Back to results
US 2009/0255290 A1Published application
Methods For Separating a Fluid, And Devices Capable Of Separating a Fluid
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsWard E. TeGrotenhuis, Paul H. Humble, Dustin D. Caldwell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for separating fluids are disclosed. We have discovered that, surprisingly, providing an open pore structure between a wick and an open flow channel resulted in superior separation performance. A novel and compact integrated device components for conducting separations are also described.
Claims25
A separator comprising the following elements in the order listed:
- a heat exchanger;
- a liquid flow path adjacent to the heat exchanger;
- wherein the liquid flow path comprises a wick having a first pore size;
- a vaporizing layer having a second pore size;
- and
- a gas flow channel;
- and
- wherein the first pore size is smaller than the second pore size.
5 more elements
A process of separating fluids, comprising:
- passing a fluid mixture into the liquid flow path of a desorber/recitifier;
- wherein the desorber/recitifer comprises a desorber region comprising a first heat exchanger adjacent to a first wicking region and a gas flow channel, and rectifier region comprising a second heat exchanger adjacent to a second wicking region and the gas flow channel
- wherein the fluid mixture comprises a less volatile component and a more volatile component;
- transferring heat from the first heat exchanger into the first wicking region in the desorber region and wherein at least a portion of the more volatile component vaporizes into the gas flow channel and wherein a portion of the less volatile component also vaporizes into the gas flow channel;
- wherein the desorber region is oriented with respect to gravity such that liquid in the wick flows downward and fluid in the gas flow channel flows upward;
- wherein the second heat exchanger is disposed upward, with respect to gravity, of the first heat exchanger that is transferring heat from the heat exchanger into the wick;
- wherein the second heat exchanger removes heat from the gas flow channel in the rectifier region;
- wherein at least a portion of the less volatile component in the gas flow channel is captured as a liquid in the second wicking region and flows downward from the second wicking region in the rectifier region into the first wicking region in the in the desorber region;
- wherein the gas flow channel comprises a continuous open channel extending from the desorber region to the rectifier region.
6 more elements
A laminated separation device formed from a stack of plates, comprising:
- a desorber region having a first height;
- a rectifier region having a second height;
- a continuous gas flow channel extending in a plane across the desorber region and rectifier region;
- wherein height is defined as the stacking direction;
- and wherein the first height is greater than the second height.
2 more elements
A laminated device, comprising:
- a layer made of metal and comprising a first section and capable of conducting a first unit operation;
- a second section and capable of conducting a second unit operation;
- and a thermal break separating the first section and the second section;
- wherein the thermal break comprises a space or a thermally insulating material.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.