EXHIBIT 10.3
UNITED STATES PATENT
<PAGE>
GARDERE WYNNE SEWELL & RIGGS, L.L.P. DALLAS
Attorneys and Counselors 3000 Thanksgiving Tower
1601 Elm Street
1000 Louisiana, Suite 3400 Dallas, Texas 75201-4761
Houston, Texas 77002-5007 214-999-3000
713-276-5500 TULSA
Telecopier 713-276-5555 200 Oneok Plaza
100 West Fifth Street
Writer's Direct Dial Number Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103-4240
713-276-5941 918-699-2900
MEXICO CITY
Rio Panuco No. 7
Col. Cuauhtemoc
06500 Mexico, D.F.
011 (525) 546-8030
August 5, 1999
Via CM/RRR P 973 933 076
Mr. Michael Bloom
Triad Compressors, Inc.
1110 Clifford Drive
Kasota, Michigan 56050
Re: U.S. Patent No.: 5,902,224
Issued: May 11, 1999
Title: MASS-MASS CELL GAS CENTRIFUGE
Our File No.: 117351-1001
Dear Mike:
I am very pleased to enclose the Original Grant of U.S. Patent No. 5,902,224,
which issued on May 11, 1999. The patent will expire on May 11, 2017. During the
term of this grant, you have the right to exclude others from making, using or
selling the invention covered by the claims of the patent. This Original Patent
Grant should be maintained in safekeeping, as it cannot be replaced. It will be
proofread for printing errors. Additional copies of the patent may be ordered
from the U.S. Patent Office at a cost of $3.00 each.
As you are aware, annuities are required to be paid to maintain the grant of
the patent in full force and effect for the full term. Specifically, annuities
are due May 11, 2003, May 11, 2007, and May 11, 2011. We have docketed these
dates, and as a courtesy, we intend to notify you well in advance of the due
dates, so that you can determine whether or not you wish to pay these annuities.
We would recommend that you also docket these dates in your business records, so
that your patent does not inadvertently lapse for failure to pay the maintenance
fees when due.
<PAGE>
August 5, 1999
Page 2
Now that this patent has been granted, it becomes important for the owner, or
those authorized by the owner, to mark the invention covered by the patent, such
as products manufactured in accordance therewith or machines which embody the
invention, as provided by the patent statutes.
The prescribed marking is as follows:
U.S. Patent No. 5,902,224
The notice may be printed, embossed or otherwise applied directly to the
machine, product, a nameplate thereon, or to containers for the goods.
Marking bears on damages to which the owner may be entitled upon enforcement
of the patent, as set out in the statutes:
"Patentees, and persons making or selling any patented article for or
under them may give notice to the public that the same is patented
either by fixing thereon the word "patent" or the abbreviations "pat.",
together with the number of the patent, or when, from the character of
the article, this cannot be done, by fixing to it, or to the packager
wherein one or more of them is contained, a label containing a like
notice. In the event of failure so to mark no damages shall be
recovered by the patentee in any action for infringement, except on
proof that the infringer was notified of the infringement and continued
to infringe thereafter, in which event damages may be recovered only
for infringement occurring after such notice. Filing of an action for
infringement shall constitute such notice." 35 U.S.C. ss.287.
If you should have any questions regarding this U.S. Patent, please do not
hesitate to give me a call.
Sincerely,
/S/JOHN W. MONTGOMERY
---------------------
John W. Montgomery
JWM/mms
Enclosure
434558.1
<PAGE>
August 5, 1999
Page 3
cc: Mr. James LaPorte
Triad Compressor, Inc.
120 S. Denton Tap, Suite 450 C-113
Coppell, Texas 75019
Mr. Scott Brosier
Triad Compressor, Inc.
620 South Taylor
Amarillo, Texas 79101
434558.1
<PAGE>
UNITED STATES PATENT
5,902,224
<PAGE>
UNITED STATES PATENT: 5,902,224
BLOOM MAY 11, 1999
MASS-MASS CELL GAS CENTRIFUGE
Abstract
A gas separation centrifuge is provided with a housing having a top, a bottom
and a plurality of joined side walls parallel to an axis and forming a
predetermined regular polygon cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axis. A
rotor is mounted for coaxial rotation within the housing, including a plurality
of inverted truncated pyramid plates forming the predetermined regular polygon
shape at an outer periphery, and forming the predetermined regular polygon shape
at an interior edge. The plurality of inverted truncated pyramid plates are
stacked coaxially and are axially spaced apart to form planar channels
therebetween and define an interior annular volume with openings therefrom into
the planar channels. There are also openings through the outer periphery. A
first plurality of stationary concentric input tubes extends into the interior
annular volume. Each input tube is connectable to a source of inlet fluid and
communicates with the interior annular volume at different distances along the
axis terminating close to the bottom of the housing. A second plurality of
stationary concentric output tubes also extends into the interior annular
volume. Each output tube is connectable to a collection device and communicates
with the interior annular volume at different distances along the axis close to
the top of the housing. One of the plurality of input tubes is connected to a
source of liquid solvent for injecting a quantity sufficient for coating the
interior side walls to a thickness less than the minimum clearance distance
between the exterior periphery of the rotor plates. A motor is connected for
rotating the rotor at a speed sufficient to cause a maximum pressure above about
1,000 psi in the housing at the side walls. Another of the plurality of input
tubes is connected to a source of a gaseous mixture. At least one of the outlet
tubes has an opening at a position in the interior annular volume for
withdrawing one gas of said mixture in a high state of purity.
Inventors: Bloom; Michael R. (Kasota, MN)
Assignee: Fuge Systems, Inc. (Plano, TX)
Appl. No.: 819583
Filed: March 14, 1997
U.S. Class:494/25; 494/27; 494/68; 494/900; 55/257.4; 55/407; 95/218
Intern'l Class: B04B 5/0/8; 5./12; 11/00
Field of Search: 494/22,23,25,26,27,28,29,30,37,43,60,67,68,69,85,900
95/218 261/89 55/257.4,407
<PAGE>
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
802150Oct., 1905 Nordstrom.
2092484Jul., 1937 Tomlinson.
2104683Jul., 1938 Van Rosen et al.
2588106Mar., 1952 Frangquist.
2755017Jul., 1956 Kyselka et al.
3234716Feb., 1966 Sevin et al.
3643404Feb., 1972 Ronning.
4046527Sep., 1977 Kistemaker.
4092130May., 1978 Wikdahl.
4118207Oct., 1978 Wilhelm.
4198218Apr., 1980 Erickson.
4265643May., 1981 Dawson.
4265648May., 1981 Wedege.
4361490Nov., 1982 Saget.
4531371Jul., 1985 Voronin et al.
4886523Dec., 1989 Maldague.
5225174Jul., 1993 Friesen et al.
5305610Apr., 1994 Bennet.
5895582Jan., 1990 Bielefeldt.
Other References
Chemical Engineers's Handbook --Fifth Ed., pp.17-47, 17-48.
Int. J. , Heat Mass Transfer --vol. 37 No. 12, pp. 1773-1781, 1994 "A
numerical study of the effect of Corolis force on the fluidflow and heat
transfer due to wire heating on centrifuge".
J. Fluid Mech. (1989), vol. 203, pp. 541-555 "Flow in a partially filled,
rotating, tapered cylinder".
Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics (ZAMP), vol. 41, pp. 270-283,
"Visualization of boundary layers in a sectioned centrifuge".
J. Fluid Mech. (1989), vol. 201, pp. 203-221, "Three-dimensional numerical
simulation of flows past scoops in a gas centrifuge".
Journal of Chinese Society of Mechanical Engineers, vol. 9, No.1, pp.
53-62 (1988), "Supersonic Vortex Centrifuge--A New Device".
Primary Examiner: Cooley; Charles E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Montgomery; John W. Garder & Wynne, L.L.P.
<PAGE>
U.S. Patent May 11, 1999 Sheet 1 of 3
5,902,224
Figure 1
DRAWING OMITTED
=================================================================
U.S. Patent May 11, 1999 Sheet 2 of 3
5,902,224
Figure 2
DRAWING OMITTED
Figure 5
DRAWING OMITTED
Figure 6
DRAWING OMITTED
================================================================
U.S. Patent May 11, 1999 Sheet 3 of 3
5,902,224
Figure 3
DRAWING OMITTED
Figure 4
DRAWING OMITTED
<PAGE>
Claims
1. A gas separation centrifuge comprising:
a) a housing having a top, a bottom and a plurality of joined side
walls parallel to an axis and forming a predetermined regular polygon
cross-sectional shape perpendicular to said axis;
b) a rotor mounted for coaxial rotation within said housing, including
a plurality of inverted truncated pyramid plates forming said predetermined
regular polygon shape at an outer periphery and forming said predetermined
regular polygon shape at an interior edge, said plurality of inverted truncated
pyramid plates stacked coaxially and axially spaced apart to form planar
channels therebetween and an interior annular volume with interior openings
therefrom into said planar channels and exterior openings through said outer
periphery;
c) a first plurality of stationary concentric input tubes extending
into said interior annular volume, each input tube connectable to a source of
inlet fluid and communicating with said interior annular volume at different
distances along said axis toward said bottom of said housing;
d) a second plurality of stationary concentric output tubes extending
into said interior annular volume, each output tube connectable to a collection
device and communicating with said interior annular volume at different
distances along said axis toward said top of said housing;
e) one of said plurality of input tubes connected to a source of liquid
solvent for injecting a quantity sufficient for coating the interior of said
side walls to a thickness less than the minimum clearance distance between said
interior of said side walls and said outer periphery of said plurality of
truncated pyramid plates of said rotor;
f) a motor connected for rotating the rotor at a speed sufficient to
cause a maximum pressure above about 1,000 psi in the housing at the side walls;
g) another of said plurality of input tubes connected to a source of a
gaseous mixture; and
h) at least one of said output tubes having an outlet opening at a
position in said interior annular volume for withdrawing one gas of said mixture
in a high state of purity.
<PAGE>
2. A gas separation centrifuge as in claim 1 wherein said predetermined regular
polygon cross-sectional shape of said housing is a regular octagon and said
plurality of inverted truncated pyramid plates stacked to form said rotor are
octagonally-shaped inverted truncated plates.
3. A gas separation centrifuge as in claim 1 wherein one of said plurality of
input tubes connected to a source of liquid solvent is connected to a source of
water.
4. A gas separation centrifuge as in claim 3 further comprising a tangential
injection opening for injecting a quantity of carbon dioxide into said housing
at one of said joined side walls thereof for dissolving in said water.
5. A gas separation centrifuge as in claim 1 wherein said rotor mounted for
coaxial rotation within said housing further comprises said axially spaced apart
plates spaced at a distance of about 5 mm.
6. A gas separation centrifuge as in claim 1 further comprising:
a) said interior openings formed from said interior annular volume into
said planar channels, said interior openings being disposed at an angle for
scooping in the direction of rotation of said rotor;
b) vertical plates attached at the periphery of said inverted truncated
pyramid plates conjoined to form said octagonally-shaped cross section for said
rotor and including a forward opening ahead of each corner in the direction of
rotation angled for scooping fluid into said channels between said truncated
pyramid plates, and one of said exterior openings angled rearward from the
direction of rotation to avoid scooping in the direction of rotation for drawing
fluid from between said channels of said pyramid plates into an exterior annular
volume between said periphery of said plates and said joined side walls of said
housing; and
c) said joined peripheries of said plates of said rotor sized and
constructed for creating a minimum clearance distance between said peripheries
and said parallel side walls of said housing of about 10 mm.
7. A gas separation centrifuge as in claim 1 wherein:
a) said first plurality of stationary concentric input tubes includes
angled input opening channels at one end thereof inserted into the interior
annular volume, said angled input opening channels angled rearward to avoid
scooping and thereby to facilitate drawing inlet fluid into said annular volume
upon rotation of said rotor; and
b) said second plurality of stationary concentric output tubes have
outlet opening channels formed at a forward angle into said second plurality of
stationary concentric output tubes for providing scooping of collected gas from
said interior volume upon rotation of said rotor.
<PAGE>
8. A gas separation centrifuge as in claim 1 wherein said rotor mounted for
coaxial rotation within said housing further includes a plurality of midplate
openings formed in said plurality of inverted truncated pyramid plates, said
openings vertically aligned and positioned intermediate between the interior
annular volume and the outer periphery extending from the bottom-most plate of
said rotor to a cap plate immediately adjacent the top of the housing, the cap
plate having a solid surface without intermediate midplate openings formed
therein.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a mass-mass cell centrifuge, and in particular
to a gas separation centrifuge having a narrow gap centrifugal cell rotor in a
device capable of separating individual fractions from a mixed gas inlet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Kinetic theories have predicted that a partial separation of constituents of a
gaseous mixture will occur when the mixture is subjected to a pressure gradient.
Industrial processes for separating individual fractions of mixtures on the
basis of a pressure gradient are not widespread. In order to obtain sufficient
separation between components of a gaseous mixture, relatively steep pressure
gradients are required. In the past, large pressure gradients could be achieved
in a gaseous mixture using a standard gas centrifuge. Other devices utilizing
pressure diffusion sometimes include a separation nozzle, particularly for
enrichment of isotopes of uranium.
The typical or standard gas centrifuge includes a tall vertical rotary cylinder
fed with the gas mixture to be separated. The cylinder is rotated about its axis
at a high angular velocity. The rotation of the cylinder causes the gas mixture
to increase its angular rotational velocity so that the lighter components of
the mixture move toward the axis and the heavier components of the mixture move
toward the wall. Under standard conditions, significant high-purity separation
is difficult to achieve unless the rotational velocity is extremely high. A
plurality of sequentially ganged or cascaded gas centrifuges are often used to
obtain significantly pure components.
Countercurrent gas centrifuges rotate a tall vertical cylinder and also induce
an axial convective circulation in order to increase the basic separation
effect. The countercurrent flow has been provided using external pumps, by
providing an axial temperature gradient or by insertion of a stationary member
in the rotating cylinder.
A device known as a separation nozzle uses a concept of a pressure gradient
induced in a curved expanding supersonic jet to achieve separation of a gas
mixture. The power consumption of separation nozzles is significant relative to
<PAGE>
the separation achieved. In various prior gas separation centrifuge devices,
including countercurrent gas centrifuges and expanding jet or separation nozzle
centrifuges, many stages cascaded together have often been required in order to
obtain the desired separation.
Another device sometimes previously suggested for gas-gas separation includes a
vortex tube or a vortex chamber separator in which a fluidic separation process
results from centrifugal forces used for separating or precipitating a denser
disperse phase from a lighter continuous flowable phase. Vortex chamber
separators have the disadvantage of relatively bad separating efficiency
relative to the energy requirement, primarily because of high flow resistance in
the vortex chamber and also the use of multi-chamber systems with relatively
high volume.
Another centrifuge for separating impurities from gas mixtures, especially for
separating sulphur compounds (SO.sub.2) from flue gases, from oil, or from
coal-fired furnaces which contain sulphur compounds (SO.sub.2) was disclosed by
Wedege in U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,648. A rotor was suggested comprising two separate
concentric sets of frustoconical plates with the inlet gas mixture being
arranged in the annular space between the two concentric sets. Outlets for the
heavy gases were to be at the periphery of the rotatable concentric plate. The
SO.sub.2 was to be removed from the periphery and thus cleaned. The remaining
gas mixture was to be removed at the central axis. Frustoconical impeller plates
in a centrifuge have also been suggested for separating dust particles from
suspension in gas as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,234,716.
The separation of dust particles or other solids from flue gases and the
separation of heavy gaseous components such as SO.sub.2 having a density at one
atmosphere, which is more than two times as dense as the air or the flue gas in
which the impurities are carried, have not provided adequate solutions for
gas-gas separation where the relative densities of the components of the gas
mixture are only slightly different.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other disadvantages of flue gas cleaning devices, dust particle
separators and also of previous gas centrifuge technology have been addressed
and the results for obtaining gas separation have been substantially improved in
the gas centrifuge separation device of the present invention.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a narrow gap
centrifuge having a stationary housing, a rotor mounted for coaxial rotation
within the housing including a plurality of inverted truncated pyramid plates
spaced apart to form channels therebetween by which inlet gas mixtures such as
natural gas or ambient air may be acted upon for separation and collection of
enriched oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide as purified
species.
<PAGE>
A further object is to provide a construction and a method of use of internal
rotor in a gas centrifuge, which internal rotor comprises a plurality of spaced
apart inner and spaced apart outer separation walls creating passages there
between and which rotate with the internal rotor. The exterior housing of the
centrifuge remains stationary and a working liquid solvent is contained therein.
A pressure gradient is thereby produced by rotation of the rotor. Outlet valves
are adjusted to maintain a desired back pressure to facilitate light/heavy
separation. The light constituents are removed through a hollow central tube
around which the internal rotor is rotated. Medium or intermediate weight
constituents can be extracted from concentric tubes at locations below the light
constituents and closer to the axis. Mixtures of gases having small differences
in density can be separated into constituent fractions having high purity.
Yet another object of the invention is the inclusion of "bow shock" opening in
the stacked plates of the rotor to facilitate vertical transport and separation
of the gas mixture into its component parts. These openings cause entrained
intermediate gases to be released from the heavier components of the gases. The
openings are aligned to allow the released intermediates to be conducted from
opening to opening, through each spaced apart blade of the rotor, from the inlet
into the centrifuge to the outlet where the separated gases are collected. These
bow shock openings might not be absolutely necessary for successful operation,
but they facilitate separating one component from another and, therefore,
increase the purity of the extracted heavy constituents and light gas
constituents.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of gas
separation in a centrifuge with spaced rotary plates, a low pressure central
zone, and a high pressure exterior zone having a liquid solvent within the
centrifuge and injecting a quantity of a mixture of gas at a low pressure zone
in the centrifuge allowing the gas mixture to move outward along the spaced
rotary plates and to disassociate into separate zones of high purity components
of the mixture within the low pressure central zone and withdrawing quantities
of high purity components from the separate zones at predetermined rates to
maintain substantially continuous flow of the high purity components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing objects, advantages, and features, as well as other objects and
advantages, will become more apparent with reference to the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments, claims, and drawings, in which like
numerals represent like elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view in partial cross section of a gas
centrifuge, according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic partial perspective cutaway view through the gas
centrifuge of FIG. 1, section line 2--2, showing one of the plates of the
plurality of spaced apart plates of the rotating rotor of the centrifuge in
which the inverted pyramid polygon shape is depicted;
<PAGE>
FIG. 3 is a top plan view with partial cutaway section depicting
additional details of a corner of the housing and the rotor blade operating
within the polygon-shaped housing, according to one preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing certain predicted flow patterns
within the centrifuge, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through an inlet opening into the
central annular volume taken along section line 5--5 of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through an outlet tube showing outlet
scoops through the outlet tube for withdrawing enriched components separated in
the centrifuge taken along section line 6--6 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 depicts a side partial cross-sectional view of a gas separation
centrifuge 10, according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a housing
12 having a top 14, a bottom 16 and a plurality of side walls 20a-h joined
together along corners parallel to a central axis 22 and forming a predetermined
regular polygon cross-sectional shape 24 perpendicular to the axis 22. A
rotatable rotor 30 is mounted in a bearing supported turntable 32 for coaxial
rotation within the housing 12. Housing 12 is preferably constructed of steel or
another durable material, and is sealed and capable of withstanding internal
pressures of about 1,000 psi to about 10,000 psi. In the embodiment depicted,
the housing and the rotor are constructed for clockwise rotation of the rotor 30
within a stationary housing 12. Rotor 30 includes a plurality of inverted
truncated pyramid plates 34 having a predetermined regular polygon periphery
shape which corresponds to the shape 24 of the housing; but, which has
dimensions smaller than the housing for rotation inside of housing 12. The
regular polygon shape 24 of rotor 30 is defined at the outer periphery 36 with a
plurality of end support plates 28 joining the outer periphery edges 36 of a
plurality of inverted truncated pyramid plates 34 stacked coaxially and axially
spaced apart to form radial channels 40 therebetween. The exterior support
plates 28 of the rotor maintain the spacing between the truncated pyramid-shaped
rotor plates. Support plates 28 are joined to one another along vertical corners
33. The inverted truncated pyramid plates 34 also define an interior annular
volume 42 which volume also has the regular polygon shape 24 with a smaller
dimension than the outer periphery. There are interior openings 44 formed
through interior support plates 26 for fluid communication between the annular
volume 42 and the radial channels 40. Each interior support plate 26 is joined
along the vertical corners of the polygon-shaped annular volume. The interior
support plates are also joined to the interior edges 38 of each inverted
truncated pyramid plate to maintain the spacing therebetween.
Preferably, the inverted truncated pyramid plates 34 define upwardly angled
planar radial channels 40. Preferably, the space between the plates is about 1/8
inch (about 5 mm). It has been found that for a rotor 30 having an exterior
<PAGE>
dimension of approximately 30 inches, each planar radial channel 40 extends
about 12 inches and has a rise from the interior opening 44 to the outer
periphery edges 36 of about 1 to about 2 inches and, preferably, about 1 1/4 to
1 1/2 inch rise. At the outer periphery, through plates 28, exterior openings 46
and 48 are formed in each plate 28. One exterior opening 46 is formed
immediately preceding each exterior vertical corner and another exterior opening
48 immediately following each exterior vertical corner.
At least one stationary input tube extends vertically into the interior annular
volume 42. In the embodiment depicted, a plurality of two concentric input tubes
50 and 52 are shown. Each concentric input tube 50 and 52 is connectable to a
separate source 54 and 56, respectively, of inlet fluid 58 and 60, respectively.
The concentric input tubes communicate from the source fluids 58 and 60 to the
interior annular volume 42 and each concentric input tube extends a different
distance along the axis close to the bottom 16 of the housing 12. In the
embodiment depicted, concentric input tube 50 has its end at a distance 62 from
bottom 16 and concentric input tube 52 has its end terminating at a distance 64
from the bottom of the housing. In the preferred embodiment the ends of tubes 50
and 52 have angled input openings 51 (as shown in FIG. 5) that are positioned
about one-fifth of the way from the bottom to the top such that tubes 50 and 52
extend approximately four-fifths of the total distance from the top 14 to the
bottom 16. In an embodiment which is approximately 21 inches tall, distance 62
is approximately 3-4 inches and distance 64 is approximately 4-5 inches from
bottom 16 to the tubes 50 and 52.
At least one outlet tube extends into the interior annular volume for extracting
a separated gas fraction. In the preferred embodiment depicted, a plurality of
stationary concentric outlet tubes 66 and 68 extend into the interior annular
volume 42 to different distances 76 and 78, respectively, along the axis 22
close to the top 14 of housing 12. Each output tube is connectable to a
collection devices 72 and 74, respectively, and are preferably positioned within
the annular volume to a predetermined vertical distance from the top 14 and a
predetermined radial distance from the axis 22. The vertical distance is set at
a predetermined distance by welding the tubes 72 and 74 to the top 14 of housing
12. The radial distance is also predetermined by selecting the diameters of the
collection tubes 72 and 74. The inlet positions are selected so that the inlet
openings correspond to a zone of high purity gas, as will be explained more
fully below.
One tube 52 of the plurality of concentric input tubes is connected to a source
80 of a solvent, preferably a liquid, for injecting a quantity of the liquid
solvent into the sealed housing 12 sufficient for coating the interior side
walls 20a-h to a thickness less than the minimum clearance distance 86 between
the exterior periphery of the rotor blades and the interior side walls 20a-h.
This minimum distance 86 occurs when the corners 33 of the rotor 30 are moved
past the middle of each side wall 20. In one preferred embodiment, it has been
found that a minimum clearance distance of about 10 mm (approximately 1/4 inch)
provides for successful gas separation in an operating centrifuge, according to
the present invention.
<PAGE>
A motor 88 is connected for rotating the rotor 30 at a speed sufficient, with a
working liquid solvent injected into the housing, to cause a pressure at the
walls 20 above about 1,000 psi inside the housing 12. The maximum pressure
within the housing 12 occurs at the side walls 20. The pressure is dependent
upon the weight of the solvent, the volume of fluid being rotated and the
rotational speed of the motor. Preferably, the motor is connected through a
motor pulley 90, a drive belt 92 and a rotor cable pulley 94. A gear belt system
has been used successfully. Other transmission mechanisms could be used,
provided a smooth rotational force is imparted. Also preferably, motor 88 is
provided with a variable speed control 96 so that input power 100 can be
adjustably supplied to the motor through lines 98. An inverter controller such
as that manufactured by Leeson has been used successfully for speed control 96.
Another tube 50 of the plurality of input tubes is connected to a source 102 of
a gaseous mixture 104 which is to be separated. The gaseous mixture is
preferably drawn into the centrifuge when the rotor is at an operational speed
at pressure approximating atmospheric pressure or from a positive pressure about
1 psi above atmospheric pressure. After initiating injection of air, a column
101 of about 4 feet will act to maintain flow of air from atmospheric pressure.
This results in a significant pressure differential from the inside of the
annular volume 42 where the gaseous mixture 104 is supplied through input tube
50 and the exterior periphery of the rotor at which at the liquid solvent is
forced against walls 20a-h.
The centrifugal force on the working liquid solvent causes a significant
pressure differential from the interior annular volume 42 to the walls 20a-h.
The rotation of the rotor also results in a temperature differential between the
interior annular volume and the exterior of rotor 30. During operation, it has
been found that with temperatures in the range of 50.degree. F. to 60.degree. F.
at the annular volume 42, and temperatures in the range of 120.degree. F. to
200.degree. F. occur at the periphery wall 20.
At least one of the concentric outlet tubes 66 or 68 will have an opening 106 or
108 at a position spaced along the axis a distance 76 or 78 and at an axial
diameter of the outlet tube 66 or the outlet tube 68 such that it will be in a
zone for collection of a separated enriched gas component from the gaseous
mixture 104. In the embodiment depicted, outlet tube 66 has its outlet opening
106 at a position for withdrawing one enriched gas 110 and outlet 68 has its
outlet opening 108 positioned a distance 78 from the top of the housing and at a
forward angle as shown in FIG. 6, for collecting another enriched gas 112
separated from mixture 104.
In the embodiment depicted and in one preferred embodiment according to the
present invention where enriched oxygen is to be separated from air, the liquid
solvent includes water. By way of example, it has been found that a quantity of
approximately 8-9 gallons injected into a housing 12 with the rotor 30 having
dimensions of approximately 30-inch diameter, 21-inch height, about 48 spaced
apart plates, and which is in the form of a regular octagon-shaped inverted
pyramid is an adequate quantity of solvent liquid. The source gas mixture from
<PAGE>
which oxygen is to be separated is air, and it will initially be input into the
centrifuge at a slight positive pressure above atmosphere. The gas 110 withdrawn
through outlet tube 66 will be enriched oxygen. Nitrogen will also be separated
into another zone for collection through outlet tube 68. Uniquely and
unobviously, it has also been found that by modifying the liquid solvent, in
this case by injecting carbon dioxide in a gaseous stream through the liquid
water within the sealed housing 12, additional gas separation is facilitated and
oxygen having a purity of above 90% and as high as between about 95% and 99.2%
O.sub.2 can be achieved with a single rotor. In the example of oxygen (O.sub.2)
recovery at purities above about 95%, the rotary speed of the rotor 30 is
adjusted to provide a pressure at the side walls of between about 2,300 psi and
5,000 psi and the temperature deferential is about 100.degree. F. For example,
the interior annular volume may be at a temperature of about
50.degree.-70.degree. F. and the temperature at the exterior volume at
approximately 130.degree.-190.degree. F.
In operation, a quantity of water is injected from source 82 through a valve 80
and down through conduit 52 into the annular volume 42. The rotor 30 is
adjustably increased in speed using a speed control 96 until the water is
centrifuged to the exterior surface and substantially clears the rotor blades
forming a layer 130 up along the interior walls 20. The use of the water both
facilitates the generation of a pressure differential and also acts as a solvent
for the separation process. CO.sub.2 is injected tangentially to the rotation of
the rotor 30 and solvent 130 through a tangentially angled side opening 114
using a blower 116 which receives CO.sub.2 at about 5 psi from a regulated
supply bottle 1 18. The CO.sub.2 is blown and/or drawn through the rotating
water. Although the pressure of the water is significantly higher than the
initial CO.sub.2 pressure, the tangentially angled inlet 114 and the clockwise
rotation of the rotor 30 and solvent layer 130 allows the CO.sub.2 to be drawn
into and dissolved in the water forming a liquid solvent including water and
carbonic acid.
FIG. 2 is a schematic partial perspective view of one centrally located
rotor plate 34 mounted within polygon-shaped housing 12, essentially looking at
the device along a section line 2--2 of FIG. 1. The plate 34, as depicted in
FIG. 2, is not the top-most plate of rotor 30 but is a truncated pyramid polygon
plate typical of all of the plates except the top-most plate 35 or the cap plate
35 which differs as described below. Plate 34 is formed with a plurality of flat
plates. In the case of a regular octagon shape, eight flat segment plates 120,
each of which has an exterior edge 122 and an interior edge 124 are secured
together with exterior vertical support plates 28a-h. Each is welded to an
adjacent flat plate 120 along a seam 126. Further, each plate 120a-h has a
midplate opening 128a-h formed therein. The openings 128a-h are at the same
radial distance from the central axis and at the same position through segment
plates 120a-h. The construction of the inlet openings 44 into the channels 40
formed between the plates 34 may also be more fully understood with reference to
both FIGS. 2 3. FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway top plan view of one segment
120awhich is used to form inverted truncated pyramid plate 34. The inlet
openings 44 are at an angle and are positioned for effective scooping of the gas
<PAGE>
into channel 40. Also more fully understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3
together are the outlet openings 46 and 48 in which opening 46 is at an angle
for scooping the centrifuge fluid mixture and opening 48 is at a back angle for
drawing fluid out of channel 40 between plates 34.
As indicated above, the top plate 35 of FIG. 1 is in substantially the same
shape and configuration as that of plates 34, except that no mid-plate opening
128 is formed in the top plate 35. It is theorized that openings 128 create a
bow shock within fluid passing from opening 44 through channel 40 and exiting
out openings 48. The bow shock phenomenon facilitates circulation and separation
of one component of the gas from another component of the gas. Theoretically,
with the midplate opening 128 moving clockwise as indicated, the bow shock
phenomenon will produce a vertical component of circulation through all the
aligned openings 128a-h of all of the plates of the inverted truncated
pyramid-shaped plates 34.
Theoretically, other physical and/or chemical mechanisms result, in the
construction according to the present invention, which facilitate separation of
a gaseous fluid into enriched components. It is believed that the separation
achieved results from certain phenomenon associated with the formation of a
solvent layer 130 which is schematically depicted as a phantom line in FIG. 3.
The precise shape and configuration of layer 130 under different operating
conditions of the centrifuge, according to the present invention, continues to
be under investigation. In any event, a mixture of gaseous fluid 104 and
evaporated or separated components of solvent layer 130 will result in a
conglomeration or multiphase mixture of combined and separate components in an
area 132 in the periphery annular space between rotor 30 and housing 12. It is
believed that this fluid mixture also undergoes additional separating phenomenon
through chemical interaction with the solvent layer 130. Further, the unique
polygon-shaped rotor and housing also facilitates both separation and transport
of enriched components through the acceleration, frictional movement, nozzle
effect and bow shock resulting as corners 33 of rotor 30 rotate past the solvent
layer 130. Particularly, the solvent layer 130, the side wall 28, and the corner
33 create a nozzle or venturi which facilitates kinetic separation of
constituent gases each time a corner 33 moves past a side wall 28. Further,
because of the upward incline of the rotor plates 34, an upward component of
acceleration motion is provided to the fluid to be separated 104 such that the
resultant separated gases are transported and move, generally, in various paths
and recirculate as schematically depicted in FIG. 4. Ultimately, the lightest or
lowest mass constituents of the gaseous mixture preferably collect in a zone
toward the top of the central annular volume 42 at a distance from the axis, and
heavier components are collected in a zone in the annular space 42 which is
further from the top and which is closer to the central axis.
Additional aspects of the present invention include the ability to collect
additional heavier components and to form useful chemicals therefrom. For
example, aqueous ammonia can be formed in the example depicted in which the gas
to be separated is to be air and the solvent is water having dissolved carbon
dioxide, thereby forming a portion thereof into carbonic acid, a portion of the
<PAGE>
solvent at exterior wall 28 may be scooped from the surface as with a scoop 136.
Scoop 136 is positioned in a high pressure area of the solvent and a portion of
the solvent is carried as through a conduit 138 and is passed through a
catalytic chamber 140. The catalytic chamber is constructed of a porous mixture
of palladium, iron and alumina into which the nitrogen is supplied from the
recovery conduit 66 as through a conduit 142. This process uses a known process
(the Haber Process) for forming ammonia dissolved in liquid. This product is
collectable into a container 144. Thus, according to this invention, some of the
chemical equilibrium conditions which are theorized to be occurring may be in
the Table I as indicated below:
TABLE I
--------------------------------------
Ambient 15 psig
N--78
O--20.95
CO.sub.2 --.03
AR--.93
Annular H.sub.2 O.fwdarw.
.dwnarw..dwnarw.
.rarw.CO.sub.2 Tangent
.dwnarw.
CO.sub.2 + H.sub.2 O
.revreaction.
H.sub.2 CO.sub.3
@ .apprxeq. 2,300 .revreaction. 5,000 psi
@ .apprxeq.60 .revreaction. 190.degree. F.
H.sub.2 CO.sub.3
.revreaction.
H.sup.+ + HCO.sub.3
HCO.sub.3 .revreaction.
CO.sub.3 .sup.-2 + H.sup.+
.dwnarw..dwnarw.
Heat
Periphery
.dwnarw..dwnarw.
Expansion
Cool Annular
.dwnarw..dwnarw.
O
N + H.sub.2 O
.fwdarw. Solution Available
H.sub.2 CO.sub.3 + N
.fwdarw. Solution Available
Against 2N/Divided Fe/X Alumina
.dwnarw..dwnarw.
NH.sub.3 Dissolved Aqueous
--------------------------------------
