US3570589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for recovering solvent vapors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-05-22
•
Granted: 1971-03-16
•
Expires: 1989-05-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and an apparatus for the recovery of solvent vapors. An air stream enriched with vapors of a volatile solvent is advanced in a predetermined path. Cooling means is interposed in the path and effects condensation of the solvent vapors in the stream. The resulting droplets of condensate descend into an upwardly open receptacle where they are accumulated to constitute a body of recovered solvent. A body of liquid of lesser specific weight and volatility than the solvent floats on the surface of the body of recovered solvent and seals the latter against contact with the ambient atmosphere to thereby prevent renewed vaporization of the recovered solvent pending reuse of the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Erwin Biesinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:07
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28B; F28B1/00; D; D06; D06B; D06B9/00; D06B9/06; D06C; D06C7/00; D06C2700/00; D06C2700/09; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50; Y02P70/62
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for the recovery of solvent vapors, comprising in combination, guide means for guiding in a predetermined path a stream of air enriched with vapors of a volatile solvent having a given specific weight; cooling means interposed in said path for effecting condensation of the solvent vapors in said stream so that the resulting droplets of condensate descend from said cooling means under the influence of gravity; upwardly open receptacle means arranged below said cooling means for receiving said droplets of condensate; and a body of liquid of lesser specific weight and volatility accommodated in said receptacle means so as to float on and prevent renewed vaporization of the condensate descending from said cooling means and accumulating in said receptacle means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for the recovery of solvent vapors, comprising in combination, guide means for guiding in a predetermined path a stream of air enriched with vapors of a volatile solvent having a given specific weight; cooling means interposed in said path for effecting condensation of the solvent vapors in said stream so that the resulting droplets of condensate descend from said cooling means under the influence of gravity; upwardly open receptacle means arranged below said cooling means for receiving said droplets of condensate; and a body of liquid of lesser specific weight and volatility accommodated in said receptacle means so as to float on and prevent renewed vaporization of the condensate descending from said cooling means and accumulating in said receptacle means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said guide means and said receptacle means respectively constituting the upper and the lower part of a housing, and said cooling means being arranged in said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said liquid is water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said body of liquid floating on the accumulated condensate in form of a layer of liquid; and further comprising maintaining means for maintaining the layer of liquid at a predetermined thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, said maintaining means being operative for maintaining said layer of liquid at said predetermined thickness in dependence upon the level of the accumulated condensate in said receptacle means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, said maintaining means comprising first overflow means having an inlet proximal to a bottom wall of said receptacle means and an outlet at a first level above said inlet, and second overflow means having an inlet and outlet at a second level above said first level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, said cooling means comprising a plurality of cooling members each having exposed surfaces on which said solvent vapors condense into droplets of condensate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, at least some of said exposed surfaces extending downwardly into said receptacle means to an extent requisite for partial immersion in the condensate accumulated therein.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of recovering solvent vapors, comprising guiding in a predetermined path a stream of air enriched with vapors of a volatile solvent having a given specific weight; cooling said stream in said path to effect condensation of the vapor in form of droplets which descend under the influence of gravity; collecting the descending droplets of condensate to form a body of recovered solvent; and at least inhibiting renewed vaporization of the recovered solvent pending reuse thereof by establishing between said body of solvent and the ambient atmosphere a seal impenetrable to the atmosphere but penetrable to the descending droplets of condensate.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of recovering solvent vapors, comprising guiding in a predetermined path a stream of air enriched with vapors of a volatile solvent having a given specific weight; cooling said stream in said path to effect condensation of the vapor in form of droplets which descend under the influence of gravity; collecting the descending droplets of condensate to form a body of recovered solvent; and at least inhibiting renewed vaporization of the recovered solvent pending reuse thereof by establishing between said body of solvent and the ambient atmosphere a seal impenetrable to the atmosphere but penetrable to the descending droplets of condensate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method as defined in claim 9, wherein the step of at least inhibiting renewed vaporization comprises floating on the surface of said body of recovered solvent a layer of liquid constituting said seal and having a lower specific gravity and lesser volatility than said solvent, to thereby prevent the latter from contact with the ambient atmosphere.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |