Electric field assisted Ranque-Hilsch (EFARH) vortex tube for enhanced product separation and transformation
AssigneeComstock IP Holdings LLC
InventorCraig A. Grimes
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Abstract
An improved apparatus for the separation of gas or gas-vapor, as well as simultaneous product transformation or conversion of one or more of the separated gas or gas-vapor species, includes modification of a Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube to include an electric field internal to the vortex tube, created either by an applied potential or induced by temperature-dependent triboelectric effects, or a combination of both. The electric field is used to enhance separation of gaseous components, with particular emphasis on separation of CO2 from a gaseous mixture, and to promote subsequent conversion of the resulting separated gaseous product or products.
Claims29
A modified Ranque-Hilsch vortex tube comprising:
- a vortex tube having a cold exit, a hot exit, and a tube axis, the vortex tube made of conductive metal;
- a cone valve positioned in the hot exit;
- and
- an electrically conductive wire oriented along the tube axis, wherein the electrically conductive wire is electrically isolated from an exterior wall of the vortex tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.