Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of cooling a process gas stream comprising products of combustion which contain gaseous contaminants and having a temperature in the range from about 400° F. to 3000° F., and absorbing gaseous contaminants therefrom wherein contact is effected between said process gas stream and respective quench and absorbent liquids in order to provide said cooling and absorbing functions, the flow rates of said process gas stream, quench liquid, and/or absorbent liquid being subject to substantial variations; said method comprising the steps of a. passing said gas stream through a first treatment column in contact with a quench liquid in order to at least cool said process gas stream, said first treatment column being of the packed, differential type exhibiting an adequate cooling efficiency over said substantial variations in flow rates of said process gas stream and/or quench liquid; and b. passing the cooled process gas stream from said first treatment column through a second treatment column in contact with an absorbent liquid to at least absorb a portion of said gaseous contaminants from said process gas stream and thereby produce a concentrated absorbent liquid, said second treatment column being of the equilibrium-stage type exhibiting an adequate absorption efficiency over said substantial variations in flow rates of said process gas stream and/or absorbent liquid; whereby the flow rates of said process gas stream, quench liquid, and/or absorbent liquid may undergo said substantial variations without substantial effect upon the adequate cooling of or contaminant removal from said process gas stream.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of cooling a process gas stream comprising products of combustion which contain gaseous contaminants and having a temperature in the range from about 400° F. to 3000° F., and absorbing gaseous contaminants therefrom wherein contact is effected between said process gas stream and respective quench and absorbent liquids in order to provide said cooling and absorbing functions, the flow rates of said process gas stream, quench liquid, and/or absorbent liquid being subject to substantial variations; said method comprising the steps of a. passing said gas stream through a first treatment column in contact with a quench liquid in order to at least cool said process gas stream, said first treatment column being of the packed, differential type exhibiting an adequate cooling efficiency over said substantial variations in flow rates of said process gas stream and/or quench liquid; and b. passing the cooled process gas stream from said first treatment column through a second treatment column in contact with an absorbent liquid to at least absorb a portion of said gaseous contaminants from said process gas stream and thereby produce a concentrated absorbent liquid, said second treatment column being of the equilibrium-stage type exhibiting an adequate absorption efficiency over said substantial variations in flow rates of said process gas stream and/or absorbent liquid; whereby the flow rates of said process gas stream, quench liquid, and/or absorbent liquid may undergo said substantial variations without substantial effect upon the adequate cooling of or contaminant removal from said process gas stream.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step (a) further includes absorbing a portion of said gaseous contaminants from said process gas stream in said quench liquid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step (b) further includes cooling said process gas stream by contact with said absorbent liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 further including the step of withdrawing said concentrated absorbent liquid from said second treatment column after it has absorbed said portion of said gaseous contaminants, thereby permitting recovery of said contaminants.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of a. admitting fresh absorbent liquid to said second treatment column at a flow rate to provide absorbent liquid of a desired concentration to permit recovery of said contaminants; and b. admitting the aforesaid concentrated liquid from said second treatment column to said first treatment column for use as said quench liquid and withdrawing the resulting concentrated liquid therefrom, thereby permitting recovery of said contaminants.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of recirculating a portion of the concentrated liquid withdrawn from said first treatment column through said first treatment column, whereby the flow rate of fresh absorbent liquid through said second treatment column may be reduced to a level at which inadequate operation of said first treatment column would otherwise result.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said substantial variations in flow rate of said process gas stream cover a range of at least from about 20% to 100% of a design flow rate.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
77 words
The method of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 wherein said first and second treatment columns are disposed within a single, vertically oriented tower structure with said second treatment column being located above said first treatment column, said tower structure including a process gas stream inlet at a lower portion thereof disposed below said first treatment column and a process gas stream outlet at an upper portion thereof disposed above said second treatment column.