Pressure release mechanism for capsule and method of use with supercritical fluids
AssigneeSLT Technologies, Inc.
InventorsMark Philip D'Evelyn, Rajeev Tirumala Pakalapati
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pressure release mechanism for use with a capsule for processing materials or growing crystals in supercritical fluids is disclosed. The capsule with the pressure release mechanism is scalable up to very large volumes and is cost effective according to a preferred embodiment. In conjunction with suitable high pressure apparatus, the capsule with pressure release mechanism is capable of processing materials at pressures and temperatures of 20-2000 MPa and 25-1500° C., respectively. Of course, there can be other variations, modifications, and alternatives.
Claims21
A capsule device for use with supercritical fluids, said capsule device comprising:
- a sealed process capsule configured to contain a fluid;
- a capsule support member in mechanical contact with said sealed process capsule to provide mechanical support of said sealed process capsule, said capsule support member comprising a relief opening configured such that said sealed process capsule deforms into said relief opening and ruptures when a predetermined internal pressure limit is exceeded;
- and
- a burst disk disposed in contact with said capsule support member to block said relief opening, wherein said burst disk is configured to burst when said predetermined internal pressure limit is exceeded, allowing said sealed process capsule to deform into said relief opening and rupture, thereby releasing at least a portion of said fluid.
A capsule device for use with supercritical fluids, said capsule device comprising:
- a sealed process capsule configured to contain a fluid;
- a capsule support member in mechanical contact with said sealed process capsule to provide mechanical support of said sealed process capsule, said capsule support member comprising a relief opening configured such that said sealed process capsule deforms into said relief opening and ruptures when a predetermined internal pressure limit is exceeded;
- and
- a piercing mechanism at least partially disposed in said relief opening to puncture said sealed process capsule when said sealed process capsule deforms into said relief opening.
A method for processing at least one material in a fluid, said method comprising:
- loading said at least one material and said fluid into an interior volume of a process capsule;
- sealing said process capsule;
- placing said sealed process capsule and a pressure release mechanism into a high pressure apparatus, said pressure release mechanism comprising a capsule support member in mechanical contact with said sealed process capsule to provide mechanical support for said sealed process capsule, said capsule support member comprising a relief opening configured such that said process capsule deforms into said relief opening and ruptures when a predetermined internal pressure limit is exceeded, thereby releasing at least a portion of said fluid from said sealed process capsule and from the high pressure apparatus;
- and
- processing said at least one material.
A pressure release mechanism for use with supercritical fluids, said pressure release mechanism comprising:
- a capsule support member in mechanical contact with a sealed process capsule to provide mechanical support for said sealed process capsule, said capsule support member comprising a relief opening;
- and
- a burst disk disposed in mechanical contact with said capsule support member to block said relief opening, wherein said burst disk is configured to burst when a predetermined internal pressure limit is exceeded, allowing said sealed process capsule to deform into said relief opening and rupture, thereby releasing at least a portion of said fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.