Aspirating Patents (Class 261/116)
  • Patent number: 4701194
    Abstract: In a gas treating device liquid is pressurized in a liquid chamber and is fed from this chamber into ejectors which open directly into venturi fittings which are surrounded by a gas chamber. Gas enters through an inlet into this gas chamber. A gas-liquid mixture enters from the venturi fittings into a tank, where the gas is separated from the liquid. Liquid from the tank is fed through a pump into the liquid chamber. Gas escapes from the tank into a discharge line comprising a de-mister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Studiecentrum voor Kernenergie, "S.C.K."
    Inventors: Charles Weyers, Michel Klein, Walter Goossens
  • Patent number: 4682729
    Abstract: A snowmaking apparatus comprising a tunnel-like housing a fan mounted within the housing to move large masses of air through the housing. Water nozzles and ice nucleating nozzles are disposed downstream of the fan. The fan is a compressed air reaction driven fan which provides a region of air lower in temperature within the housing than ambient to enhance the snowmaking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: The Dewey Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: D. Mark Doman, William R. Moss
  • Patent number: 4667877
    Abstract: A spray generator comprises a reservoir with a piezoelectric crystal affixed to its bottom surface and vertical tubes opening out of its top surface, each tube having an orifice at its tip. Spray liquid collecting around the orifices drains off without obstructing them. In another embodiment a gas chamber is superimposed on the reservoir, so that the tubes extend through the gas chamber and above it. The upper surface of the gas chamber is perforated so that gas can escape therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Carnegie-Mellon University
    Inventors: Shi-Chune Yao, Nasser Ashgriz
  • Patent number: 4668441
    Abstract: A phase contactor is provided with guide means along the path of flow of the vertically descending current of first gaseous phase established therein, but upstream of the zone of restricted flow passage, the guide means being adapted to adjust the flow of the first gaseous phase and to retard/prevent the deposition of objectionable encrusting solids within the phase contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Specialites Chimiques
    Inventors: Raoul Hess, Bernard Mirabel
  • Patent number: 4643355
    Abstract: A fog generator comprises a duct which is preferably vertical and very tall, an air mover for moving air down through the duct, an air director which includes a spout to direct the air emerging from the duct in a substantially horizontal stream in a chosen direction away from the duct and a fog generator which generates a fog into the moving air preferably after the air has left the spout. The spout is preferably rotatable in a horizontal plane. The invention enables a generated fog to be placed where required by the air stream in which it is entrained rather than relying on natural wind drift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Assignee: Development Finance Corporation of New Zealand
    Inventors: Ernest D. Sanders, Lawrence D. Sanders, Nigel D. Sanders
  • Patent number: 4624688
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device which is intended for centrifugal separation on the basis of the specific gravity or by using a medium which increases the specific gravity. The device is in particular suitable for the purification of gases. The device is made up of a cyclone, a pre-scrubbing section and a centrifuge section. The operation of the device is based on rotational motion in the same direction, the separation being carried out by changing the angular velocities of the rotational motion. After moistening of the particles in the cyclone the angular velocity is reduced in the pre-scrubbing section in order to separate the heavy particles, whereafter the angular velocity of the gas being purified, when raised into the centrifuge section, re-increases, and at the same time an additional moistening is carried out, an effective mixing of the liquid and the gas taking place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Oy A W Enbom AB
    Inventor: Markku T. Vatunen
  • Patent number: 4591463
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for heating fluids to a relatively high temperature, such as sterilization temperature, in which the fluid, such as a liquid, is heated by direct contact with steam while it is in the form of a very thin, free-falling film or a continuous falling stream so that heating of the fluid is accomplished without the fluid coming into contact with any surface and particularly metal surfaces which are hotter than the fluid product being heated and with minimum agitation and turbulence of the fluid product. This procedure enables maximum and uniform heat penetration in a minimum time interval with the film or stream being maintained as thin as possible and unbroken by introducing steam at a relatively low velocity in a large volume vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: DASI Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Nahra, Walter Woods
  • Patent number: 4565353
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the suppression of fume from a body of molten metal is described. The method involves the blanketing of the molten metal bath with a mixture of pressurized inert gas and finely divided or atomized particles of water. The inert gas may be argon, nitrogen or steam. Apparatus particularly adapted for performing the disclosed method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: United States Steel Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Ball, Alton E. Sumsion, Zane S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4560519
    Abstract: A nebulizer system including a self-contained system including a nebulizer. The nebulizer includes a cylindrical housing having a bottom which has axially and centrally located gas conduit extending therefrom and terminating in a nozzle internally of said housing. The housing has mounted therein a funnel shaped wall the apex of which has a conduit of a wider dimension to encompass said nozzle in axial and spaced alignment therewith. The conduit terminates in a spray opening whereby liquid in a reservoir defined by the housing bottom and funnel shaped wall is picked up by the gas emanating from the nozzle. The liquid-gas mixture is discharged above the funnel wall against a protrusion and is distributed therefrom against an annular baffle depending from the top of the housing. The aerosol thereby produced is discharged through an opening into a conduit system for delivery to a patient directly or as a part of a ventilator or intermittent positive breathing apparatus of known types.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Respiratory Care, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Cerny
  • Patent number: 4548621
    Abstract: Recovery of zinc from a gas containing zinc vapor is carried out by means of lead circulating in a circuit and separating out pure metallic zinc by cooling said lead. The gas containing zinc vapor is brought into intimate contact with atomized lead in liquid form which takes up the zinc. The lead is introduced at the top of a cooling tower (1) and the gas is conducted in counter-flow to the atomized lead droplets. Lead collected at the bottom of the tower (1) is transported (7) to a separating chamber (8) where it is cooled, so that the zinc is segregated from the lead and can be separated (10). The lead is then cooled further before being recirculated (15, 16) to the top of the cooling tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: SKF Steel Engineering AB
    Inventors: Sune Eriksson, Borje Johansson, Sven Santen
  • Patent number: 4539184
    Abstract: A scrubber for removing sulfur compounds from a gas, particularly a flue gas of a power plant boiler combustion chamber, comprises spray devices for washing the gas with a liquid containing a sulfur compound binding agent. The sump is provided with a partition formed by an array of oxygen ducts which divides the sump into an upper oxidation zone and a lower reaction zone. An additive is introduced into the reaction zone to induce the precipitation of calcium sulfite in the sump product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Gottfried Bischoff Bau Kompl. Gasreinigunga- und Wasserruckkuhlanlagen GmbH
    Inventor: Werner Stehning
  • Patent number: 4514196
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorption tower (so-called scrubber) for gas washing in which the gas is introduced into the lower portion of the tower and flows upwards while making contact with a washing fluid. The tower (4) is provided with one or several washing stages (6-9), each comprising one or several venturi tubes (10) through which the gas is given a speed increase and the washing fluid is discharged through fluid nozzles (25) in the gas flow path. The venturi tubes in each washing stage are led through a common collecting baffle (11) for washing fluid which is then recirculated to the nozzles. Means (26,28,29) for liquid distribution are disposed in the upper portion of each venturi tube (10) and are arranged for fluid distribution in the gas flow in directions forming such angles to the vertical that the fluid flow will not fall backwards into the openings of the venturi tubes even if the gas flow through the tower is interrupted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Flakt Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Bo Herrlander
  • Patent number: 4469493
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the purification of gases, and especially to the purification of industrial flue gases, of solid and/or gaseous impurities. In the method, the gases are scrubbed during a scrubbing stage by spraying into them scrubbing liquid and water, and the drops of liquid are removed from the gases during a drop separation stage. Prior to the scrubbing stage the hot gases are moistened in a pre-moistening stage by spraying into them scrubbing liquid in such a manner that the scrubbing liquid partly vaporizes. The scrubbing liquid is preferably sprayed countercurrently in relation to the gases. The apparatus for the purification of gases consists of a scrubbing unit (3, 4), a drop separation unit (5), devices for circulating the scrubbing liquid countercurrently in relation to the gases, devices for the cooling, regeneration and recycling of the scrubbing liquid, and a pre-moistening unit (2) for the moistening of the gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Outokumpu Oy
    Inventors: Frans H. Tuovinen, Kalervo Lehtola
  • Patent number: 4464309
    Abstract: A mass of energy transfer device is disclosed which is adapted for intermixing a liquid and a gas phase for the purpose of mass, heat or kinetic energy transfer between the phases. The transfer device includes a plurality of individual substantially tubular mixing elements each of which receives a high velocity spray of the liquid phase for substantially longitudinal travel therein and draws the gas phase into a throat and diffuser through a substantially axisymmetrical opening. The mixing elements are mounted into an enveloping vessel the interior of which is in fluid communication with a source of the gas phase. Efficiency of the device is disclosed to depend exponentially on the ratio of the momentum range of the liquid spray to the throat diameter which is related to the ratio of the slip velocity of the liquid and gas to the velocity of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventor: Hans D. Linhardt
