US 6,582,663 B1Granted

Apparatus for titration and circulation of gases and circulation of an absorbent or adsorbent substance

AssigneeHydro-Quebec

InventorsRobert Schulz, Sabin Boily, Jacques Huot

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

The invention concerns an apparatus for the titration and circulation of gases to determine metal hydride storing properties, with improved response time, greater dynamic range in terms of the usable amount of powder and the maximum pressure accessible and increased sensitivity. The invention also concerns a circulating apparatus considerably reducing the time for analysing and determining the properties of absorbent and adsorbent materials during a large number of adsorption-desorption cycles. Both sets of apparatus are provided with a reference tube inside their oven, near the sample-holder. Said sample-holder tube and reference tube are connected on either side of the differential pressure sensor, thereby considerably enhancing the overall performance of the titration system.

Claims13

Dependent claims

An apparatus for the titration of a gas, of the type comprising:

a main duct connected by a first valve to a source of gas under pressure, said main duct being also connected to a first pressure sensor;
a first derivation duct connecting the main duct via a second valve to a sample carrying tube which is located in a furnace of adjustable temperature and is devised to receive a sample of a substance having gas absorption or adsorption/desorption properties to be measured;
a second derivation duct having first and second ends connected to the main duct, said second derivation duct connecting in series a third valve, a first tank and a differential pressure sensor;
a third derivation duct connecting a pump via a fourth valve to the main duct;
an isothermal enclosure for keeping the ducts and valves at a stable and controlled temperature;
and
a control system for adjusting and controlling at will the temperature of the furnace, the pressure of the gas and the valves in real time;
said apparatus being characterized in that it further comprises:
a fourth derivation duct connected via a fifth valve to a reference tube which has the same characteristics as the sample carrying tube and is located together with the same in the furnace, said fourth derivation duct being connected to the second duct between the first tank thereof and the differential pressure sensor;
and
a buffer tank mounted onto the main duct between the first and second ends of the second derivation duct, said buffer tank being filled up with metal chunks to reduce its dead volume, and used for compensating any difference in volume in the main and derivation ducts.

8 more elements

A cycling apparatus for evaluating the behaviour of a gas absorbing of adsorbing substance when this substance is subjected to a large number of absorption/desorption cycles, characterized in that it comprises:

a furnace with two compartments each having an adjustable temperature, said furnace being movable between two positions by suitable means;
a main duct connected by a first valve to a source of gas to be absorbed or adsorbed, this main duct being also connected to a pressure sensor;
a first derivation duct connecting the main duct via a second valve to a sample carrying tube which is located within the furnace in such a manner as to be always positioned in one of the compartments whatever be the position of the furnace, said sample carrying tube being in one of the compartments when the furnace is in one of its two positions, and in the other compartment when the furnace is in the other of its two positions;
two second derivation ducts independent from each other, each of said second derivation ducts connectable alternatively to the main duct via a corresponding third valve and connecting in sequence an inlet, a fourth valve, a first tank, a differential pressure sensor and an outlet;
a third derivation duct connecting a pump via a fifth valve to the main duct;
and
two fourth derivation ducts each connecting the outlet of one of the second derivation ducts via a sixth valve to a reference tube, said reference tubes of these fourth derivation ducts being positioned within the furnace in such a manner as to be each positioned in one of the compartments of the furnace whatever be the position of the same, one of the reference tubes being always associated to the sample carrying tube whatever be the compartment in which the latter is located.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.