Refrigeration – Cryogenic treatment of gas or gas mixture – Separation of gas mixture
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-05
2001-07-03
Capossela, Ronald (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cryogenic treatment of gas or gas mixture
Separation of gas mixture
C062S652000, C065S434000, C065S510000, C065S513000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253575
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to improved methods and apparatus for helium recycling, and more particularly to improved helium recycling for use in conjunction with helium utilization in both the consolidation process of optical fiber manufacturing, as well as an integrated system and method of helium recycling for utilization in conjunction with multiple processes involved in optical fiber manufacturing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Helium is a relatively expensive gas which is used in large quantities in a variety of contexts. One such context is optical fiber manufacturing where it is typically utilized in a number of processes involved in the manufacture of optical fiber. Several factors make helium a candidate for recycling. It is a nonrenewable resource recovered as a byproduct from natural gas wells. Consequently, it is expensive. Since it is a noble gas, it does not react, thus, it can be suitably recovered and reused.
Nonetheless, until recently, helium has not been recycled as part of the optical fiber manufacturing process. Two recent patents, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,452,583 and 5,377,491, incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, have addressed the subject of helium recycling in the context of recycling helium used as a coolant gas in the draw fiber cooling process utilized in optical fiber manufacturing. While the draw process is the process which typically utilizes the most helium, these patents neither address the potential interrelationship of other helium utilizing processes in optical fiber manufacturing, nor the desirability, nor the practical aspects of how to implement recycling in other specific processes such as the consolidation process.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Consequently, a need exists to provide methods and apparatus for a more integrated approach to helium recycling in optical fiber manufacturing, and also for specific approaches to achieve helium recycling in the consolidation process. The present invention provides such approaches.
In one aspect of the present invention, a method of recycling helium may suitably comprise the steps of feeding helium of a first level of purity to a consolidation furnace; recovering waste helium from the consolidation furnace; feeding recovered waste helium to a helium purifier; purifying the recovered waste helium utilizing the helium purifier to produce an output stream of recycled pure helium satisfactory for reutilization in the consolidation process; feeding recycled pure helium to the consolidation furnace; and reutilizing the recycled pure helium in the consolidation process.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of recycling helium may suitably comprise the steps of collecting waste helium from a plurality of helium utilizing processes; controllably delivering the collected waste helium to a helium purifier which produces an output stream of pure recycled helium and an output stream of impurities; storing the pure recycled helium; and reutilizing the pure recycled helium in optical fiber manufacturing.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method of recycling helium may suitably comprise the steps of feeding a first stream of helium of a first level of purity to a first optical fiber manufacturing process; recovering waste helium with impurities from the first process; feeding the recovered waste helium to a first purifier; removing impurities utilizing the first purifier and producing a second stream of helium of a second level of purity; and feeding the second stream of helium to a second optical fiber manufacturing process.
Other aspects of the present invention relate to improvements in systems and apparatus for helium recycling in optical fiber manufacturing as more fully described below.
Various other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and the detailed description which follow.
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Capossela Ronald
Corning Incorporated
Murphy Edward F.
Wayland Randall S.
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