초록 ▼

A fluid separator apparatus having a control member for allowing a source of pressurized fluid mixture to flow in a first direction through a bed of adsorption material to produce a product fluid and for allowing a purge fluid to regenerate the bed of adsorption material by flowing in a second direc

A fluid separator apparatus having a control member for allowing a source of pressurized fluid mixture to flow in a first direction through a bed of adsorption material to produce a product fluid and for allowing a purge fluid to regenerate the bed of adsorption material by flowing in a second direction substantially opposite to the flow of the fluid mixture. The bed of adsorption material has a variable cross-sectional area corresponding to a substantially uniform and optimum rate of adsorption of an element in the fluid mixture by the individual particles of adsorption material. A shroud which surrounds the bed of adsorption material directs the purge fluid over the bed of adsorption material to retain any heat generated during adsorption within the bed of adsorption material. A sensor located within the shroud operates a heater to maintain the temperatures of the fluid mixture and the adsorption beds within a predetermined temperature range to assure that the optimum rate of adsorption by the particles is not changed by temperature variations in the supply of pressurized fluid mixture and in the ambient environment.

대표청구항 ▼

A material separator system comprising: a first container having a first separator chamber connected to a second separator chamber, said first and second separator chambers each holding a quantity of adsorption material in particle form to create a first bed, said first and second chambers each havi

A material separator system comprising: a first container having a first separator chamber connected to a second separator chamber, said first and second separator chambers each holding a quantity of adsorption material in particle form to create a first bed, said first and second chambers each having a cross-sectional area that varies linearly with distance to compensate for changes in the flow of the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber caused by retention of a component in the fluid mixture by the particles contained in the first bed; a second container having a third separator chamber connected to a fourth separator chamber, said third and fourth separator chambers each holding a quantity of adsorption material in particle form to create a second bed, said third and fourth chambers each having a cross sectional area that varies linearly with distance to compensate for changes in the flow of fluid from the third chamber to the fourth chamber caused by retention of a component in the fluid mixture by the particles contained in the second bed; supply conduit means for connecting a source of pressurized fluid mixture to said first and third chambers; an outlet conduit having a first branch connected to said second chamber and a storage container, and a second branch connected to said fourth chamber and the storage chamber; an intermediate conduit for connecting said first branch to said second branch; a restrictive member located in said intermediate conduit to limit the flow communication between the first and second branches; valve means connected to said supply conduit for sequentially controlling the communication of said source of fluid mixture to one of said first and second containers where an element in the fluid mixture is adsorbed in the particles to produce a product fluid as the fluid mixture flows from the first chamber toward the second chamber and from the third chamber toward the fourth chamber, respectively, said varying of the cross sectional area providing substantially uniform adsorption throughout the entire first and second beds as the fluid mixture flows therethrough, said product fluid flow through the outlet conduit while a portion thereof flows through the intermediate conduit to purge the element from the particles in the other of said first and second containers by flowing from the second chamber toward the first chamber and the fourth chamber toward the third chamber, respectively; heater means associated with said supply conduit means for maintaining said pressurized fluid mixture within a predetermined temperature range; shroud means for insulating at least said heater means, supply conduit, said valve means, and said first and second containers from the surrounding environment; first sensor means connected to said heater means for monitoring the temperature of said pressurized fluid mixture in said supply conduit to establish a first operational temperature signal; second sensor means located in said shroud for measuring the temperature therein to establish a second operational temperature signal; bleed valve means connected to said supply conduit; and electronic control means for supplying said first and second valve means with an operational signal to sequentially transfer the supply of fluid mixture from the first container to the second container after a predetermined time period, said electronic control means being connected to said first and second sensor means for supplying said heater means with a first operational input in response to said first temperature signal below a predetermined value and for supplying said bleed valve means with a second operational input to allow a portion of the fluid mixture in said supply conduit to flow into the shroud means and maintain the temperature therein within said predetermined temperature range in order that optimum adsorption of the element occurs in the first and second containers with the presentation of the fluid mixture thereto.