US3914115A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for separating and collecting hydrocarbons in a volatile vapor mixture
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-03
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Granted: 1975-10-21
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Expires: 1994-06-03
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved method and apparatus for controlling air pollution caused by volatile emissions from petroleum storage tanks and the like, wherein such volatile emissions or vapors are caused to flow in direct contact with a finely dispersed mist or spray of brine or glycol solution for condensing the hydrocarbon vapors, and for also collecting water vapor in condensed form below the area in which the hydrocarbon is condensed with the brine or glycol solution, while allowing the air to pass from the vapors substantially free of pollutants.
Inventors
- 👤 Sr George Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 09:02
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/14; B01D53/1487; B01D53/1493
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A METHOD OF CONTROLLING VOLATILE PETROLEUM EMISSIONS FROM A STORAGE TANK, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: TRANSPORTING PETROLEUM VAPORS TOGETHER WITH ANY WATER AND AIR THEREWITH BY A LOW PRESSURE BLOWER TO A PACKED TOWER, REGULATING THE PRESSURE OF THE PETROLEUM VAPORS, IN THE STORAGE TANK BY ADMITTING AIR INTO THE TANK WHEN THE PRESSURE DROPS BELOW A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT RELATED TO ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, AND BY EFFECTING SAID TRANSPORTING OF THE PETROLEUM VAPORS TO THE PACKED TOWER WHEN THE PRESSURE IN THE TANK EXCEEDS A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT RELATED TO ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, PRECOOLING A SOLUTION SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF BRINE AND GYCOLS PRIOR TO FLOW TO SAID TOWER, THEREAFTER CONDUCTING SAID PRECOOLED SOLUTION TO SAID TOWER AND FINELY DISPRESING SAME FOR DOWNWARD FLOW IN SAID PACKED TOWER, COOLING SAID PETROLEUM VAPORS AND WATER THEREWITH IN SAID TOWER SOLELY BY SAID FINELY DISPERSED SOLUTION,
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A METHOD OF CONTROLLING VOLATILE PETROLEUM EMISSIONS FROM A STORAGE TANK, COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: TRANSPORTING PETROLEUM VAPORS TOGETHER WITH ANY WATER AND AIR THEREWITH BY A LOW PRESSURE BLOWER TO A PACKED TOWER, REGULATING THE PRESSURE OF THE PETROLEUM VAPORS, IN THE STORAGE TANK BY ADMITTING AIR INTO THE TANK WHEN THE PRESSURE DROPS BELOW A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT RELATED TO ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, AND BY EFFECTING SAID TRANSPORTING OF THE PETROLEUM VAPORS TO THE PACKED TOWER WHEN THE PRESSURE IN THE TANK EXCEEDS A PREDETERMINED AMOUNT RELATED TO ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, PRECOOLING A SOLUTION SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF BRINE AND GYCOLS PRIOR TO FLOW TO SAID TOWER, THEREAFTER CONDUCTING SAID PRECOOLED SOLUTION TO SAID TOWER AND FINELY DISPRESING SAME FOR DOWNWARD FLOW IN SAID PACKED TOWER, COOLING SAID PETROLEUM VAPORS AND WATER THEREWITH IN SAID TOWER SOLELY BY SAID FINELY DISPERSED SOLUTION,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method set forth in claim 1, wherein: the temperature of the solution is controlled by refrigerating same prior to flow in said tower.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method set forth in claim 1, wherein: the temperature of the solution is maintained within a range from about minus 20*F. to about 40*F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method set forth in claim 1, wherein: said condensed hydrocarbons are separated from thee solution by decanting said condensed hydrocarbons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method set forth in claim 1, including: regenerating the solution after it has been diluted with the water introduced with the petroleum vapors so as to maintain the strength of the solution at an adequate level for the condensation and recovery of the hydrocarbons therein.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus for controlling volatile petroleum emissions from a storage tank, comprising: a storage tank; a low pressure blower means for transporting petroleum vapors together with any water and air therewith to a packed tower having means therein for finely dispersing a solution selected from the group consisting of brine and glycols; means for regulating the pressure of the petroleum vapors in the storage tank by admitting air into the tank when the pressure drops below a predetermined amount related to atmospheric pressure; and means for effecting transporting of the petroleum vapors to the packed tower when the pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined amount related to atmospheric pressure; precooling means separate from said tower for cooling said solution; said means for finely dispersing the solution providing the sole means for cooling the petroleum vapors in said tower; means for supplying the solution to the upper portion of the tower; means for finely dispersing the solution and flowing it downwardly in the tower; means for flowing said petroleum vapors together with any water and air therewith upWardly through and in direct contact with said finely dispersed solution for condensing a substantial portion of the hydrocarbons in the petroleum vapors, allowing the water therewith to go into solution, and separating the air for discharge therefrom; and means for separating said condensed hydrocarbons from the solution.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
225 words
An apparatus for controlling volatile petroleum emissions from a storage tank, comprising: a storage tank; a low pressure blower means for transporting petroleum vapors together with any water and air therewith to a packed tower having means therein for finely dispersing a solution selected from the group consisting of brine and glycols; means for regulating the pressure of the petroleum vapors in the storage tank by admitting air into the tank when the pressure drops below a predetermined amount related to atmospheric pressure; and means for effecting transporting of the petroleum vapors to the packed tower when the pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined amount related to atmospheric pressure; precooling means separate from said tower for cooling said solution; said means for finely dispersing the solution providing the sole means for cooling the petroleum vapors in said tower; means for supplying the solution to the upper portion of the tower; means for finely dispersing the solution and flowing it downwardly in the tower; means for flowing said petroleum vapors together with any water and air therewith upWardly through and in direct contact with said finely dispersed solution for condensing a substantial portion of the hydrocarbons in the petroleum vapors, allowing the water therewith to go into solution, and separating the air for discharge therefrom; and means for separating said condensed hydrocarbons from the solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for finely dispersing the solution includes: means for spraying the solution over the petroleum vapors in a tower.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 6, wherein said means for separating said condensed hydrocarbons includes: means for overflowing the solution and condensed hydrocarbons together into a settling tank; and means for thereafter decanting the hydrocarbons from the solution in the settling tank.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 6, including: a reservoir tank below said tower for receiving the solution and the condensed hydrocarbons and water; the volume of said tank being large enough to serve as a heat sink to compensate for surges in the heat load due to variations of vapor throughput in the apparatus.
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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) | 1978-10-20 | 1979-04-21 | 1979-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-20 | 1983-04-21 | 1983-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-20 | 1987-04-21 | 1987-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |