US4397661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gas permeation apparatus having permeate rate controlled valving
Assignee: Permea Inc
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Filing: 1981-11-25
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Granted: 1983-08-09
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Expires: 2001-11-25
Abstract
Abstract Permeator systems containing selectively permeable membranes suitable for pressure-influenced fluid separations and processes for operating permeator systems for the separation of fluids are disclosed which can provide high turn down ratios of permeate while maintaining substantially constant concentrations of at least one permeating moiety in the permeate. In accordance with the invention, the permeator system comprises a plurality of permeator stages, each of which permeator stages receive a feed stream, and the flow of permeate from at least one permeator stage is initiated and terminated at predetermined rates of permeate fluid flow from the permeator system.
Inventors
- 👤 Duane E. King
- 👤 John R. O'Brien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:35
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; B01D53/225; B01D53/227; B01D61/00; B01D61/36; B01D61/362; B01D63/00; B01D63/02; B01D2313/00; B01D2313/18; B01D2317/00; B01D2317/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
A permeator system for separating one gas from a mixture of said one gas and at least one other gas, comprising: a. at least two permeators connected in parallel, said permeators each having a membrane more permeable to said one gas than said other gas such that said one gas is separated from the mixture in said at least two permeators; b. an inlet line for feeding the mixture of gases to the permeator system; c. an outlet line for withdrawal of permeated one gas; d. each of said permeators having a first connecting line for feeding the gas mixture from the inlet line into each permeator to contact each membrane and a second connecting line for feeding said permeated one gas from each permeator to said outlet line; e. at least one of said connecting lines of one permeator having a valve means therein for stopping the flow of permeated gas from said one permeator to said outlet line; and f. a flow detector means connected in said outlet line, said flow detector means being connected to said valve means for actuating said valve means to lower the amount of effective membrane surface area in use when permeate flow rate in said outlet line falls below a predetermined rate and to increase the amount of effective membrane surface area in use when permeate flow rate rises above said predetermined rate, said surface area increases and decreases being effected by changing the number of permeators in use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
A permeator system for separating one gas from a mixture of said one gas and at least one other gas, comprising: a. at least two permeators connected in parallel, said permeators each having a membrane more permeable to said one gas than said other gas such that said one gas is separated from the mixture in said at least two permeators; b. an inlet line for feeding the mixture of gases to the permeator system; c. an outlet line for withdrawal of permeated one gas; d. each of said permeators having a first connecting line for feeding the gas mixture from the inlet line into each permeator to contact each membrane and a second connecting line for feeding said permeated one gas from each permeator to said outlet line; e. at least one of said connecting lines of one permeator having a valve means therein for stopping the flow of permeated gas from said one permeator to said outlet line; and f. a flow detector means connected in said outlet line, said flow detector means being connected to said valve means for actuating said valve means to lower the amount of effective membrane surface area in use when permeate flow rate in said outlet line falls below a predetermined rate and to increase the amount of effective membrane surface area in use when permeate flow rate rises above said predetermined rate, said surface area increases and decreases being effected by changing the number of permeators in use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said valve means is in said second connecting line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said valve means is actuated by said flow detector means to a substantially fully opened or substantially fully closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The permeator system of claim 1 wherein each permeator has substantially the same effective membrane area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The permeator system of claim 1 in which said membranes are in the form of hollow fiber membranes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The permeator system of claim 5 wherein said system has at least three permeators, with at least two of said permeators being provided with said valve means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The permeator system of claim 6 in which said predetermined rate of fluid flow is different for said at least two permeators.
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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) | 1986-08-08 | 1987-02-07 | 1987-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-08 | 1991-02-07 | 1991-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-08 | 1995-02-07 | 1995-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |