WO2011071873A2 - Dispositifs, systèmes, et procédés de séparation d'éléments de matière première - Google Patents

Dispositifs, systèmes, et procédés de séparation d'éléments de matière première Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011071873A2
WO2011071873A2 PCT/US2010/059224 US2010059224W WO2011071873A2 WO 2011071873 A2 WO2011071873 A2 WO 2011071873A2 US 2010059224 W US2010059224 W US 2010059224W WO 2011071873 A2 WO2011071873 A2 WO 2011071873A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
chamber
separation
housing
impeller
separation system
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2010/059224
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2011071873A3 (fr
Inventor
Lyle Bates
Original Assignee
Paradigm Waterworks, LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Paradigm Waterworks, LLC filed Critical Paradigm Waterworks, LLC
Publication of WO2011071873A2 publication Critical patent/WO2011071873A2/fr
Publication of WO2011071873A3 publication Critical patent/WO2011071873A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03C—MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03C1/00—Magnetic separation
    • B03C1/02—Magnetic separation acting directly on the substance being separated
    • B03C1/10—Magnetic separation acting directly on the substance being separated with cylindrical material carriers
    • B03C1/14—Magnetic separation acting directly on the substance being separated with cylindrical material carriers with non-movable magnets
    • B03C1/145—Magnetic separation acting directly on the substance being separated with cylindrical material carriers with non-movable magnets with rotating annular or disc-shaped material carriers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D45/00—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces
    • B01D45/12—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces by centrifugal forces
    • B01D45/14—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours by gravity, inertia, or centrifugal forces by centrifugal forces generated by rotating vanes, discs, drums or brushes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03C—MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03C3/00—Separating dispersed particles from gases or vapour, e.g. air, by electrostatic effect
    • B03C3/02—Plant or installations having external electricity supply
    • B03C3/04—Plant or installations having external electricity supply dry type
    • B03C3/14—Plant or installations having external electricity supply dry type characterised by the additional use of mechanical effects, e.g. gravity
    • B03C3/15—Centrifugal forces

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates generally to the separation of components, such as the components of a fuel feedstock. Certain embodiments relate more specifically to the separation and isolation of hydrogen gas.
  • FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a separation unit
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional elevation view of the separation unit of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an embodiment of an impeller stack, which is shown in elevation in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of an embodiment of a diffusing impeller, which is shown in elevation in FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a base assembly portion of the separation unit of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an upper portion of the separation unit of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of an energy recovery system in which one or more embodiments of separation units may be used.
  • Certain embodiments of separation units disclosed herein are configured to separate one or more constituent components (e.g., molecules, particles, etc.) from a feedstock, such as a fuel feedstock.
  • a feedstock such as a fuel feedstock.
  • One or more of the separated components can be isolated into a pure or relatively pure form.
  • a hydrocarbon feedstock e.g., coal
  • the resultant constituent components of the feedstock are separated from each other via a separation unit that uses a combination of independent separation forces, including centrifugal, gravitational, electrical, magnetic, and/or fluid pressure forces.
  • Embodiments of the separation unit can have a relatively simple and low- maintenance construction and can be highly efficient.
  • separation systems that employ one or more separation units can isolate hydrogen gas in a substantially pure form (e.g., may yield about 99.999 percent pure hydrogen or greater than about 99.999 percent pure hydrogen), and may do so in an economical and environmentally beneficial manner. While some embodiments may be used commercially on a large scale, other embodiments can be operated on a relatively small scale, such as at a residential building or onboard an automotive vehicle. The systems thus can provide hydrogen fuel locally, which can reduce or eliminate challenges that may be associated with the distribution of hydrogen fuel.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of a separation system or separation unit 100.
  • the separation unit 100 can include a shell or housing 101 that defines a mechanical barrier for the containment of a working fluid.
  • the housing 101 can comprise any suitable material, and preferably is capable of retaining an electrical charge, conducting an electrical current, and/or providing a magnetic field.
  • the housing 101 can comprise one or more metallic materials.
  • the housing 101 can define at least a portion of the outer contours of a pressure chamber or separation chamber 101 D.
  • the housing 101 can include one or more evacuation ports 101 A, 101 B, which can be vertically or longitudinally spaced from each other.
  • One or more additional evacuation ports 101 C can be vertically or longitudinally spaced from the evacuation ports 101 A, 101 B.
  • the one or more evacuation ports 101 C are at an upper end of the separation chamber 101 D.
  • Each of the evacuation ports 101 A, 101 B, 101 C can provide an egress path from the separation chamber 101 D, and thus may also be referred to as exit ports from the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the separation chamber 101 D has a substantially triangular or trapezoidal cross-section, with the wider region thereof at the base of the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the separation chamber 101 D is circularly symmetrical such that any cross-section through a longitudinal axis thereof is substantially the same.
  • the separation chamber 101 D can be substantially conical or substantially frustoconical. Other suitable arrangements of the separation chamber 101 D are also possible.
  • the separation chamber 101 D can be sized and shaped to receive an impeller stack 102 therein.
  • the impeller stack 102 can include a central shaft 102A from which a plurality of impellers, blades, or appendages 102B, 102C, 102D extend outwardly.
  • the impeller stack 102 includes multiple levels or layers of differently sized appendages, with large appendages 102B being nearest the base thereof, mid-sized appendages 102C being in a medial region thereof, and small appendages 102D being nearest the top thereof.
  • each layer includes four appendages 102B, 102C, 102D, respectively.
  • the appendages can be substantially crescent-shaped (see FIG.
  • the appendages can be bow-shaped in cross-section so as to extend in a substantially transverse direction at a base end thereof and so as to arc upwardly toward the shaft 102A.
  • Other suitable arrangements of the impeller stack 102 are also possible.
  • the central shaft 102A of the impeller stack 102 can include one or more openings 102E through which a particular type of separated components can egress from the chamber 101 D. In some embodiments, hydrogen is permitted to exit through the openings 102E.
  • the impeller stack 102 can comprise any suitable material, and preferably is capable of retaining an electrical charge, conducting an electrical current, and/or providing a magnetic field.
  • the impeller stack 102 comprises a metal.
  • the shaft 102A and/or one or more of the appendages 102B, 102C, 102D can be electrically charged and/or can conduct an electrical current during operation of the separation unit 100.
  • each of the housing 101 and the impeller stack 102 is provided with an electric charge such that an electric field is present within the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the housing 101 and the impeller stack 102 can be maintained at opposite polarities.
  • opposite terminals of a charge source or direct current source 1 1 1 are electrically connected to the housing 101 and the impeller stack 102.
  • the positive terminal is connected to the housing 101 and the negative terminal is connected to the impeller stack 102.
  • a first charge source may be connected to the housing 101 and a second or separate charge source may be connected to the impeller stack 102.
  • each of the appendages 102B, 102C, 102D are at the same polarity and may be at substantially the same voltage.
  • those portions of each appendage that bear a charge may each be at substantially the same voltage.
  • the separation unit 100 can further include a diffusing impeller 103.
  • the diffusing impeller 103 is shaped substantially as a planar disk having a lower plate 103A and an upper plate 103B that are spaced from each other.
  • a series of blades 103C can be positioned between the lower and upper plates 103A, 103B and extend radially so as to define a series of channels 103E.
  • the blades 103C are shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, as they would be hidden by the lower plate 103A in the illustrated view. Entrance to the channels 103E can be provided by an opening 103D in the lower plate 103A (see FIG. 4).
  • the diffusing impeller 103 can rotate rapidly and receive therein a working fluid via the opening 103D.
  • the working fluid can pass through the channels 103E and be directed radially outwardly at a base end of the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the channels 103E thus can also be referred to as entrance ports into the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the diffusing impeller 103 can be coupled with the impeller stack 102 such that these components of the separation unit 100 rotate in unison (e.g., at the same angular velocity). Other arrangements are also possible.
  • the separation unit 100 can include any suitable turbine assembly 1 12.
  • the turbine assembly 1 12 includes a turbine wheel 1 14 that is housed between an upper pressure chamber component 108 and a pressure chamber base plate 109.
  • the upper pressure chamber component 108 and the pressure chamber base plate 109 cooperate to form a pressure chamber.
  • the pressure chamber can include an opening or other suitable pathway that is in fluid communication with the opening 103D in the lower plate 103A of the diffusing impeller 103 such that a forced fluid stream can exit the turbine assembly 1 12 into the diffusing impeller 103.
  • the turbine assembly 1 12 can be configured to convert at least a portion of energy imparted by high-energy steam into rotational motion in any suitable manner.
  • the turbine wheel 104 is connected to the diffusing impeller 103 and the impeller stack 102 such that rotation of the turbine wheel 104 effects movement of the diffusing impeller 103 and the impeller stack 102.
  • the separation unit 100 includes a rotational assist motor 1 10, which can impart rotational energy to the turbine wheel 104 (and the diffusing impeller 103 and the impeller stack 102) supplemental to that imparted by the high-energy steam.
  • the rotational assist motor 1 10 can be selectively engaged so as to operate when it is determined that loads on a fluid stream entering the turbine wheel 104 are too great such that the pressure or temperature of the fluid stream as it enters the diffusing impeller 103 is lower than desired.
  • the rotational assist motor 1 10, the turbine assembly 1 12, and the housing 101 can be mounted to a base 107.
  • the base 107 can be formed of any suitable material. In some embodiments, the base 107 may be electrically coupled with the housing 101 , whereas in other embodiments, the base 107 may be electrically shielded from the housing 101 .
  • the turbine wheel 104, the diffusing impeller 103, and the impeller stack 102 can be supported by one or more bearing devices 105, which can provide a desired alignment of these rotational elements 104, 103, 102 and can reduce or eliminate radial and/or axial displacement of these elements.
  • the bearing devices 105 can reduce frictional energy losses during operation of the separation unit 100.
  • the separation unit 100 can include, or can be in fluid communication with, a gasification unit 106.
  • the gasification unit 106 can include any suitable gasifier or gasification system.
  • the gasification unit 106 can utilize thermo-chemical processes (which may include oxidation or partial oxidation) to break down coal or any other suitable carbon-based feedstock into its basic chemical constituents.
  • the gasification unit 106 can receive steam therein, along with controlled amounts of air or oxygen, under high temperatures and pressures such that molecules in the feedstock can break apart, which can result in a fluid stream that includes (e.g., is laden with) the constituent components of the feedstock.
  • the term "fluid" is used herein in its ordinary sense, and can include one or more liquids, gases, or combinations thereof.
  • the fluid stream includes high temperature steam, hydrogen (H 2 ), oxygen (O 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), particulates (e.g., carbon particulates), etc.
  • the gasification unit 106 includes a conduit that directs a fluid stream into the turbine assembly 1 12.
  • the turbine assembly 1 12, the base 107, the bearing devices 105, the rotational assist motor 1 10, and the gasification unit 106 can be referred to as a base assembly 1 13.
  • the base assembly 1 13 can be configured to provide a working fluid to the separation chamber 101 D and/or to rotate the impeller stack 102 and the diffuser impeller 103.
  • FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the base assembly 1 13 in an assembled and operational state, while the remaining portions of the separation unit 1 10 are not shown for purposes of clarity.
  • steam 510 from a steam source 501 is introduced into the gasification unit 106.
  • the steam source 501 can be of any suitable variety.
  • the steam source 501 can comprise a mechanical vapor recompressor and/or can be configured to heat steam via interaction with exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine.
  • the steam 510 can be provided to the gasification unit 106 at a high temperature, high pressure, and/or high velocity.
  • Feedstock 502 also can be provided to the gasification unit 106.
  • the feedstock 502 can be of any suitable variety, and can include, for example, any of various forms of coal or other hydrocarbon materials.
  • the gasification unit 106 can operate on the feedstock 502 via the input stream of steam 510 in any suitable manner to provide an output stream of working fluid 51 1 , which includes liberated components of the feedstock 502.
  • the output stream of working fluid 51 1 includes high temperature steam, hydrogen (H 2 ), oxygen (O 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and particulates.
  • the working fluid 51 1 can impart rotational energy to the turbine wheel 104 of the turbine assembly 1 12 and can exit the turbine assembly 1 12 into diffusing impeller 103.
  • FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of an upper portion of the separation unit 1 10 in an assembled and operational state, while the base assembly 1 13 is not shown for purposes of clarity.
  • the working fluid 51 1 is shown being received into the diffuser impeller 103, which rotates at a rapid rate. Due to the rapid rotation of the diffuser impeller 103 and the forceful entrance of the working fluid 51 1 therein, the working fluid 51 1 is directed radially outwardly so as to rapidly exit the diffuser impeller 103 substantially horizontally (e.g., in a direction substantially perpendicular to a gravitational force acting thereon, in the illustrated embodiment).
  • the working fluid 51 1 may be acted upon by a variety of forces, which can effect separation of the components thereof. Illustrative flow paths that the working fluid 51 1 may follow within the separation chamber 101 D are depicted by arrows.
  • the arrows 512 and 513 illustrate initial flow paths that may be followed by the working fluid 51 1 upon entering the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the working fluid 51 1 is initially directed to a lower end of the sidewall of the housing 101 .
  • the lower end of the sidewall is substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the initial flow path, although other arrangements are possible.
  • the working fluid 51 1 can strike the sidewall of the housing 101 , whereupon heavier matter, such as particulates, may lose energy and fall out of suspension due to gravitational force, as depicted at arrows 512.
  • lighter matter may be drawn upward within the separation chamber 101 D, as depicted at arrows 513.
  • Contours of the flow paths can be affected by, for example, the pressure at which working fluid 51 1 enters the separation chamber 101 D, the pressure within the separation chamber 101 D, and/or other forces acting on the working fluid 51 1 , as discussed further below.
  • the impeller stack 102 can rotate rapidly within the separation chamber 101 D and, in some embodiments, can be connected with the diffusing impeller 103 such that both components rotate at the same rate. This rotation can cause the working fluid 51 1 to likewise rotate within the separation chamber 101 D. Rapid rotation of the working fluid 51 1 can result in centrifugal forces that cause heavier components to circulate at larger radii (e.g., closer to the housing 101 ) and cause lighter components to circulate at smaller radii (e.g., closer to the shaft 102A of the impeller stack 102). Illustrative flow paths of heavier components are depicted by the arrows 515, 516, whereas illustrative flow paths of lighter components are depicted by the arrows 514, 517.
  • the separation unit 100 can be oriented such that gravitational forces cause heavier (more massive) components to circulate in lower paths and cause lighter (less massive) components to circulate in higher paths. This is also reflected in the illustrative flow paths depicted by the arrows 514, 517 (light components) and 515, 516 (heavy components).
  • the lightest components can rise to the top of the separation chamber 101 D and can migrate toward the center thereof, as indicated by the arrows 518.
  • electrical polarization of the housing 101 and/or the impeller stack 102 can aid in separation of the components of the working fluid 51 1 .
  • the separation forces provided by electrical polarization of the housing 101 and/or the impeller stack 102 can, in some instances, assist in loosening independent components (e.g., lighter and heavier components) from each other that might be stuck together or otherwise coupled with each other. In further instances, these separation forces can assist in loosening or separating independent components that may be bound to each other via a molecular atomic bond.
  • the direct current source 1 1 1 provides a positive charge to the housing 101 and a negative charge to the impeller stack 102 (including both the shaft 102A and the appendages 102B, 102C, 102D).
  • the separation chamber 101 D is configured such that positively charged components are repelled by the housing 101 and are attracted to the impeller stack 102, and negatively charged components are attracted to the housing 101 and are repelled by the impeller stack 102. This can encourage constituent components to separate from each other.
  • water (H 2 O) molecules can be separated into their constituent parts, with elemental oxygen atoms migrating toward the housing 101 and elemental hydrogen atoms migrating toward the impeller 102 under the influence of electrical fields provided within the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the electric field will fluctuate rapidly due to the alternating passage of charged appendages 102B, 102C, 102D and spaces between adjacent appendages 102B, 102C, 102D.
  • This variation in the electric field acting on constituent components at or near the fixed position in space can further aid in separating the components. For example, it can be similar in effect to shaking the components, or compounds of which they are a port, or otherwise disrupting, stressing, straining, or decoupling bonds between constituent components.
  • the charged impeller stack 102 is rotating rapidly, it creates magnetic fields within the chamber 101 D.
  • the magnetic fields can affect different types of constituent components in different ways, and/or can affect different types of constituent components in the same way but to differing degrees, which can further assist in separation of the different types of components.
  • hydrogen elements or molecules interact with magnetic fields differently than do oxygen elements or molecules (for example, diatomic hydrogen is diamagnetic, whereas diatomic oxygen is paramagnetic).
  • the magnetic field will fluctuate rapidly due to the alternating passage of charged appendages 102B, 102C, 102D and spaces between adjacent appendages 102B, 102C, 102D.
  • This variation in the magnetic field acting on constituent components at or near the fixed position in space can further aid in separating the components. For example, it can be similar in effect to shaking the components, or compounds of which they are a port, or otherwise disrupting, stressing, straining, or decoupling bonds between constituent components.