  • Patent number: 4444697
    Abstract: The invention relates to quenching a cracked hydrocarbon gas by passing a cracked gas stream axially through a pipe and injecting a liquid coolant into said pipe through a plurality of circumferentially arranged slots in a swirling manner, the weight ratio of the flow rate of the coolant to the flow rate of the gas stream being in the range of about 2 to about 15 whereby a sufficient amount of the coolant is swept into the gas stream to effectively cool the same. Suitable apparatus comprises a quench pipe formed of two substantially abutting sections, the downstream section being grooved to form with the upstream section of said slots. Preferably the upstream section has an internal circumferentially arranged deflector lip overhanging the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Roger A. Gater, Herbert D. Michelson
  • Patent number: 4442047
    Abstract: A steam desuperheater comprising a liquid spray tube assembly positioned in a steam line and including a plurality of liquid outlet openings supplying liquid to plural spray nozzles, and a hollow piston plug axially movable therein upwardly from a lower valve seat to progressively open said outlet openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4440698
    Abstract: Apparatus for ensuring heat exchange between a gas flow and a heat exchanger comprises a duct through which the gas flows. The heat exchanger is mounted in the duct such that the gas flows therethrough. Constrictions for the gas flow are arranged in the duct upstream of the heat exchanger in the direction of gas flow such that jets of gas are created. In an embodiment the constrictions are provided by flow passages extending through a diaphragm mounted across the duct. In use, liquid is sprayed over the heat exchanger and the high velocity jets of gas pick up the liquid and carry it into the heat exchanger. In this way the surfaces of the heat exchanger are thoroughly wetted by the liquid and the efficiency of the heat transfer is thereby improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Inventor: Ivan Bloomer
  • Patent number: 4437866
    Abstract: A system and method for removing flue gasses like smoke from the atmosphere including mixing the smoke with water and then reducing the contaminants like bacteria from the water where the water is used in conjunction with chemical additives for removing entrained solids from the smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1984
    Inventor: Harry Pweblo
  • Patent number: 4421725
    Abstract: Process for separating H.sub.2 S from CO.sub.2, both contained in a treated gas, wherein said gas is contacted with a solution which selectively absorbs H.sub.2 S, wherefrom H.sub.2 S is separated in a regeneration zone, CO.sub.2 being released, said contact step being effected in a contact apparatus comprising 1 to 10 stages each formed of parallel vertical tubes whose bottom portion is provided with injection means of the cyclonic type imparting to the supplied gas and liquid a swirling ascending motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Claude Dezael, Sigismond Franckowiak
  • Patent number: 4421069
    Abstract: A spray liner assembly supported in a pressurized desuperheater header of a steam boiler. The liner is cylindrical shaped and open at each end, and is attached and axially retained at one end to the cylindrical header inner wall by multiple adjustable brackets, and is slidably supported at the opposite end by similar brackets. The liner is also flexibly supported radially at dual points on opposite sides of the liner at an intermediate point along its length with each support using a captured metal ball, so as to provide a radial inward elastic loading to the liner and also permit longitudinal and radial expansion and contraction of the liner within the header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph P. Diggins
  • Patent number: 4419301
    Abstract: A process for heating fluids to a relatively high temperature, such as sterilization temperature, in which the fluid, such as a liquid, is heated by direct contact with steam while it is in the form of a very thin, free-falling film or a continuous falling stream so that heating of the fluid is accomplished without the fluid coming into contact with any surface and particularly metal surfaces which are hotter than the fluid product being heated and with minimum agitation and turbulence of the fluid product. This procedure enables maximum and uniform heat penetration in a minimum time interval with the film or stream being maintained as thin as possible and unbroken by introducing steam at a relatively low velocity in a large volume vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Dasi Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Nahra, Walter Woods
  • Patent number: 4411846
    Abstract: Jet venturi apparatus for absorbing a gas by washing liquid provided with stack of packings extending across the throat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Ulrich, Manfred Trautmann, Gunter Heck, Egon Malow
  • Patent number: 4400184
    Abstract: A system for recovering as power the pressure and sensible heat of the gas discharged from the top of a blast furnace by guiding the gas to a dry-type dust collector for the removal of dust while maintaining the gas at the furnace top pressure and introducing the gas into a turbine for expansion. To protect the dry-type dust collector when the gas is run off from the furnace at an abnormally high temperature, a gas channel extending from the furnace to the dust collector is provided with at least one injector, which injects a cooling fluid into the gas in response to a signal from a temperature detecting sensor disposed close to the gas outlet of the dust collector. The sensor which is positioned near the dust collector outlet detects the temperature without the time delay attributable to the deposition of dust. With use of the dry-type dust collector, the gas can be fed to the turbine almost without cooling for the recovery of an increased amount of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Hitachi Shipbuilding and Engineering Company Limited
    Inventors: Yukio Tomita, Takayuki Wakabayashi, Noriyuki Oda, Hirotaka Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4397662
    Abstract: Apparatus for removing solvents from air, for example, from the air discharged from a paint spraybooth, includes an air duct through which solvent laden air is arranged to flow. A plurality of coalescer pads each having an extended surface area extend across the duct. A plurality of spray nozzles for spraying an absorption liquid such as oil are arranged upstream of each pad and have a spray pattern which impinges over substantially all of the upstream external surface of the respective pad. As the pressure drop experienced by the air flowing through the pads is low the apparatus enables efficient solvent removal and yet has a lower power requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Schweitzer Industrial Corporation
    Inventor: Ivan Bloomer
  • Patent number: 4396372
    Abstract: A burner system adapted to vaporize liquid fuel, generally kerosene, and burn gaseous fuel in blue flames includes an evaporator heated by a heater to about 250.degree.-300.degree. C. to vaporize the kerosene. The evaporator is thermally insulated from a premix passage and a burner, to reduce the time required for preheating the evaporator. At the time of ignition, the volume of a portion of primary air supplied to the evaporator is reduced below the corresponding volume supplied in maximum combustion condition and the volume of the kerosene supplied to the evaporator is substantially equal to the corresponding volume supplied in maximum combustion condition. This enables a premix of liquid and air within a combustible limit to be supplied to flame ports even if part of the premixture forms dew in the premix passage, and allows an enriched premixture to flow out of the flame ports at low velocity to facilitate ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiaki Matumoto, Mitsuo Mimura, Takeshi Imaizumi
  • Patent number: 4394142
    Abstract: A water spray cooler with a pair of water collecting mesh structures and having a water spraying nozzle assembly disposed therebetween. Air entering the cooler is directed through the mesh structures and towards a cooler outlet port. The entering air is cooled as it passes through a cool water spray from the nozzle assembly and through the mesh structures which have collected water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: Edward D. Thimons, Kenneth S. Heller, John F. McCoy, III, Austin Whillier
  • Patent number: 4384873
    Abstract: To reduce substantially the amount of tubing for condensate being returned from the steam distribution manifold and to enable such condensate to revaporize as steam, thereby increasing the thermal efficiency of the humidifier, a condensate baffle in the bottom of the steam distribution manifold projects with the manifold into the steam separator through a common coupling between the separator and manifold and downstream from the steam admission needle valve of the separator. Structural compactness with economy is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Herrmidifier Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean S. Herr
  • Patent number: 4364750
    Abstract: Process and apparatus is disclosed for purifying waste gases containing minute pollutant liquid and solid particles. The process comprises treating the gas stream with a fine spray of scrubbing liquid by introducing into the gas stream the spray of droplet size in range of 1 micron or less. The scrubbing liquid is mixed with pollutant particles to wet and enlarge them in a turbulent region without appreciably increasing the pressure of the gaseous stream. The mixed gas stream is passed out of the turbulent region to a zone for removing the enlarged conglomerated contaminate particles from the gas stream. Apparatus is disclosed in which the process is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Canadian Fine Color Company, Limited
    Inventor: Attila P. Koncz
  • Patent number: 4358289
    Abstract: In a furnace system for producing carbon black, a primary quench fluid is injected into the combustion products from the furnace to produce effluent. The effluent is passed through a trim quench chamber containing a tubular member. The tubular member has an internal flow path therethrough and is positioned in the housing defining the quench chamber to form an outer flow path therebetween. Part of the effluent flowing through the quench chamber passes through the internal flow path while the remainder passes through the outer flow path. Quench liquid is introduced into the quench chamber for initial contact with substantially only the portion of the effluent passing through the internal flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventor: Oliver K. Austin
  • Patent number: 4358433
    Abstract: A process for promoting heterogeneous chemical and physical reactions in a gas stream using a casing which is substantially liquid and gas tight having a gas inlet in one end and a gas outlet in the other end; nozzle means within the casing having an entry toward said one end in communication with the gas inlet and an outlet toward said other end, said nozzle means having an effective cross-sectional area of about 2 to about 64 times the effective cross-sectional area of the outlet and the mean angle of convergence of the nozzle being about 6.degree. to about 20.degree.; means in the casing for introduction of reactant liquids and solids into the gas stream before said nozzle means; means for removing liquid and particulate matter from said other end of the casing following desired reaction; and means for separately removing the gas from said other end of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Inventor: Ladislav J. Pircon
  • Patent number: 4358341
    Abstract: An improved spray dryer is disclosed for drying heat sensitive food products under sanitary conditions with a maximum product recovery for a minimal dryer size. The dryer has an air flow system for moving air through a drying chamber at generally atmospheric pressure with a controlled laminar air flow. The product being dried is sprayed into the drying chamber by an air distributor plate with a relatively rapid air flow through and immediately surrounding the product spray and with a surrounding air flow of lower velocity. The dried droplets or powder are removed by a powder collector including a drag system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Henningsen Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight H. Bergquist
  • Patent number: 4347823
    Abstract: A hollow, truncated cone-shaped distribution skirt is positioned beneath a fuel injector discharging fuel into a throttle bore of a throttle body injection apparatus whereby to divide induction air flow into two flow paths so as to improve the distribution of the air-fuel mixture following through the throttle bore upstream of the pivotable throttle valve therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Kessler, Thomas J. Gutmann, Charles E. Finn
  • Patent number: 4338103
    Abstract: A scrubber for removing hydrocarbons and particulate matter from the gas exhausted from a dryer or similar open-flame device is comprised of a plurality of rectangularly cross-sectioned chambers having a first predetermined cross-sectional area and interconnected to one another end-to-end along a flow axis which is perpendicular to said cross-sectional area. Each of the chambers are separated from the adjacent chamber by means of a common baffle wall and a rectangularly cross-sectioned hollow baffle tube passes through each of the baffle walls to fluidly interconnect adjacent chambers. Each baffle tube has a cross-sectional area which is at least five times less in cross-sectional area than the chambers and has a plurality of baffle plates located in it to restrict the flow of gas therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1982
    Inventor: Leonard B. Fuller
  • Patent number: 4320092
    Abstract: Improvements in a reaction vessel which includes a lower cylindrical section conically reduced in diameter toward the outlet end and an upper cylindrical section conically increased in diameter from the inlet end, the two sections being joined endways, and wherein a gas stream is tangentially introduced into the lower cylindrical section and is caused to react, inside the upper section, with a reactant liquid injected into the latter. A horizontal partition is provided within the lower cylindrical section conically reduced in diameter to divide the space therein into an upper and a lower spaces, whereby the gas stream is divided and separately passed, in a spiral flow from the upper space and in a piston flow from the lower space, into the upper cylindrical section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Jyunichi Kondo, Akira Sensyu, Hidetaka Ono, Hiroki Honda
  • Patent number: 4318717
    Abstract: Impure gas streams are purified/treated in a gas-liquid phase contactor of cocurrent spray scrubber type, wherein the feed gas, together with a cocurrently descending spray of treatment liquid, are introduced into a contact zone under conditions such that the pressure of atomization of the liquid and the liquid dispersing velocity of the gas feed ensure effective interphase surface and contact time therefor, whereby the impure gas is efficiently physically scrubbed by said liquid, either with or without concomitant chemical reaction therebetween, and the dispersed liquid interphase is then vertically directed to a downstream separation zone wherein the gas stream is subjected to an abrupt change in direction and is thus separated from the interphase at essentially the original inlet velocity thereof and with essentially no content of treatment liquid, while at the same time essentially all of the atomized treatment liquid maintains its vertically downward descent to a liquid collection and recovery zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Industries
    Inventor: Bernard Sohier
  • Patent number: 4312646
    Abstract: A gas scrubbing tower is described which has a top region, a sump region and at least two washing stages between these regions. The tower comprises gas entry means between the the sump region and the lowermost of the washing stages; gas exit means in the top region; a first washing stage, in the direction of gas flow through the tower, constituted by a layer of packing elements resting on supporting means in a cross-sectional plane; a first circulating line for wash liquid from the sump region to the layer of packing elements; a second, packing-free washing stage above the first washing stage; a second circulating line for conducting wash liquid through the second washing stage; a sludge separator, and conduit means for introducing water from outside the tower into a washing stage or into the sludge separator of the tower.A process for operating the scrubbing tower is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: Ciba-Geigy Corporation
    Inventors: Volker Fattinger, Jurg Schneider
  • Patent number: 4310476
    Abstract: An apparatus for heating fluids to a relatively high temperature, such as sterilization temperature, in which the fluid, such as a liquid, is heated by direct contact with steam while it is in the form of a very thin, free-falling film or a continuous falling stream so that heating of the fluid is accomplished without the fluid coming into contact with any surface and particularly metal surfaces which are hotter than the fluid product being heated and with minimum agitation and turbulence of the fluid product. This procedure enables maximum and uniform heat penetration in a minimum time interval with the film or stream being maintained as thin as possible and unbroken by introducing steam at a relatively low velocity in a large volume vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: Dasi Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Nahra, Walter Woods
  • Patent number: 4287138
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for recovering and reclaiming heat from a source of relatively hot gases, which are preferably substantially vapor-saturated, by directly contacting the gases with a relatively cooler spray of liquid, such as water, in a heat exchange zone. The relatively warm liquid resulting from the contact of the sprayed cooler liquid with the vapor-saturated gases are collected in a receiver zone in the heat exchanger. This relatively warm liquid is then available for use. The hot gases which entered the heat exchanger will exit at a cooler temperature. They may be released to the atmosphere or returned to a process or room. The method is particularly suited for recovering heat from steam system condensate vents, dye fixation steamer exhausts, boiler exhaust stacks, and dry can enclosures such as those used in the textile and paper industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: Lynn A. Buckner
  • Patent number: 4286973
    Abstract: A method for removing particulates from flue gases by water scrubbing wherein the gases are contacted with a multiplicity of water sprays in a duct leading to cyclone separators and the gases are further sprayed with water within the cyclones, the cyclones separating the gases from the particulate material which is flushed from the cyclone by spraying water on the inner surface of the cyclone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: Sun Oil Company of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Robert N. Hamlin, William W. Dickinson
  • Patent number: 4282187
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing synthetic hydrocarbons such as gasoline and/or kerosene from the synthesis of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The carbon dioxide is obtained from the atmosphere while the hydrogen is obtained during the electrolysis of water. An intermediate fuel, namely methyl alcohol may be stored for use or upgraded to higher heating value hydrocarbons by a catalytic conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Marshall J. Corbett, Salvatore C. Salina
  • Patent number: 4272499
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the removal of particulate matter and reactive or water soluble gases from carrier gases is disclosed. The process includes driving the carrier gas through a conduit, in part by a fan or blower, passing the carrier gas through a turbulent free jet emitted from a supersonic nozzle and containing a large number of small high velocity liquid droplets, passing the mixture of the carrier gas and the free jet through a subsonic nozzle, injecting additional liquid as droplets into the mixture, retaining the mixture in a mixing tube to promote the further growth of the liquid droplets and separating the liquid droplets from the carrier gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Lone Star Steel Company
    Inventors: Robert W. Cason, Orvis L. Holland, Floyd C. Russell, Malley R. Bass, James L. Frier
  • Patent number: 4267131
    Abstract: Intimate contacting of plural, physically disparate phases is achieved by establishing a current of axially extending, axially symmetrical helical flow of a first phase; separately establishing a current of coaxially extending, rectilinear flow of a physically disparate second phase, the currents of said first and said second phases being maintained physically separated from each other; circulating and directing said currents which comprise the plural phases to a zone of restricted flow passage with respect to said helical flow, whereby said plural currents converge and are intimately, homogeneously admixed and whereas such zone of convergence the momentum of the first phase helical flow is at least 100 times greater than the momentum of the second phase, coaxial rectilinear flow; and thence abruptly changing the velocity field of at least one of said plural phases, while at the same time maintaining the general direction of flow of said admixed plural phases, and whereby phase separation of the product of ad
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Industries
    Inventors: Francois Prudhon, Augustin Scicluna
  • Patent number: 4265645
    Abstract: An injector type cooling apparatus is disclosed wherein multiple flat liquid sprays are directed into a conduit of uniform cross-section to draw cooling air into and through the conduit for mixture with and heat transfer from the liquid. The discharge end of the conduit is fitted with mist eliminators, in addition, holes or slots fitted with mist eliminators are provided in the conduit roof or sides downstream of the liquid sprays. These holes or slots cause increased air flow which results in improved cooling apparatus performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Baltimore Aircoil Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Richard P. Merrill
  • Patent number: 4265702
    Abstract: The drying and dehydration of heat-sensitive materials is improved by submitting such materials to a second thermal treatment following their initial flash treatment. The method is particularly applicable to the treatment of foodstuffs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1981
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Industries
    Inventors: Francois Prudhon, Augustin Scicluna
  • Patent number: 4263234
    Abstract: Intimate contacting of plural, physically disparate phases is achieved by establishing a current of axially extending, axially symmetrical helical flow of a first phase; separately establishing a current of coaxially extending, rectilinear flow of a physically disparate second phase, the currents of said first and said second phases being maintained physically separated from each other; circulating and directing said currents which comprise the plural phases to a zone of restricted flow passage with respect to said helical flow, whereby said plural currents converge and are intimately, homogeneously admixed and whereat such zone of convergence the momentum of the first phase helical flow is at least 100 times greater than the momentum of the second phase, coaxial rectilinear flow such as to effect atomization via transfer of momentum, and ultimately effecting phase separation of the product of admixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1981
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Industries
    Inventors: Francois Prudhon, Augustin Scicluna, Jean-Michel Verdier
  • Patent number: 4247308
    Abstract: A pre-atomized spray scrubber and related method is disclosed. The scrubber has special utility in the removal of particulate and gaseous contaminants from a gas stream and comprises a housing defining a flow path therethrough. The housing is divided into first and second sections by a deck which is configured such that as the gas stream flows through the first section, it flows across the deck and then into the second section. A series of liquid spray nozzle banks are disposed in the housing, either in the first or second section and are arranged and configured so as to aid in directing the gas stream from the first section into the second section. An entrainment separator is also preferably disposed in the housing to further aid in the removal of the contaminants from the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1981
    Assignee: Air Pollution Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Seymour Calvert, Ronald G. Patterson
  • Patent number: 4239510
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing an impurity from a gas by means of selective absorption of a gas impurity by a suitable absorbent. The absorbent and gas are contacted in a cocurrent flow contacter which is submerged in the absorbent. The flow of the absorbent in the absorber can be induced by means of the dispersion of the gas in the absorbent thereby avoiding the need for pumps or other means to induce circulation. The process and the apparatus can be used for the removal of carbon dioxide from natural gas with the use of salt water, e.g., sea water as the absorbent. The invention is specially useful for removing carbon dioxide from natural gas obtained from a natural gas well located in off shore waters that produces a gas with a high concentration of carbon dioxide as the apparatus can be erected on the ocean floor and use the surrounding sea water as absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company
    Inventors: George E. Hays, Charles F. Cook
  • Patent number: 4223836
    Abstract: An improved snowmaking machine and method for producing artificial snow is provided, whereby a moving airstream at or below freezing temperature which is created by a motor-driven fan within a cowling is passed through an inwardly tapering conical collar attached to the downstream opening of the cowling, and water droplets are sprayed into the airstream from a plurality of nozzles distributed around an arc of preferably about 190 to 300 degrees around the opening defined by the conical collar. A mixture of water and compressed air is injected into the airstream downstream of the point the airstream exits the conical collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: Zemel Brothers, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald W. Eager
  • Patent number: 4216001
    Abstract: A scrubbing system including scrubbers having straight through or direct line gas flow, with steam pretreatment of the gases supplied to the scrubber. The scrubbing solution may be recycled. Where steam is present in the process, the effluent gas is partially recycled to the process upstream of the scrubber to maintain a predetermined level of steam moisture in the gases entering the scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1980
    Assignee: The Chemithon Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Brooks, Burton Brooks
  • Patent number: 4212835
    Abstract: A mixing device for combining a quench or catalyst stream with the main fluid stream in an upflow gas-liquid contactor, such as a reactor. A gas-liquid stream is passed through a reduced size passage wherein the quench or catalyst streams are injected. The combined stream then is mixed and redistributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1971
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1980
    Assignee: Exxon Research & Engineering Co.
    Inventor: Robert M. Koros