Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
285 words
In a separation apparatus including an annular chamber defined by sidewalls of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, said annular chamber having a first axial end disposed to receive a feed stream of a multi-component chemical mixture and a second axial end disposed to discharge separated components therefrom, means for continuously feeding said chemical mixture at the first axial end of the annular chamber, means for forcing said separated components toward the second axial end of the annular chamber, means for rotating the annular chamber with respect to the feeding means, and means for continuously discharging a plurality of separated components, each component being discharged from a distinct angular section of said second axial end, the improvement comprising: a first electrode disposed at the first axial end of said annular chamber; a first electrode compartment formed between said first electrode and said annular chamber; a first flush tube disposed in fluid communication with said first electrode compartment thereby allowing the supply of a continuous liquid stream to said first electrode compartment to continuously remove the gases generated by the hydrolysis of water at said first electrode; a second electrode disposed at the second axial end of said annular chamber; a second electrode compartment formed between said second electrode and said annular chamber; a second flush tube disposed in fluid communication with said second electrode compartment thereby allowing the supply of a continuous liquid stream to said second electrode compartment to continuously remove the gases generated by the hydrolysis of water at said second electrode; and means for applying an electrical potential between said first electrode and said second electrode, whereby an electrical potential gradient is established in an axial direction within said annular chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
285 words
In a separation apparatus including an annular chamber defined by sidewalls of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, said annular chamber having a first axial end disposed to receive a feed stream of a multi-component chemical mixture and a second axial end disposed to discharge separated components therefrom, means for continuously feeding said chemical mixture at the first axial end of the annular chamber, means for forcing said separated components toward the second axial end of the annular chamber, means for rotating the annular chamber with respect to the feeding means, and means for continuously discharging a plurality of separated components, each component being discharged from a distinct angular section of said second axial end, the improvement comprising: a first electrode disposed at the first axial end of said annular chamber; a first electrode compartment formed between said first electrode and said annular chamber; a first flush tube disposed in fluid communication with said first electrode compartment thereby allowing the supply of a continuous liquid stream to said first electrode compartment to continuously remove the gases generated by the hydrolysis of water at said first electrode; a second electrode disposed at the second axial end of said annular chamber; a second electrode compartment formed between said second electrode and said annular chamber; a second flush tube disposed in fluid communication with said second electrode compartment thereby allowing the supply of a continuous liquid stream to said second electrode compartment to continuously remove the gases generated by the hydrolysis of water at said second electrode; and means for applying an electrical potential between said first electrode and said second electrode, whereby an electrical potential gradient is established in an axial direction within said annular chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for applying an electrical potential is a direct current power supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chemical mixture feeding means includes a stationary feed nozzle disposed within said annular chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The separation apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second axial end is disposed in fluid communication with a plurality of product collection tubes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chemical mixture forcing means includes gravitational force.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chemical mixture forcing means includes pressurized gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second axial end is disposed in fluid communication with a plurality of product collection tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The separation apparatus of claim 7 wherein said product collection tubes are stationary.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The separation apparatus of claim 8 wherein said product collection tubes are stationary.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The separation apparatus of claim 9 wherein said stationary product collection tubes are disposed about the second axial end of said annular chamber in a plurality of distinct angular coordinates with respect to said stationary feed nozzle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 further including an anti-convection packing disposed within said annular chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 further including a chromatography packing disposed within said annular chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first electrode is an electrode ring disposed within said annular chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second electrode is an electrode ring disposed within said annular chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The separation apparatus of claim 1 further including: a stationary outer cooling jacket disposed radially outward from said outer cylinder; and a stationary cooling tube disposed radially inward from said inner cylinder, whereby heat is continuously removed from both sides of said annular chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
230 words
A process for separating individual components from a feed stream of a multi-component chemical mixture in a separation apparatus including an annular chamber defined by sidewalls of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, said annular chamber having a first axial end disposed to receive a feed stream of a multi-component chemical mixture and a second axial end disposed to discharge separated components therefrom, a first electrode disposed at the first axial end of said annular chamber and a second electrode disposed at the second axial end of said annular chamber, a feed nozzle disposed at the first axial end, and means for rotating the annular chamber with respect to the feed nozzle, said process including the steps of: rotating said annular chamber with respect to said feed nozzle; continuously feeding said chemical mixture through said feed nozzle into the first axial end of said chamber; continuously applying an electrical potential between said first electrode and said second electrode thereby causing the separation of said chemical mixture into a number of individual separated components; continuously forcing said separated components toward the second axial end of said annular chamber wherein each separated component flows through said chamber in a distinct helical path which terminates at a distinct angular section of said second axial end; and continuously collecting each separated component at a predetermined distinct angular section of said second axial end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
230 words
A process for separating individual components from a feed stream of a multi-component chemical mixture in a separation apparatus including an annular chamber defined by sidewalls of an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, said annular chamber having a first axial end disposed to receive a feed stream of a multi-component chemical mixture and a second axial end disposed to discharge separated components therefrom, a first electrode disposed at the first axial end of said annular chamber and a second electrode disposed at the second axial end of said annular chamber, a feed nozzle disposed at the first axial end, and means for rotating the annular chamber with respect to the feed nozzle, said process including the steps of: rotating said annular chamber with respect to said feed nozzle; continuously feeding said chemical mixture through said feed nozzle into the first axial end of said chamber; continuously applying an electrical potential between said first electrode and said second electrode thereby causing the separation of said chemical mixture into a number of individual separated components; continuously forcing said separated components toward the second axial end of said annular chamber wherein each separated component flows through said chamber in a distinct helical path which terminates at a distinct angular section of said second axial end; and continuously collecting each separated component at a predetermined distinct angular section of said second axial end.