Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
246 words
An apparatus for contacting a fluid with a solid material contained in a plurality of independent contacting units within the apparatus, comprising: a. an outer generally tubular housing member; b. an inner generally tubular housing member defining a fluid flow channel therein and being placed inside of said outer housing member and being generally coaxially aligned therewith to define a space therebetween; c. at least one means extending radially between said inner and outer housing members for partitioning said space into a plurality of separate, axially spaced contacting zones; d. at least one means extending axially within said inner housing member for partitioning said fluid flow channel into a plurality of fluid flow sub-channels, corresponding in number to the number of said contacting zones; e. means within each of said contacting zones for receiving said solid; and f. at least one fluid flow inlet and at least one fluid flow outlet, said inlets and outlets corresponding in number to the number of said contacting zones, and each of said inlets and outlets connecting a single one of said contacting zones to a single one of said sub-channels, and means positioned in each sub-channel between said inlet and outlet for preventing fluid flow through said sub-channel such that each contacting zone, and its respective sub-channel, fluid flow inlet and outlet define a contacting unit independent from other such contacting units wherein each of said sub-channels forms an exclusive supply and discharge passage for its respective contacting zone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
246 words
An apparatus for contacting a fluid with a solid material contained in a plurality of independent contacting units within the apparatus, comprising: a. an outer generally tubular housing member; b. an inner generally tubular housing member defining a fluid flow channel therein and being placed inside of said outer housing member and being generally coaxially aligned therewith to define a space therebetween; c. at least one means extending radially between said inner and outer housing members for partitioning said space into a plurality of separate, axially spaced contacting zones; d. at least one means extending axially within said inner housing member for partitioning said fluid flow channel into a plurality of fluid flow sub-channels, corresponding in number to the number of said contacting zones; e. means within each of said contacting zones for receiving said solid; and f. at least one fluid flow inlet and at least one fluid flow outlet, said inlets and outlets corresponding in number to the number of said contacting zones, and each of said inlets and outlets connecting a single one of said contacting zones to a single one of said sub-channels, and means positioned in each sub-channel between said inlet and outlet for preventing fluid flow through said sub-channel such that each contacting zone, and its respective sub-channel, fluid flow inlet and outlet define a contacting unit independent from other such contacting units wherein each of said sub-channels forms an exclusive supply and discharge passage for its respective contacting zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said outer and inner housing members comprise concentrically aligned cylinders.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein said radial partitioning means comprises an annular plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 2, wherein each of said solid receiving means comprises at least one fluid permeable porous plate member adapted for receiving an annular-shaped layer of solid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein said solid receiving means further comprises in addition to said porous plate member, a flexible, porous retaining means for said solid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said at least one fluid permeable porous plate member comprises two of said plate members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, comprising four axial partitioning means dividing said fluid flow channel into four fluid flow sub-channels and three radial partitioning means dividing said space into four contacting zones.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 7, wherein said four axial partitioning means comprise an X-shaped insertion in said inner housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein said inlet and outlet are positioned on opposite sides of said solid receiving means in each contacting zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising means for selectively introducing fluid into less than all of said fluid flow sub-channels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 10, wherein said selective introducing means comprises a rotary valve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 11, wherein said rotary valve is operatively connected to a rotatable shaft mounted centrally within said inner housing member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 10, wherein said selective introduction means further includes means for simultaneously introducing a first fluid into some of said sub-channels and a second fluid into other of said sub-channels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as defined by claim 1, further comprising a layer of activated carbon in each of said contacting zones.