US3888693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-phase rinse and recovery method
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 1972-03-20
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1992-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for removing and recovering contaminating liquid from articles comprising washing the article with a liquid two phase system, one of the phases in the two phase system being immiscible with and preferably insoluble with the contaminating liquid. The remaining phase being miscible with but not the same as the contaminating liquid. The apparatus comprises a series of wash and separating tanks in conjunction with appropriate valves and pumps for utilizing the method to automatically recover contaminating liquid and return it to the process step in which it is used. This creates a balanced rinse and recovery system which prevents loss of contaminating liquid and substantially eliminates the necessity for adding new contaminating liquid to the process step in which the contaminating liquid is used.
Inventors
- 👤 William Russell Schevey
- 👤 Harold Freeman Jones
- 👤 Burton A Spielman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:01
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23G; C23G5/00; C23G5/06; B; B08; B08B; B08B3/00; B08B3/02; C23G5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
THE METHOD FOR REMOVING A CONTAMINATING FIRST LIQUID FROM A SURFACE OF AN ARTICLE WHICH COMPRISES A. WASHING SAID SURFACE WITH A SECOND LIQUID HAVING A DIFFERENT DENSITY THAN SAID FIRST LIQUID, SAID FIRST LIQUID BEING NOT OVER 10 PERCENT BY WEIGHT SOLUBLE IN SAID SECOND LIQUID; B. SIMULTANEOUSLY WASHING SAID SURFACE WITH A THIRD LIQUID COMPRISING WATER WHICH IS MISCIBLE AND SOLUBLE WITH, BUT NOT THE SAME AS, SAID FIRST LIQUID AND NOT OVER ABOUT 10 PERCENT BY WEIGHT SOLUBLE IN SAID SECOND LIQUID, SAID THIRD LIQUID BEING PRESENT IN A WEIGHT PERCENT OF SAID SECOND LIQUID GREATER THAN THE WEIGHT PERCENT SOLUBILITY OF SAID THIRD LIQUID IN SAID SECOND LIQUID AND LESS THAN ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED PERCENT BY WEIGHT OF SAID SECOND LIQUID THEREBY DISPLACING SAID FIRST LIQUID FROM SAID SURFACE, ALL LIQUIDS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FREE FROM SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS, C. COLLECTING THE DISPLACED FIRST LIQUID, THE SECOND LIQUID AND THE THIRD LIQUID, SUBSEQUENT TO SAID WASHING, AND CAUSING SAID LIQUIDS TO SEPARATE INTO A SECOND LIQUID PHASE AND A FIRST AND THIRD LIQUID PHASE, AND D. RECYCLING SAID FIRST AND THIRD PHASE AS THIRD LIQUID.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
188 words
THE METHOD FOR REMOVING A CONTAMINATING FIRST LIQUID FROM A SURFACE OF AN ARTICLE WHICH COMPRISES A. WASHING SAID SURFACE WITH A SECOND LIQUID HAVING A DIFFERENT DENSITY THAN SAID FIRST LIQUID, SAID FIRST LIQUID BEING NOT OVER 10 PERCENT BY WEIGHT SOLUBLE IN SAID SECOND LIQUID; B. SIMULTANEOUSLY WASHING SAID SURFACE WITH A THIRD LIQUID COMPRISING WATER WHICH IS MISCIBLE AND SOLUBLE WITH, BUT NOT THE SAME AS, SAID FIRST LIQUID AND NOT OVER ABOUT 10 PERCENT BY WEIGHT SOLUBLE IN SAID SECOND LIQUID, SAID THIRD LIQUID BEING PRESENT IN A WEIGHT PERCENT OF SAID SECOND LIQUID GREATER THAN THE WEIGHT PERCENT SOLUBILITY OF SAID THIRD LIQUID IN SAID SECOND LIQUID AND LESS THAN ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED PERCENT BY WEIGHT OF SAID SECOND LIQUID THEREBY DISPLACING SAID FIRST LIQUID FROM SAID SURFACE, ALL LIQUIDS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FREE FROM SURFACE ACTIVE AGENTS, C. COLLECTING THE DISPLACED FIRST LIQUID, THE SECOND LIQUID AND THE THIRD LIQUID, SUBSEQUENT TO SAID WASHING, AND CAUSING SAID LIQUIDS TO SEPARATE INTO A SECOND LIQUID PHASE AND A FIRST AND THIRD LIQUID PHASE, AND D. RECYCLING SAID FIRST AND THIRD PHASE AS THIRD LIQUID.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said third liquid consists of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said first liquid is an aqueous electrolyte solution.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said third liquid is a more dilute solution of said first liquid.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
181 words
The method for removing a water miscible liquid contaminant from a non-absorbent article which comprises: a. simultaneously washing a non-absorbent article possessing a surface contaminated with a water-miscible first liquid, with a second liquid having a different density than the first liquid and in which the first liquid is not over 10 percent by weight soluble, and with water, the water being not more than 10 percent soluble in said second liquid by weight of second liquid and being present in a weight percent of said second liquid higher than the weight percent solubility of water in said second liquid, said first liquid not being uncontaminated water, thereby displacing said first liquid from the article, b. collecting the displaced first liquid, second liquid and water, c. causing the displaced first liquid, second liquid and water to separate into an aqueous phase and a second liquid phase in a separation zone, d. removing from the separation zone the second liquid phase, and e. recycling the second liquid removed from the separation zone as second liquid wash component in accordance with step (a).
Claim 7
Independent Claim
181 words
The method for removing a water miscible liquid contaminant from a non-absorbent article which comprises: a. simultaneously washing a non-absorbent article possessing a surface contaminated with a water-miscible first liquid, with a second liquid having a different density than the first liquid and in which the first liquid is not over 10 percent by weight soluble, and with water, the water being not more than 10 percent soluble in said second liquid by weight of second liquid and being present in a weight percent of said second liquid higher than the weight percent solubility of water in said second liquid, said first liquid not being uncontaminated water, thereby displacing said first liquid from the article, b. collecting the displaced first liquid, second liquid and water, c. causing the displaced first liquid, second liquid and water to separate into an aqueous phase and a second liquid phase in a separation zone, d. removing from the separation zone the second liquid phase, and e. recycling the second liquid removed from the separation zone as second liquid wash component in accordance with step (a).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 5 in which the water present in said second liquid is in an amount between about 1-10 percent by weight of said second liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 5 in which the second liquid and water are sprayed through separate nozzles onto the non-absorbent article.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 5 in which the second liquid and water are sprayed through common nozzles onto the non-absorobent article.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 5 in which second liquid entering the separation zone is maintained at a temperature below its boiling point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 5 in which the article, before being subjected to wash treatment is pre-rinsed by exposure to a fog comprising water.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 5 in which the second liquid is selected from the hgroup consisting of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, trichlorOmonofluoromethane, tetrachlorodifluoroethane, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, carbon tetrabromide, chlorofrom, trichloroethylene, bromoform, perchloroethylene, heptane and isooctane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 5 in which the liquid contaminant is aqueous and acidic or aqueous and basic in nature and in which a neutralizing agent is incorporated with the wash in sufficient amount to neutralize the acidic or basic liquid removed from the article.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 5 in which the aqueous phase is removed from the separation zone and concentrated to remove water.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 5 in which the second liquid has a density greater than that of the first liquid being removed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 14 in which the second liquid is a halogenated hydrocarbon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 15 in which the second liquid is 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 15 in which the second liquid is perchloroethylene.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 15 in which the liquid contaminant is aqueous and basic in nature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 15 in which the liquid contaminant is aqueous and acidic in nature.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 15 in which the liquid contaminant is an acidic solution.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 20 in which the solution is a chromium solution.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 20 in which the solution is a copper solution.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 15 in which the water wash component present in said second liquid is in an amount between about 1-10 percent by weight of said second liquid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 23 in which the liquid contaminant is a solution.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 24 in which the second liquid and water are sprayed through common nozzles onto the non-absorbent article and in which the second liquid entering the separation zone is maintained at a temperature below its boiling point.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 23 in which the water miscible liquid contaminant is a copper solution.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 26 in which the second liquid and water are sprayed through common nozzles onto the non-absorbent article and in which the second liquid entering the separation zone is maintained at a temperature below its boiling point.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
132 words
The method for removing an aqueous first liquid consisting essentially of water and a water soluble contaminant from a non-absorbent surface which comprises washing said non-absorbent surface possessing said aqueous first liquid with a mixture of: a. a second liquid having a different density than said first liquid and in which said first liquid is not over 10 percent soluble by weight of second liquid, and b. a first solution miscible with said first liquid and which is a dilution of said first liquid, said first solution being not more than 10 percent soluble in said second liquid by weight of second liquid and being present in said mixture in a percentage greater than the solubility of said first solution in said second liquid thereby displacing said first liquid from said surface.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
