US3577880A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for varying the physical conditions of a gas
Assignee: Anglo American Corp of South Africa Pty Ltd
•
Filing: 1969-01-24
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Granted: 1971-05-11
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Expires: 1989-01-24
Abstract
Abstract In compression and expansion compartments embodying liquid pistons reciprocating in unison but in opposite directions gas is subjected to compression in one compartment followed by expansion in the other or vice versa and subjected to a heat exchange operation during its passage between the inlet of one compartment and the outlet of the other.
Inventors
- 👤 George W D Leslie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:05
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D5/00; B01D5/0003; B01D5/0012; B01D1/00; B01D1/28; B01D1/2887; B01D3/00; B01D3/06; B01D5/0033; B01D5/0039; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/02; C02F1/04; C02F1/043; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A20/00; Y02A20/124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the heat exchange operation is effected in a heat exchanger connected between the compartments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the gas is heated by compression in the compression compartment, thereafter cooled by the heat exchange operation, and then further cooled by expansion in the expansion compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the gas is introduced into the compression compartment in a moist condition, and then in sequence compressed in the compression compartment, cooled sufficiently during the heat exchange operation to effect condensation of part of the liquid content thereof, further cooled by expansion in the expansion compartment, and utilized after expansion in conjunction with the heat exchanger to effect a drying operation by absorption in said gas of further liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
91 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the gas is introduced into the compression compartment in a warm moist condition, compressed in the compression compartment while being subjected to the action of water sprays during such compression, and thereafter in sequence cooled sufficiently during the heat exchange operation to effect condensation of part of the liquid content thereof, further cooled by expansion in the expansion compartment, and utilized after expansion in conjunction with the heat exchanger to effect a drying operation by absorption in said gas of further liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which gas is compressed in the compression compartment, liquid containing other components is sprayed into the gas during said compression to effect evaporation of part of said liquid, and the gas and vapor are then transferred to the expansion compartment to effect condensation of the vapor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the gas is drawn into the first at atmospheric temperature and pressure, expanded in this compartment and subjected to a heat transfer process while in the expanded condition to increase the enthalpy of said gas, the gas then being transferred while in the expanded condition to the second compartment, compressed in the second compartment to super atmospheric temperature and thereafter discharged at said super atmospheric temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which discharge of gas from each compartment is prevented during top part of the travel of each liquid piston by a pair of valves each controlled by the position of the corresponding liquid piston.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the pressure in the compression compartment is used to control closure of the inlet valve to the expansion compartment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for changing the condition of a gas, comprising a compression compartment, an expansion compartment, means interconnecting the lower ends of said compression and expansion compartments, liquid in said compartments and in said means interconnecting the lower ends thereof and forming a liquid piston in each compartment, means establishing fluid communication between said compartments, an inlet valve and an outlet valve in each compartment for interrupting fluid communication therebetween, a liquid level responsive valve in each compartment and adapted to close when the liquid in said compartment reaches a predetermined level, means for oscillating the liquid in said compartments, and means for controlling operation of said valves in conjunction with oscillation of said liquid to effect compression of gas in one compartment, transfer of the gas between said compartments, and expansion of the gas in the other compartment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the means for oscillating the liquid in the compartments comprises means for oscillating the compartments in unison.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the one compartment is of annular shape extending around the other compartment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 in which the connection between the outlet valve of the one compartment and the inlet valve of the other compartment is in the form of a heat exchanger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including the provision of means for withdrawing surplus liquid therefrom.
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) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |