초록 ▼

The need to filter gas emanating from a containment vessel is reduced or eliminated by maintaining, within the vessel, a gradient that concentrates most of the gaseous contaminants away from the vessel exits. This is achieved by reducing the density of gas drawn from the region near its source and d

The need to filter gas emanating from a containment vessel is reduced or eliminated by maintaining, within the vessel, a gradient that concentrates most of the gaseous contaminants away from the vessel exits. This is achieved by reducing the density of gas drawn from the region near its source and discharging the reduced-density gas to another region of the vessel. Owing to its reduced density, the discharged gas already has a lower contaminant concentration than the source gas. The concentration decreases further as convection draws the discharged gas back to its source. So long as the gas flows within the containment vessel are non-turbulent, the concentration gradient remains substantially static, and the vents remain exposed only to low concentrations of contaminants. The gas density may be reduced by heating and humidification, catalytic reaction, or reaction among constituents of the gas.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of limiting gaseous emissions from a containment vessel, the method comprising the steps of:a. withdrawing gas from a first location at a first height within the containment vessel;b. processing the withdrawn gas to reduce its density; andc. returning at least

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of limiting gaseous emissions from a containment vessel, the method comprising the steps of:a. withdrawing gas from a first location at a first height within the containment vessel;b. processing the withdrawn gas to reduce its density; andc. returning at least a fraction of reduced-density gas into the containment vessel at a second location at a second height therein, the first height being lower than the second height, the withdrawal and return of gas cooperating so as to restrict the gas concentration at the second location and to create a substantially unchanging gas-concentration gradient decreasing from the first location to the second location, the gradient being maintained through non-turbulent withdrawal and return of gas. [16.]16. Apparatus for limiting gaseous emissions from a containment vessel, the apparatus comprising:a. means for withdrawing gas from a first location at a first height within the containment vessel;b. means for processing the withdrawn gas to reduce its density; andc. means for returning at least a fraction of the reduced-density gas into the containment vessel at a second location at a second height therein, the first height being lower than the second height, the withdrawal and return of gas cooperating so as to restrict the gas concentration at the second location and to create a substantially unchanging gas-concentration gradient decreasing from the first location to the second location, the gradient being maintained by non-turbulent gas flow.17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the withdrawn gas has a molar volume and further comprising means for reducing the density by reducing the molar volume of the withdrawn gas.18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for reducing density comprises means for catalytically reacting the gas to produce at least one reaction product sequestered from the gas phase.19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for reducing density comprises means for causing constituents of the gas to react with each other.