Patent US5480475A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5480475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vapor recovery system
Assignee: Callidus Technologies LLC
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Filing: 1994-09-19
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Granted: 1996-01-02
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Expires: 2014-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A vapor recovery unit comprising a vapor inlet for taking up hydrocarbon vapor from a loading facility or the like, and thereafter alternately allowing the vapor to flow to one of at least two adsorber vessels. Each adsorber vessel includes an entry port in the bottom of the adsorber vessel for receiving vapor. Hydrocarbons are retained on activated carbon beds in the adsorber vessels, resulting in purified air or other carrier gas which is removed through a discharge port also in the bottom of each adsorber vessel and released through an elevated vent to the atmosphere. Hydrocarbon vapor is desorbed from the adsorber vessel by a vacuum system and directed to a separator/absorber vessel wherein the desorbed vapor which has passed through the vacuum system is brought into contact with a hydrocarbon absorbent liquid or condenser. In use, when one adsorber vessel is taking in vapor from the vapor inlet, the other adsorber vessel is having its adsorbent bed desorbed or regenerated. When the adsorbent bed is saturated, or if desired on a time cycle, the process will alternate. The adsorber vessels of the present invention do not require any flow lines or vent lines on the top of the adsorber vessels thereby allowing for easier maintenance and installation of the adsorber vessels. The entire system is designed to be fitted to and located on a skid or skids.
Inventors
- 👤 Willard N. Tuttle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:24
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/04; B01D2253/00; B01D2253/10; B01D2253/102; B01D2256/00; B01D2256/24; B01D2259/00; B01D2259/40; B01D2259/40001; B01D2259/402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
272 words
A vapor recovery unit comprising a vapor inlet for taking up hydrocarbon vapor, at least two adsorber vessels, each of said adsorber vessels including an entry port for receiving vapors in the bottom thereof connected to closed pipe means within each of said vessels and which pipe means extends from said entry port to the top of each of said vessels discharging vapors received at the entry port at the top of each of said vessels; a bed of solid adsorbent having an affinity for hydrocarbons contained in each of said adsorber vessels; an outlet port in the bottom of each of said adsorber vessels for discharging vapors from said adsorber vessels after passing through said solid adsorbent; valve means for alternately directing said hydrocarbon vapors from said vapor inlet to one or the other of said entry ports of said at least two adsorber vessels; a vacuum system connected by connector means to an outlet in the bottom of each of said at least two adsorber vessels, said connector means permitting for alternately desorbing said adsorbent beds in said adsorber vessels; means for directing vapors desorbed from said absorbent beds through said vacuum system to a separator-absorber vessel wherein said desorbed vapors are brought in contact with a hydrocarbon absorbent liquid for recovery of a complete volume of hydrocarbon absorbent liquid including means for feeding said hydrocarbon absorbent liquid directly to said absorber vessel for passage to said separator; means for flowing said complete volume of said hydrocarbon absorbent liquid from said separator directly to cooler means and means for direct return of said hydrocarbon absorbent liquid to absorbent liquid storage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
272 words
A vapor recovery unit comprising a vapor inlet for taking up hydrocarbon vapor, at least two adsorber vessels, each of said adsorber vessels including an entry port for receiving vapors in the bottom thereof connected to closed pipe means within each of said vessels and which pipe means extends from said entry port to the top of each of said vessels discharging vapors received at the entry port at the top of each of said vessels; a bed of solid adsorbent having an affinity for hydrocarbons contained in each of said adsorber vessels; an outlet port in the bottom of each of said adsorber vessels for discharging vapors from said adsorber vessels after passing through said solid adsorbent; valve means for alternately directing said hydrocarbon vapors from said vapor inlet to one or the other of said entry ports of said at least two adsorber vessels; a vacuum system connected by connector means to an outlet in the bottom of each of said at least two adsorber vessels, said connector means permitting for alternately desorbing said adsorbent beds in said adsorber vessels; means for directing vapors desorbed from said absorbent beds through said vacuum system to a separator-absorber vessel wherein said desorbed vapors are brought in contact with a hydrocarbon absorbent liquid for recovery of a complete volume of hydrocarbon absorbent liquid including means for feeding said hydrocarbon absorbent liquid directly to said absorber vessel for passage to said separator; means for flowing said complete volume of said hydrocarbon absorbent liquid from said separator directly to cooler means and means for direct return of said hydrocarbon absorbent liquid to absorbent liquid storage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The vapor recovery unit of claim 1 wherein said solid adsorbent is activated carbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The vapor recovery unit of claim 2 wherein said vacuum system includes a liquid ring vacuum pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The vapor recovery unit of claim 3 wherein said hydrocarbon vapors are carried in a carrier gas and wherein the carrier gas for said hydrocarbon vapors which is separated from the adsorbed hydrocarbon vapors is removed through the outlet port at the bottom of the vessel and vented to the atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
The vapor recovery unit of claim 3 wherein said hydrocarbon vapors are carried in a carrier gas and wherein the carrier gas is removed from the outlet port in the bottom of the adsorber vessel and returned to the adsorber vessel through a second entry port in the bottom of the vessel and used to charge the adsorber bed during the regeneration cycle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The vapor recovery unit of claim 1 wherein said means for feeding said liquid absorbent is a single line, said single line including means to split the liquid flow so as to enter the absorber vessel at two separate points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vapor recovery unit of claim 6 wherein said means to split the liquid flow includes an upper spray line and a lower spray line and the separator-absorber vessel includes an absorber column which contains flanging positioned above said lower spray line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vapor recovery unit of claim 7 wherein said vapor recovery unit is constructed and arranged to be fitted to a skid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The vapor recovery unit of claim 6 wherein the separator-absorber vessel includes two vertical immersion pumps for circulating said liquid absorbent and the regenerated hydrocarbon, the first of said two pumps being a sealed fluid pump and the second pump being a hydrocarbon product return pump.
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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) | 1999-01-01 | 1999-07-03 | 2000-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-01 | 2003-07-03 | 2004-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-01 | 2007-07-03 | 2008-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |