Gas separation: processes – With control responsive to sensed condition – Liquid level sensed
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-17
2001-11-13
Spitzer, Robert H. (Department: 1724)
Gas separation: processes
With control responsive to sensed condition
Liquid level sensed
C095S045000, C095S130000, C095S138000, C096S004000, C096S109000, C096S117000, C096S417000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06315814
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to non-cryogenic gas separation plants, of the type comprising, in series, a unit for compressing a gas mixture to be separated, at least one device for separating possible liquid particles present in the gas mixture and at least one module for separating gases in the gas mixture.
An example of a plant of this type, employing a membrane separation module, is described in document EP-A-0,588,705 in the name of the Applicant.
It is known that the components of non-cryogenic separation modules which are fed with a gas mixture at temperatures above ambient temperature, whether adsorbent or permeation-membrane modules, are very sensitive to traces of impurities carried in the separated gas mixture, in particular in their liquid form. In order to prevent droplets of liquid reaching the modules, provision is made, as described for example in the abovementioned document, for there to be a complete system for treating the gas mixture to be separated, comprising, in practice, a series of dedicated filters and, in the case of membranes, heating at least downstream of the line supplying the separation module with the gas mixture. However, the existence of such a sophisticated system for treating the gas mixture does not make it possible to completely avoid accidental contamination of the separation modules with liquid, for example in the event of a puncture of an oil/air exchanger associated with the compressor, of anticipated saturation of a filter, or of a fault or maladjustment of the heating device, thereby generally resulting in having to rapidly replace the separation modules, with the corresponding direct and indirect costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a plant of the aforementioned type which makes it possible, with simple, effective and inexpensive means, to avoid the abovementioned drawbacks.
To do this, according to one characteristic of the invention, the plant includes a liquid-particle separation device provided with a liquid detector.
According to other more particular characteristics of the invention:
the liquid detector delivers an output signal that can be used to actuate an alarm system and/or a central control unit of the plant, on site and/or remotely;
the liquid detector is of the optronic type;
the liquid-particle separation device includes a purge and the liquid detector is connected to the purge;
the filtration device provided with a liquid detector is a thin coalescence filter placed immediately upstream of the membrane module;
the separation module is of the adsorption type;
the separation module is of the permeation type.
The subject of the present invention is also the use of such a gas separation plant for producing at least one gas present in a gas mixture.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 33678 (1991-09-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 4881953 (1989-11-01), Prasad et al.
patent: 5090971 (1992-02-01), Barbier
patent: 5137548 (1992-08-01), Grenier et al.
patent: 5388413 (1995-02-01), Major et al.
patent: 5429662 (1995-07-01), Fillet
patent: 5507855 (1996-04-01), Barry
patent: 5582030 (1996-12-01), Dannöhl
patent: 5688306 (1997-11-01), Verini
patent: 5700310 (1997-12-01), Bowman et al.
patent: 5762684 (1998-06-01), Hayashi et al.
patent: 5792237 (1998-08-01), Hung et al.
patent: 2 222 535 (1990-03-01), None
Barry Lionel
Goeler Patrice
L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'
Spitzer Robert H.
Young & Thompson
LandOfFree
Gas separation plant and use of such a plant for producing a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Gas separation plant and use of such a plant for producing a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gas separation plant and use of such a plant for producing a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2599095