Chemical separation and reaction apparatus
AssigneeMercury Treatment Alternatives, Inc.
InventorsRandy Aulbaugh, Gregory G. Hawk
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus for use in the separation of volatile from non-volatile substances, separation of volatile substances, one from the other, and for performing various chemical reactions and, in particular, to an apparatus which performs these functions utilizing a combination of above ambient temperatures and above one inch of mercury vacuum within a rotating vessel fitted with or without an internal filter through which exiting gases and vapors must pass. Because of the compactness allowed by the present invention, the apparatus can also be configured to operate in a self contained mobile mode.
Claims20
A chemical processing and reaction apparatus for the separation of volatile from non-volatile substances and volatile substances, one from the other, comprising:
- an outer shell;
- a vacuum thermal treatment vessel rotatably disposed within the outer shell;
- a rotatable sleeve and seal arrangement connected to at least one end of the vessel;
- means for transporting material to be processed into the vessel;
- an internal filter disposed within the vessel;
- means for transporting volatile substances out of the vessel attached to the internal filter;
- means for rotating the vessel;
- means for cooling the rotatable sleeve and seal arrangement:
- means for establishing and maintaining a vacuum pressure within the vessel between 1 and 29 inches of mercury, thereby lowering the boiling point of volatile substances during operation of the apparatus;
- and
- means for heating the vessel to a temperature sufficient to vaporize volatile substances.
An apparatus for processing materials to separate volatile substances from non-volatile substances and to separate volatile substances from one another, comprising:
- an outer shell;
- a vacuum thermal treatment vessel rotatably disposed within the outer shell, the vessel rotatable about an axis of rotation;
- a first sleeve for receiving the materials to be processed, the first sleeve is rotatable about the axis and extends outwardly from the vessel through the outer shell;
- a second sleeve rotatable about the axis and extending outwardly from the vessel through the outer shell, on the end opposite the first sleeve;
- a rotatable vacuum seal attached to the second sleeve on the end extending outwardly from the vessel;
- means for rotating the vessel within the outer shell about the axis;
- an exhaust conduit for transporting volatile substances out of the vessel, the exhaust conduit outwardly extending from within the vessel through the second sleeve along the axis;
- a vacuum pump operably associated with the exhaust conduit for producing a vacuum pressure within the vessel between 1 and 29 inches of mercury, thereby lowering the boiling point of volatile substances;
- means for heating the vessel to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the volatile substances in the materials;
- and
- means for cooling the second sleeve and the rotatable vacuum seal.
An apparatus for processing materials to separate volatile substances from non-volatile substances and to separate volatile substances from one another, comprising:
- an outer shell;
- a vacuum thermal treatment vessel rotatably disposed within the outer shell, the vessel rotatable about an axis of rotation:
- a first sleeve for receiving the materials to be processed, the first sleeve is rotatable about the axis and extends outwardly from the vessel through the outer shell;
- a second sleeve rotatable about the axis and extending outwardly from the vessel through the outer shell, on the end opposite the first sleeve;
- a rotatable vacuum seal attached to the second sleeve on the end extending outwardly from the vessel;
- means for rotating the vessel within the outer shell about the axis;
- an exhaust conduit for transporting volatile substances out of the vessel, the exhaust conduit outwardly extending from within the vessel through the second sleeve along the axis;
- a vacuum pump operably associated with the exhaust conduit for producing a vacuum pressure within the vessel between 1 and 29 inches of mercury, thereby lowering the boiling point of volatile substances;
- means for heating the vessel to a temperature between about 500 and 1100 degrees Celsius;
- and
- means for cooling the second sleeve and the rotatable vacuum seal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.