Production of large quantities of CO.sub.2 snow
AssigneeLiquid Carbonic Corporation
InventorLewis Tyree, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Large quantities of CO.sub.2 snow are provided by a system and method which utilizes two reservoirs which maintain at least about 4500 pounds of CO.sub.2 at about its triple point, a substantial portion of which contains solid CO.sub.2. A first such reservoir subcools high pressure liquid CO.sub.2 flowing therethrough and permits efficient production of CO.sub.2 snow. A second such reservoir assists in cooling and condensing CO.sub.2 vapor recirculating through the system, as well as in efficiently obtaining CO.sub.2 being delivered to the system from an outside source.
Claims18
A method for efficiently providing large quantities of CO.sub.2 snow, which method comprises the steps of
- maintaining a reservoir of at least about 2000 pounds of solid CO.sub.2 at about its triple point containing a substantial portion of solid CO.sub.2,
- connecting a source of high pressure liquid CO.sub.2 to a first region of said reservoir,
- connecting a second region of said reservoir to a receptacle for receiving a large quantity of CO.sub.2 snow and causing the flow of high pressure liquid CO.sub.2 through said reservoir while deterring the exit passage of solid CO.sub.2, whereby high pressure CO.sub.2 flows through said reservoir when it is subcooled by contact with solid CO.sub.2 therein, and expanding said subcooled CO.sub.2 at the receptacle to create solid CO.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 vapor.
A system for efficiently providing large quantities of CO.sub.2 snow, which system comprises an insulated vessel for storing at least about 2000 pounds of solid CO.sub.2 at about the triple point thereof and having an inlet and an outlet,
- means for maintaining a reservoir of CO.sub.2 at about its triple point containing a substantial portion of solid CO.sub.2,
- first conduit means for connecting a source of liquid CO.sub.2 to said vessel inlet,
- second conduit means extending from said outlet from said vessel and
- means for allowing the flow of liquid CO.sub.2 outward through said outlet while deterring the passage of solid CO.sub.2,
- said second conduit means being designed for coupling to a receptacle for receiving a large quantity of CO.sub.2 snow, whereby high pressure liquid CO.sub.2 can be caused to flow from said source, through said vessel where it is subcooled by contact with solid CO.sub.2 therein, and thence outward through said second conduit means to a receptacle where it can be expanded to solid CO.sub.2 and CO.sub.2 vapor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.