US4594164A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for conducting chemical reactions at supercritical conditions
Assignee: Eau Viron Inc
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Filing: 1985-05-23
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Granted: 1986-06-10
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Expires: 2005-05-23
Abstract
Abstract Continuously flowing water contaminated with organic and inorganic materials is treated by being fed to the top of a downdraft column (25) of a hydraulic column reactor (10) and conducted to the bottom thereof to a reaction chamber (18). The pressure and temperature conditions in the reaction chamber (18) are maintained at approximately the necessary pressure and temperature to create supercritical water conditions to thereby treat the water and its lower specific gravity. The treated water can then be separated in the reaction chamber (18) into a particulate and precipitate enriched portion and a particulate and precipitate depleted portion, which portions are conducted upwardly in separate updraft columns (29, 30) and continuously removed therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Titmas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:35
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F11/00; C02F11/06; C02F11/08; C02F11/086; C02F1/00; C02F1/02; C02F1/025; C02F11/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of treating a continuously flowing water contaminated with organic and inorganic materials comprising the steps of feeding the contaminated water into the top of a hydraulic downdraft column; conducting the contaminated water from the bottom of said downdraft column into a reaction chamber; providing sufficient heat energy in said reaction chamber to maintain the temperature of the contaminated water at approximately the temperature necessary to create supercritical water conditions; maintaining the pressure in said reaction chamber at approximately the pressure necessary to create supercritical water conditions; said heat energy and pressure causing a chemical reaction to take place in said reaction chamber resulting in treated water, including at least water, particulates and precipitates, of a lower specific gravity; imparting centrifugal force to the treated water to divide the treated water into a particulate and precipitate enriched portion and a particulate and precipitate depleted portion; conducting one portion of the treated water into the bottom of a first hydraulic updraft column and the other portion of the treated water into the bottom of a second hydraulic updraft column whereby the pressure at the bottom of said updraft columns causes the portions of the treated water to rise separately in said updraft columns; and removing the portions of the treated water from the top of said updraft columns.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
218 words
A method of treating a continuously flowing water contaminated with organic and inorganic materials comprising the steps of feeding the contaminated water into the top of a hydraulic downdraft column; conducting the contaminated water from the bottom of said downdraft column into a reaction chamber; providing sufficient heat energy in said reaction chamber to maintain the temperature of the contaminated water at approximately the temperature necessary to create supercritical water conditions; maintaining the pressure in said reaction chamber at approximately the pressure necessary to create supercritical water conditions; said heat energy and pressure causing a chemical reaction to take place in said reaction chamber resulting in treated water, including at least water, particulates and precipitates, of a lower specific gravity; imparting centrifugal force to the treated water to divide the treated water into a particulate and precipitate enriched portion and a particulate and precipitate depleted portion; conducting one portion of the treated water into the bottom of a first hydraulic updraft column and the other portion of the treated water into the bottom of a second hydraulic updraft column whereby the pressure at the bottom of said updraft columns causes the portions of the treated water to rise separately in said updraft columns; and removing the portions of the treated water from the top of said updraft columns.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of feeding the contaminated water includes the step of pumping the contaminated water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of maintaining the pressure includes the step of controlling the height of said downdraft column.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the step of maintaining the pressure further includes the step of restricting the rate of flow in said downdraft and said updraft columns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of providing heat energy maintains the temperature of the contaminated water at approximately 706° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of maintaining the pressure results in a pressure in said reaction chamber of approximately 3207 psi.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 6 wherein the step of providing heat energy maintains the temperature of the contaminated water at approximately 706° F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of providing sufficient heat energy includes the step of deriving the sufficient heat energy from said chemical reaction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the step of providing sufficient heat energy further includes the step of deriving the sufficient heat energy from the addition of oxygen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the step of providing sufficient heat energy further includes the step of deriving the sufficient heat energy from the addition of fuel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of insulating the hydraulic downdraft column.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of insulating includes the step of substantially evacuating the space around the downdraft column.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of preserving heat in the downdraft column.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein the step of preserving heat includes the step of reflecting heat from the downdraft column back to the downdraft column.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of controlling the flow of water in the downdraft column and in the updraft columns.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of separating the solids from the liquid in the treated water.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of initiating the process by preheating the downdraft column, the reaction chamber and the updraft columns.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of periodically cleaning the downdraft column, the updraft columns and the reaction chamber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of diluting the contaminated water prior to feeding the same to the downdraft column.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of enhancing the organic content of the contaminated water prior to feeding the same to the downdraft column.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
209 words
Apparatus for treating a continuously flowing water contaminated with organic and inorganic materials comprising means defining a first vertical passageway receiving the contaminated water near the top thereof and being of a height such that the pressure at the bottom thereof will be approximately the pressure necessary to create supercritical water conditions; a reaction chamber near the bottom of said first vertical passageway; means in said reaction chamber to heat the contaminated water to approximately a temperature necessary to create supercritical water conditions; said pressure and temperature causing a chemical reaction to take place in said reaction chamber whereby the contaminated water is converted to treated water at a lower specific gravity; said treated water including at least water, particulates and precipitates; means within said reaction chamber to impart a centrifugal force to said treated water to divide the treated water into a particulate and precipitate enriched portion and a particulate and precipitate depleted portion; and means defining separate second and third vertical passageways each communicating with said reaction chamber to respectively receive said particulate and precipitate enriched portion of said treated water and said particulate and precipitate depleted portion of said treated water; whereby the materials in said second and third passageways flow upwardly to the top thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
209 words
Apparatus for treating a continuously flowing water contaminated with organic and inorganic materials comprising means defining a first vertical passageway receiving the contaminated water near the top thereof and being of a height such that the pressure at the bottom thereof will be approximately the pressure necessary to create supercritical water conditions; a reaction chamber near the bottom of said first vertical passageway; means in said reaction chamber to heat the contaminated water to approximately a temperature necessary to create supercritical water conditions; said pressure and temperature causing a chemical reaction to take place in said reaction chamber whereby the contaminated water is converted to treated water at a lower specific gravity; said treated water including at least water, particulates and precipitates; means within said reaction chamber to impart a centrifugal force to said treated water to divide the treated water into a particulate and precipitate enriched portion and a particulate and precipitate depleted portion; and means defining separate second and third vertical passageways each communicating with said reaction chamber to respectively receive said particulate and precipitate enriched portion of said treated water and said particulate and precipitate depleted portion of said treated water; whereby the materials in said second and third passageways flow upwardly to the top thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means defining a first vertical passageway includes a first casing extending into a bore in the earth, and a second casing spaced within and concentric with said first casing, the space between said first and second casings defining said first vertical passageway.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 further comprising a third casing spaced around and concentric with said first casing defining an annulus between said first casing and said third casing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising means to substantially evacuate said annulus between said first casing and said third casing.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein said third casing is spaced from the strata defining the bore in the earth and further comprising insulation means in the space between said third casing and the strata.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 23 further comprising a reflective surface on the wall of said third casing which faces said first casing.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein said means defining a first vertical passageway includes a first casing extending into a bore in the earth, and a second casing spaced within and concentric with said first casing, the space between said first and second casings defining said first vertical passageway and wherein said means defining said second and third vertical passageways include a third casing spaced within and concentric with said second casing and a fourth casing spaced within and concentric with said third casing, the space between said second casing and said third casing defining said second vertical passageway and the space between said third casing and said fourth casing defining said third vertical passageway.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 wherein the inside of said second casing extends around and defines the outside of said reaction chamber and said third casing terminates above said reaction chamber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said means to impart centrifugal force to said treated water includes rib means on the outside of said fourth casing and extending outward into said reaction chamber.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said rib means extend spirally around the outside of said fourth casing to impart the centrifugal force to the treated water.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 30 wherein the bottom of said second casing tapers downwardly inwardly around said reaction chamber to assist the division of said treated water initiated by said means to impart centrifugal force to said treated water.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 27 further comprising a pipe spaced within and concentric with said fourth casing, said pipe and the space between said pipe and said fourth casing communicating with said means to heat.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 32 further comprising means to provide said means to heat with oxygen through said pipe and means to provide said means to heat with fuel through the space between said pipe and said fourth casing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising surge chamber means receiving the contaminated water and supplying the same to the top of said first vertical passageway.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 further comprising pump means to selectively assist the supplying of the contaminated water to the top of said first vertical passageway.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising means selectively communicating with the top of said second and third vertical passageways to provide cleaning fluid to the same.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising means communicating with the top of said second and third passageways to separately receive the materials from said second and third passageways therein.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 37 wherein said means communicating with the top of said second and third passageways includes separation tanks permitting the segregation of solids from liquids in the materials received from said second and third passageways.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising means communicating with the top of said second and third passageways to control the flow of material in said first, second and third passageways.
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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) | 1989-06-09 | 1989-12-09 | 1990-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-09 | 1993-12-09 | 1994-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-09 | 1997-12-09 | 1998-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |