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Title: Methods of forming and using porous structures for energy efficient separation of light gases by capillary condensation

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for separating one or more condensable compounds from a mixture of two or more gases of differing volatilities by capillary fractionation in a membrane-type apparatus, and a method of forming porous structures therefor. More particularly, the invention includes methods of forming and using an apparatus consisting, at least in part, of a porous structure having capillary-type passages extending between a plurality of small openings on the first side and larger openings on a second side of the structure, the passages being adapted to permit a condensed liquid to flow therethrough substantially by capillary forces, whereby vapors from the mixture are condensed, at least in part, and substantially in and adjacent to the openings on the first side, and are caused to flow in a condensed liquid state, substantially in the absence of vapor, from the openings on the first side to the openings on the second side.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
+ Show Inventor Affiliations
  1. Lemont, IL
  2. Naperville, IL
  3. Los Alamos, NM
  4. Espanola, NM
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
872922
Patent Number(s):
US 6039792
Assignee:
Regents of University of California and BP Amoco Corporation (Chicago, IL)
DOE Contract Number:  
W-7405-ENG-36
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
methods; forming; porous; structures; energy; efficient; separation; light; gases; capillary; condensation; relates; improved; method; apparatus; separating; condensable; compounds; mixture; differing; volatilities; fractionation; membrane-type; particularly; consisting; structure; capillary-type; passages; extending; plurality; openings; larger; adapted; permit; condensed; liquid; flow; therethrough; substantially; forces; whereby; vapors; adjacent; caused; absence; vapor; capillary forces; porous structure; improved method; flow therethrough; condensed liquid; apparatus consisting; porous structures; passages extending; energy efficient; light gas; passages extend; forming porous; light gases; efficient separation; /95/55/96/

Citation Formats

Calamur, Narasimhan, Carrera, Martin E, Devlin, David J, and Archuleta, Tom. Methods of forming and using porous structures for energy efficient separation of light gases by capillary condensation. United States: N. p., 2000. Web.
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Calamur, Narasimhan, Carrera, Martin E, Devlin, David J, & Archuleta, Tom. Methods of forming and using porous structures for energy efficient separation of light gases by capillary condensation. United States.
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Calamur, Narasimhan, Carrera, Martin E, Devlin, David J, and Archuleta, Tom. 2000. "Methods of forming and using porous structures for energy efficient separation of light gases by capillary condensation". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/872922.
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@article{osti_872922,
title = {Methods of forming and using porous structures for energy efficient separation of light gases by capillary condensation},
author = {Calamur, Narasimhan and Carrera, Martin E and Devlin, David J and Archuleta, Tom},
abstractNote = {The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for separating one or more condensable compounds from a mixture of two or more gases of differing volatilities by capillary fractionation in a membrane-type apparatus, and a method of forming porous structures therefor. More particularly, the invention includes methods of forming and using an apparatus consisting, at least in part, of a porous structure having capillary-type passages extending between a plurality of small openings on the first side and larger openings on a second side of the structure, the passages being adapted to permit a condensed liquid to flow therethrough substantially by capillary forces, whereby vapors from the mixture are condensed, at least in part, and substantially in and adjacent to the openings on the first side, and are caused to flow in a condensed liquid state, substantially in the absence of vapor, from the openings on the first side to the openings on the second side.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/872922}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000},
month = {Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000}
}
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Works referenced in this record:

Methanol—hydrogen separation by capillary condensation in inorganic membranes
journal, January 1991

Flow of adsorbable gases and vapours in a microporous medium, II. Binary Mixtures
journal, January 1963

  • Ash, R.; Barrer, Richard Maling; Pope, C. G.
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Vol. 271, Issue 1344, p. 19-33
  • https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1963.0002

Flow of adsorbable gases and vapours in a microporous medium, I. Single sorbates
journal, January 1963

  • Ash, R.; Barrer, Richard Maling; Pope, C. G.
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A. Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Vol. 271, Issue 1344, p. 1-18
  • https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.1963.0001

Transport of capillary condensate
journal, July 1975

Separation of alcohol/water gaseous mixtures by thin ceramic membrane.
journal, January 1986

Nanoporous carbon membranes for separation of gas mixtures by selective surface flow
journal, December 1993

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