel. The method comprises providing a gas distribution apparatus, wherein an exposed surface of the apparatus comprises a material that inhibits adsorption of the gas and deposition of the gas' solid form. The material chosen is chemically repulsive to the gas and the gas' solid form. In this manner, desublimation of the gas and deposition of the gas' solid form onto the exposed surface is prevented. The device disclosed herein is the gas distribution apparatus referenced above.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid CO2 suspended or entrained in a liquid is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing with an interior and an exterior, a filter located within the interior of the housing, a compactor contained within the interior of the housing that compacts the solid CO2 against the filter to form compacted solid CO2, and a sealed system cooling device in thermal contact with the liquid, the solid CO2, the compacted solid CO2 , or the filter within the housing. The sealed system cooling device may receive temperature feedback and be controlled by a temperature of the liquid. The sealed system cooling device may be partially controlled by a pressure within the interior of the housing. The sealed system cooling device may be partially controlled by a pressure of the compacted solid CO2 and a current consumed by a motor of the compactor.

Abstract: A method of separating solids from a slurry or suspension is disclosed. The method includes: providing a slurry or suspension containing solids and liquid to an input port of a first side of a filter, the filter providing a filtering size between 2 microns and 70 microns; providing a liquid discharge port on a second side of the filter which receives the liquid that passes through the filter; and separating the solids from the liquid by pressing the solids into a pressure regulating solids discharge port on the first side of the filter, thereby compacting solids on the first side of the filter, forcing at least some of the liquid of the slurry or suspension through the first side of the filter to the second side of the filter causing pressure regulated solids to be discharged through a pressure regulating solids discharge port into a pressurized chamber.