Helium purifier

Claim 2

The helium purification method of claim 1, having neon as a component of said impurities, and said first and second intervals of time thereof substantially of equal duration which is set to obtain reactivation following a production of purified helium before a first component impurity of neon elutes, and wherein said relatively high temperature is maintained in the respective quantities for a relatively short period of time during said intervals of time and said purging of said adsorbing agent occurs contemporaneously with said short time period during said intervals of time.

Claim 3

The helium purification method of claim 1 wherein said relatively low temperature is that of liquid nitrogen, and said relatively high temperature is approximately 0* C.

Claim 4

The helium purification method of claim 1 wherein said feed helium is supplied at approximately 100 cm3 per minute, and at a pressure of 150 psig.

Claim 5

The helium purifying method of claim 1 wherein two consecutive of said intervals of time constitute a cycle of operation, during each said cycle said first and second quantities of adsorbing agent are sequentially effective to produce purified helium, and concurrently therewith said second and first quantities of adsorbing agent are sequentially purged.

Claim 6

Apparatus for purifying helium comprising first and second canisters, each packed with an adsorbent material and equipped with an internal heater operable to enable regeneration of said adsorbent material, first and second insulator receptacles open at the lower ends thereof and wherein said canisters are separately suspended in respective ones of said receptacles out-of-contact with surfaces of said receptacles, a plurality of means supporting by suspending connections therefrom said receptacles and canisters, means supporting said plurality of means and accommodating therein said suspension of receptacles and canisters, said accommodating means having liquid nitrogen therein at a level effectively covering said receptacle means, each said suspension having operatively associated therewith a plurality of conduit systems adpated to complete gas flow passages communicating a helium gas inlet device to an upper section of said canister, a helium gas outlet device to said upper section of said canister, and a nitrogen gas outlet device to a space between said receptacle and said canister, said conduit systems further operatively associating with each said canister for communication of a lower part therein with a product outlet conduit arrangement and a lower part in said other canister, and program control means connected to cause operation of said conduit system devices and heaters in said canister in a predetermined sequence whereby said adsorbent materials of said first and second canisters are separately, and in an alternate and uncomformable manner, actIve to enable purification of helium and subject to regeneration, respectively, while ultrapure helium is continuously produced as output from said product outlet conduit arrangement.

Claim 7

Helium purifying apparatus of claim 7 wherein said devices comprise solenoid actuated valves in said flow passages, said heaters comprise electrical resistance wires, and said program control means comprises a set of electrical switches separately connected in energizing circuits to said solenoid actuators and said heater wires, and timer driven cams corresponding to said switches and adapted by their positional presetting with respect to said switches to effect a predetermined sequential operation of said valves and said heaters.

Claim 8

Helium purifying apparatus of claim 7 wherein said nitrogen gas outlet device of each said canisters responds to said program control means by closing to prevent discharge of nitrogen gas therethrough when said heater of said canister functions to enable regeneration of said adsorbent material therein, whereby nitrogen gas accumulating in said space between said canister and said receptacle corresponding thereto is pressurized to where liquid nitrogen forced out from said space is replaced by nitrogen gas which constitutes an insulator shield around said canister during regeneration of said adsorbent material therein.

Claim 9

In a gas processing apparatus comprising a container storing liquid refrigerant up to a predetermined level therein, a cover attached to said container having secured therein means supporting enclosure vessels so as to depend from said cover into said liquid refrigerant, said vessels being packed with adsorbent material, means controlling the flow of feed gas through said vessels for processing therein and an output of processed gas from said vessels, and further means controlling a discharge from said container of gas arising from said liquid refrigerant, means maintaining said predetermined level of liquid refrigerant in said container including a liquid level sensor control for a switch actuator, said sensor control comprising a liquid level sensing end normally submerged in said liquid refrigerant, an intermediate part extending through said cover, and a pressure responsive flexible opposite end adapted to close a normally open electrical switch in response to heat applied to said sensor, a source of liquid refrigerant and conduit means connected thereto which passes through said cover and situates an outlet opening thereof adjacent said liquid level in said container, valve means determining the liquid flow in said conduit means comprising a normally deenergized solenoid, an energizing circuit for said solenoid completed by closure of said switch, a length of heat conductive material having one end affixed to said sensing end and held to said intermediate part so as to extend to a region in said container adjacent said cover, whereby a decrease in said liquid refrigerant level at said sensing end permits a rapid warming thereof by heat carried through said conductive material which produces a pressure increase closing said switch to energize said solenoid and opening said valve with the result that liquid refrigerant being supplied to the container raises the level of liquid therein to again submerge said sensing end of said sensor and return said switch and solenoid to normal.