US3428083A - Proportioning device - Google Patents

Description

G. L. FQSH Feb. 18, E969 PROPORTIONITJG DEVICE Filed Dec. 20, 1955 FORMED R m m N 6504 65 1.. PAS/1 BY 17 United States Patent 3,428,083 PROPORTIONIN G DEVICE George L. Fish, 750 N. Main St., New Martinsville, W. Va. 26155 Filed Dec. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 515,085 U.S. Cl. 137-590 Int. Cl. E03b 11/00; F17d 1/00 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a proportioning device and more particularly, to an intermittent flow divider which permits the distribution of flow in predetermined proportions in diflerent directions.

In fractional distillation processes, it is necessary, generally, to reflux a portion of the condensate formed from the vapor boiled overhead. This requires some sort of a flow divider to permit the collection of the distillate while still enabling a controllable portion of the distillate to be returned to the still.

One suitable device of this type disclosed in US. Patent 2,293,257 utilizes a deflector which is moved relative to the inlet thereby distributing the flow of material through the inlet into one or the other of two reception chambers. Devices of this type have found wide-spread use, however, they are expensive to purchase and to maintain. Such devices require an external means for moving the deflection device within the chamber. This complex design is therefore susceptible to corrosion and fouling from even mildly adverse process conditions.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved proportioning device. It is another object of this invention to provide an improved proportioning device having no moving parts within the proportioning chamber. It is still another object of this invention to provide an economical proportioning device suitable for transmitting the desired quantity of distillate back to the still.

The foregoing objects and others which will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein FIGURES 1 and 2 are diagrammatic views of two embodiments in accordance with this invention, are accomplished generally speaking, by providing a stream proportioning device having a chamber, the chamber having an inlet and first and second outlets. The first outlet is located to receive all of the flow from the inlet and has positioned therein a valve for opening and closing the first outlet, the second outlet is disposed to receive the flow from the inlet when the valve positioned in the first outlet is closed. A means is provided for opening and closing the valve located in the first outlet to determine the flow from the inlet to either reflux or to product.

Referring particularly to the drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates one embodiment in accordance with this invention. A chamber 11 having a sight-glass 13, an inlet 15, a first outlet 17 and a second outlet 19 is disposed to receive the condensate from a still or fractionating column. One of the outlets, for example, the first outlet 17 is connected back to the still or fractionating column for reflux. The other outlet, for example, the second outlet 19 is connected to the forward flow which is either to product-storage or to further processing operations. The first outlet 17 as shown has a flared opening 21 to receive all of the flow from the inlet 15. Disposed within the first outlet 17 and without the chamber 11 is a valve 23 for interrupting the flow of fluid through the first inlet 17. A means 25 for intermittently opening and closing the valve 23 is provided. One suitable means includes a double acting piston connected to the stem of the valve 23, by a suitable means, such as, for example, a rack and pinion. The piston is operated by the flow of air into the appropriate end of the cylinder thereby driving both the piston and rack which turns the pinion and the valve. The air-flow can be controlled by a solenoid 27 which operates in conjunction with an air directing valve 26. The solenoid 27 is actuated by a signal timer 29 that can be set to give the correct ratio of reflux to forward flow.

In operation, as long as valve 23 is open, the material entering the chamber 11 through inlet 15 will flow through the first outlet 17 to reflux. Upon closing the valve 23, the first outlet, upstream of the valve 23, will fill with fluid and overflow the first outlet 17 and flow out through the second outlet 19 either to product-storage or subsequent operating procedures. It is possible, of course, to operate this device in reverse; i.e., product through valve 23, reflux by overflow through outlet 19.

In the second embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, the fractionating column 40 and condenser 42 are combined into one unit with an appropriately designed trough 45 and 47 to collect the condensate (liquid). The proportioning device is built directly into the column and is shown as chamber 41 having an inlet 45, a first outlet 47 and a second outlet 49. The first outlet 47 has a valve means 23 that is intermittently operated in the same manner as that shown above with regard to FIGURE 1. In the case shown in FIGURE 2, the forward flow passes through the valve 23. When valve 23 is closed, the condensate overflows the collection trough 47 and passes out of the chamber 41 byway of the second outlet 49.

The apparatus described is advantageous from an economical view point, not only from the initial cost of the device, but also because of the small amount of maintenance required. Because of the lack of moving parts within the distributing device itself, no breakdown can occur which would require the complete disassembly of the system. Also, the device is advantageous in that it permits total reflux, total forward flow or any fraction of either, depending upon the condition desired.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in the foregoing for the purpose of illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for this purpose and that variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention except as is set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for proportioning the condensate from a. fractionating column which comprises an enclosed chamber, said chamber having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet disposed therein, said first outlet being positioned to be capable of receiving all of the flow from said inlet, said first outlet having a valve disposed therein said valve being disposed without the enclosed chamber, lValVe controlling means adapted for opening and closing said valve, said second outlet being disposed to receive the flow from said inlet when said valve is closed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for opening and closing the valve is automatically controlled.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first outlet has a flared opening.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the valve c0ntrolling means comprises a double acting piston, rack and pinion connected to the stem of the valve, said piston being actuated by air flow.

5. A flow proportioning system comprising a fractionating column, a condenser, and an enclosed chamber, said chamber having an inlet, a first and a second outlet disposed therein, said first outlet being positioned to be capable of receiving all of the flow from said inlet, said first outlet having a valve disposed therein, said valve being positioned without the enclosed chamber, means adapted for opening and closing said valve, said second outlet being disposed to receive the flow from said inlet when said valve is closed, one of said outlets being connected back to the fractionating column.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,293,257 8/1942 Gunn 137-262 3,218,024 11/1965 Kroekel 251-31 XR 769,856 9/ 1904 Curtis 137264 2,245,553 6/ 1941 Biedermann et al.

137624.13 X 2,518,574 8/1950 Skopecek 137-62413 X HENRY T. KLINKSIEK, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

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