  • the polarized housing 101 and impeller stack 102 and/or a magnetized impeller stack 102 can effect electrolysis (e.g., high- temperature electrolysis).
  • the working fluid can include a conducting fluid (e.g., steam), and the polarization and/or fluctuating magnetic field can give rise to an electromotive force that disrupts constituent components within the working fluid so as to assist in separating different types of components from each other.
  • the separation unit 100 can achieve an operational equilibrium such that specific components are positioned in specific regions of the separation chamber 101 D. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, when the separation unit 100 achieves equilibrium, hydrogen gas is isolated at an upper end of the separation chamber 101 D.
  • hydrogen gas can be removed from the separation chamber 101 D via the evacuation ports 101 C at a center of the separation unit 100.
  • heavier off gases can circulate the separation chamber 101 D in a collection band, or region, that is lower than the hydrogen gas and at an outer extremity thereof.
  • the oxygen gas can be removed from the separation chamber 101 D via the evacuation port 101 A.
  • Even heavier particulates can be removed from the separation chamber 101 D via the evacuation port 101 B.
  • components removed via any of the evacuation ports 101 A, 101 B, 101 C can be provided to additional separation units 100 for further purification.
  • one or more separation units 100 can yield hydrogen gas that is about or at least 99.999 percent pure.
  • the shape of the separation chamber 101 D can assist in achieving the desired equilibrium.
  • the trapezoidal cross-section of the separation chamber 101 D can assist in maintaining various heavier components in a relatively narrow vertical collection bands within a lower region of the separation chamber 101 D, whereas a group of lighter components that is desirably removed via the port 101 C can be spread over a relatively wider vertical collection band at the top of the separation chamber 101 D. This can facilitate the removal of desired components from specific regions of the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the vertical position of one of more of the evacuation ports 101 A, 101 B, 101 C can be selected to target a specific grouping of a constituent component.
  • the position of one or more of the evacuation ports can be adjustable (e.g., movable in a longitudinal direction).
  • hydrogen gas when the separation unit 100 is operating at equilibrium, hydrogen gas can be located in a band having a span that is within a range of from about the top fifth to about the top third of the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the shape of the housing 101 also can assist in the separation of lighter components from heavier components.
  • the angled sidewalls can impart a downwardly directed force to heavier particles that move outwardly and into contact therewith (i.e., a component of the normal force imparted by the sidewall can be directed downward).
  • a cross-section of the sidewall can be linear, as shown, or can define any other suitable shape or contour.
  • An angle of the sidewall relative to a longitudinal axis of the housing 101 and/or a contour of the sidewall can be adjusted or optimized to achieve a desired separation effect.
  • a pressure within the housing 101 also can affect the equilibrium operation of the separation unit 100.
  • an artificial or induced atmosphere is present within the housing 101 at a pressure that is elevated with respect to atmospheric pressure outside of the housing 101 . Stated otherwise, the working fluid 51 1 that is being separated within the housing 101 may be at a greater pressure than air outside of the housing 100.
  • the pressure conditions can be adjusted to achieve differently sized or configured bands of separate constituent components, which can then be readily removed via different ports as discussed above.
  • the separation unit 100 can include any suitable control system 550 (e.g., one or more programmable logic controllers).
  • the control system 550 can monitor outputs from any of the evacuation ports 101 A, 101 B, 101 C, monitor conditions within the separation chamber 101 D (e.g., temperature, pressure, and/or impeller stack 102 speed), and/or monitor inputs to the separation chamber 101 D (e.g., steam and/or hydrocarbon input conditions to the gasification unit 106) in any suitable manner.
  • the control system may also set, maintain, and/or dynamically alter any of the monitored parameters.
  • the rotation rate of the impeller stack is within a range of from about 5,000 rpm to about 25,000 rpm, or is no less than about 5,000 rpm, no less than about 10,000 rpm, no less than about 15,000 rpm, or no less than about 20,000 rpm;
  • the pressure within the separation chamber 101 D is within a range of from about 40 psi to about 100 psi, or is no less than about 40 psi, no less than about 50 psi, no less than about 75 psi, or no less than about 100 psi;
  • the direct current source 1 1 1 can provide a very low draw of current and can have a potential of from about 1 .2 volts to about 2.9 volts, or of no less than about 1 .0 volts, no less than about 1 .2 volts, no less than about 1 .5 volts, no less than about 2.0 volts, or no less than about 2.5 volt
  • Various embodiments of the separation unit 100 may differ from the embodiments described above in some respects.
  • only a portion of, substantially all of, or all of the housing 101 may be maintained at a first polarity, and a portion of, substantially all of, or all of the impeller stack 102 may be maintained at the opposite polarity.
  • the housing 101 does not bear a charge, whereas a portion of, substantially all of, or all of the impeller stack 102 does bear a charge.
  • only the shaft 102A of the impeller stack 102 is charged.
  • an alternating current source may be used in place of the direct current source 1 1 1 such that the polarities of the housing 101 and or the impeller stack 102 may alternate during operation of the separation unit 100.
  • the impeller stack 102 may be positively charged and/or the housing 101 may be negatively charged; such an arrangement can be suitable for purifying oxygen gas from a mixture of components that is void of hydrogen (e.g., in a separation unit 100 that receives its input from the off-gas evacuation port 101 A).
  • neither the housing 101 nor the impeller stack 102 is polarized (e.g., the direct current source 1 1 1 can be omitted).
  • the impeller stack 102 may be magnetized, such as via one or more electromagnets or permanent magnets.
  • the one or more permanent magnets may be strategically placed on the impeller stack 102 to as to create a rotational magnetic flux, which can result in polarized separation of the constituent components. Any suitable combination of the foregoing embodiments is also contemplated.
  • the impeller stack 102 can be said to be configured to provide a magnetic field when rotating.
  • the impeller stack 102 bears a substantially constant electrical charge such that the magnetic field arises upon rotation of the impeller stack 102.
  • a charge on the impeller stack 102 may vary with time, such that a weak variable magnetic field may arise from the electrical current passing over or through the impeller stack 102, and the strength of the magnetic field can be augmented by rotation of the impeller stack 102.
  • the impeller stack 102 can comprise an electromagnet, which, in some embodiments, can provide a substantially constant magnetic field when the impeller stack 102 is stationary, and rotation of the impeller stack 102 can result in fluctuations of the magnetic field at a reference point within the separation chamber 101 D, as described above.
  • the impeller stack 102 can comprise a permanent magnet, which can provide a substantially constant magnetic field when the impeller stack 102 is stationary, and rotation of the impeller stack 102 can result in fluctuations of the magnetic field.
  • the impeller stack 102 is not configured to provide a magnetic field.
  • the impeller stack 102 may be neither charged nor magnetized.
  • the housing 101 may be cylindrical.
  • more or fewer evacuation ports 101 A, 101 B, 101 C may be used at different vertical positions.
  • an additional port may be used from which a specific gas (e.g., oxygen) is removed from the separation chamber 101 D.
  • the evacuation port 101 C may be positioned only at a top surface of the housing 101 such that components are removed from the separation chamber 101 D without passing through any portion of the impeller stack 102.
  • impeller blades may be shaped differently than shown in the drawings.
  • the blades may be shaped substantially as straight rods or as cones.
  • the impeller stack 102 can comprise carbon.
  • the appendages 102B, 102C, 102D of the impeller stack 102 can be formed of a pressed carbon material, which can be broken down via thermo- chemical processes such as discussed above with respect to the gasification unit 106.
  • the carbon appendages 102B, 102C, 102D can be used in place of, or in addition to, the gasification unit 106.
  • the appendages 102B, 102C, 102D deteriorate over time and thus may be replaced once sufficiently spent.
  • the working fluid may be supplied to the separation unit 100 from some source other than a gasification unit.
  • the output of an evacuation port 101 A, 101 B, 101 C of one separation unit 100 can be supplied as an input fluid stream to another separation unit 100.
  • the separation unit 100 may be devoid of a turbine assembly 1 12, and may, for example, merely include a motor for rotating the impeller stack 102 and diffusing impeller 103.
  • One or more separation units 100 can be used within energy recovery systems such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 12/947,040, titled SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY RECOVERY AND RELATED METHODS, filed November 16, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
  • any of the hydrogen processors 150 described or illustrated in Application No. 12/947,040 can comprise one or more suitable separation units 100.
  • any of the pathways 139 can serve as the steam source 501 (see FIG. 5 of the present application), such that heated steam from a pathway 139 is delivered to the gasification unit 106.
  • FIG. 7 A further example of an energy recovery system 600 in which one or more separation units 100 can be used is illustrated in FIG. 7.
  • the energy recovery system 600 can resemble the energy recovery system 100 disclosed in Application No. 12/947,040 in many respects, thus like features are identified with like reference numerals, except that the "1 " hundreds numeral has been replaced with the numeral "6" (e.g., the feature identified by the reference numeral 600 in FIG. 7 represents a feature similar to the feature identified by the reference numeral 100 in FIG. 1 of Application No. 12/947,040).
  • the energy recovery system 600 which also can be referred to as a power station or fuel station, can be highly efficient in the use and production of a variety of fuels.
  • the energy recovery system 600 can include a base energy conversion system 1 10, which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises an internal combustion engine 612.
  • the internal combustion engine 612 can be configured to operate using one or more of natural gas, hydrogen, and/or other energetic gases.
  • the engine 612 can be supplied with natural gas 613 (which includes a high content of methane), as illustrated by the arrow pathway 613A.
  • the engine 612 can convert the fuel into multiple forms of energy (e.g., heat, mechanical, electrical).
  • the engine 612 is coupled with an operates a compressor 615, which can compress natural gas 613.
  • Supply of natural gas 613 to the compressor 615 is shown by another arrow pathway 613B.
  • Operation of the engine 612 thus can provide compressed natural gas, as shown at reference numeral 619.
  • operation of the engine 612 can produce electricity, which can be used locally or delivered to a power grid.
  • operation of the engine 612 also can produce additional energy sources (or fuel), including purified hydrogen 652 and ethanol 696.
  • Operation of the engine 612 can produce waste heat, which can be recovered in a manner such as discussed in Application No. 12/947,040 via a low- grade heat recovery and conveyance system 630, a heat recovery module 640, and a high-grade heat recovery and conveyance system 660.
  • exhaust from the engine 612 is conveyed through the high-grade heat recovery and conveyance system 660 where it thermally interacts with heated water vapor within the heat recovery module 640 and then is delivered as stack gas 656 to an ethanol module 690, which is discussed further below.
  • the second separation system 100' may be configured to isolate oxygen gas in a substantially purified form.
  • the purified oxygen 655 can be removed from the second separation system 100' via an evacuation port 101 A', and it can be delivered to the ethanol module 690.
  • Off gases 654 can be removed from the second separation system 100' via an evacuation port 101 B' and delivered to the engine 612 as energetic fuel.
  • the ethanol module 690 can include any suitable ethanol production system and may employ any suitable method of ethanol production.
  • the ethanol module 690 may use any suitable feedstock (not shown) in the production of ethanol.
  • the ethanol production module 690 includes a catalytic oxidizer 692 and an ethanol distiller 694.
  • the catalytic oxidizer 692 can receive the stack gas 656, the carbon sludge 653, and the purified oxygen 655 as inputs. Output from the catalytic oxidizer 692 can be delivered to the ethanol distiller 694, and the ethanol distiller 694 can provide an output of fuel-grade ethanol 696.
  • Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method.
  • the method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another.
  • the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.
  • any reference to "one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Non-Metals, Compounds, Apparatuses Therefor (AREA)
  • Hydrogen, Water And Hydrids (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur des systèmes de séparation utilisant une combinaison de forces pour séparer les uns des autres les éléments constitutifs d'un fluide de travail. Certains systèmes de séparation utilisent une ou plusieurs forces centrifuges et gravitationnelles lors de la purification d'hydrogène. Certains systèmes de séparation peuvent utiliser une ou plusieurs forces électromotrices et magnétiques lors de la purification d'hydrogène.
PCT/US2010/059224 2009-12-07 2010-12-07 Dispositifs, systèmes, et procédés de séparation d'éléments de matière première WO2011071873A2 (fr)

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US8991165B2 (en) 2009-11-16 2015-03-31 Lyle Bates Systems for energy recovery and related methods
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CN109364724A (zh) * 2018-11-29 2019-02-22 李洁 一种碳素煅烧炉废气脱硫除灰方法
CN109364587A (zh) * 2018-11-29 2019-02-22 李洁 一种烟道废气脱硫除灰装置

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CN109364724A (zh) * 2018-11-29 2019-02-22 李洁 一种碳素煅烧炉废气脱硫除灰方法
CN109364587A (zh) * 2018-11-29 2019-02-22 李洁 一种烟道废气脱硫除灰装置
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