US 7,124,580 B2 · Sub-zero condensation vacuum system

Abstract

A pre-condenser is provided for condensation of water at sub-zero degree Celsius temperatures. A brine solution is cooled below 0 degrees Celsius and delivered to the pre-condenser. The brine solution contacts the vapors and gases from a scrubber, thereby condensing the vapors without allowing ice formation. A vacuum system connected to the pre-condenser removes the remaining gases from a top portion of the pre-condenser while the brine solution and condensed vapors are removed and recycled through a bottom portion of the pre-condenser.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims10

Dependent claims

An apparatus for condensing vapors at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius, said apparatus comprising:

a. A vessel for condensing vapors therein;
b. A liquid inlet in a sidewall of said vessel for receiving cooled liquid therein;
c. A vapor inlet in a lower portion of said vessel for receiving vapor therein;
d. A vacuum system connected to a top portion of said vessel for drawing vapors upwardly within said vessel;
e. A dispensing means for dispensing cooled liquid counter currently with respect to said vapors
f. A liquid outlet in a lower portion of said vessel for removing condensed vapors from said vessel;
and
g. a pre-condenser cooler for cooling the cooled liquid to a temperature below 0 degrees Celsius.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description1,179 words

Summary438 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to the field of direct contact pre-condensers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a sub-zero condensation vacuum system for pre-condensing water vapor for creating a vacuum.

#2. Background of the Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings10 words

#The FIGURE is a schematic view illustrating the present invention.

Detailed description731 words

#FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a sub-zero degree Celsius pre-condenser system 10.

#A brine storage tank 12 is shown having a brine solution therein, such as sodium chloride or a similar salt in water. The brine storage tank 12 has an outlet 14 that feeds to a line 16. The line 16 has a brine metering pump 18 wherein the brine is pumped through the line 16.

#The brine is fed into a mixer 24 wherein the mixing means 26 therein allows the salt concentration to reach the predetermined concentration level.

Facts

Application

10/873,555Filed 22 Jun 2004

Published

US 2005/0279089 A122 Dec 2005

Granted

24 Oct 2006

Term ended

13 Nov 2024

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 144 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification2 codes

F28B 3/04
Condensers in which the steam or vapour comes into direct contact with the cooling medium: by injecting cooling liquid into the steam or vapour
F28B
Steam or vapour condensers

Timeline

22 Jun 2004Application filedUS 10/873,555
22 Jun 2004Assigned to Crown Iron Works Companyassignment of assignor's interest
22 Dec 2005PublishedUS 2005/0279089 A1
24 Oct 2006GrantedUS 7,124,580 B2
24 Nov 2009Assigned to Harris N.A., AS Administrative Agentsecurity agreement
31 Aug 2012Assigned to Crown Iron Works Companyrelease of security interest in patents at reel/frame no. 023556/0913
31 Aug 2012Assigned to Jefferies Finance LLC, AS Collateral Agentfirst lien patent security agreement
31 Aug 2012Assigned to Jefferies Finance LLC, AS Collateral Agentsecond lien patent security agreement
10 Apr 2015Assigned to Crown Iron Works Companyrelease of security interest
10 Apr 2015Assigned to Crown Iron Works Companyrelease of security interest
13 Apr 2015Assigned to Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., "Rabobank Nederland", New York Branchsecurity interest
13 Apr 2015Assigned to Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., "Rabobank Nederland", New York Branchsecurity interest
11 Aug 2017Assigned to Bank of Montreal, AS the Successor Collateral Agentassignment of second lien patent security agreement recorded at reel/frame 035397/0972 and 035398/0015
11 Aug 2017Assigned to Bank of Montreal, AS the Successor Collateral Agentassignment of first lien patent security agreement recorded at reel/frame 035397/0888 and 035397/0924
15 Nov 2018Assigned to Crown Iron Works Company, Cpm Acquisition Corp.termination and release of first lien security interest in patents recorded at reel 043598, frame 0448
15 Nov 2018Assigned to Crown Iron Works Company, Cpm Acquisition Corp.termination and release of second lien security interest in patents, recorded at reel 043533, frame 0369
4 Dec 2018Assigned to Jefferies Finance LLC, AS Collateral Agentsecurity interest
4 Dec 2018Assigned to Jefferies Finance LLC, AS Collateral Agentsecurity interest
28 Sep 2023Assigned to Jefferies Finance LLC, AS Administrative Agentintellectual property security agreement
28 Sep 2023Assigned to Crown Iron Works Company, Cpm Wolverine Proctor, LLC, Cpm Acquisition Corp.release of second lien patent security agreement
28 Sep 2023Assigned to Crown Iron Works Company, Cpm Wolverine Proctor, LLC, Cpm Acquisition Corp.release of first lien patent security agreement
13 Nov 2024Term endedEstimated, includes 144 days of adjustment
3 Dec 2024Assigned to Crown Iron Works Company LLCchange of name
12 Jun 2026Assigned to Carlson Industries, Inc., Cpm Acquisition Corp. (Itself and AS Successor By Merger To Bliss Industries, LLC), Crown Iron Works Company LLC (F/K/A Crown Iron Works Company), Cpm Wolverine Proctor, LLCrelease of intellectual property security agreement, recorded on september 28, 2023 at reel/frame 065080/0925

Sub-zero condensation vacuum system

Life of this patent

Sub-zero condensation vacuum system

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims10

Description1,179 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description1,179 words