US 4,054,429 A · Method and apparatus for solvent recovery

Abstract

A method and apparatus for recovering a contaminant solvent from a gas such as air or the like. Contaminated air or gas to be treated is initially directed through a first absorber containing an oil which absorbs the solvent to cleanse the gas. The air or gas may then be returned to the environment. The oil is transferred to a stripper, where inert gas passing therethrough absorbs the solvent to cleanse the oil. Condenser means adapted to receive inert gas outputted from the stripper facilitates recovery of the solvent. The inert gas is further cleansed in an auxiliary oil absorber and from thence passes to an activated charcoal filter which removes remaining traces of solvent from the inert gas through the process of adsorption. Cleansed inert gas is then recycled by returning it to the stripper for repetition of the process. Absorbent oil is also recycled by continuously pumping it between the stripper and the absorbers.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method of recovering a solvent from a gas contaminated therewith, said method comprising the steps of

passing contaminated gas into a main absorber containing an absorbing liquid, said absorbent liquid being circulated in a predetermined closed cycle of flow through the main absorber, then through a stripper, thereafter through an auxiliary absorber and then being returned to said main absorber, the solvent being removed from the gas as solvent is absorbed by the absorbing liquid in the main absorber;
circulating an inert gas in a predetermined closed cycle of flow, first through the stripper, whereby the solvent is absorbed by the inert gas and is stripped from the absorbing liquid,
the inert gas containing the solvent then being circulated, in its closed cycle of flow, through a condenser whereby the solvent is condensed,
thereafter circulating the inert gas and condensed solvent through a decanter to thereby collect and remove the condensed solvent therefrom;
then circulating the inert gas through the auxiliary absorber containing absorbing liquid to remove any solvent from the gas,
and thereafter returning said inert gas to the stripper.

3 more elements

Apparatus for recovering a solvent from a gas contaminated therewith, said apparatus comprising:

first absorber means containing absorbent liquid and adapted to receive said contaminated gas for removing solvent from said gas as solvent is absorbed by said absorbent liquid there within;
stripping means for removing solvent from said absorbent liquid by passing an inert gas therethrough, the inert gas thereby absorbing solvent to be recovered;
condenser means adapted to receive inert gas outputted from said stripping means for condensing at least a portion of said solvent and thereby recovering same;
second absorber means containing absorbent liquid and adapted to receive inert gas outputted by said condenser means for further removing solvent from said inert gas, said solvent being absorbed by said absorbent liquid within said second absorber;
first conduit means interconnecting said first absorber, said stripping, and said second absorber means in communicating relation whereby absorbed liquid is circulated through the first absorber, said stripping and said second absorber means, and returned to said first absorber means from said stripping means in a closed pattern of flow, second conduit means interconnecting said stripping, second absorber and condenser means in communicating relation whereby the inert gas is circulated through said stripping, condenser, and second absorber means and returned to said stripping means in a closed pattern of flow.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for solvent recovery

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for solvent recovery

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10