Enhancement of fluid replacement in porous media through pressure modulation
AssigneeAspen Systems, Inc.
InventorKang P. Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is described for enhancing mass and heat transport of fluids in a fine pore structure through an appropriate modulation of the fluid pressure. For example, in an air drying process for a porous material that contains liquid, the air pressure is modulated throughout the volume of the drying chamber. Alternatively, the fluid pressure is modulated in a process stream. As an example, this method can be used for rapid drying of any open porous substances ranging from small pored materials such as aerogels and xerogels, to larger pored substances or articles such as industrial articles, agricultural articles (e.g., densely stacked vegetables, coffee beans, hops and other grains), paper-based products, thin films, pharmaceuticals, cloth, and clothing.
Claims54
A method for increasing transport of fluids within a porous medium, said method comprising applying pressure pulses to the fluids, said pressure pulses having a predetermined frequency and amplitude.
A method for reducing the time required to replace a first fluid located within a porous medium with a second fluid, which is miscible with the first fluid, said method comprising applying pressure pulses to the second fluid at a predetermined frequency and amplitude.
A method of drying a porous medium containing a liquid, said method comprising;
- providing a fluid-to the porous medium under conditions to vaporize the liquid;
- and
- applying pressure pulses to the fluid at a predetermined frequency and amplitude.
A method of extracting a soluble component from a porous medium, said method comprising;
- providing a compressible fluid to the porous medium;
- and
- applying pressure pulses to the compressible fluid at a predetermined frequency and amplitude.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.