Patent · US Expired

Evaporative loss reduction

US4422301A · kind A · utility

14Cited by
6References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 7, 1980
Grant dateDec 27, 1983
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 7, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01D5/0039
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Process and apparatus for recovery of vapor which is contained with air in a space above a volatile liquid which is stored in a container, especially a petroleum distillate or other costly liquid. The process employs the pressure build up due to thermal effects on the space above the volatile liquid to drive the vapor through a heat exchanging region at which a venturi evaporative cooling unit is used to extract heat from the vapor and partially condense the vapor without significant compression. A part of the condensed vapor is recycled to the heat exchanging region and introduced as a spray for a condensation "seeding" effect. The vapor is further cooled after cooling by the venturi evaporative cooling unit in a second and even a third cooling stage; these stages can include use of a conventional refrigeration unit to chill a heat exchanger and an ultra low temperature can be achieved by expanding liquified gas such as nitrogen in an insulated cyclone to achieve high percentage recovery of the vapor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.