US20190162475A1 - Devices, Systems and Methods for Producing Liquids from Desublimating Solids - Google Patents
Devices, Systems and Methods for Producing Liquids from Desublimating Solids Download PDFInfo
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- US20190162475A1 US20190162475A1 US15/827,684 US201715827684A US2019162475A1 US 20190162475 A1 US20190162475 A1 US 20190162475A1 US 201715827684 A US201715827684 A US 201715827684A US 2019162475 A1 US2019162475 A1 US 2019162475A1
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28C—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT WITHOUT CHEMICAL INTERACTION
- F28C3/00—Other direct-contact heat-exchange apparatus
- F28C3/10—Other direct-contact heat-exchange apparatus one heat-exchange medium at least being a fluent solid, e.g. a particulate material
- F28C3/12—Other direct-contact heat-exchange apparatus one heat-exchange medium at least being a fluent solid, e.g. a particulate material the heat-exchange medium being a particulate material and a gas, vapour, or liquid
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/78—Thermal treatment of the extrusion moulding material or of preformed parts or layers, e.g. by heating or cooling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G33/00—Screw or rotary spiral conveyors
- B65G33/08—Screw or rotary spiral conveyors for fluent solid materials
- B65G33/14—Screw or rotary spiral conveyors for fluent solid materials comprising a screw or screws enclosed in a tubular housing
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G33/00—Screw or rotary spiral conveyors
- B65G33/24—Details
- B65G33/34—Applications of driving gear
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/285—Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder
- B29C48/288—Feeding the extrusion material to the extruder in solid form, e.g. powder or granules
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C48/00—Extrusion moulding, i.e. expressing the moulding material through a die or nozzle which imparts the desired form; Apparatus therefor
- B29C48/25—Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations
- B29C48/78—Thermal treatment of the extrusion moulding material or of preformed parts or layers, e.g. by heating or cooling
- B29C48/80—Thermal treatment of the extrusion moulding material or of preformed parts or layers, e.g. by heating or cooling at the plasticising zone, e.g. by heating cylinders
- B29C48/802—Heating
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
- F28D2021/0019—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for
- F28D2021/0033—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for for cryogenic applications
Definitions
- the devices, systems, and methods described herein relate generally to melting of solids. More particularly, the devices, systems, and methods described herein relate to melting of solids that sublimate at ambient pressures.
- Cryogenic solids of various varieties have phase diagrams that do not permit transitions between solid and liquid phases at ambient or near-ambient pressures. Handling these materials as solids is a challenge, as they require the solids handling be done under high pressure conditions, which is logistically difficult and costly. Devices, systems, and methods capable of handling cryogenic materials with minimal solids handling would be beneficial.
- a vessel includes a solids inlet, a plunger, one or more fluid jets, and a fluid outlet. Solids are passed through the solids inlet into the vessel.
- the plunger is positioned adjacent to the solids inlet to provide a variable gap between the plunger and the solids inlet.
- the variable gap provides a restriction producing a back pressure at the solids inlet.
- Hot fluid is injected into the vessel by fluid jets.
- the one or more fluid jets enter the vessel and end adjacent to the variable gap.
- the solids inlet may direct the solids into the variable gap.
- the one or more fluid jets may direct the hot fluid into the variable gap.
- the hot fluid may melt at least a portion of the solids. At least a portion of the solids may be the same compound as the hot fluid.
- the solids may include water, hydrocarbons, ammonia, solid acid gases, or a combination thereof.
- the solid acid gases may include solid forms of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a combination thereof.
- the hot fluid may include water, hydrocarbons, liquid ammonia, liquid acid gases, cryogenic liquids, or a combination thereof.
- the liquid acid gases may include liquid forms of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a combination thereof.
- the solids inlet may be fed by a screw press.
- the solids inlet may be fed by a pump.
- the one or more fluid jets may be made of stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, ceramics, plastics, polymers, or a combination thereof.
- the one or more fluid jets may pass through the plunger.
- the plunger may include a heating element.
- the plunger may be moved by a piston.
- FIG. 1A shows an isometric cutaway side view of a screw press and vessel.
- FIG. 1B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of the plunger of FIG. 1A .
- FIG. 2A shows an isometric cutaway side view of the screw press and vessel of FIG. 1A with changes to the plunger and fluid jets.
- FIG. 2B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of the plunger of FIG. 2A .
- FIG. 3A shows an isometric cutaway side view of a vessel.
- FIG. 3B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of the plunger of FIG. 3A .
- FIG. 4A shows an inline view of a plunger and melting jets at the inlet of a vessel.
- FIG. 4B shows an isometric view of FIG. 4A .
- FIG. 5 shows a method for melting a solid.
- cryogenic solids act in ways seemingly contradictory to what we expect from solids. Normally, solids melt into a liquid, which then vaporizes into a gas. Many cryogenic liquids, such as carbon dioxide and other acid gases, have phase diagrams that, at ambient pressures, will sublimate from solid directly to gas. In materials handling, liquids are simple to transport when compared to both solids and gases. Gases require large equipment to transport similar masses in comparison to liquid. Solids have to be moved by conveyance devices that are, with only a few exceptions, open to ambient pressures. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein overcome these challenges by avoiding the issue entirely. Cryogenic solids, or any solids that can be melted, are passed into a vessel through a restricted inlet.
- the restriction provides a back pressure on the solids both to produce a steady flow rate of solids entering the vessel, but also because the back pressure keeps the solids in the solid phase in the inlet. Losing pressure may produce gases, which can be dangerous.
- a hot liquid is added via fluid jets adjacent to the variable gap through which the solids pass. This not only melts the solids, producing a warm liquid, but the jets prevent chunks of solids from making an irregular sealing surface between the plunger and the solids inlet. This would result in channeling, allowing hot liquid backflow into the solids inlet.
- the jets also make the gap turbulent, making heat transfer more efficient.
- the outlet of the vessel can also be restricted, maintaining the vessel at the appropriate pressure for the liquid produced.
- FIG. 1A shows an isometric cutaway side view 100 of a screw press 104 and vessel 102 that may be used in the described devices, systems, and methods.
- FIG. 1B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of the plunger 106 of FIG. 1A at 101 .
- Vessel 102 is a melting device and includes a cavity 136 , the plunger 106 , plunger piston 110 , plunger piston shaft 112 , fluid jets 108 , liquid outlet 114 , and inlet gap 132 .
- the screw press 104 includes a screw 122 with a rotor 124 , a filter 138 , a fluids outlet plenum 134 , a fluids outlet 120 , a gas outlet 116 , a slurry inlet 118 , and an outlet 130 .
- the plunger 106 is positioned adjacent to the gap inlet 132 to provide a restriction producing a back pressure at the gap inlet 132 .
- the piston 110 may vary this inlet gap 132 by moving the plunger.
- the fluid jets 108 are passed through the plunger 106 and end adjacent to the gap inlet 132 .
- a slurry 150 enters screw press 104 through slurry inlet 118 .
- the slurry 150 consists of a liquid, such as isopentane, and a solid, such as solid carbon dioxide.
- the slurry 150 is conveyed through the screw press 104 by screw 122 , driven by rotor 124 .
- the slurry 150 is pushed through the outlet 130 and through the gap inlet 132 .
- the restriction of gap inlet 132 by plunger 106 causes a back pressure that has several benefits.
- the back-pressure drives the isopentane out of the slurry and through filter 138 .
- the liquid collects in the fluids outlet plenum 134 and leaves as a substantially pure isopentane stream 154 .
- the restriction meters the solid carbon dioxide through gap inlet 132 at a controlled rate.
- the slurry 150 has substantially all the liquid driven from it, resulting in a stream of substantially pure solid carbon dioxide passing through gap inlet 132 .
- This stream is met by a hot liquid stream 160 that is jetted into the space adjacent to gap inlet 132 .
- the hot liquid stream 160 is a liquid carbon dioxide stream.
- a sufficient amount of the hot liquid stream 160 is provided through fluid jets 108 to melt the solids, resulting in a warm liquid stream 156 that passes out of fluid outlet 114 .
- the jetting also causes turbulent flow, making more efficient melting, and breaks up any chunks of solids as they pass through gap inlet 132 , making the solids seal the gap inlet 132 against hot liquid channeling.
- FIG. 2A shows an isometric cutaway side view 200 of the screw press 104 and vessel 102 of FIG. 1A , with modifications to the plunger 106 and fluid jets 108 .
- FIG. 1B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of the plunger 106 of FIG. 1A at 101 .
- the plunger 206 is equipped with a heating element 205 wrapped around the exterior of the plunger.
- the heating element may be an electrical resistance heater.
- Fluid jets 208 (e.g., 108 ) pass alongside plunger 206 (e.g., 106 ), not through plunger 206 . Fluid jets 208 still end adjacent to gap inlet 132 .
- a different slurry is used as an example.
- a slurry 250 (e.g., 150 ) consists of a liquid, such as methylcyclopentane, and the solid consists of solid carbon dioxide, soot, dust, and precipitated salts.
- the slurry behaves the same as in the example in FIGS. 1A-B until the substantially pure solid carbon dioxide, soot, dust, and precipitated salts pass through gap inlet 132 .
- This solid stream is met by the hot liquid stream 160 , consisting of pure carbon dioxide.
- Hot liquid stream 160 melts the solid carbon dioxide.
- the soot, dust, and precipitated salts do not dissolve in the resulting warm liquid stream 256 , but are entrained in the warm liquid stream 256 and carried out fluid outlet 114 .
- warm liquid stream 160 may then be passed through a traditional filter, removing the entrained solids.
- FIG. 3A shows an isometric cutaway side view 300 of a vessel that may be used in the described devices, systems, and methods.
- FIG. 3B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of the plunger 306 of FIG. 3A at 301 .
- FIG. 3B has a dashed line 400 passing through piston 306 . This represents the approximate view of FIG. 4A , as discussed below.
- Vessel 302 is a melting device and includes a cavity 336 , the plunger 306 , plunger piston 310 , plunger piston shaft 312 , fluid jet 308 , liquid outlet 314 , solids inlet 304 , and inlet gap 332 .
- the plunger 306 is positioned adjacent to the gap inlet 332 to provide a restriction producing a back pressure at the gap inlet 332 .
- the fluid jet 308 passes next to the plunger 306 and ends adjacent to the gap inlet 332 .
- the piston 310 may vary this inlet gap 332 by moving the plunger.
- the fluid jet 308 is attached to the plunger such that it moves with the plunger.
- Solids 350 are passed into vessel 302 through solids inlet 304 . In some embodiments, these are provided by a solids pump (not shown). Solids 350 passes through the inlet gap 332 , providing a back pressure as well as metering the solids into the vessel 302 . Hot fluid 360 is injected into the vessel through fluid jets 308 . Hot fluid 360 melts solids 350 and the resulting warm fluid 356 passes out of fluid outlet 314 .
- FIG. 4A shows an inline view 400 of a plunger and melting jets at the inlet of the vessel of FIG. 3A , with differences noted.
- FIG. 4B shows an isometric view of FIG. 4A .
- FIG. 4A is the cross-section 400 of FIG. 3B , with the addition of 3 further fluid jets 407 around plunger 306 . Rather than just a single fluid jet 308 , the addition of fluid jets 407 provide more even distribution of hot fluid 360 around the inlet gap 332 , producing better melting and smoother operations.
- FIG. 5 shows a method for melting solids 500 that may be used in the described devices, systems, and methods.
- Solids are passed through a solids inlet into a vessel 501 .
- the vessel includes the solids inlet, a plunger, one or more fluid jets, and a fluid outlet.
- the plunger is positioned adjacent to the solids inlet to provide a variable gap between the plunger and the solids inlet 502 .
- the variable gap provides a restriction producing a back pressure 503 .
- Hot fluids are injected through the one or more fluid jets 504 .
- the one or more fluid jets enter the vessel and end adjacent to the variable gap. At least a portion of the solids are melted 505 .
- the solids are a same compound as the hot fluid.
- a back pressure is also maintained on the fluids outlet, maintaining pressure in the vessel.
- the solids are passed through at a rate that matches a desired rate of hot fluid flow, resulting in complete melting of the solids.
- the method may be implemented by a computer that controls one or more motors, pumps, valves, heaters, coolers, actuators, or a combination thereof.
- the solids may include ice, hydrocarbons, ammonia, solid acid gases, or a combination thereof.
- Solid acid gases include solid forms of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a combination thereof.
- the warm fluid may include water, hydrocarbons, liquid ammonia, liquid acid gases, cryogenic liquids, or a combination thereof.
- Liquid acid gases include liquid forms of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a combination thereof.
- the one or more fluid jets may be made of stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, ceramics, plastics, polymers, or a combination thereof.
- the one or more fluid jets may move towards and away from the adjacent variable gap, varying a distance between the one or more fluid jets and the variable gap. This provides finer control of the melting process, allowing for more or less melting as the process requires. In conjunction with moving the plunger closer and further from the solids inlet, the composition and pressure can be maintained and varied as desired.
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Abstract
Description
- This invention was made with government support under DE-FE0028697 awarded by the Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention.
- The devices, systems, and methods described herein relate generally to melting of solids. More particularly, the devices, systems, and methods described herein relate to melting of solids that sublimate at ambient pressures.
- Cryogenic solids of various varieties have phase diagrams that do not permit transitions between solid and liquid phases at ambient or near-ambient pressures. Handling these materials as solids is a challenge, as they require the solids handling be done under high pressure conditions, which is logistically difficult and costly. Devices, systems, and methods capable of handling cryogenic materials with minimal solids handling would be beneficial.
- Devices, systems, and methods for melting solids are disclosed. A vessel includes a solids inlet, a plunger, one or more fluid jets, and a fluid outlet. Solids are passed through the solids inlet into the vessel. The plunger is positioned adjacent to the solids inlet to provide a variable gap between the plunger and the solids inlet. The variable gap provides a restriction producing a back pressure at the solids inlet. Hot fluid is injected into the vessel by fluid jets. The one or more fluid jets enter the vessel and end adjacent to the variable gap.
- The solids inlet may direct the solids into the variable gap. The one or more fluid jets may direct the hot fluid into the variable gap. The hot fluid may melt at least a portion of the solids. At least a portion of the solids may be the same compound as the hot fluid.
- The solids may include water, hydrocarbons, ammonia, solid acid gases, or a combination thereof. The solid acid gases may include solid forms of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a combination thereof.
- The hot fluid may include water, hydrocarbons, liquid ammonia, liquid acid gases, cryogenic liquids, or a combination thereof. The liquid acid gases may include liquid forms of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a combination thereof.
- The solids inlet may be fed by a screw press. The solids inlet may be fed by a pump.
- The one or more fluid jets may be made of stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, ceramics, plastics, polymers, or a combination thereof.
- The one or more fluid jets may pass through the plunger. The plunger may include a heating element. The plunger may be moved by a piston.
- In order that the advantages of the described devices, systems, and methods will be readily understood, a more particular description of the described devices, systems, and methods briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the described devices, systems, and methods and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the devices, systems, and methods will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1A shows an isometric cutaway side view of a screw press and vessel. -
FIG. 1B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of the plunger ofFIG. 1A . -
FIG. 2A shows an isometric cutaway side view of the screw press and vessel ofFIG. 1A with changes to the plunger and fluid jets. -
FIG. 2B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of the plunger ofFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 3A shows an isometric cutaway side view of a vessel. -
FIG. 3B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of the plunger ofFIG. 3A . -
FIG. 4A shows an inline view of a plunger and melting jets at the inlet of a vessel. -
FIG. 4B shows an isometric view ofFIG. 4A . -
FIG. 5 shows a method for melting a solid. - It will be readily understood that the components of the described devices, systems, and methods, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the described devices, systems, and methods, as represented in the Figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the described devices, systems, and methods, as claimed, but is merely representative of certain examples of presently contemplated embodiments in accordance with the described devices, systems, and methods.
- Many cryogenic solids act in ways seemingly contradictory to what we expect from solids. Normally, solids melt into a liquid, which then vaporizes into a gas. Many cryogenic liquids, such as carbon dioxide and other acid gases, have phase diagrams that, at ambient pressures, will sublimate from solid directly to gas. In materials handling, liquids are simple to transport when compared to both solids and gases. Gases require large equipment to transport similar masses in comparison to liquid. Solids have to be moved by conveyance devices that are, with only a few exceptions, open to ambient pressures. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein overcome these challenges by avoiding the issue entirely. Cryogenic solids, or any solids that can be melted, are passed into a vessel through a restricted inlet. The restriction, a plunger, provides a back pressure on the solids both to produce a steady flow rate of solids entering the vessel, but also because the back pressure keeps the solids in the solid phase in the inlet. Losing pressure may produce gases, which can be dangerous. A hot liquid is added via fluid jets adjacent to the variable gap through which the solids pass. This not only melts the solids, producing a warm liquid, but the jets prevent chunks of solids from making an irregular sealing surface between the plunger and the solids inlet. This would result in channeling, allowing hot liquid backflow into the solids inlet. The jets also make the gap turbulent, making heat transfer more efficient. The outlet of the vessel can also be restricted, maintaining the vessel at the appropriate pressure for the liquid produced.
- Referring now to the Figures,
FIG. 1A shows an isometriccutaway side view 100 of ascrew press 104 andvessel 102 that may be used in the described devices, systems, and methods.FIG. 1B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of theplunger 106 ofFIG. 1A at 101.Vessel 102 is a melting device and includes acavity 136, theplunger 106,plunger piston 110,plunger piston shaft 112,fluid jets 108,liquid outlet 114, andinlet gap 132. Thescrew press 104 includes ascrew 122 with arotor 124, afilter 138, afluids outlet plenum 134, afluids outlet 120, agas outlet 116, aslurry inlet 118, and anoutlet 130. Theplunger 106 is positioned adjacent to thegap inlet 132 to provide a restriction producing a back pressure at thegap inlet 132. Thepiston 110 may vary thisinlet gap 132 by moving the plunger. Thefluid jets 108 are passed through theplunger 106 and end adjacent to thegap inlet 132. - A
slurry 150 entersscrew press 104 throughslurry inlet 118. In this example, theslurry 150 consists of a liquid, such as isopentane, and a solid, such as solid carbon dioxide. Theslurry 150 is conveyed through thescrew press 104 byscrew 122, driven byrotor 124. Theslurry 150 is pushed through theoutlet 130 and through thegap inlet 132. The restriction ofgap inlet 132 byplunger 106 causes a back pressure that has several benefits. The back-pressure drives the isopentane out of the slurry and throughfilter 138. The liquid collects in thefluids outlet plenum 134 and leaves as a substantiallypure isopentane stream 154. Some portion of the isopentane and the solid carbon dioxide may leave in the gas phase throughgas outlet 116 asgas stream 152. The restriction meters the solid carbon dioxide throughgap inlet 132 at a controlled rate. Theslurry 150 has substantially all the liquid driven from it, resulting in a stream of substantially pure solid carbon dioxide passing throughgap inlet 132. This stream is met by a hotliquid stream 160 that is jetted into the space adjacent to gapinlet 132. In this example, the hotliquid stream 160 is a liquid carbon dioxide stream. A sufficient amount of the hotliquid stream 160 is provided throughfluid jets 108 to melt the solids, resulting in a warmliquid stream 156 that passes out offluid outlet 114. The jetting also causes turbulent flow, making more efficient melting, and breaks up any chunks of solids as they pass throughgap inlet 132, making the solids seal thegap inlet 132 against hot liquid channeling. - Referring now to
FIGS. 2A-B ,FIG. 2A shows an isometriccutaway side view 200 of thescrew press 104 andvessel 102 ofFIG. 1A , with modifications to theplunger 106 andfluid jets 108.FIG. 1B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of theplunger 106 ofFIG. 1A at 101. Theplunger 206 is equipped with aheating element 205 wrapped around the exterior of the plunger. The heating element may be an electrical resistance heater. Fluid jets 208 (e.g., 108) pass alongside plunger 206 (e.g., 106), not throughplunger 206.Fluid jets 208 still end adjacent to gapinlet 132. A different slurry is used as an example. In this example, a slurry 250 (e.g., 150) consists of a liquid, such as methylcyclopentane, and the solid consists of solid carbon dioxide, soot, dust, and precipitated salts. The slurry behaves the same as in the example inFIGS. 1A-B until the substantially pure solid carbon dioxide, soot, dust, and precipitated salts pass throughgap inlet 132. This solid stream is met by the hotliquid stream 160, consisting of pure carbon dioxide. Hotliquid stream 160 melts the solid carbon dioxide. However, the soot, dust, and precipitated salts do not dissolve in the resulting warmliquid stream 256, but are entrained in the warmliquid stream 256 and carried outfluid outlet 114. In some embodiments, warmliquid stream 160 may then be passed through a traditional filter, removing the entrained solids. - Referring now to
FIGS. 3A-B ,FIG. 3A shows an isometriccutaway side view 300 of a vessel that may be used in the described devices, systems, and methods.FIG. 3B shows a close-up isometric cutaway side view of theplunger 306 ofFIG. 3A at 301.FIG. 3B has a dashedline 400 passing throughpiston 306. This represents the approximate view ofFIG. 4A , as discussed below.Vessel 302 is a melting device and includes acavity 336, theplunger 306,plunger piston 310,plunger piston shaft 312,fluid jet 308,liquid outlet 314,solids inlet 304, andinlet gap 332. Theplunger 306 is positioned adjacent to thegap inlet 332 to provide a restriction producing a back pressure at thegap inlet 332. Thefluid jet 308 passes next to theplunger 306 and ends adjacent to thegap inlet 332. Thepiston 310 may vary thisinlet gap 332 by moving the plunger. In some embodiments, thefluid jet 308 is attached to the plunger such that it moves with the plunger. -
Solids 350 are passed intovessel 302 throughsolids inlet 304. In some embodiments, these are provided by a solids pump (not shown).Solids 350 passes through theinlet gap 332, providing a back pressure as well as metering the solids into thevessel 302.Hot fluid 360 is injected into the vessel throughfluid jets 308.Hot fluid 360 meltssolids 350 and the resultingwarm fluid 356 passes out offluid outlet 314. - Referring to
FIGS. 4A-B ,FIG. 4A shows aninline view 400 of a plunger and melting jets at the inlet of the vessel ofFIG. 3A , with differences noted.FIG. 4B shows an isometric view ofFIG. 4A .FIG. 4A is thecross-section 400 ofFIG. 3B , with the addition of 3further fluid jets 407 aroundplunger 306. Rather than just asingle fluid jet 308, the addition offluid jets 407 provide more even distribution ofhot fluid 360 around theinlet gap 332, producing better melting and smoother operations. - Referring to
FIG. 5 ,FIG. 5 shows a method for meltingsolids 500 that may be used in the described devices, systems, and methods. Solids are passed through a solids inlet into avessel 501. The vessel includes the solids inlet, a plunger, one or more fluid jets, and a fluid outlet. The plunger is positioned adjacent to the solids inlet to provide a variable gap between the plunger and thesolids inlet 502. The variable gap provides a restriction producing aback pressure 503. Hot fluids are injected through the one or morefluid jets 504. The one or more fluid jets enter the vessel and end adjacent to the variable gap. At least a portion of the solids are melted 505. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the solids are a same compound as the hot fluid. In some embodiments, a back pressure is also maintained on the fluids outlet, maintaining pressure in the vessel. In some embodiments, the solids are passed through at a rate that matches a desired rate of hot fluid flow, resulting in complete melting of the solids. In some embodiments, the method may be implemented by a computer that controls one or more motors, pumps, valves, heaters, coolers, actuators, or a combination thereof. - In some embodiments, the solids may include ice, hydrocarbons, ammonia, solid acid gases, or a combination thereof. Solid acid gases include solid forms of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a combination thereof.
- In some embodiments, the warm fluid may include water, hydrocarbons, liquid ammonia, liquid acid gases, cryogenic liquids, or a combination thereof. Liquid acid gases include liquid forms of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a combination thereof.
- In some embodiments, the one or more fluid jets may be made of stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, ceramics, plastics, polymers, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more fluid jets may move towards and away from the adjacent variable gap, varying a distance between the one or more fluid jets and the variable gap. This provides finer control of the melting process, allowing for more or less melting as the process requires. In conjunction with moving the plunger closer and further from the solids inlet, the composition and pressure can be maintained and varied as desired.
Claims (20)
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US15/827,684 Abandoned US20190162475A1 (en) | 2017-11-30 | 2017-11-30 | Devices, Systems and Methods for Producing Liquids from Desublimating Solids |
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Cited By (1)
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US20190168175A1 (en) * | 2017-12-06 | 2019-06-06 | Larry Baxter | Solids-Producing Siphoning Exchanger |
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2017
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Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20190168175A1 (en) * | 2017-12-06 | 2019-06-06 | Larry Baxter | Solids-Producing Siphoning Exchanger |
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