Patent · US Expired

Isopropyl alcohol scrubbing system

US6306197A · kind A · utility

3Cited by
60References
33Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 19, 2000
Grant dateOct 23, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 19, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01D53/1425
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A system and method for treating process gas streams containing isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to reduce the concentration of IPA therein. The invented system includes a scrubber unit that receives a process stream containing a concentration of IPA and reduces the concentration of IPA therein to below a determined threshold. The scrubber includes a reverse osmosis assembly that significantly reduces water consumption for the scrubbing process as compared to conventional once-through systems. The system may be operated at an elevated pH to prevent biofouling from inhibiting the operation of the reverse osmosis assembly. The system may contain a softening step on the make up water system to prevent scaling in the reverse osmosis system and a softening step on a sidestream of the scrubber water recirculation loop to reduce scrubber tower salting/scaling and to control the pH of the scrubbing liquid.

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