US7125438B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and an apparatus for continuously deaerating a liquid
Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings and Finance SA
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Filing: 2001-09-26
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Granted: 2006-10-24
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Expires: 2021-09-26
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a method for continuously deaerating a liquid. The method comprises the step that the liquid is led into a closed container ( 1 ) so that a liquid surface ( 7 ) is formed within the container ( 1 ). The space above the liquid surface ( 7 ) is under vacuum. The method further includes the step that a gas is led into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface ( 7 ). The invention also relates to an apparatus which comprises a closed container ( 1 ). The container ( 1 ) has an inlet ( 5 ) for the liquid which is to be deaerated, as well as an outlet ( 6 ) for the liquid which has been deaerated, both placed in the lower region of the container ( 1 ). The container ( 1 ) further has a connection ( 13 ) to a vacuum pump ( 14 ) placed in the upper region of the container ( 1 ), as well as an inlet ( 15 ) for a gas placed in the lower region of the container ( 1 ).
Inventors
- 👤 Tomas Skoglund
- 👤 Christer Lanzingh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:10
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D19/00; B01D19/0005; A; A23; A23L; A23L2/00; A23L2/70; A23L2/76; C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of continuously deaerating a liquid to remove gas from the liquid, comprising leading the liquid into a closed container so that a liquid surface is formed within the container, introducing gas into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface, and creating a vacuum in a space above the liquid surface to draw off the gas that has been removed from the liquid, and wherein the gas that is introduced into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface and the gas that is removed from the liquid and drawn off are the same, and the gas introduced into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface is air.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of continuously deaerating a liquid to remove gas from the liquid, comprising leading the liquid into a closed container so that a liquid surface is formed within the container, introducing gas into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface, and creating a vacuum in a space above the liquid surface to draw off the gas that has been removed from the liquid, and wherein the gas that is introduced into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface and the gas that is removed from the liquid and drawn off are the same, and the gas introduced into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface is air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air introduced into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface is air at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the air introduced into the liquid at a level below the liquid surface passes a bubble-generating device upon inflow of the air to the liquid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the bubble-generating device divides the air into a large number of small bubbles which constitute “cores” for the air which the liquid contains.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the liquid is circulated over the container.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the liquid is circulated 3 to 5 times.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for continuously deaerating a liquid, comprising a closed container, with an inlet and an outlet for the liquid, located in the lower region of the container, wherein the container has, in its upper region, a connection to a vacuum pump and wherein the container has, in its lower region, an inlet for a gas, wherein the container is in the form of an inverted U with the inlet for the liquid in a first shank and the outlet for the liquid in a second shank, and wherein the inlet for the gas is placed close to the inlet for the liquid.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
103 words
An apparatus for continuously deaerating a liquid, comprising a closed container, with an inlet and an outlet for the liquid, located in the lower region of the container, wherein the container has, in its upper region, a connection to a vacuum pump and wherein the container has, in its lower region, an inlet for a gas, wherein the container is in the form of an inverted U with the inlet for the liquid in a first shank and the outlet for the liquid in a second shank, and wherein the inlet for the gas is placed close to the inlet for the liquid.
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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) | 2009-10-23 | 2010-04-24 | 2010-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-10-23 | 2014-04-24 | 2014-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-10-23 | 2018-04-24 | 2018-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |