Patent · US Expired

Process and apparatus for generating an inerting gas

US5764716A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
4References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 6, 1997
Grant dateJun 9, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 6, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E30/30
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process for generating an inerting gas for rendering an atmosphere inert, such as within a containment shell of a nuclear power plant. Inert gas is kept in liquid or solid phase in a first reservoir. A sufficient amount of heat to vaporize the liquefied or solidified inert gas is made available in a heat transfer medium in a second reservoir. When inerting gas is needed, the heat transfer medium and the liquefied or solidified inert gas are brought into thermal contact with one another. An apparatus for generating the inerting gas is provided as well. The process and the apparatus are particularly suitable for generating a large amount of inerting gas, as a result of which it can be ensured that the containment shell of a nuclear power plant is rendered inert within a short time.

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