Process and apparatus for separation of stable isotope compound
AssigneeNippon Sanso Corporation
InventorsShigeru Hayashida, Katsuyoshi Kuwata, Hiroshi Kawakami, Ushio Maeda
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Abstract
Stable isotope atoms present in the form of stable isotope compounds, for example, 13C present in the form of 13CO, are separated by distillation using a distillation column packed orderly with a formed packing, and preferably by distillation using a distillation column packed with a “promoting-fluid-dispersion type” structured packing.
Claims22
A process for separation of a stable isotope compound comprising the step of:
- supplying a fluid mixture containing a stable isotope compound comprising a lighter isotope compound and a heavier isotope compound comprising at least one stable isotope atom into an apparatus comprising:
- a distillation column comprising an upper zone A and a lower zone B, each of zone A and zone B containing an orderly packed formed packing;
- a collector and distributor between zone A and zone B;
- a feed gas inlet between zone A and zone B;
- a gas outlet at an upper portion of the distillation column;
- a gas exhaust connected to the gas outlet;
- a product outlet for the lighter isotope compound at an upper portion of the distillation column;
- a condenser connected to the gas outlet and an upper portion of the distillation column;
- a condensed liquid outlet at a lower portion of the distillation column;
- a liquid product outlet connected to the condensed liquid outlet;
- a product outlet for the heavier isotope compound at a lower portion of the distillation column;
- and
- a reboiler connected to the condensed liquid outlet and a lower portion of the distillation column;
- and
- performing said separation by liquefaction and distillation in said apparatus.
An apparatus for the separation of a stable isotope compound comprising a lighter isotope compound and a heavier isotope compound by liquefaction and distillation comprising a distillation column comprising an upper zone A and a lower zone B, each of zone A and zone B containing an orderly packed formed packing;
- a collector and distributor between zone A and zone B;
- a feed gas inlet between zone A and zone B;
- a gas outlet at an upper portion of the distillation column;
- a gas exhaust connected to the gas outlet;
- a product outlet for the lighter isotope compound at an upper portion of the distillation column;
- a condenser connected to the gas outlet and an upper portion of the distillation column;
- a condensed liquid outlet at a lower portion of the distillation column;
- a liquid product outlet connected to the condensed liquid outlet;
- a product outlet for the heavier isotope compound at a lower portion of the distillation column;
- and
- a reboiler connected to the condensed liquid outlet and a lower portion of the distillation column.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.