Continuous processing and solids handling in near-critical and supercritical fluids
AssigneeThar Process, Inc.
InventorsLalit Chordia, Jose Martinez, Andrew Kegler, Desai Bhishmakumar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for the continuous processing and solids handling in first near-critical and supercritical fluids. The present invention also allows for treatment of the starting material with the first near-critical or supercritical fluid. The remaining raffinate is then continuously transferred and may be collected in a second fluid.
Claims54
A method for the continuous processing of a starting material using a first near-critical or supercritical fluid comprising:
- a. loading a loading zone with the starting material;
- b. providing a vessel having a treatment zone for treatment of the starting material;
- c. circulating the first near-critical or supercritical fluid from the treatment zone to the loading zone to equalize the pressure between the loading zone and the treatment zone;
- d. introducing the starting material from the loading zone into the treatment zone under first near-critical or supercritical conditions through a restriction device;
- e. conveying the starting material through the vessel with the first near-critical or supercritical fluid to treat the starting material;
- and
- f. collecting raffinate in an unloading zone.
An apparatus for the continuous processing of a starting material using a first near-critical or supercritical fluid comprising:
- a. a loading zone;
- b. a vessel having a treatment zone;
- c. a restriction device between the loading zone and the vessel through which the starting material enters the vessel from the loading zone;
- d. a mechanical conveying device for introducing the starting material from the loading zone into the treatment zone of the vessel for treating the starting material with the first near-critical or supercritical conditions;
- e. a fluid circuit between the treatment zone and the loading zone to flow the first near-critical or supercritical conditions having a higher pressure in the treatment zone than a pressure in the loading zone to equalize pressure between the loading zone and the vessel;
- and
- f. an unloading zone for collecting the raffinate.
An apparatus for the continuous processing of a starting material using a near-critical or supercritical fluid comprising:
- a loading zone;
- a vessel having a treatment zone and an unloading zone;
- a restriction device between the loading zone and the treatment zone through which the starting material enters the treatment zone from the loading zone for treatment;
- a restriction device between the treatment zone and the unloading zone which the treated material enters the unloading zone for unloading;
- and
- an external fluid source in fluid communication with the loading zone and the unloading zone,
- wherein the external fluid source is capable of pressurizing the loading zone and the unloading zone to a pressure substantially equal to a pressure of the treatment zone prior to opening the restriction devices therebetween;
- and
- wherein the external fluid source is capable of replenishing the near-critical/supercritical fluid in the treatment zone.
A method for the continuous processing of a starting material using a first near-critical or supercritical fluid comprising:
- a. loading a loading zone with the starting material;
- b. providing a vessel having a treatment zone for treatment of the starting material and having an unloading zone to unload a raffinate from the vessel;
- c. substantially equalizing the pressure between the loading zone and the treatment zone before introducing the starting material into the treatment zone;
- d. introducing the starting material from the loading zone into the treatment zone after substantially equalizing the pressure therebetween;
- e. conveying the starting material through the treatment zone with the first near-critical or supercritical fluid to treat the starting material to form a raffinate;
- f. substantially equalizing the pressure between the treatment zone and the unloading zone before collecting the raffinate in the unloading zone;
- and
- g. collecting the raffinate in the unloading zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.