Method and device for the rapid solidification of aqueous substances

US7213411B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• ZEO-TECH Zeolith-Technolgie GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Peter Maier-Laxhuber · Munich, DE
• Andreas Becky · Ottobrunn, DE
• Reiner Worz · Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, DE
• Gert Richter · Hersbruck, DE
• Norbert Weinzierl · Freising, DE
• Ralf Schmidt · Freising, DE
• Leo Totschnig · Birkenfeld, DE
• Christoph Grupp · Munich, DE
• Manfred Binnen · Birkenfeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 2, 2004
• Grant date: May 8, 2007
• Expiry date: Jun 11, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02A30/27
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method and devices for the solidification of aqueous substances by the direct evaporation of water from the substance and the sorption of the water vapor in a sorption agent in a vacuum system, wherein the aqueous substance and the sorption agent are evacuated from the surrounding pressure level to a system pressure of below 5 mbar (absolute) by means of a vacuum pump and the nonsorbable gases thereby suctioned by the vacuum pump are suctioned through the sorption agent. The mass of the used sorption agent is at least half the mass of the water fraction in the substance. The solidification process is realized in less than 2 min, particularly less than 20 sec. The aqueous substance is solidified in a solidification container that can be removed from the vacuum system, the vacuum system is subsequently vented, and the solidified substance removed from the vacuum system together with the solidification container.