Chemistry of inorganic compounds – Modifying or removing component of normally gaseous mixture
Patent
1992-11-03
1995-05-02
Straub, Gary P.
Chemistry of inorganic compounds
Modifying or removing component of normally gaseous mixture
423219, 423579, 95 45, 95 54, 96 4, C01B 1300, B01D 6100
Patent
active
054117208
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a method and a device for the separation of gases in gas mixtures and of gas molecule fragments generated by dissociation on surfaces, by use of surface diffusion, and a method and a device for conveying such gases or gas molecule fragments by use of surface diffusion.
2. Description of Related Art
Methods and devices for the separation of gases by use of filters or with the help of centrifuges are known. Separation of gases by use of filters is substantially based on the fact that the filter has the gas mixture flowing therethrough while certain gases are retained by the filter whereas others flow through the filter. Separation of gases with the help of centrifuges, in contrast, is based on the mass differences of the gases to be separated. Occurences of surface diffusion do not play any role in either of the two methods. However, depending on the respective composition of the gas mixture, the separation of gases can be carried out very effectively by means of surface diffusion which with different gases takes place with varying speeds in dependence of the surface.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method and a device for the separation of gases and/or of gas molecule fragments generated by dissociation on surfaces by use of surface diffusion phenomena.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
For solving the above object, there is proposed, according to the invention, a device wherein a solid body is used for a filter through which the gas is conveyed substantially exclusively by surface diffusion. The solid body is arranged in the outlet opening of a chamber for the gas mixture. The solid body is provided with a plurality of passages which either have been formed subsequently in the solid body or have been generated during manufacture of the solid body. The flow resistance generated by the passages of the solid body is set--by suitable selection of the cross sectional areas (primarily by selection of the size of the cross sectional areas; second, however, also by selection of the shape of the cross sectional area)--to such a value that the conveyance of the gas mixture through the solid body is substantially performed by surface diffusion on the inner face of the passages. Advantageously, the device of the invention is provided with a heater means for heating the solid body. The heating of the solid body can be effected by direct heat transmission from the heater means to the solid body but also by heat radiation.
It is generally acknowledged that the conveyance of gas through a solid body with passages formed therein (referred to as a substrate hereunder) can be performed in two ways. Gas conveyance is effected, on the one hand, by the gas flow through the passages and, on the other hand, by the surface diffusion of gas particles adsorbed on the passage walls. While the gas flow depends on the geometry of the passages, the conveyance of gas particles due to diffusion along the surfaces of the passage walls is determined by the substrate/adsorbate interaction. By suitable selection of the geometry of the passages (for instance, the passages have to be sufficiently narrow), the flow resistance which the gas flow is subjected to by the passages becomes so high that that portion of the gas conveyance which is caused by the gas flow is negligible, so that the gas conveyance through the solid body is substantially dominated by the surface diffusion of the gas particles. According to the invention, it is exactly such a gas-adsorbing solid body which is used for the separation of gases from gas mixtures. Gas conveyance through such a solid body can be controlled by selection of the substrate.
By the gas/subtrate combination, there is determined the substrate/adsorbate interaction. Further, however, the substrate/adsorbate interaction is a function of the substrate temperature. In case of different adsorbants on the substrate, there will also be different diffusion speeds on the substrate surface. Thus, the solid body used accord
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Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fur Luft- und Raumfahft e.V.
Straub Gary P.
Vanoy Timothy C.
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