US5227598A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In place regeneration of adsorbents using microwaves
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1991-12-23
•
Granted: 1993-07-13
•
Expires: 2011-12-23
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for selectively regenerating at least one portion of an adsorbent bed in an adsorption system with a movable microwave device while the remainder of the bed is still being used. The adsorbent bed is held by a frame which divides the bed into a plurality of sections, each section holding a portion of the adsorbent. At least one movable regeneration carriage assembly which moves from section to section is provided. The carriage assembly supports a microwave heating device which heats the adsorbent in the section adjacent to the carriage assembly. Each section can be isolated from the others in turn and be regenerated while the remaining sections continue the adsorption function. The isolated section is swept by a purge gas which is conveyed to and from the section by flexible cords connected to the carriage assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E. Woodmansee
- 👤 James J. Carroll, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:47
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B3/00; F26B3/32; F26B3/34; F26B3/343; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/04; B01D53/0407; B01D53/0438; H; H05; H05B; H05B6/00; H05B6/64; H05B6/80; B01D2253/00; B01D2253/10; B01D2253/102; B01D2259/00; B01D2259/40; B01D2259/40083; B01D2259/40088; B01D2259/40094; B01D2259/41
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An adsorber system for treating a process stream comprising: a containment vessel having means for passing a process stream therethrough; a frame for holding adsorbent material disposed within said vessel, said frame being divided into a plurality of adsorbent holding sections; a carriage assembly movably disposed in proximity to said frame; a microwave heating device mounted to said carriage assembly; and means for selectively positioning said carriage assembly adjacent to any one of said plurality of sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
An adsorber system for treating a process stream comprising: a containment vessel having means for passing a process stream therethrough; a frame for holding adsorbent material disposed within said vessel, said frame being divided into a plurality of adsorbent holding sections; a carriage assembly movably disposed in proximity to said frame; a microwave heating device mounted to said carriage assembly; and means for selectively positioning said carriage assembly adjacent to any one of said plurality of sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said carriage assembly further comprises means for isolating the section adjacent to said carriage assembly from the process stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising means for activating and deactivating said means for isolating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising means for passing a purge gas through the section adjacent to said carriage assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said carriage assembly comprises an upper carriage including a first platform arranged to move relative to said frame and a first shroud carried by said first platform and dimensioned to cover the upper surface of any one of said plurality of sections and a lower carriage including a second platform arranged to move relative to said frame and a second shroud carried by said second platform and dimensioned to cover the lower surface of any one of said plurality of sections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said upper carriage further includes at least one actuator for displacing said first shroud relative to said first platform and said lower carriage further includes at least one actuator for displacing said second shroud relative to said second platform.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of rails disposed within said vessel below said frame, wherein said first platform is movably supported on said frame and said second platform is movably supported on said rails.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 5 further comprising means for passing a purge gas through the section adjacent to said carriage assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said means for passing a purge gas comprises a first cord connected to said upper carriage and having means for admitting purge gas and a second cord connected to said lower carriage and having means for removing purge gas and any entrained sorbates.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said first cord further includes a means for supplying power to said microwave heating device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 5 wherein said means for selectively positioning said carriage assembly comprises a drive means for synchronously moving said upper and lower carriages.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said sections are divided by gas impermeable and heat insulating members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one other carriage assembly movably disposed in proximity to said frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
In an adsorber system having a bed of adsorbent divided into a plurality of sections and contained within a vessel, an apparatus for regenerating the adsorbent comprising: a carriage assembly movably disposed within said vessel; a microwave heating device mounted to said carriage assembly; and means for selectively positioning said carriage assembly adjacent to any one of the plurality of sections.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
In an adsorber system having a bed of adsorbent divided into a plurality of sections and contained within a vessel, an apparatus for regenerating the adsorbent comprising: a carriage assembly movably disposed within said vessel; a microwave heating device mounted to said carriage assembly; and means for selectively positioning said carriage assembly adjacent to any one of the plurality of sections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said carriage assembly further comprises means for isolating the section adjacent to said carriage assembly from the process stream.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for activating and deactivating said means for isolating.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising means for passing a purge gas through the section adjacent to said carriage assembly.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising at least one other carriage assembly movably disposed within said vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1996-07-12 | 1997-01-11 | 1997-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-12 | 2001-01-11 | 2001-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-12 | 2005-01-11 | 2005-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |