US4038050A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical sensing and regenerating system for molecular sieve driers
Assignee: WR Grace and Co
•
Filing: 1976-06-07
•
Granted: 1977-07-26
•
Expires: 1996-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A fluid drying system comprising a molecular sieve bed of crystalline metal aluminosilicate zeolite particles for removing water from a moisture-laden process stream. The improved apparatus and methods provides means for measuring electrical conductivity of the zeolite particles and generating a signal representative of sorbed water content. Means responsive to the signal is provided for interrupting process fluid flow through the bed at a predetermined bed water content. In the preferred embodiments a high voltage is imposed across the bed for regenerating the bed to separate sorbed water from the zeolite particles.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Eugene Lowther
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:38
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/26; B01D53/261; G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/043
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A gas drying system comprising: a. an absorbent bed of zeolite particles; b. a plurality of spaced apart electrodes in contact with the bed; c. means for measuring electrical current flow through the bed between the spaced electrodes and generating a signal representative of adsorbed water content; d. means responsive to signal for interrupting gas flow through the bed at a predetermined bed water content; and; e. means for applying electrical energy to the bed between the spaced electrodes to regenerate the bed, said electrical energy being provided by said means at a voltage gradient of about 0.05 to 500 Kv/cm, a current density of about 0.001 microamps to 1 amp/cm 2 and a frequency of 0 to 10 3 Hz.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A gas drying system comprising: a. an absorbent bed of zeolite particles; b. a plurality of spaced apart electrodes in contact with the bed; c. means for measuring electrical current flow through the bed between the spaced electrodes and generating a signal representative of adsorbed water content; d. means responsive to signal for interrupting gas flow through the bed at a predetermined bed water content; and; e. means for applying electrical energy to the bed between the spaced electrodes to regenerate the bed, said electrical energy being provided by said means at a voltage gradient of about 0.05 to 500 Kv/cm, a current density of about 0.001 microamps to 1 amp/cm 2 and a frequency of 0 to 10 3 Hz.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein means are provided to apply vacuum to the bed during regeneration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein means are provided to pass dry purge gas through the bed during regeneration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said means for applying electrical energy provides a voltage gradient of about 0.2 to 10 Kv/cm and a current density of 0.01 to 100 microamps/cm 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
A process for drying a gas stream which comprises: a. passing a moisture containing gas stream through a bed of zeolite particles to adsorb water from said gas; b. measuring electrical conductivity of the zeolite bed to determine the content of adsorbed water therein; c. interrupting said gas stream when the water content of said bed has reached a predetermined level; and d. regenerating said bed to remove adsorbed water by application of electrical energy to said bed, said electrical energy being applied at a voltage gradient of about 0.05 to 500 Kv/cm, a current density of about 0.001 microamps to 1 amp/cm 2 , and a frequency of about 0 to 10 3 Hz.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
A process for drying a gas stream which comprises: a. passing a moisture containing gas stream through a bed of zeolite particles to adsorb water from said gas; b. measuring electrical conductivity of the zeolite bed to determine the content of adsorbed water therein; c. interrupting said gas stream when the water content of said bed has reached a predetermined level; and d. regenerating said bed to remove adsorbed water by application of electrical energy to said bed, said electrical energy being applied at a voltage gradient of about 0.05 to 500 Kv/cm, a current density of about 0.001 microamps to 1 amp/cm 2 , and a frequency of about 0 to 10 3 Hz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 5 wherein vacuum is applied to said bed during regeneration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein purge gas is passed through said bed during regeneration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 wherein subsequent to the regeneration step the process is repeated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the frequency is 50 to 60 Hz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said gas is air.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said current density is about 0.01 to 100 microamps/cm 2 .
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 5 where said voltage gradient is about 0.5 to 2 Kv/cm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said electrical energy is applied at a voltage gradient of about 0.2 to 10 Kv/cm and a current density of about 0.01 to 100 microamps/cm 2 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3193985A
Cited
US3188283A
Cited
US3474023A
Cited
US3608273A
Cited
US3708956A
Cited
US3734293A
Cited
US3768649A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-07-25 | 1981-01-24 | 1981-07-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-25 | 1985-01-24 | 1985-07-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-25 | 1989-01-24 | 1989-07-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |