US 2026/0139762 A1 · MULTIPORT ROTARY VALVE ASSEMBLY HAVING AT LEAST ONE ANCILLARY TANK OR CATCH POT

Abstract

A multiport rotary valve assembly is disclosed for fluid control in processes such as direct lithium extraction. The assembly includes a valve body with a housing ring, upper and lower closure discs, and a process disc featuring distribution channels in a sealed arrangement with leak detection channels. Ancillary tanks or catch pots are fluidly connected to leak detection ports to collect process fluid leakage, preventing crossover, contamination, and recovery loss. The assembly operates within a continuous countercurrent adsorption and desorption (CCAD) circuit, which includes multiple process zones with adsorbent beds or columns for selective lithium recovery. The collected fluid can be analyzed and redirected to appropriate process zone(s) or other inlet, outlet, point, or location in the flow path of the CCAD circuit, enhancing recovery and product purity. Sensors, pressure regulation devices, and other instrumentation monitor and control fluid dynamics.

Claims35

Dependent claims

A multiport rotary valve assembly, comprising:

a valve body comprising a housing ring, an upper closure disc, a lower closure disc, and a process disc;
the upper closure disc and the lower closure disc attached to opposing ends of the housing ring;
the process disc seated within the housing ring;
the process disc comprising distribution channels in a sealed arrangement with leak detection channels;
the housing ring, the upper closure disc, and/or the lower closure disc comprising leak detection ports in fluid communication with the leak detection channels in the process disc;
and
an ancillary tank or catch pot fluidly connected to the leak detection ports in the housing ring, the upper closure disc, and/or the lower closure disc;
the catch pot configured to collect process fluid leakage from the distribution channels to the leak detection channels in the process disc of the valve body.

5 more elements

A process, comprising the steps of:

concentrating a brine or feedstock solution using a continuous countercurrent adsorption and desorption circuit to form an enhanced product solution, wherein the continuous countercurrent adsorption and desorption circuit comprises a multiport rotary valve assembly having a plurality of process zones, each of the process zones comprising one or more adsorbent or resin beds or columns having an adsorbent or resin;
collecting process fluid leakage from the plurality of process zones using at least one ancillary tank or catch pot in fluid communication with the multiport rotary valve assembly;
and
pumping the collected fluid leakage to a tank, process unit, process zone, process stream, and/or other inlet, outlet, point, or location in a flow path of the continuous countercurrent adsorption and desorption circuit, thereby mitigating crossover leakage, preventing contamination or product recovery loss, and increasing product purity.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multiport rotary valve assembly having at least one ancillary tank or catch pot

Life of this patent

Multiport rotary valve assembly having at least one ancillary tank or catch pot

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims35