Molecular separation method and apparatus

Patent · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:870367

Villa-Aleman, Eliel ^[1]

---

1. 3108 Roses Run, Aiken, SC 29803

A method and apparatus for separating a gaseous mixture of chemically identical but physically different molecules based on their polarities. The gaseous mixture of molecules is introduced in discrete quantities into the proximal end of a porous glass molecular. The molecular sieve is exposed to microwaves to excite the molecules to a higher energy state from a lower energy state, those having a higher dipole moment being excited more than those with a lower energy state. The temperature of the sieve kept cold by a flow of liquid nitrogen through a cooling jacket so that the heat generated by the molecules colliding with the material is transferred away from the material. The molecules thus alternate between a higher energy state and a lower one, with the portion of molecules having the higher dipole moment favored over the others. The former portion can then be extracted separately from the distal end of the molecular sieve.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: Villa-Aleman, Eliel (3108 Roses Run, Aiken, SC 29803)
• Patent Number(s): US 5505829
• OSTI ID: 870367
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

molecular
separation
method
apparatus
separating
gaseous
mixture
chemically
identical
physically
molecules
based
polarities
introduced
discrete
quantities
proximal
porous
glass
sieve
exposed
microwaves
excite
energy
dipole
moment
excited
temperature
kept
cold
flow
liquid
nitrogen
cooling
jacket
heat
generated
colliding
material
transferred
alternate
portion
favored
former
extracted
separately
distal
molecular sieve
gaseous mixture
heat generated
cooling jacket
liquid nitrogen
molecules based
separation method
porous glass
molecular separation
dipole moment
/204/96/422/423/