Method and apparatus for rapid adjustment of process gas inventory in gaseous diffusion cascades
US4040801A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 1976 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01D53/226
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention relates to an improved method and system for making relatively large and rapid adjustments in the process gas inventory of an electrically powered gaseous diffusion cascade in order to accommodate scheduled changes in the electrical power available for cascade operation. In the preferred form of the invention, the cascade is readied for a decrease in electrical input by simultaneously withdrawing substreams of the cascade B stream into respective process-gas-freezing and storage zones while decreasing the datum-pressure inputs to the positioning systems for the cascade control valves in proportion to the weight of process gas so removed. Consequently, the control valve positions are substantially unchanged by the reduction in invention, and there is minimal disturbance of the cascade isotopic gradient. The cascade is readied for restoration of the power cut by simultaneously evaporating the solids in the freezing zones to regenerate the process gas substreams and introducing them to the cascade A stream while increasing the aforementioned datum pressure inputs in proportion to the weight of process gas so returned. In the preferred form of the system for accomplishin…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.