132 words
The method for removing an aqueous first liquid consisting essentially of water and a water soluble contaminant from a non-absorbent surface which comprises washing said non-absorbent surface possessing said aqueous first liquid with a mixture of: a. a second liquid having a different density than said first liquid and in which said first liquid is not over 10 percent soluble by weight of second liquid, and b. a first solution miscible with said first liquid and which is a dilution of said first liquid, said first solution being not more than 10 percent soluble in said second liquid by weight of second liquid and being present in said mixture in a percentage greater than the solubility of said first solution in said second liquid thereby displacing said first liquid from said surface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 28 in which step (a) is preceded by washing the article with a solution of the aqueous liquid being removed which washing solution is more dilute than said aqueous liquid being removed.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 28 in which the solubility of said first liquid in said second liquid is not over 5 percent and the solubility of said first solution in said second liquid is not over 5 percent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method according to claim 30 in which a plurality of surfaces are treated and which additionally comprises: collecting the displaced first liquid, second liquid and first solution, causing the collected displaced first liquid, second liquid and first solution to separate into an aqUeous phase and a second liquid phase in a separation zone; removing from the separaton zone the second liquid phase, and recycling separated second liquid phase as second liquid.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 31 which comprises recycling the departed aqueous phase as the first solution.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 30 wherein subsequent to washing with said mixture, said surface is further washed with a second solution containing less than the maximum concentration of said first liquid which maximum concentration would prevent further removal of said first liquid from said surface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 33 wherein said surface is washed with water subsequent to being washed with said second solution.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 34 wherein the surface after being washed by the second solution, is subjected to a second wash treatment with the second solution in a second wash zone before the water wash.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 35 in which the second solution is supplied, in whole or in part, from the wash solution from the second wash zone.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 36 which is continued until a predetermined concentration of the aqueous liquid being removed is obtained as the separated aqueous phase.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 35 in which the second liquid entering the separation zone is maintained at a temperature below its boiling point.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 38 in which the second liquid is selected from the group consisting of 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, trichloromonofluoromethane, tetrachlorodifluoroethane, monochlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, trichlorobenzene, trichloroethane, methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, carbon tetrabromide, chloroform, trichloroethylene, bromoform, perchloroethylene, heptane and isooctane.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 38 in which the second liquid has a density greater than that of the liquid being removed.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 40 in which the second liquid is a halogenated hydrocarbon.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 41 in which the second liquid is 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method according to claim 41 in which the solvent is perchloroethylene.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 41 in which the liquid contaminant is aqueous and basic in nature.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 41 in which the liquid contaminant is aqueous and acidic in nature.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 41 in which the aqueous phase removed from the separation zone is concentrated to remove water.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 41 in which the liquid contaminant is a solution.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 47 in which the solution is a chromium solution.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 48 in which the separated aqueous phase is recycled to the chromium solution.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 47 in which the is a copper solution.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 50 in which the separated aqueous phase is recycled to the copper solution.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |