Apparatus and Method for Extracting Gas From Liquid
AssigneeServeron Corporation
InventorsSteven Mahoney, Thomas Waters
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gas extraction apparatus provides for reliable and accurate extraction of gases dissolved in fluids and routing the extracted gas to an analytical instrument. An extraction module comprises one or more fluorosilicone membranes molded into the shape of a flattened disk. The membranes are retained in a housing in a spaced apart relationship. The membrane is permeable to target gas(es), but not to the fluid. Porous support members support the membranes and prevent damage to them and the housing defines separate fluid flow paths for the fluid and the gas extracted from it.
Claims20
Apparatus for extracting gas from fluid, comprising:
- a housing defining a fluid pathway and a gas pathway that is isolated from the fluid pathway, said housing having an inlet into the fluid pathway and an outlet from the fluid pathway, and an inlet into the gas pathway and an outlet from the gas pathway;
- at least one separation membrane in the housing separating the fluid pathway from the gas pathway, the at least one separation membrane comprising a fluorosilicone member that is substantially impermeable to the fluid and permeable to the gas, said separation membrane having a first side facing the fluid pathway and a second side facing the gas pathway;
- a porous membrane support facing the first side of the separation membrane;
- and
- wherein the fluid pathway includes the first side of the at least one membrane.
Apparatus for separating gas from fluid, comprising:
- a housing defining a first pathway for a first fluid stream and a separate second pathway for containing a second fluid stream;
- separation membrane means between the first and second pathways for removing components from the first fluid stream and routing said components into the second fluid stream, said separation membrane means comprising a fluorosilicone member having a first surface;
- support means for supporting the separation membrane means at the first surface thereof, and for causing fluid in the first stream to disperse over the first surface.
A method of removing gas dissolved in a first fluid phase and routing the removed gas into a second fluid phase, comprising the steps of:
- a) defining a first fluid flow path through a housing;
- b) defining a second fluid flow path through the housing, the second fluid flow path being isolated from the first fluid flow path;
- c) interposing between the first and second fluid flow paths a separator membrane fabricated from molded fluorosilicone;
- d) causing a first fluid containing target compounds to flow through the first fluid flow path and over a first side of the separator membrane, and causing a second fluid to flow through the second fluid flow path and over a second side of the separator membrane, wherein the first fluid is at a higher pressure than the second fluid;
- and
- e) causing target compounds from the first fluid to pass through the separator membrane and routing said target compounds into said second fluid flow path.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.