Cryogenic aerosol separator
US5699679A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 1996 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB07B7/00
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A cryogenic aerosol separator/classifier for separating and selectively removing particles from a stream of aerosol. The aerosol stream is produced by a cryogenic aerosol generator comprising a reservoir containing a cryogenic gas-liquid mixture at a first pressure, a delivery line coupled to the reservoir, and a nozzle. The nozzle has at least one exit opening which allows the cryogenic gas-liquid mixture to expand from the first pressure to a lower pressure and, thus, to produce cryogenic aerosol. A separator is coupled to the nozzle, such that the light particles having high mobility are removed from the stream, thereby producing a stream of cryogenic flow with particles having a controlled size to clean a contaminated surface. The apparatus is enhanced by utilizing a magnetic field and/or specially designed flow fields to fully take advantage of the enhanced mobilities of light particles.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.