US6238912B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for contacting gas and liquid
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-07-15
•
Granted: 2001-05-29
•
Expires: 2016-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for contacting a gas and liquid. An elongated cylindrical reactor has an inlet region of reduced cross-sectional area at a first end. At least some of the gas or liquid is introduced into the inlet region in a direction tangential to the longitudinal axis of the reactor by way of an inlet to cause rotational flow within the inlet region. The gas or liquid flows into the remainder of the reactor at such a velocity as to cause more intimate mixing of the liquid and gas. Additional gas or liquid can be introduced through a second inlet disposed in an intermediate region of the reactor so that the fluid introduced flows in a generally longitudinal direction or rotational direction.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Coley Moore
- 👤 Stephen Robert Mercer Ellis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:46
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/0053; B01J19/0066; B01J19/006; B01J19/24; B01J19/2405; B01J19/26; C; C02; C02F; C02F3/00; C02F3/02; C02F3/12; C02F3/22; C02F3/226; C12; C12M; C12M23/00; C12M23/58; C12M27/00; C12M29/00; B01J2219/00; B01J2219/00049; B01J2219/00051; B01J2219/00074; B01J2219/00105; B01J2219/00108; B01J2219/0011; B01J2219/00164; B01J2219/00761; B01J2219/00763; B01J2219/00765; B01J2219/0077; B01J2219/00772; B01J2219/00774; Y; Y02; Y02W; Y02W10/00; Y02W10/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of contacting a gas and a liquid which comprises providing an elongate substantially cylindrical reactor column having an inlet region of reduced cross sectional area adjacent a first end thereof; introducing a first flow comprising at least some of the liquid into said inlet region in a direction substantially tangential to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column to cause rotational flow of the first flow within said inlet region and at such a high velocity as to re-disperse any large bubbles of gas that might accumulate in the inlet region; introducing a second flow comprising a gas stream through a second inlet disposed at an intermediate region of said reactor column adjacent an end of the inlet region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
121 words
A method of contacting a gas and a liquid which comprises providing an elongate substantially cylindrical reactor column having an inlet region of reduced cross sectional area adjacent a first end thereof; introducing a first flow comprising at least some of the liquid into said inlet region in a direction substantially tangential to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column to cause rotational flow of the first flow within said inlet region and at such a high velocity as to re-disperse any large bubbles of gas that might accumulate in the inlet region; introducing a second flow comprising a gas stream through a second inlet disposed at an intermediate region of said reactor column adjacent an end of the inlet region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second flow is introduced at a point where the rotational first flow in the reactor column would cause a central vortex region to form, said second flow being directed generally longitudinally of the reactor column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second flow is introduced at a point where the rotational first flow in the reactor column would cause a central vortex region to form, said second flow being directed in a rotational sense co-current with respect to the first flow.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second flow is introduced at a point where the rotational first flow in the reactor column would cause a central vortex region to form, said second flow being directed in a rotational sense counter current with respect to the first flow.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first flow comprises gas and liquid combined initially upstream of the reactor column inlet region at constriction means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the velocity of flow of the gas/liquid at the constriction is greater than 150 cms/sec.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second flow introduced through the second inlet is so heated as to raise the overall temperature of the liquid within the reactor column.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , comprising introducing additional flow by means of a third inlet at an intermediate region of said reactor column.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said third flow is directed tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the liquid is organic waste.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the liquid is sewage sludge.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of carrying out a bio-reaction involving gas liquid contact which comprises providing an elongate substantially cylindrical first reactor column having an inlet region of reduced cross sectional area adjacent a first end thereof and an outlet at an opposite end thereof; introducing a first flow comprising at least some of the liquid into said inlet region in a direction substantially tangential to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column to cause rotational flow of the first flow within said inlet region and at such a high velocity as to re-disperse any large bubbles of gas that might accumulate in the inlet region; introducing a second flow comprising a gas stream through a second inlet disposed at an intermediate region of said region of said reactor column adjacent an end of the inlet region; providing a second reactor; and passing gas/liquid from said outlet to an inlet of said second reactor.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of carrying out a bio-reaction involving gas liquid contact which comprises providing an elongate substantially cylindrical first reactor column having an inlet region of reduced cross sectional area adjacent a first end thereof and an outlet at an opposite end thereof; introducing a first flow comprising at least some of the liquid into said inlet region in a direction substantially tangential to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column to cause rotational flow of the first flow within said inlet region and at such a high velocity as to re-disperse any large bubbles of gas that might accumulate in the inlet region; introducing a second flow comprising a gas stream through a second inlet disposed at an intermediate region of said region of said reactor column adjacent an end of the inlet region; providing a second reactor; and passing gas/liquid from said outlet to an inlet of said second reactor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 , comprising removing liquid from an outlet of said second reactor and directing said liquid to become at least part of said first flow.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 , comprising removing liquid from an outlet of said second reactor, mixing said liquid with a gas, and directing said mixture to become at least a part of said second flow.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method as claimed in claim 12 , wherein said gas contains oxygen.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for contacting gas and liquid comprising: an elongate reactor column; first inlet means adjacent a first end thereof, outlet means adjacent a second end thereof and second inlet means intermediate said first and second ends, the first inlet means being so disposed as to direct incoming liquid tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column and into an inlet zone having a smaller cross sectional area than that of the major part of the reactor column; said second inlet means being disposed to deliver gas to a point adjacent to a longitudinally downstream end of the inlet zone of the reactor column.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for contacting gas and liquid comprising: an elongate reactor column; first inlet means adjacent a first end thereof, outlet means adjacent a second end thereof and second inlet means intermediate said first and second ends, the first inlet means being so disposed as to direct incoming liquid tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column and into an inlet zone having a smaller cross sectional area than that of the major part of the reactor column; said second inlet means being disposed to deliver gas to a point adjacent to a longitudinally downstream end of the inlet zone of the reactor column.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the inlet zone comprises an annulus adjacent the first end of the reactor column, said annulus having an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the reactor column, and an inner diameter formed by an insert.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said insert is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said insert is substantially conical.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said insert is substantially frustoconical.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the insert has a surface provided with protrusions to promote increased turbulence.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 , wherein said second inlet means is located adjacent to a longitudinally downstream portion of the annulus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the second inlet means comprises a pipe extending longitudinally into the reactor column and passing through the insert.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the second inlet means comprises an aperture at a downstream end of the insert communicating with an inlet to the interior of the insert.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 , wherein an additional inlet means is provided further downstream of the inlet zone and is adapted to introduce further fluid to a median zone of the reactor column.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for carrying out a bio-reaction involving a gas and a liquid, as hereinbefore defined, the apparatus comprising; a first reactor column vessel having an inlet zone at one end thereof of reduced cross sectional area compared to the general diameter of the first reactor column; first inlet means into said inlet zone to introduce the gas/liquid mixture in a tangential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column; outlet means at an opposite end of the reactor column; a second reactor vessel having an inlet means connected to the outlet means of said first reactor column; stirring means therein; and outlet means therefrom.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for carrying out a bio-reaction involving a gas and a liquid, as hereinbefore defined, the apparatus comprising; a first reactor column vessel having an inlet zone at one end thereof of reduced cross sectional area compared to the general diameter of the first reactor column; first inlet means into said inlet zone to introduce the gas/liquid mixture in a tangential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column; outlet means at an opposite end of the reactor column; a second reactor vessel having an inlet means connected to the outlet means of said first reactor column; stirring means therein; and outlet means therefrom.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 , wherein liquid from the outlet of said second reactor is recirculated to said first inlet means of said first reactor column.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , wherein there are provided means to introduce additional gas to such recirculated liquid.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for carrying out a bio-reaction involving gas and liquid, comprising: an elongate first reactor column; first inlet means adjacent a first end thereof; outlet means adjacent a second end thereof; a second inlet means intermediate said first and second ends; and a second reactor having an inlet means connected to the outlet means of said first reactor column; the first inlet means being so disposed as to direct incoming liquid tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column and into an inlet zone having a smaller cross sectional area than that of the major part of the reactor column; said second inlet means being disposed to deliver gas to a point adjacent a longitudinally downstream end of the inlet zone of the reactor column.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for carrying out a bio-reaction involving gas and liquid, comprising: an elongate first reactor column; first inlet means adjacent a first end thereof; outlet means adjacent a second end thereof; a second inlet means intermediate said first and second ends; and a second reactor having an inlet means connected to the outlet means of said first reactor column; the first inlet means being so disposed as to direct incoming liquid tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column and into an inlet zone having a smaller cross sectional area than that of the major part of the reactor column; said second inlet means being disposed to deliver gas to a point adjacent a longitudinally downstream end of the inlet zone of the reactor column.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 29 , wherein an outlet of said second reactor is connected to said first inlet means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 29 , wherein an outlet of said second reactor is connected to said second inlet means, and means are provided to introduce gas into liquid recirculated from said second to said first reactor column.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for contacting gas and liquid comprising: an elongate reactor column; a first inlet adjacent a first end thereof; an outlet adjacent a second end thereof and a second inlet intermediate said first and second ends; the first inlet being so disposed as to direct incoming liquid tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column and into an inlet zone having a smaller cross sectional area than that of the major part of the reactor column; said second inlet being disposed to deliver gas to a point adjacent to a longitudinally downstream end of the inlet zone of the reactor column.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for contacting gas and liquid comprising: an elongate reactor column; a first inlet adjacent a first end thereof; an outlet adjacent a second end thereof and a second inlet intermediate said first and second ends; the first inlet being so disposed as to direct incoming liquid tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column and into an inlet zone having a smaller cross sectional area than that of the major part of the reactor column; said second inlet being disposed to deliver gas to a point adjacent to a longitudinally downstream end of the inlet zone of the reactor column.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 32 , wherein the inlet zone comprises an annulus adjacent the first end of the reactor column, said annulus having an outer diameter substantially equal to that of the reactor column, and an inner diameter formed by an insert.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 33 , wherein said insert is substantially cylindrical.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 33 , wherein said insert is substantially conical.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 33 , wherein said insert is substantially frustoconical.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 33 , wherein the insert has a surface provided with protrusions to promote increased turbulence.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 33 , wherein said second inlet means is located adjacent to a longitudinally downstream portion of the annulus.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 38 , wherein the second inlet means comprises a pipe extending longitudinally into the reactor column and passing through the insert.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 38 , wherein the second inlet means comprises an aperture at a downstream end of the insert communicating with an inlet to the interior of the insert.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 32 , wherein an additional inlet means is provided further downstream of the inlet zone and is adapted to introduce further fluid to a median zone of the reactor column.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for carrying out a bio-reaction involving a gas and a liquid, the apparatus comprising; a first reactor column having an inlet zone at one end thereof of reduced cross sectional area compared to the general diameter of the first reactor column; a first inlet into said inlet zone to introduce the gas/liquid mixture in a tangential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column; and an outlet at an opposite end of the reactor column; a second reactor vessel having an inlet connected to the outlet of said first reactor column; a stirring mechanism located therein and an outlet provided therefrom.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for carrying out a bio-reaction involving a gas and a liquid, the apparatus comprising; a first reactor column having an inlet zone at one end thereof of reduced cross sectional area compared to the general diameter of the first reactor column; a first inlet into said inlet zone to introduce the gas/liquid mixture in a tangential direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column; and an outlet at an opposite end of the reactor column; a second reactor vessel having an inlet connected to the outlet of said first reactor column; a stirring mechanism located therein and an outlet provided therefrom.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 26 , wherein liquid from the outlet of said second reactor is recirculated to said first inlet of said first reactor column.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 27 , wherein there are provided a mechanism for introducing additional gas to such recirculated liquid.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for carrying out a bio-reaction involving gas and liquid, comprising: an elongate first reactor column; a first inlet adjacent a first end thereof; an outlet adjacent a second end thereof; a second inlet intermediate said first and second ends; a second reactor having an inlet connected to the outlet of said first reactor column; the first inlet being so disposed as to direct incoming liquid tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column and into an inlet zone having a smaller cross sectional area than that of the major part of the reactor column; and said second inlet being disposed to deliver gas to a point adjacent a longitudinally downstream end of the inlet zone of the reactor column.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for carrying out a bio-reaction involving gas and liquid, comprising: an elongate first reactor column; a first inlet adjacent a first end thereof; an outlet adjacent a second end thereof; a second inlet intermediate said first and second ends; a second reactor having an inlet connected to the outlet of said first reactor column; the first inlet being so disposed as to direct incoming liquid tangentially to the longitudinal axis of the reactor column and into an inlet zone having a smaller cross sectional area than that of the major part of the reactor column; and said second inlet being disposed to deliver gas to a point adjacent a longitudinally downstream end of the inlet zone of the reactor column.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 45 , wherein an outlet of said second reactor is connected to said first inlet.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 45 , wherein an outlet of said second reactor is connected to said second inlet, and a mechanism is provided for introducing gas into liquid recirculated from said second reactor to said first reactor column.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB2070967A
Cited
US4834343A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |