GB449680A - Improvements relating to adsorption apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0449680/III/1> In an adsorption filter for alternately charging the sorptive filtering medium, and flushing with steam or other inert gas, means are provided for the additional supply, during the flushing operation, of steam or other inert gas to the conduit which serves during the charging periods for admission of the solventor vapour-laden air to be filtered, whereby formation of an explosive mixture in the conduit and the communicating part of the filter is avoided. Apparatus for solvent recovery of the type described in Specification 397,128 comprises an annular container b for an adsorbent such as active charcoal, the vapour-laden air entering through conduit i into an annular space a<1>, passing through the adsorbent, and leaving by the central space b<1> and pipe b<2>. During flushing, steam or other inert gas is passed through pipe j and the container b to an outlet such as k or k<1>. According to the invention the steam is passed into conduit i between two valves l, l<1> shown as sliding disc valves, and thence to the pipe j. Leakage from the filter through the valves is thus avoided. One or more small holes l<3> may be provided in the valve l<1> through which steam passes to the space a<1>. The invention may also be applied to apparatus as described in Specification 415,801. According to the Provisional Specification steam or inert gas may be admitted at any position where solvent may become mixed with air in the presence of heat. Thus, where the adsorber comprises a number of small chambers, subsidiary steam inlets for these may be provided.