Abstract A continuous ozone generation and recovery system is provided including a source of oxygen-rich gas; at least one high-throughput corona generator; means for passing the oxygen-rich gas through an electrical corona at a high ratio of gas volume:electrode area to synthesize ozone in a concentration not greater than 1 wt% in the gas stream; means for cooling the generator and maintaining the ozone-containing oxygen stream below decomposition temperature; means for cooling the ozone-containing oxygen gas stream; means for contacting the cooled gas stream with silica gel to adsorb the ozone and recover an oxygen-rich gas stream; means for recycling the recovered oxygen-rich gas stream for ozone synthesis; and means for recovering the adsorbed ozone from the silica gel. Recycle of unconverted oxygen has strong economic value. Dry nitrogen-rich gas stream from an air separation unit which also provides the oxygen source may be used advantageously as an inert carrier gas for desorbing the ozone.
A continuous ozone generation and recovery system which comprises: a. means for separating air into an oxygen-rich gas stream and a nitrogen-rich gas stream; b. at least one corona discharge ozone generator; c. means for passing the oxygen-rich gas streams through said ozone generator to synthesize ozone in low concentration; d. means for cooling the ozone containing oxygen-rich gas stream from means (c); e. means for contacting the cooled gas stream from means (d) with a solid ozone adsorbent to adsorb ozone therefrom; f. means for recycling the oxygen-rich gas stream from means (e) to the ozone generator; and g. means for desorbing the adsorbed ozone from the adsorbent using said nitrogen-rich gas stream from means (a).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A continuous ozone generation and recovery system which comprises: a. means for separating air into an oxygen-rich gas stream and a nitrogen-rich gas stream; b. at least one corona discharge ozone generator; c. means for passing the oxygen-rich gas streams through said ozone generator to synthesize ozone in low concentration; d. means for cooling the ozone containing oxygen-rich gas stream from means (c); e. means for contacting the cooled gas stream from means (d) with a solid ozone adsorbent to adsorb ozone therefrom; f. means for recycling the oxygen-rich gas stream from means (e) to the ozone generator; and g. means for desorbing the adsorbed ozone from the adsorbent using said nitrogen-rich gas stream from means (a).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said separating means (a) comprises a pressure swing molecular sieve air fractionation apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein at least one heat exchanger is operatively connected between a plurality of corona discharge zone generators.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said separating means (a) comprises a cryogenic air liquification and fractionation means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of solid ozone adsorbent beds, valve means operatively connected between a final ozone generator stage and the adsorbent beds for directing ozone-containing oxygen gas to a selected adsorbent bed while simultaneously directing nitrogen-rich gas to a different adsorbent bed; and means for alternating ozone adsorption and desorption in each of the adsorbent beds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising auxiliary oxygen separation means operatively connected in a recycle conduit between the adsorbent beds and a first ozone generator stage for providing clean oxygen-rich recycle gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the adsorbent beds consist essentially of silica gel having an average particle size of at least about 100 μ.