US5228888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Economical air separator
Assignee: Messer LLC
•
Filing: 1992-03-13
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2012-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing a nitrogen-enriched product in improved yield and specific product comprising passing air through a bed of crushed zeolite having a particle size of 10 to 40 mesh, thereby adsorbing oxygen and producing the enriched nitrogen product.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Gmelin
- 👤 Alberto LaCava
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:50
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/04; B01D53/047; B01D53/0473; C; C01; C01B; C01B13/00; C01B13/02; C01B13/0229; C01B13/0248; C01B13/0259; C01B13/0262; C01B13/027; C01B21/00; C01B21/04; C01B21/0405; C01B21/0433; C01B21/045; B01D2253/00; B01D2253/10; B01D2253/104; B01D2253/106; B01D2253/108; B01D2253/30; B01D2253/302; B01D2253/304; B01D2256/00; B01D2256/10; B01D2257/00; B01D2257/10; B01D2257/104; B01D2257/80; B01D2259/00; B01D2259/40; B01D2259/40007; B01D2259/40011; B01D2259/40058; B01D2259/4006; B01D2259/401; B01D2259/414; B01D2259/4141; B01D2259/4145; B01D2259/4146; B01D53/053; B01D53/26; B01D53/261; C01B2210/00; C01B2210/0043; C01B2210/0046; C01B2210/0062
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A process for producing a nitrogen-enriched product in an adsorption bed having an inlet and an outlet, said bed comprising activated kinetic zeolite crushed to a particle size of about 10 to 40 mesh comprising the steps of: (a) introducing air at a pressure of about 20 to about 100 psig into said bed through said inlet for a period of about 4 to 15 seconds while withdrawing nitrogen enriched product from said bed through said outlet, (b) venting said bed through said inlet for a period of about 4 to about 15 seconds while blocking the flow of air to the bed and preventing nitrogen from reverse flowing to the bed through said outlet, and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A process for producing a nitrogen-enriched product in an adsorption bed having an inlet and an outlet, said bed comprising activated kinetic zeolite crushed to a particle size of about 10 to 40 mesh comprising the steps of: (a) introducing air at a pressure of about 20 to about 100 psig into said bed through said inlet for a period of about 4 to 15 seconds while withdrawing nitrogen enriched product from said bed through said outlet, (b) venting said bed through said inlet for a period of about 4 to about 15 seconds while blocking the flow of air to the bed and preventing nitrogen from reverse flowing to the bed through said outlet, and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the pressure of the feed air is in the range of about 30 psig to about 80 psig.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the pressure of the feed air is about 60 psig.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 3, wherein steps (a) and (b) are each carried out for about seven seconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1, wherein steps (a) and (b) are effected by means of a two position valve located in said inlet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 5, wherein steps (a) and (b) are carried out for about equal time periods.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 6, wherein said time periods are each about ten seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the feed air passes through a water adsorbent material prior to entering said bed.
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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) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |