초록 ▼

A process for extracting extractable material from a base material in which it is present, while protecting against explosion of any solvent vapor in air includes heating by microwave radiation in a closed pressure-resistant and heat-resistant container, such base material, extractable material and

A process for extracting extractable material from a base material in which it is present, while protecting against explosion of any solvent vapor in air includes heating by microwave radiation in a closed pressure-resistant and heat-resistant container, such base material, extractable material and organic extraction solvent, passing air near or into contact with the extraction container so that it will carry away from the container any escaping solvent vapor, and passing said air with the solvent vapor, if present, into contact with solvent detector which turns off a source of microwave radiation when the solvent vapor is present. Preferably the invented process will include passing the air, with any solvent vapor which may be present in it, to a flow detector, which will turn off the source of microwave radiation if flow ceases. The described processes may also include providing a rupture diaphragm to release extraction container contents at a pressure lower than that at which the container will fail, venting any contents exiting the container on to a collection container and venting vapor contents thereof to a solvent vapor detector. Also described are apparatuses for practicing the mentioned processes.

대표청구항 ▼

An explosion proof microwave heated solvent extraction apparatus for extracting materials with an organic extracting solvent which is explosive in air, which apparatus comprises a walled chamber, a source of microwave radiation into said chamber, a microwave transmissive extraction container in said

An explosion proof microwave heated solvent extraction apparatus for extracting materials with an organic extracting solvent which is explosive in air, which apparatus comprises a walled chamber, a source of microwave radiation into said chamber, a microwave transmissive extraction container in said chamber, adapted to contain, under pressure, said organic extracting solvent, base material and extractable material with the base material, which extractable material is extractable by the solvent while the solvent is being heated by the microwave radiation, means for passing air through the chamber in an inlet and out an outlet in the chamber, means for detecting the presence of the solvent in said air leaving the chamber, and for modifying an electrical signal in response to the presence of the solvent in said air, said means comprising a switch that requires manual operation to reactivate the source of microwave radiation, and means for controlling operation of the source of microwave radiation in response to said modified electrical signal so that radiation from said source is terminated when the solvent is detected in the air leaving the chamber at a concentration which is not more than a predetermined explosive concentration.