US3716220A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tower vapor feed system
Assignee: General Electric Canada Co
•
Filing: 1970-03-12
•
Granted: 1973-02-13
•
Expires: 1990-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A tower for counterflow contacting of downflow liquid with upflowing gas is provided with a U-bend bottom gas entry located to trap the liquid inventory of the tower in the bend and the draindown portion of the tower. A gas bypass connects the U-bend to the tower at a level above the drain-down level, to permit ready circulation of gas in the tower before the liquid inventory is displaced from the trap.
Inventors
- 👤 M Bloomsburg
- 👤 D Nazzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 17:06
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D59/00; B01D59/28; B01D59/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
In a gas-liquid exchange apparatus having at least one tower with a plurality of trays in stacked array for the passage of gas upwardly in intimate mixing contact with downflowing liquid, in which the inventory of liquid in the tower is maintained in the trays by the movement of gas upwardly therethrough, the improvement comprising liquid inventory retaining means comprising a gas supply pipe connected to the bottom of the tower for inward passage of gas to the tower, said pipe extending upwardly externally of the tower in the form of a pipe trap of U-form to a level above the drain-down level of the tower liquid inventory, to form a liquid retaining trap, and a gas supply bypass connecting the gas supply pipe with the tower at a level above the inventory drain-down level, whereby liquid inventory contained within the tower and the gas supply pipe on the occurrence of drain-down may be bypassed to permit recommencement of gas circulation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
In a gas-liquid exchange apparatus having at least one tower with a plurality of trays in stacked array for the passage of gas upwardly in intimate mixing contact with downflowing liquid, in which the inventory of liquid in the tower is maintained in the trays by the movement of gas upwardly therethrough, the improvement comprising liquid inventory retaining means comprising a gas supply pipe connected to the bottom of the tower for inward passage of gas to the tower, said pipe extending upwardly externally of the tower in the form of a pipe trap of U-form to a level above the drain-down level of the tower liquid inventory, to form a liquid retaining trap, and a gas supply bypass connecting the gas supply pipe with the tower at a level above the inventory drain-down level, whereby liquid inventory contained within the tower and the gas supply pipe on the occurrence of drain-down may be bypassed to permit recommencement of gas circulation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pipe trap includes a portion above said inventory drain-down level of inverted U-form to provide an expansion joint accommodating changes due to variation in temperature by flexure thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including liquid recirculation means connecting the bottom of said tower with the top of the tower for the passage of water in pumped recirculating relation to maintain said trays full of liquid.
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) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |