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US5131929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Pressure control for improved gas dehydration in systems which employ membrane dryers in intermittent service
Assignee: Permea Inc
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Filing: 1991-05-06
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2011-05-06
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and process for dehumidification of a compressed gas using a membrane cartridge dryer wherein substantially dry gas is provided upon process startup without requiring purging of the membrane cartridge. In the apparatus, a back pressure regulator valve controls the release of compressed gas to the dryer and a check valve controls the release of the dry gas from the dryer.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Brockmann
- 👤 Arthur W. Rice
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:56
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/22; B01D53/26; B01D53/268
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A has dehydration process suitable for being used intermittently comprising: (a) compressing a moisture-bearing feed gas to a predetermined pressure; (b) cooling the gas while under pressure to a temperature sufficiently low to remove the condensable moisture as condensate; (c) releasing the feed gas at a pressure maintained at least equal to the predetermined pressure, to a membrane gas separation means having a permeate outlet and a nonpermeate dry gas product outlet; (d) passing the pressurized feed gas through the separation means while allowing all of the gas to exit the permeate outlet until the pressure in the separation means reaches a predetermined pressure; (e) releasing the resulting substantially dry gas to a dry gas system; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) when the process is interrupted and then resumed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A has dehydration process suitable for being used intermittently comprising: (a) compressing a moisture-bearing feed gas to a predetermined pressure; (b) cooling the gas while under pressure to a temperature sufficiently low to remove the condensable moisture as condensate; (c) releasing the feed gas at a pressure maintained at least equal to the predetermined pressure, to a membrane gas separation means having a permeate outlet and a nonpermeate dry gas product outlet; (d) passing the pressurized feed gas through the separation means while allowing all of the gas to exit the permeate outlet until the pressure in the separation means reaches a predetermined pressure; (e) releasing the resulting substantially dry gas to a dry gas system; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) when the process is interrupted and then resumed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the predetermined pressure of the feed gas is at least 50 psig.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the substantially dry gas has a moisture content less than about 0.3% by volume.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the predetermined pressure in the gas separation means is at least about 5% higher than the predetermined pressure of the moisture-bearing feed gas.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus suitable for supplying dehydrated gas intermittently comprising: (a) a compressor having an inlet to receive a gas to be treated, an outlet to release compressed gas, and an outlet to release any condensed portion of the gas; (b) a back pressure regulator valve (BPR) to receive the compressed gas released by the compressor and to release the compressed gas to; (c) a membrane dehumidifier having an inlet for receiving compressed gas released by the BPR valve, a product outlet for releasing substantially dry nonpermeate product gas, and a permeate outlet for releasing the permeate gas from the dehumidifier; and (d) a second back pressure regulator valve to control the release of the nonpermeate product gas from the dehumidifier to a gas system.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
124 words
An apparatus suitable for supplying dehydrated gas intermittently comprising: (a) a compressor having an inlet to receive a gas to be treated, an outlet to release compressed gas, and an outlet to release any condensed portion of the gas; (b) a back pressure regulator valve (BPR) to receive the compressed gas released by the compressor and to release the compressed gas to; (c) a membrane dehumidifier having an inlet for receiving compressed gas released by the BPR valve, a product outlet for releasing substantially dry nonpermeate product gas, and a permeate outlet for releasing the permeate gas from the dehumidifier; and (d) a second back pressure regulator valve to control the release of the nonpermeate product gas from the dehumidifier to a gas system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 5 including a control means to control the opening and closing of the BPR valve and the check valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the second back pressure regulator valve is replaced with a check valve and the gas system provides pressure down stream from the check valve.
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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) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |