US1863377A - Device for solidifying liquids and gases - Google Patents

Description

June 14,1932. E. J. LocKwooD DEVICE FOR SOLIDIFYING LIQUIDS AND GASES Filed Jan. 28, 1929 i@ .a 7 z 5U, vZi j y@ j J7 (A ATTORNEY Patented June 14, lesz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN J. LOOKWOOD, OF PEEKSKILL, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

TO THE BORDEN COMPANY, OIEA NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY DEVICE FOR SOLIDIFYING LIQUIDS ANI)I GASES 'Application led January 28, 1929. Serial No. 335,702.

It is an object of my invention to produce -a device of this type which will be inexpensive to manufacture and highly eflicient in operation.

It is my further obj ect to produce a device of this type which will be readily adapted to existing machinery and methods of solidifying liquids and gases. I am familiar with the conventional process of producing solidified liquids and gases, particularly solidified carbon dioxide gas, and the like.

Methods heretofore employed in such processes are highly inefficient, inasmuch asthe solidified subst-ance isobtained out of and as a part of the energy source supply which creates it. To be more specific in the manufacture of solidified carbon dioxide gas it is conventional to permit such 'liquefied gas to escape :freely in a confined chamber where a portion of the liquefied gas precipitates as a solid by absorption of heat in its own liquid and the unprecipitated portion is then reconverted back into the system.

It is my object to accomplish solidification by separating' the energy source supply from the product supply; that is to say by setting up two cycles, first a primary or energycycle the gas or liquid in which is always self-contained and separated from my secondary or product cycle, which latter cycle I use exclusively as a supply circuit of solidified liquid or gas as the case may be. It must be understood, of course, that the original source supply both for my primary and secondary cycle may be the same. Y

It will appear that I accomplish the further object of facilitating the recovery of my final product isasmuch as I have the same collected in container units which lend themselves to handling and the like. This is more readily seen when it is appreciated that in the process as heretofore used the gas precipitated is in the form of crystals or snow which have to be physically'removed'from the precipitating chamber and thereafter" compressed and placed into suitable containers which obviously involves considerable loss.

It is 4a further object of my invention to? provide a suitable structure to permit of the removal of the nal container or finished product from the position in which the gas or liquid is solidified and it is also my object to accomplish the foregoing at the same time utilizing a method which will give positive contact between the finished product container and the chamber of expansion.

Other objects will more fully appear from the following description and drawing:

Fig. l shows a diagrammatic sketch, partly in section,` of my device'assembled and Fig. 2 shows a sectional elevation of the container head along the plane Z-YZ.

Referring now to F ig. 1, 1 is the high pressure feed line leading from a conventional condenser receiver of the ordinary type used for carbon dioxide or similar gases which will give suliiciently cold temperatures on expansion to perform the workrequired in each particular case. For example in the case of an expansion chamber where it is required to solidify carbon dioxide gas it will be necessary to reach temperatures as low as approximately 115 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (below zero). A designates the expansion Valve on this line. rThis leads directly into the privmary circuit expansion chamber section designated 2. This chamber 2 is solidly constructed and adapted to withstand pressures up to 200 to 500 pounds per square inch. The top 4 of this chamber, which is a portion of my primary circuit, contains a circular or other cut out portion centrally disposed therein and surrounding the periphery of such cut out portion is a small buffer ring 19, fastened to the inner portion 16 of a vertically disposed additional section of said chamber as shown. This vertically hung portion has the general shape of the secondary container 17 into which the finished product is introducedl and accumulated. The outer section of the vertically disposed portion 16 is provided with vein-like or iin portions 20 the better to provide contact for the expanding refrigerating gases flowing in the chamber 2. The gases are withdrawn from chamber 2 through the suction line 3 leading to the compressor and thus back into the primary energy source circuit. It must be understood that the lead pipe 3 leading to the compressor may first be 100 brought into contact with the supplylead 1 in a conventional manner so that the temperature of the gases in 3, which in the case of carbon dioxide are approximately minus 115 Fahrenheit, Will be utilized to cool the liquid flowing in lead 1 and thereby utilizeall the units available inthe system to the best advantage. It will appear that any gas refrigerant expanded into the chamber 2 from the line 1 will readily cool the veins or fins 20 of the vertically disposed portion 1G. It must also be understood that I may construct a plurality of portions 16 all connected to a common feed 1 and free to be effected by the expanded gases from the feed 1 but in each case having the central disposed cut out portion in the top. Having thus described my primary energy source circuit I will now refer to the secondary circuit which gives me my finished p roductsupply.

This circuit consists of a h1gh pressure feed line 13 adapted to feed one or more of my cans or containers 17, each being connected through a lead pipe 12 having a valve B adapted to sustain pressures of 900 to 1,000 pounds per square inch of liquid or gas such as carbon dioxide or the like which I may, of course, obtain from the same basic source as used in my primary energy circuit. .Of course some of the liquids or gases used may be under much higher. pressures but a preferred embodiment of my system utilizes carbon dioxide gas at such pressure, or less. This lead pipe 12 is connected throu ha suitable union to cover the head lead 11 rmly attached to the cover 10 of an inner final con-A tainer 17, the container 17 having a shoulder 6 adapted to be firmly clamped by bolts or other clamps 7 to the cover 4 of the primary chamber, also tightly down lagainst the cushion or bu'er ring 19 constructed of felt or other suitable material. The container 17 may also be equipped with handles 8 or other suitable provision for lifting and may be hinged at 9 to cover 10 or otherwise firmly attached thereto. The cover 10 is provided also with a pressure gauge 14 and air vent valve l15.

By referenceto Fig. 2 it will appear that I .show a liquid between the walls of the finished product container 17 and the wall of the vertically disposed portion 16 of my-primaryexpansion chamber 2. The purpose of th1s ll'quid as I have stated in my objects is 'to provide first a contactor between the low temperatures developed in the expansion chamber andthe product to be solidified in the finished chamber 17, -and second to provide a support-for thev pressures developed in the finished product chamber. WereV it not for the use of this liquid the walls of the finis'hed product chamber 17 would require construction of a prohibitively fheavy material and by the introduction of this liquid, preferably alcohol or some other low freezingliquid, I can construct my chamber 17 of light material and yet prevent bulging because of the non-compressibility of this liquid in its confined space. Sufficient liquid is introduced into the vertically disposed portion 16 so that the displacement thereof when 17 is inserted therein is enough to cause said liquid to approach approximately to the buffer ring 19 so that every portion of the outside of 17 is in contact with said liquid thereby insuring against the expansion of 17 ,under the pressure of its contents before the same is solidified. 'f

It must be understood that I may also provide other means for maintaininga complete flush condition of this liquid in the portion 16 other than by mere displacement such as a force pump connection.

The operation of my device is in. general as follows The finished product container 17 is placed into the chamber provided by the vertically disposed portion 16, the shoulder 6 is brought into engagement solidly with the top 4 and the ring 19 and is securely clamped in place by the through bolts7 or other suitable clamping means and the expanded gases are permitted to be introduced through the valve A into the primary expansion chamber' 2 and after suitable expansion permitted to escape through the lead pipe 3. They are, of course, drawn by the suction of the compressor for recompression through the primary system. This expansion inthe case of carbon dioxide provides a temperature within the expansion chamber 2 in contact with the veins or fins 20 of portion 16 down to a possible .temperature of about minus 160 Fahrenheit depending upon the suction pressure but for my purpose it will appear that temperatures. down to minus 115 Fahrenheit are suiicient inasmuch as a preferred embodiment of my device eontemplates a solidification in the container 17 of carbon dioxide.

After the finished product container 17 is securely fastened in place the valve B is opened andthe liquid or gas to be solidified is allowed to pass through the pipes 12 and 11 and the head or cover 10 directly into container 17 and any air present in 17 is forced out through the vent hole valve 15 in the cover` 10. Of course it must be understood that I may use preliminary exhaust means connected with the vent hole valve 15 to prel tainer 17, the pressure will approximate 300 pounds per square inch and upon complete solidification of the gas, carbon dioxide for example, a temperature of minus 109" Fahrenheit Will give a registration of zero on the pressure gauge 14. Of course the valve B has heretofore been closed and I am now readyto disconnect the pipes 11 and 12 and remove the container 17 containing the solidi` lied liquid. The solidified removed from' the container 17 after opening the to or head 10 and the container 17 made availa le for another charge. It must be understood, as I have plurality of finished product containers such as 17 may be used in one general expansion chamber 2 and may be connected through a plurality of lead-in pipes 12 to the product supply line 13.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. In a device for solidifying liquids, an enclosed expansion chamber adapted to receive a container for solidified liquid, means for securing said container to said chamber,

with means for `inserting liquid into said container under pressure and simultaneous means for preventing the distortion of said container under pressure and for conducting the heat of the liquid in said container to said chamber.

2. In a device for solidifying liquids, an enclosed expansion chamber adapted to receive a plurality of containers for solidified liquid, means for securing said containers to said'chamber, with means for inserting liquid into said containers under pressure and simultaneous means for preventing the distortion of said containers under pressure and for conducting the heat of the liquid in said containers to said chamber.

3. In a device for solidifying liquids, an enclosed expansion chamber adapted to receive a container for solidified liquid, means for securing said container to said chamber, a cushion ring connected with said chamber at engagement with the top of said container, with means for inserting liquid into said container under pressure and simultaneous means for preventing the distortion of said container under pressure and for conducting the heat of the liquid in said container to said chamber.

4. In a device for solidifying liquids, an enclosed expansion chamber adapted to receive a plurality of containers for solidified liquid, means for securing said containers to said chamber, a cushion ring connected with said chamber at engagement with the top of said containers, with means for inserting liquid into said containers under pressure and simultaneous means for preventing, in process, the distortion of said containers under product is readily previously stated, that apressure and for conducting the heat of the liquid in said containers to said chamber.

5. A device of the type described having an expansion chamber, a vertically disposed portion therein adapted to conform to the .shape of a container to be inserted and secured therein, said container having a shoulder, a cover, a pipe connection, a pressure gauge in said cover, a vent in said cover, buffer ring between said container and said vertically disposed portion, low freezing liquid between said container and said vertically disposed portion, said liquid free to be displaced by the insertion of said container and to completely surround said container between its Wall and the wall of said vertically disposed portion, means for securing said shoulder' to said chamber.

6. A device of the type described having an expansion chamber, a vertically disposed portion therein, equipped with a plurality of refrigeration fins and adapted to conform to the shape of a container to be inserted and secured therein, said container having a shoulder, a cover, a pipe connection, a pressure gauge in said cover, a vent in said cover, buffer ring between said container and said vertically disposed portion, low freezing liquid between said container and said vertically disposed portion, said liquid free to be displaced by the insertion of said container and to completely surround said container` between its wall and the Wall of said vertically disposed portion, means for securing said shoulder to said chamber.

7. A device of the type described having an expansion chamber, a vertically disposed portion therein adapted to conform to the shape of a container to be inserted and secured therein, said container having a shoulder, a cover, a 4pipe connection, a pressure gauge in said cover, a vent valve in said cover, buler ring between said container and said vertically disposed portion, low freezing liquid between said container and said vertically disposed portion, said liquid free to be displaced by the insertion of said container and to completely surround said container between its wall and the wall of said vertically disposed portion, 'means for securing said shoulder to said chamber and `a plurality of said containers in such an expansion chamber.

8. In a device of the type described, means for inserting liquid carbon dioxide under pressure into a container, means for placing said container into an expansion chamber Where said liquid will be solidified with means, after solidification, of removing said container Without the utilization of temperature or pressure change in said container.

9. The combination with a removable solidifying chamber having relatively thin and smooth heat-conducting walls, of an outer chamber adapted to contain cooling material, a conducting jacket located around the solidinos fying chamberand spaced from said solidiying chamber and adapted to withstand pressure, the jacket being provided with fins adapted to conduct heat to the cooling material, a heat-conducting liquid filling the space between the solidifying chamber and the jacket, and means to hold the solidiying chamber so that the liquid will transmit pressure'to the jacket and support the thin walls of the solidiying chamber against pressure.

l0. The combination with a removable solidifying chamber .having thin and smooth heat-conducting` walls, of an outer chamber to contain cooling material, a eed pipe leading to the outer chamber for delivering cooling material for expansion in the outer chamber, a pipe for removing expanded material,

a conducting jacket for the solidifying chamb er held spaced from the same and having Walls formed to withstand pressure, a liquid filling the space between the solidifying chamber and the jacket, and means to hold the solidifying chamberso that the liquid will support the walls of the same.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand to this specication this 25th day of` January, 1929.

'Y EDWIN J LOCKWOOD.

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