US5066166A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for removing ground contaminants
Assignee: R G HANSEN & ASSOCIATES A CORP OF CALIFORNIA
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Filing: 1990-10-17
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Granted: 1991-11-19
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Expires: 2010-10-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for removing fluid contaminants from a solid material is described. In a preferred embodiment, a cylindrical container having opening in its surface through which contaminants in a gaseous state may enter is filled with a cryo-adsorbing substance, for example, charcoal, and placed into a correspondingly-sized hole formed in the solid material from which the contaminants are to be removed. A cryogenic fluid, for example liquid nitrogen, is introduced into the container, preferably into a tube therein, thereby cooling the cryo-adsorbing substance so that molecules of contaminants are cryo-adsorbed from the solid material. After the adsorption of contaminants, the container is removed from the solid material and the cryo-adsorbing substance is regenerated, or regeneration is effected in situ. This invention has utility in the field of removing contaiminants, such as for example gasoline or other hazardous or toxic materials, from the ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G. Hansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:21
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/02; E21B43/08; E21B43/082; B; B09; B09C; B09C1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for removing molecules of contamination from a solid material comprising: a cylindrical container having a top and lateral surfaces for holding a cryo-adsorbing substance, said container having its lateral surface for placement adjacent said solid materials and provided with means for admitting therethrough molecules of contamination, said means being distributed to admit molecules over substantially the extent of said lateral surface; a cryo-adsorbing substance located in said container; and means for cooling said cryo-adsorbing substance with respect to said solid material below a temperature at which molecules of contamination are efficiently cryo-adsorbed by said substance from said solid material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for removing molecules of contamination from a solid material comprising: a cylindrical container having a top and lateral surfaces for holding a cryo-adsorbing substance, said container having its lateral surface for placement adjacent said solid materials and provided with means for admitting therethrough molecules of contamination, said means being distributed to admit molecules over substantially the extent of said lateral surface; a cryo-adsorbing substance located in said container; and means for cooling said cryo-adsorbing substance with respect to said solid material below a temperature at which molecules of contamination are efficiently cryo-adsorbed by said substance from said solid material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said container means further comprises an inlet means through said top for admitting a liquid into said container and said means for cooling comprises a source of a cryogenic liquid coupled to said inlet means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for admitting molecules of contamination through said surface comprises a plurality of openings in said surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said cryo-adsorbing substance is charcoal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said liquid is liquid nitrogen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said container is constructed from structural metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for cooling comprises: an inlet means through said top of said container for admitting a fluid into said container; a tube located inside said container and coupled to said inlet means for holding a cryogenic fluid within said tube; and a source of said cryogenic fluid connected to said inlet means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said container comprises a screen adjacent said openings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for removing molecules of contamination from a solid material comprising: a cylindrical container having a top and lateral surface for holding a cryo-adsorbing substance, said container having its lateral surface for placement adjacent said solid material and provided with means for admitting therethrough molecules of contamination, said means being distributed to admit molecules over substantially the extent of said lateral surface; a thermally conductive tube located in said container for holding a cryogenic fluid; a cryogenic fluid located in said tube; and a cryo-adsorbing substance located in said container in thermal contact with said tube and in communication with said means for admitting, whereby said substance is cooled to enable cryo-adsorption of molecules of contamination from said solid material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
Apparatus for removing molecules of contamination from a solid material comprising: a cylindrical container having a top and lateral surface for holding a cryo-adsorbing substance, said container having its lateral surface for placement adjacent said solid material and provided with means for admitting therethrough molecules of contamination, said means being distributed to admit molecules over substantially the extent of said lateral surface; a thermally conductive tube located in said container for holding a cryogenic fluid; a cryogenic fluid located in said tube; and a cryo-adsorbing substance located in said container in thermal contact with said tube and in communication with said means for admitting, whereby said substance is cooled to enable cryo-adsorption of molecules of contamination from said solid material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 9 further comprising a source of cryogenic fluid external to said container and wherein said tube is closed within said container and connected through said top of said container to said source of cryogenic fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as in claim 10 wherein said tube comprises an inner portion connected to said source and an outer portion concentric with said inner portion, said inner and outer portions communicating through an opening therebetween, said outer portion connected to an opening in said top of said container to permit the passage of cryogenic fluid that has absorbed heat out of said container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said cryo-adsorbing substance is charcoal particles, said means for admitting comprises openings in said lateral surface of said container and said container further comprises a screen located adjacent said openings, said screen sized to essentially contain said particles.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said cryogenic fluid is liquid nitrogen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said tube extends along the axis of said container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said charcoal particles have a size to be essentially contained by said screen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 12 wherein said container further comprises a closable port in said top for introduction and removal of charcoal particles.
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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) | 1994-11-18 | 1995-05-20 | 1995-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-11-18 | 1999-05-20 | 1999-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-11-18 | 2003-05-20 | 2003-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |