EP0112484A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for reducing solvent losses
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1983-11-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A volatile solvent conservation modular unit and method for effecting solvent conservation is provided. The cooling coil modular unit (11) is arranged to be disposed in the freeboard zone of a cleaning or degreasing apparatus (10) that uses a volatile solvent. The freeboard zone chiller (11) is formed so as to be disposed along one side of the degreaser vessel rather than on all four sides. This one-sided freeboard chiller produces a vapor suppression blanket that is surprisingly effective compared to structures which ring the entire opening, and it is readily retrofitted on existing apparatus without the need for factorytrained installers.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Fred Osterman
- 👤 Burton Rand
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:43
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D5/00; B01D5/0078; B01D5/009; C; C23; C23G; C23G5/00; B01D5/0003; B01D5/0009; C23G5/02; C23G5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
In an apparatus comprising: (a) an open-top receptacle adapted to be partially filled with a volatile solvent, (b) means adjacent the bottom of said receptacle for containing the solvent to be vaporized, and means to vaporize the solvent, (c) primary condenser means supported by said receptacle above the solvent for condensing vapors generated from said solvent and thereby defining the upper limit of a vapor zone above the solvent, (d) a freeboard chiller second condenser means supported by said receptacle above said first condenser means and below the upper edge of the receptacle for condensing solvent vapors unaffected by said first condenser means, said second condenser means being provided on only one side of said open top receptable above said primary condenser and generating a cold air barrier that extends over the top of the vapor zone, and (e) a condensate collection trough below the elevation of said first condenser means for collecting condensate and preventing condensed moisture from mixing with the solvent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
In an apparatus comprising: (a) an open-top receptacle adapted to be partially filled with a volatile solvent, (b) means adjacent the bottom of said receptacle for containing the solvent to be vaporized, and means to vaporize the solvent, (c) primary condenser means supported by said receptacle above the solvent for condensing vapors generated from said solvent and thereby defining the upper limit of a vapor zone above the solvent, (d) a freeboard chiller second condenser means supported by said receptacle above said first condenser means and below the upper edge of the receptacle for condensing solvent vapors unaffected by said first condenser means, said second condenser means being provided on only one side of said open top receptable above said primary condenser and generating a cold air barrier that extends over the top of the vapor zone, and (e) a condensate collection trough below the elevation of said first condenser means for collecting condensate and preventing condensed moisture from mixing with the solvent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the freeboard chiller comprises a modular unit which may be retrofitted on a pre-existing open top receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the freeboard chiller is disposed within about 15 cm above the vapor line comprising said primary condenser means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a second condenser collection trough is situated below said second condenser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A freeboard chiller for retrofitting an existing halocarbon solvent degreaser comprising: (a) a plurality of coolant coils mounted on a support, (b) a protective guard for said coils, said coil guard being mounted on said coil support, and (c) support securing means provided on said support for attaching said support,at one side only of said degreaser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
A freeboard chiller for retrofitting an existing halocarbon solvent degreaser comprising: (a) a plurality of coolant coils mounted on a support, (b) a protective guard for said coils, said coil guard being mounted on said coil support, and (c) support securing means provided on said support for attaching said support,at one side only of said degreaser.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The freeboard chiller of claim 5 further provided with a condensate collector trough mounted on said coil support and disposed at an elevation below said coils for receiving condensate generated by said coils.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a method for condensing solvent vapors generated in an open-top receptacle before they are discharged into the atmosphere, the method comprising the steps of: (a) using a primary cooling coil to define a vapor zone immediately above the solvent in said receptacle, wherein said receptacle is maintained open, and (b) entraining a substantial portion of the solvent vapors not condensed by said primary cooling coil by a cold air barrier which is generated from a second cooling source on only one side of the interior of said open top receptacle and migrates across and forms a blanket above said primary coil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a method for condensing solvent vapors generated in an open-top receptacle before they are discharged into the atmosphere, the method comprising the steps of: (a) using a primary cooling coil to define a vapor zone immediately above the solvent in said receptacle, wherein said receptacle is maintained open, and (b) entraining a substantial portion of the solvent vapors not condensed by said primary cooling coil by a cold air barrier which is generated from a second cooling source on only one side of the interior of said open top receptacle and migrates across and forms a blanket above said primary coil.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said blanket is generated at a distance of about 10 to about 18 cm above the vapor line defined by said primary condenser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 wherein condensate from said second cooling source is collected separately from the condensate collected by the primary condensing coil.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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