US 5,182,086 A · Oil vapor extraction system

Abstract

A method for removing hydrocarbons from a stream of compressed air for use in a compressed air supply and delivery system of the type wherein a supply of compressed air is provided by a lubricated or non-lubricated air compressor includes the passing of the compressed air from the lubricated air compressor through a catalytic oxidation system to remove hydrocarbons, including vapor phase hydrocarbons, from the compressed air stream. The method contemplates feeding the stream of compressed air from an outlet of the air compressor to a treatment station, which treatment station utilizes a catalytic oxidation system to remove the hydrocarbons from the compressed air stream, thereby oxidizing the hydrocarbons into carbon dioxide and water and removing a predetermined, relatively high percentage of existing hydrocarbons from the compressed air stream prior to reaching downstream portions of the delivery system and any connected utilization apparatus. A compressed air system in which the foregoing method is carried out also forms a part of the invention. The invention also extends to a catalytic oxidation system for use in removing hydrocarbons, including vapor phase hydrocarbons, from a compressed air stream.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A compressed air system comprising in combination:

an air compressor having a compressed air outlet wherein compressed air is discharged to a delivery system coupled to downstream utilization apparatus;
and a catalytic oxidation system having an inlet coupled to said compressor outlet to receive said compressed air therefrom, and comprising a treatment chamber containing a quantity of a catalytic oxidizing material for oxidizing compressor oil carried in the compressed air into carbon dioxide and water to thereby form treated compressed air having a predetermined percentage of pre-existing compressor oil removed therefrom, an outlet coupled with said delivery system for delivering said treated compressed air therethrough to said downstream utilization apparatus;
and control means for periodically stopping the air flow to said catalytic oxidation system for allowing further heat buildup therein to further enhance the catalytic reaction therein;
wherein said catalytic oxidizing material comprises a high-activity catalyst effective at an operating temperature below about 500.degree. F. (260.degree. C.).

1 more element

A catalytic oxidation system for removing compressor oil from a compressed air stream comprising:

a generally tubular housing having an air inlet connection for coupling to a source of compressed air and an air outlet connection to be coupled to a downstream delivery system and utilization equipment;
an inlet catalyst retainer screen extending transversely across said chamber at a first, inlet side thereof in communication with said inlet air connection;
an outlet catalyst retainer screen extending transversely across said chamber at a second, outlet side thereof in communication with said outlet air connection and spaced apart from said inlet catalyst retainer screen;
and a quantity of predetermined catalyst substantially filling said chamber between said inlet catalyst retainer screen and said outlet catalyst retainer screen, and control means for periodically stopping the air flow to said tubular housing system for allowing further heat buildup therein to further enhance the catalytic reaction therein;
wherein said catalyst comprises a high-activity catalyst effective at an operating temperature below about 500.degree. F. (260.degree. C.).

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Oil vapor extraction system

Life of this patent

Oil vapor extraction system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21