Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of operating a sorption bed system comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material, said method comprising the steps of: A. providing a course comprising a series of means for circulating fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass; B. moving either said mass or said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes, during a cycle, through first, second, third, and fourth regions; C. passing a fluid feed containing sorbate through sorbent material in said first region in a first direction to produce a fluid product of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto sorbent material in said first region; D. passing a hot regenerant fluid through sorbent material in said third region countercurrent to said first direction to produce a fluid effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; and E. recirculating fluid between sorbent material in said second region, cocurrent to said first direction, and sorbent material in said fourth region countercurrent to said first direction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A method of operating a sorption bed system comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material, said method comprising the steps of: A. providing a course comprising a series of means for circulating fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass; B. moving either said mass or said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes, during a cycle, through first, second, third, and fourth regions; C. passing a fluid feed containing sorbate through sorbent material in said first region in a first direction to produce a fluid product of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto sorbent material in said first region; D. passing a hot regenerant fluid through sorbent material in said third region countercurrent to said first direction to produce a fluid effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; and E. recirculating fluid between sorbent material in said second region, cocurrent to said first direction, and sorbent material in said fourth region countercurrent to said first direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said moving step is effected by rotating said mass about an axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said recirculating fluid communicates with a portion of said fluid effluent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said recirculating fluid communicates with a portion of said fluid product.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said recirculating fluid communicates with a portion of said hot regenerant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said recirculating fluid communicates with a portion of said fluid feed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the recirculating fluid passing through said second region is circulated countercurrently to the fluid feed passing through said first region.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the circulating fluid passing through said second region is recirculated cocurrently to the fluid feed passing through said first region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said fluid feed comprises moist air, said sorbate comprises water, and said product comprises air of reduced water concentration.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of operating a sorption bed system comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material, said method comprising the steps of: A. providing a course comprising a series of means for circulating fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass; B. moving one of said mass and said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes, during a cycle, through first, second and third regions, said first region having a leading edge and a trailing edge; C. passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through sorbent material in said first region to produce a fluid product stream of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto sorbent material in said first region; D. passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through sorbent material in said third region, countercurrent to said feed stream, to produce a fluid effluent stream comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; E. passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through sorbent material in said second region, countercurrent to said feed stream, to produce an effluent, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region; and F. directing effluent from said second region through sorbent material in said first region cocurrent to said feed stream.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of operating a sorption bed system comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material, said method comprising the steps of: A. providing a course comprising a series of means for circulating fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass; B. moving one of said mass and said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes, during a cycle, through first, second and third regions, said first region having a leading edge and a trailing edge; C. passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through sorbent material in said first region to produce a fluid product stream of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto sorbent material in said first region; D. passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through sorbent material in said third region, countercurrent to said feed stream, to produce a fluid effluent stream comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; E. passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through sorbent material in said second region, countercurrent to said feed stream, to produce an effluent, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region; and F. directing effluent from said second region through sorbent material in said first region cocurrent to said feed stream.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 10 comprising the additional step of: G. passing a fluid feed stream through sorbent material in a fourth region, said fourth region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region, to produce a fluid effluent; and H. directing effluent from said fourth region through sorbent material in said third region cocurrent to said hot regenerant stream.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of operating a sorption bed system comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material, said method comprising the steps of: A. providing a course comprising a series of means for circulating fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass; B. moving either said mass or said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes, during a cycle, through first, second, third, and fourth regions, and first region having a leading edge and a trailing edge; C. passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through sorbent material in said first region to produce a fluid product stream of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto sorbent material in said first region; D. passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through sorbent material in said third region, countercurrent to said feed stream, to produce a fluid effluent stream comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; E. passing a portion of said fluid product through sorbent material in said fourth region, courntercurrent to said feed stream, to product an effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste, said fourth region being disposed between the trailing edge of said first region and said third region; F. passing a portion of said fluid effluent stream through sorbent material in a second region, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region, to product a fluid effluent; and G. direction effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid product stream.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
249 words
A method of operating a sorption bed system comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material, said method comprising the steps of: A. providing a course comprising a series of means for circulating fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass; B. moving either said mass or said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes, during a cycle, through first, second, third, and fourth regions, and first region having a leading edge and a trailing edge; C. passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through sorbent material in said first region to produce a fluid product stream of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto sorbent material in said first region; D. passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through sorbent material in said third region, countercurrent to said feed stream, to produce a fluid effluent stream comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; E. passing a portion of said fluid product through sorbent material in said fourth region, courntercurrent to said feed stream, to product an effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste, said fourth region being disposed between the trailing edge of said first region and said third region; F. passing a portion of said fluid effluent stream through sorbent material in a second region, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region, to product a fluid effluent; and G. direction effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid product stream.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of operating a sorption bed system comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material, said method comprising the steps of: A. providing a course comprising a series of means for circulating fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass; B. moving one of said mass and said course whereby, during cycle, said given volume sequentially passes through first, second, and third regions; C. passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through sorbent material in said first region to produce a fluid product stream of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto sorbent material in said first region; D. passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through sorbent material in said third region, countercurrent to said feed stream, to produce a fluid effluent stream comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; E. passing a portion of said fluid effluent stream through sorbent material in said second region, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region, to produce a fluid effluent; and F. directing effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid product stream.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of operating a sorption bed system comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material, said method comprising the steps of: A. providing a course comprising a series of means for circulating fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass; B. moving one of said mass and said course whereby, during cycle, said given volume sequentially passes through first, second, and third regions; C. passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through sorbent material in said first region to produce a fluid product stream of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto sorbent material in said first region; D. passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through sorbent material in said third region, countercurrent to said feed stream, to produce a fluid effluent stream comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; E. passing a portion of said fluid effluent stream through sorbent material in said second region, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region, to produce a fluid effluent; and F. directing effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid product stream.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
232 words
A sorption bed system of improved efficiency comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material and a course comprising a series of means for directing fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass of sorbent, said system comprising: first means for passing a fluid feed containing sorbate through a first region containing sorbent material to produce a fluid product of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto the sorbent material in said first region; third means for passing, countercurrent to the direction of flow in said first means for passing, a hot regenerant fluid through a third region containing sorbent material to produce a fluid effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; means for recirculating fluid between a second region containing sorbent material, said second region being disposed between said first and third regions, and a fourth region containing sorbent material, said fourth region being disposed between said third and first regions, the direction of recirculating in said second region being cocurrent to fluid passing through said first means for passing, and the direction of recirculating in said fourth region being cocurrent to fluid passing through said third means for passing; and means for moving one of said mass and said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes through said first, second, third, and fourth regions, and back to said first region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
232 words
A sorption bed system of improved efficiency comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material and a course comprising a series of means for directing fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass of sorbent, said system comprising: first means for passing a fluid feed containing sorbate through a first region containing sorbent material to produce a fluid product of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto the sorbent material in said first region; third means for passing, countercurrent to the direction of flow in said first means for passing, a hot regenerant fluid through a third region containing sorbent material to produce a fluid effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; means for recirculating fluid between a second region containing sorbent material, said second region being disposed between said first and third regions, and a fourth region containing sorbent material, said fourth region being disposed between said third and first regions, the direction of recirculating in said second region being cocurrent to fluid passing through said first means for passing, and the direction of recirculating in said fourth region being cocurrent to fluid passing through said third means for passing; and means for moving one of said mass and said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes through said first, second, third, and fourth regions, and back to said first region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said mass has a circular cross-section and is disposed about a central axis, said moving means comprises means for rotating said mass about said central axis, and said first and third means and means for recirculating comprise means spaced about said axis for directing fluids axially through said regions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said fluid feed comprises moist air, said sorbate comprises water, and said fluid product comprises air of reduced water concentration.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said mass has an annular cross-section and is disposed about a central axis, said moving means comprises means for rotating said mass about said central axis, and said first and third means and means for recirculating comprise means for directing fluids radially through said regions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said means for recirculating comprises a blower.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said means for recirculating comprises a loop of conduits communicating between said second and fourth regions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said loop includes an inlet means for receiving a portion of said fluid effluent and an outlet.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said loop includes an inlet means for receiving a portion of said hot regenerant fluid and an outlet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said loop includes an inlet means for receiving a portion of said fluid feed and an outlet.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said loop includes an inlet means for receiving a portion of said fluid product and an outlet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said fluid feed comprises moist air, said sorbate comprises water, and said fluid product comprises air of reduced water concentration.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 24 for dehumidifying an enclosed air volume wherein said first means comprises an inlet means for receiving air from said enclosed air volume and means for directing said product to said air volume, and said third means comprises inlet means for receiving air from outside said enclosed volume, a heater for heating said outside air, and means for directing said fluid effluent from said third region outside said enclosed volume.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said mass is disposed upon a belt and said moving means comprises means for moving said mass along a linear course.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
200 words
A sorption bed system of improved operational efficiency comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material and a course comprising a series of means for sequentially directing fluid streams through a given volume of said mass of sorbent, said system comprising: first means for passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through a first region containing sorbent material, said first region having leading and trailing edges, to produce a fluid product comprising a fluid of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto the sorbent material in said first region; third means for passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through a third region containing sorbent material to produce a fluid effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; second means for passing a portion of said hot regenerant fluid through a second region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid feed stream, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region; and means for moving one of said mass and said course whereby said given volume, in a cycle, sequentially passes through said first, second, and third regions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
200 words
A sorption bed system of improved operational efficiency comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material and a course comprising a series of means for sequentially directing fluid streams through a given volume of said mass of sorbent, said system comprising: first means for passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through a first region containing sorbent material, said first region having leading and trailing edges, to produce a fluid product comprising a fluid of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto the sorbent material in said first region; third means for passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through a third region containing sorbent material to produce a fluid effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; second means for passing a portion of said hot regenerant fluid through a second region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid feed stream, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region; and means for moving one of said mass and said course whereby said given volume, in a cycle, sequentially passes through said first, second, and third regions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 27 further comprising fourth means for passing a portion of said fluid feed stream through a fourth region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said fourth region to supplement said regenerant stream, said fourth region being disposed between the trailing edge of said first region and said third region.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said mass has a circular cross-section and is disposed about a central axis, said moving means comprises means for rotating said mass about said central axis, and said first, second, and third means comprise means spaced about said axis for directing fluids through sorbent material in said regions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said fluid feed comprises moist air, said sorbate comprises water, and said fluid product comprises air of reduced water concentration.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 30 for dehumidifying an enclosed air volume wherein said first means comprises an inlet means for receiving air from said enclosed air volume and means for directing at least a portion of said fluid product to said air volume, and said third means comprises inlet means for receiving air from outside said enclosed volume, a heater for heating said outside air, and means for directing said fluid effluent from said third region outside said enclosed volume.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said mass has an annular cross-section and is disposed about a central axis, said moving means comprises means for rotating said mass about said central axis, and said first, second, third, and fourth means comprise means for passing fluids radially through said mass.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
237 words
A sorption bed system of improved operational efficiency comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material and a course comprising a series of means for sequentially directing fluid streams through a given volume of said mass of sorbent, said system comprising: first means for passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through a first region containing sorbent material, said first region having leading and trailing edges, to produce a fluid product comprising a fluid of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto the sorbent material in said first region; third means for passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through a third region containing a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; fourth means for passing a portion of said fluid product through a fourth region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said fourth region to supplement said fluid effluent, said fourth region being disposed between the trailing edge of said first region and said third region; second means for passing a portion of said fluid effluent through a second region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid product, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region, and means for moving either said mass or said course whereby said given volume, in a cycle, sequentially passes through said first, second, third, and fourth regions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
237 words
A sorption bed system of improved operational efficiency comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material and a course comprising a series of means for sequentially directing fluid streams through a given volume of said mass of sorbent, said system comprising: first means for passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through a first region containing sorbent material, said first region having leading and trailing edges, to produce a fluid product comprising a fluid of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto the sorbent material in said first region; third means for passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through a third region containing a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; fourth means for passing a portion of said fluid product through a fourth region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said fourth region to supplement said fluid effluent, said fourth region being disposed between the trailing edge of said first region and said third region; second means for passing a portion of said fluid effluent through a second region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid product, said second region being disposed between the leading edge of said first region and said third region, and means for moving either said mass or said course whereby said given volume, in a cycle, sequentially passes through said first, second, third, and fourth regions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said mass has a circular cross-section and is disposed about a central axis, said moving means comprises means for rotating said mass about said central axis, and said first, third, and fourth means comprise means spaced about said axis for directing fluids axially through sorbent material in said regions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said fluid feed comprises moist air, said sorbate comprises water, and said fluid product comprises air of reduced water concentration.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 35 for dehumidifying an enclosed air volume wherein said first means comprises an inlet means for receiving air from said enclosed air volume and means for directing at least a portion of said fluid product to said air volume, and said third means comprises inlet means for receiving air from outside said enclosed volume, a heater for heating said outside air, and means for directing said fluid effluent from said third region outside said enclosed volume.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 36 further comprising second means for passing a portion of said fluid effluent through a second region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid product, said second region being disposed between said third region and the leading edge of said first region.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 33 wherein said mass has an annular cross-section and is disposed about a central axis, said moving means comprises means for rotating said mass about said central axis, and said first, third and fourth means comprise means for directing fluids radially through said regions.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
198 words
A sorption bed system of improved operational efficiency comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material and a course comprising a series of means for directing fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass of sorbent, said system comprising: first means for passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through a first region containing sorbent material, said first region having leading and trailing edges, to produce a fluid product comprising a fluid of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto the sorbent material in said first region; third means for passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through a third region containing sorbent material to produce a fluid effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; second means for passing a portion of said fluid effluent through a second region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid product, said second region being disposed between said third region and the leading edge of said first region; and means for moving one of said mass and said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes, in a cycle, through said first, second, and third regions.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
198 words
A sorption bed system of improved operational efficiency comprising a mass of thermally regenerable sorbent material and a course comprising a series of means for directing fluid streams sequentially through a given volume of said mass of sorbent, said system comprising: first means for passing a fluid feed stream containing sorbate through a first region containing sorbent material, said first region having leading and trailing edges, to produce a fluid product comprising a fluid of reduced sorbate concentration and to load sorbate onto the sorbent material in said first region; third means for passing a hot regenerant fluid stream through a third region containing sorbent material to produce a fluid effluent comprising a sorbate-rich waste and to heat sorbent material in said third region; second means for passing a portion of said fluid effluent through a second region containing sorbent material and for directing effluent from said second region to supplement said fluid product, said second region being disposed between said third region and the leading edge of said first region; and means for moving one of said mass and said course whereby said given volume sequentially passes, in a cycle, through said first, second, and third regions.