Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting – deodorizing – preser – Chemical reactor – Waste gas purifier
Patent
1992-02-21
1994-04-05
Warden, Robert J.
Chemical apparatus and process disinfecting, deodorizing, preser
Chemical reactor
Waste gas purifier
422173, 422194, 422198, 60309, 60298, B01D 5000
Patent
active
053002652
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatus for the production of a low oxygen containing gas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Whilst the following description of the apparatus for generating a controlled atmosphere particularly refers to its application to grains and foodstuffs, the equipment has application to other areas where a controlled atmosphere is desired. For example, tobacco, feed stock, rice, fruit and metallurgical processing.
Storage of grains and foodstuffs has for a long time presented problems relating to maintaining the integrity of the grains and foodstuffs and reducing any degradation caused by foreign organisms. Studies of the degradation in the storage of grains and foodstuffs over a prolonged period have been carried out by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation ("C.S.I.R.O."). In particular an entomological study of the effects of foreign growths upon wheat and other grains has been reported. According to these reports, wheat and other grains are subject to attack from organisms which can cause spoilage of the stored grain. Further, these studies have also revealed that the quality of grains may degenerate over an extended period due to the effects of oxygen on the grains.
The studies of C.S.I.R.O. have also shown that storage of grain, in particular wheat, in an inert atmosphere, under conditions of reduced moisture and in particular minimized oxygen, results in foreign organisms becoming dormant and ultimately dying. It has also been reported that such inert atmosphere does not interfere with the nutritional value of the grain thus enabling it to be stored safely for prolonged periods. It has also been shown that moulding may be reduced and the germination level retained in such conditions.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for generating a controlled atmosphere low in oxygen content in a storage container.
According to a first embodiment of the invention an apparatus is provided for producing an exhaust gas having a low oxygen content comprising: containing N.sub.2, CO, NOX, inert gases and small amounts of uncombusted O.sub.2 ; and/or CO content in the exhaust gas; temperature of the exhaust gas issuing from the at least one catalytic convertor; and substantially reduce the moisture of the exhaust gas.
According to a second embodiment of the invention a method is provided for producing an exhaust gas having a low oxygen content comprising the steps of: N.sub.2, CO, NOX, inert gases and small amounts of uncombusted O.sub.2 ; to substantially reduce the NOX and/or CO content in the exhaust gas; temperature of the exhaust gas issuing from the at least one catalytic converter; and reduce the moisture content of the exhaust gas.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferably, the means to combust a mixture of air and fuel is an internal combustion engine, pulse jet engine or gas turbine engine. More preferably the means should be capable of combusting propane.
In another preferred embodiment the apparatus additionally comprises at least one additional heat exchange means between the means to combust a mixture of air and fuel, and the at least one catalytic converter means, to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. For example, the additional heat exchange means is a water-cooled manifold. Other examples are a water to gas heat exchanger and an air to gas heat exchanger.
In another preferred embodiment the catalytic converter means comprises: exhaust gas; exhaust gas; and second catalytic converter section to enhance the reduction of CO in the exhaust gas.
Typically the first catalytic converter section consists of two catalytic chambers.
The air injection means may include an air line from a modified petrol vacuum pump and a flow meter to monitor the volume of air injected between the first and second catalytic section.
In further preferred embodiments of the invention the absorption system can take on a number of arrangements. For example, it may include mean
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Banks Henry J.
Norris Keith A.
Symons Robert J.
Whitlock Robert C.
Fluid Dynamics Pty Ltd.
Tran Hien
Warden Robert J.
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