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Title: Method for removing metal vapor from gas streams

Abstract

A process for cleaning an inert gas contaminated with a metallic vapor, such as cadmium, involves withdrawing gas containing the metallic contaminant from a gas atmosphere of high purity argon; passing the gas containing the metallic contaminant to a mass transfer unit having a plurality of hot gas channels separated by a plurality of coolant gas channels; cooling the contaminated gas as it flows upward through the mass transfer unit to cause contaminated gas vapor to condense on the gas channel walls; regenerating the gas channels of the mass transfer unit; and, returning the cleaned gas to the gas atmosphere of high purity argon. The condensing of the contaminant-containing vapor occurs while suppressing contaminant particulate formation, and is promoted by providing a sufficient amount of surface area in the mass transfer unit to cause the vapor to condense and relieve supersaturation buildup such that contaminant particulates are not formed. Condensation of the contaminant is prevented on supply and return lines in which the contaminant containing gas is withdrawn and returned from and to the electrorefiner and mass transfer unit by heating and insulating the supply and return lines. 13 figs.

Inventors:
;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
212594
Patent Number(s):
5503811
Application Number:
PAN: 8-308,853
Assignee:
PTO; SCA: 320303; PA: EDB-96:065272; SN: 96001565472
DOE Contract Number:  
W-31109-ENG-38
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 2 Apr 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; GASES; DEMETALLIZATION; CADMIUM; VAPOR CONDENSATION; REMOVAL; REGENERATION; THERMAL INSULATION; PIPES; SEPARATION PROCESSES

Citation Formats

Ahluwalia, R K, and Im, K H. Method for removing metal vapor from gas streams. United States: N. p., 1996. Web.
Ahluwalia, R K, & Im, K H. Method for removing metal vapor from gas streams. United States.
Ahluwalia, R K, and Im, K H. Tue . "Method for removing metal vapor from gas streams". United States.
@article{osti_212594,
title = {Method for removing metal vapor from gas streams},
author = {Ahluwalia, R K and Im, K H},
abstractNote = {A process for cleaning an inert gas contaminated with a metallic vapor, such as cadmium, involves withdrawing gas containing the metallic contaminant from a gas atmosphere of high purity argon; passing the gas containing the metallic contaminant to a mass transfer unit having a plurality of hot gas channels separated by a plurality of coolant gas channels; cooling the contaminated gas as it flows upward through the mass transfer unit to cause contaminated gas vapor to condense on the gas channel walls; regenerating the gas channels of the mass transfer unit; and, returning the cleaned gas to the gas atmosphere of high purity argon. The condensing of the contaminant-containing vapor occurs while suppressing contaminant particulate formation, and is promoted by providing a sufficient amount of surface area in the mass transfer unit to cause the vapor to condense and relieve supersaturation buildup such that contaminant particulates are not formed. Condensation of the contaminant is prevented on supply and return lines in which the contaminant containing gas is withdrawn and returned from and to the electrorefiner and mass transfer unit by heating and insulating the supply and return lines. 13 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1996},
month = {4}
}

Patent:
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