US3742720A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quantitative recovery of krypton from gas mixtures mainly comprising carbon dioxide
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1972-07-25
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Granted: 1973-07-03
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Expires: 1992-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A continuous process for the quantitative recovery of krypton from a feed gas mainly comprising carbon dioxide and also containing minor percentages of oxygen and nitrogen, as well as trace quantities of krypton. The process includes three principal separations: absorption of krypton from the feed gas to provide a krypton-decontaminated waste gas; fractionation of the gases coabsorbed with the krypton; and stripping of the krypton from the absorbent to provide (a) krypton-free carbon dioxide for use as the process absorbent and (b) krypton-enriched liquid product. The carbon dioxide absorbent is derived from the feed gas itself.
Inventors
- 👤 R Leuze
- 👤 D Ferguson
- 👤 P Haas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:54
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25J; F25J3/00; F25J3/02; F25J3/0228; F25J3/0266; F25J3/028; F25J2205/00; F25J2205/50; F25J2215/00; F25J2215/34; Y; Y02; Y02C; Y02C20/00; Y02C20/40; Y10; Y10S; Y10S62/00; Y10S62/923; Y10S62/925
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gas mixture is compressed and cooled under conditions liquefying a major portion thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method oF claim 1 wherein each of said absorption zone, fractionating zone, and stripping zone is maintained at a pressure in the range of about 5.2 to 70 atmospheres and a temperature in the range of from about -57* to 30*C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid-to-gas-phase flow rate ratio in said absorption zone is in the range of from about 3 to 20.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid-to-gas phase flow rate ratio in said fractionating zone is in the range of from about 5 to 30.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid-to-gas-phase flow rate ratio in said stripping zone is in the range from about 1.5 to 10.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a part of said oxygen-enriched gaseous effluent from said fractionating zone is cooled to form a condensate which is recycled downwardly through said fractionating zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said carbon dioxide vapor contacted in said fractionating zone is generated by distillation of said oxygen-depleted absorbent from said fractionating zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein part of said krypton-decontaminated liquid from said stripping zone is separately discharged as waste.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said vapor stream further enriched in krypton is condensed and a part of the resulting condensate is withdrawn as said product.
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) | 1976-07-02 | 1977-01-01 | 1977-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-02 | 1981-01-01 | 1981-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-02 | 1985-01-01 | 1985-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |