US3599438A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Crude helium enrichment process
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1968-10-07
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1988-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A crude helium stream is enriched by liquefaction and separation of contained impurities in a process wherein low temperature level refrigeration is provided by isentropic expansion of the enriched helium stream at its lowest temperature in the process. This invention resulted from work done by the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the Interior, and the domestic title to the invention is in the Government.
Inventors
- 👤 Wayne W Blackwell
- 👤 Herbert S Kalman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:21
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/06; F25J3/063; F25J3/0685; F25J3/069; F25J3/066; F25J2205/00; F25J2205/40; F25J2205/82; F25J2245/00; F25J2245/02; F25J2270/00; F25J2270/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
The process of claim 1 wherein separated liquid is removed from the first zone and is passed to a second vapor-liquid separation zone maintained at a pressure substantially less than that of the first zone so as to flash dissolved helium from the liquid impurities.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 2 wherein a vapor stream comprising helium is removed from the second zone, is passed in countercurrent heat exchange relationship with the incoming crude stream and is thereafter compressed and merged with the incoming crude stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 3 wherein helium-depleted liquid is removed from the second separation zone and is passed in indirect heat exchange relationship with the incoming crude stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said isentropic expansion is performed in an expansion engine and wherein expanded gas is thereafter passed in indirect, countercurrent heat exchange with the incoming crude stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 5 wherein liquid formation in the expansion engine is limited to less than about 2 mol. percent of the gas stream being expanded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 6 wherein hydrogen contained in the crude helium stream is removed by catalytic reaction with an oxygen-containing gas prior to heat exchange with colder process streams.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the crude helium stream contains about 50 to 80 mol. percent helium and wherein the isentropically expanded helium stream contains about 90 to 98 mol. percent helium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2874030A
Cited
US2932173A
Cited
US3181307A
Cited
US3205669A
Cited
US3260058A
Cited
US3240023A
Cited
US3293869A
Cited
US3407614A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |