Gas extraction valve

Abstract

A gas extraction valve is provided for separating an intermittent gas from an unwanted liquid. The gas extraction valve includes a valve float, with a vase-like shape and corresponding valve seats composed of two precision wide seals at the top and bottom shaped to fit the valve float. In operation, the valve float transitions rapidly between a lower seal and an upper seal of the valve seat, such that a gas may traverse through the valve when the valve float hovers between the upper seal and the lower seal. If the pressure of the gas under the valve relative to the pressure above the valve is reduced the vase float eventually drops and closes the lower wide seal thus acting as a one-way valve. If the flowing gas is followed by a high-pressure liquid the float valve lifts due to its buoyancy and prevents passage of the liquid.

Description

GAS EXTRACTION VALVE

[0001] BACKGROUND

[0002] Valves are mechanical devices that are used to control or otherwise influence the movement of fluids (e.g., liquids or gases) in a system or device by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various conduits therein. Various types of valves have been developed for different implementations. For example, valves designed to allow gas to exit out of systems are widely used under various names such as: Floating ball clack valves, Dynamic air valves, Float valves, Gas release valves, Air vent valves, etc.

[0003] Floating ball clack valves may be designed to allow higher pressure gas to race upward through an opening but to prevent liquids trying to follow suit. This effect is derived from the ball floating in the liquid, such that gas may pass through the opening but the ball closes the opening when the liquid approaches the same opening and moves the ball into a sealing position. Valves of this sort are for example used in refrigeration, swimming pools and in specialized drilling applications.

[0004] While valued for their simple construction and operation, known floating ball clack valves may not be sufficiently precise for processes and devices with stringent requirements in terms of pressure ranges, temperature handling, response time, slippage, and precise separation of fluids and gases.

[0005] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

[0006] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood regarding the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only some typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0008] Figure 1 includes an illustration of a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 includes an illustration of valve float of a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0010] Figure 3 includes an illustration of valve seat of a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] Figure 4 includes an illustration of valve float of a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] Figure 5 includes an illustration of operation of a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] Figure 6 includes an illustration of operation of a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0014] Figure 7 includes an illustration of operation of a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0015] Figure 8 includes an illustration of operation of a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] Figure 9 includes an illustration of operation of a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0017] Figure 10 includes an illustration of a plot showing seal length and volume for a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] Figure 11 includes an illustration of linear pressure gradient in a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] Figure 12 includes an illustration of a valve float for a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0020] Figure 13 includes an illustration of a valve float for a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] Figure 14 includes an illustration of a valve float for a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0022] Figure 15 includes an illustration of a valve float for a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0023] Figure 16 includes an illustration of a valve float for a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] Figure 17 includes an illustration of a valve float for a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0025] Figure 18 includes an illustration of a valve float externally and as a cross-section, for a gas extraction valve according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0026] The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, but instead are drawn to provide a better understanding of the components, and are not intended to be limiting in scope, but to provide exemplary illustrations.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Overview

[0029] A better understanding of different embodiments of the disclosure may be had from the following description read with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to like elements.

[0030] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments are in the drawings and are described below. It should be understood, however, there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention covers all modifications, alternative constructions, combinations, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0031] It will be understood that unless a term is expressly defined in this application to possess a described meaning, there is no intent to limit the meaning of such term, either expressly or indirectly, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning.

[0032] As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0033] Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components.

[0034] The present disclosure also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., "about 3" shall also cover exactly 3 or "substantially constant" shall also cover exactly constant).

[0035] The term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.

[0036] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” or “varying embodiments” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” or “varying embodiments” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0037] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some, but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the disclosure, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. All the features and / or steps disclosed in the specification can be combined in any combination, except for combinations where at least some of the features and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Preferred features of the disclosure are applicable to all aspects of the disclosure and may be used in any combination. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0038] Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, various features of the disclosure are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this disclosure.

[0039] It will be appreciated that variations to the disclosed embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the disclosure. Features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0040] Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless so claimed. Any steps described in the specification may be performed in any order or simultaneously unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] As used herein, the terms “gas,” “steam,” and “vapor” are generally intended to mean the same and to be understood by their common dictionary definitions. That is, the terms “gas,” “steam,” and “vapor” broadly include water and / or liquids in a gaseous instead of liquid or solid form. Examples of other liquids and gases that may be separated according to the disclosed embodiments may include one or more of bromine, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, etc., although the disclosure is not limited thereto. As such, “gas,” “steam,” and “vapor” according to the disclosure may be created from water and / or similar substances / liquids at a respective combination of pressure and temperature conditions, for example as evident by a phase diagram for water, such as through evaporation, cavitation, boiling, vaporization, and / or related mechanisms. It will be appreciated that the systems, devices and methods of the present disclosure may be configured to separate gas from liquid from both same or different chemical compositions and of the same or different temperatures.

[0042] Similarly, while they may be referenced as “water vapor,” “steam” or the like for exemplary purposes, the use of these terms in the disclosure contemplates liquids and fluids of various character and composition.

[0043] The terms conduit, pipe or tube may be used interchangeably herein and refer to a substantially rigid, hollow structure allowing liquid to flow through said hollow structure. Furthermore, the substantially rigid hollow structure is not limited to any specific geometrical shape (cross-section) and may comprise a layered structure (i.e., having layered walls), wherein the material selection and thickness of different layers is selected to obtain desired physical properties of each layer and the overall structure.

[0044] Although the float valve and valve seat are depicted as spherical as viewed along its Y-axis the valve is technically not limited to a specific geometrical shape and can be shaped as an oval or even having a shape with a corner, such as an octagon, even though some beneficial characteristics may vary.

[0045] At least some of the disclosed embodiments are directed to a gas extraction valve that includes at least a valve seat and a valve float configured to interact with each other to accurately separate gas or steam from liquids. The valve seat may be configured in two parts, its upper part and its lower part, which can be disassembled allowing for replacement of the valve float. In some instances, a valve seat in two parts may include a gasket for sealing the two parts together when assembled. The valve float may be configured to have a curved shape, similar to a vase, and the valve seat may be configured to include two asymmetric seals corresponding to an upper profile and a lower profile of the valve float, respectively, such that the valve float and the valve seat may cooperate between two closed positions while allowing the passage of intermittent gas therethrough. In this manner, the valve float may be configured to move between the two seals in response to pressure differences at opposing ends of the valve seat, forces enacted by the flowing gas, as well as buoyancy forces acting on the valve float.

[0046] In some implementations, the gas extraction valve may be located between a source of intermittent gas and a higher-pressure gas reservoir. The valve acts as a one-way valve, preventing the higher-pressure gas from escaping back to the source of intermittent gas. Additionally, the source of intermittent gas may further include liquid that is unwanted in the higher-pressure gas reservoir, such that the gas extraction valve is configured to allow intermittent gas to pass through to the higher-pressure gas reservoir while preventing the unwanted liquid from passing through. The gas extraction valve may accordingly prevent the unwanted liquid from mixing with the gas. In some instances, the gas extraction valve embodiments of the current disclosure may be employed in an oscillating steam generationsystem, such as described in International Patent Application No. PCT7IB2024 / 052557, filed 15 March 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0047] A gas extraction valve according to the present disclosure may achieve various benefits relative to conventional valves, particularly in use in steam generation systems. For example, gas extraction valves of the current disclosure may achieve a higher precision in separating gas and liquids, especially if gas needs to be extracted intermediately in a fraction of a second, a use case where traditional solenoid valves would struggle.

[0048] As an illustrative example of the foregoing, a gas extraction valve 100 according to an embodiment may include a valve float 102 having a vase shape and a corresponding valve seat 104, such as shown in the perspective view of Figure 1 with a portion of the valve seat 104 cut-away to reveal the valve float 102 therein. As seen in Figure 1, the valve float 102 fits within an interior volume defined by the valve seat 104, such that the valve float 102 may be moved between an upper position and a lower position within the valve seat 104. Movement of the valve float 102 may depend on a pressure difference between an upper side 106 and a lower side 108 of the gas extraction valve 100. In some instances, the upper side 106 may correspond to a higher-pressure gas side, for example where high-pressure gas is stored or collected, while the lower side 108 may correspond to an intermittent gas side, for example where intermittent gas is provided or produced from unwanted liquid, perhaps in a process involving significant pressure fluctuations.

[0049] As seen in the cross-section view of the valve float 102 illustrated in Figure 2, the vase shape of the valve float 102 may be described as including a flat, curved, bulbous or carinate foot forming a base 120, a body section 122 having an increasing diameter (e.g., DBI < DB2 < DB3) in a direction opposite the base 120, a shoulder section 124 extending from the body section 122 and having a decreasing diameter in the direction opposite the base 120 (e.g., Dsi > DS2 > Dsa), a neck section 126, and an outward curving lip 128. In some embodiments, the body section 122 may have a height between the base 120 and the shoulder section 124 that is greater than a height of the shoulder section 124 between the body section 122 and the neck section 126.

[0050] The valve seat 104 may have a shape corresponding to the valve float 102, such as illustrated in the cross-section of Figure 3. The valve seat 104 may define an interior volume between an upper opening 140 and a lower opening 142. The valve seat 104 may further define an upper seal 144 and a lower seal 146, the upper seal 144 having a curvaturecomplementary to the shoulder section 124 of the valve float 102 and the lower seal 146 having a curvature complementary to the body section 122 of the valve float 102. However, a maximum diameter defined within the valve seat 104 may be configured to be larger than a maximum diameter of the valve float 102, such as at mid-section 145 between the upper seal 144 and the lower seal 146, such that the valve float 102 may be allowed to move between the upper seal 144 and the lower seal 146, and gas and liquid may pass through the midsection of the valve and gas may pass through the entire valve seat 104 when the valve float 102 is between the upper seal 144 and the lower seal 146. The valve seat 104 may further define a neck portion 148 and / or a lip portion 150 corresponding to the neck section 126 and the outward curving lip 128 of the valve float 102. Although shown with a curved profile in Figure 3, the lip portion 150 may be provided with a planar profile, such as in Figure 4.

[0051] Some embodiments of the valve float 102 will have an outward curving lip 128 as a splash guard that prevents stray droplets passing through the valve from entering the pressurized and gaseous upper section 106.

[0052] Some embodiments will only employ one wide seal against a more traditional seal, such as an O-ring, at the other end since one wide seal can be sufficient to generate an asymmetry between the two seals.

[0053] Some embodiments of the system might have the upper seal at the top rim of the float valve.

[0054] Figure 4 illustrates a cross-section view of a gas extraction valve 100 having the valve float 102 in an upper position where the shoulder section 124 of the valve float 102 is positioned against the upper seal 144 of the valve seat 104. Notably, while depicted as hollow in the illustrated embodiments, the valve float 102 may be provided in different configurations. For example, the valve float 102 may be hollow, such as for increasing a buoyancy of the valve float 102, and / or may be filled with durable, very light and non-porous material or even sealed / closed at the top.

[0055] The valve float 102 may furthermore be hollow to allow the heated gas or condensate from the pressurized storage above the valve to heat the valve float from inside, thus radiating to its exterior. In some embodiments, such a configuration might be beneficial to prevent the fast flowing gas from condensation during its movement through the valve. Likewise, in some applications, such a configuration may beneficially enable the sending of infra-red waves through its base to the intermittent gas supply section below.

[0056] In some embodiments of the system, the valve can be used to separate lighter fluids from heavier ones. In such embodiments the valve float is not open at the top and its density is suitably adjusted so that the float is suitably buoyant in relation to the lighter fluid which is to be separated.

[0057] An intended operation of a gas extraction valve according to disclosed embodiments may be better understood by reference to Figures 5-9, which illustrate an embodiment of a gas extraction valve according to the present disclosure provided for use in a steam generating system. Notably, the described embodiments are not limited to a steam generating system, but may be used with any system wherein separation of a gas and a liquid is desired such as in a storage tank, fermentation system or even for separation of lighter liquids from denser liquids such as in fractional distilling systems. Rather, description of the steam generating system is provided as one possible implementation for a gas extraction valve according to the present disclosure, for ease of understanding principles of the disclosed embodiments.

[0058] As depicted in Figure 5, a gas extraction valve 500 may comprise a valve float 502 provided in a corresponding valve seat 504. The valve seat 504 may define an interior volume between an upper side 506 and a lower side 508 of the gas extraction valve 500, for example in an initial stage A where a higher-pressure gas (e.g., steam) is provided at the upper side 506 and a liquid is provided at a lower side 508. In the illustrated embodiment of Figure 5, the higher-pressure steam at the upper side 506 pushes the valve float 502 towards the lower side 508 where a lower pressure liquid, such as water, may be provided in an initial stage. In this initial stage, a lower seal 546 of the valve seat 504 is closed by a body section 522 of the valve float 502 while an upper seal 544 of the valve seat 504 is open, a space being defined between the upper seal 544 and a shoulder section 524 of the valve float 502. In the position shown, the gas extraction valve 500 may securely prevent passage of the higher-pressure steam from the upper side 506 to the lower side 508 as well as preventing passage of the lower pressure liquid from the lower side 508 to the upper side 506. The gas extraction valve 500 may remain tightly sealed during formation of a lower pressure gas at the lower side 508 in a subsequent stage according to Figure 6, such as during the generation of lower pressure steam at side 508 in a steam generating system.

[0059] As conditions at the upper side 506 and the lower side 508 of the gas extraction valve 500 change, the gas extraction valve 500 may be configured to allow extraction of a gas from the lower side 508 to the upper side, as illustrated in Figure 7. As seen in Figure 7, whena pressure at the lower side 508 of the gas extraction valve 500 becomes greater than a pressure at the upper side 506 of the gas extraction valve 500, taking into account the weight of the float 502 and pressure profile over the lower seal 546, the valve float 502 may be lifted from the lower seal 546 of the valve seat 506, opening the lower seal 546. Due to the shape asymmetry of the lower seal 546 and the upper seal 544, the pressure difference may however be insufficient to close the upper seal 544 so that the valve float 502 intentionally oscillates or vibrates between the lower seal 546 and the upper seal 544, such that neither of the lower seal 546 and the upper seal 544 fully closes meanwhile allowing gas to traverse past the valve float 502 from the lower side 508 to the upper side 506. If the gas release via the valve is sufficiently rapid the pressure difference between the lower side 508 and upper side 506 is kept lower than would be sufficient to lift the float fully and close the upper seal 504.

[0060] As shown in Figure 8, high pressure water following the gas at the lower side 508 may then be prevented from following the gas extracted to the upper side 506 due to the upper seal 544 of the valve seat 504 being closed by the shoulder section 524 of the valve float 502, while the lower seal 546 of the valve seat 504 is closed, a space being defined between the lower seal 546 and the body section 522 of the valve float 502. Movement of the valve float 502 to close the upper seal 544 may be caused by a buoyancy of the valve float 502 in the liquid, e.g., with or without contribution from an inertia and / or pressure of the liquid at the lower side 508. In some embodiments, a buoyancy line of the valve float 502 may be defined at an upper end of the body section 522 of the valve float 502, such that the gas may be pushed up to the upper side 506 by the liquid and the upper seal 544 may only be closed when the gas has fully exited. In some embodiments the inertia from the high pressure liquid hitting the base of the float valve assists in clearing condensate from the valve float 502 by means of shock dewatering, where the condensate from inside the float is subsequently diverted to the sides where it waits to be reunited with the fluid on the lower side 508 as soon as the valve float 502 lowers again.

[0061] According to various examples, the float valve 502 may be designed with predetermined displacement volume and weight in relation to the density of the liquid that is to be separated with the aim that the float valve 502 becomes buoyant at a predefined height (buoyancy line). In various embodiments the buoyancy line is selected to be in proximity of the area between the lower and upper seals. When the liquid rises above the buoyancy line the vase valve lifts to close the upper seal and when the pressure in the liquid below falls again the buoyancy line of the valve float 502 may be defined at a height position above 50%of a total height of the valve float 502 defined from the lower side 508 in a direction of the upper side 506, more particularly a height position above 55% of the total height of the valve float 502, more particularly a height position above 60% of the total height of the valve float 502, more particularly a height position above 65% of the total height of the valve float 502, or at a height position between 50% and 60% of the total height of the valve float 502, more particularly at a height position between 55% and 65% of the total height of the valve float 502, more particularly at a height position between 50% and 70% of the total height of the valve float 502. In the position shown in Figure 8, the gas extraction valve 500 may securely prevent passage of the higher-pressure steam from the upper side 506 to the lower side 508 as well as preventing passage of the liquid from the lower side 508 to the upper side 506.

[0062] Upon a reduction in pressure at the lower side 508, the valve float 502 may move towards the lower side 508. This movement of the valve entails any liquid above and under the lower seal to be pushed to the lower side 508 before the lower seal 546 closes, as seen in Figure 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the higher-pressure steam or gas at the upper side 506 pushes any liquid around the side of the valve float 502 as well as the valve float 502 itself towards the lower side 508 where the now lower pressure liquid is located, such that liquid is removed from the gas extraction valve 500 towards the lower side 508 and the lower seal 546 of the valve seat 504 is closed by the body section 522 of the valve float 502 while the upper seal 544 of the valve seat 504 is opened, a space being defined between the upper seal 544 and the shoulder section 524 of the valve float 502. In the position shown, the gas extraction valve 500 may securely prevent passage of the higher-pressure steam from the upper side 506 to the lower side 508 as well as preventing passage of the lower pressure liquid from the lower side 508 to the upper side 506. Notably, buoyancy of the valve float 502, trumps the pressure differential acting on the valve float 502 as the pressure difference acts equally on the liquid. This buoyancy effect both assists in removing any excess liquid or condensate collected by the sides of the valve float 502 prior to the valve floats lowering. Furthermore, the buoyancy effect ensures secure closing of the upper seal and liquid traversing to the upper side 506 whenever liquid is present on the valves lower side 508 and its pressure is higher than in the gas pressure on the upper side.

[0063] In some instances, the valve float 502 may provide a condensate removal function, e.g., for a gas reservoir at an upper side 506 of the gas extraction valve 500. This effect may be employed to remove condensate that may flow down the conduit leading to the valve inside a gas reservoir at the upper side 506 of the gas extraction valve and collect under a lip528 of the valve float 502, such as at a neck 526 of the valve float 502. In these embodiments, during transition of the valve float 502 from the upper seal 544, such as in Figure 8, to the lower seal 546, such as in Figure 9, liquid condensate collected at the neck 526 and / or the lip 528 of the valve float 502 will be pushed down and into the gas extraction valve 500 before the valve float 502 closes against the lower seal 546, such that the liquid condensate is effectively removed from the upper side 506 of the gas extraction valve 500 and may be provided to the lower side 508 of the gas extraction valve 500. In some embodiments, a length of a neck 526 may be increased in order to facilitate the collection and removal of liquid condensate from the upper side 506 to the lower side 508 of the gas extraction valve 500. Similarly, various embodiments may be configured to include more than one gas extraction valve 500, for example one for gas extraction and another just for condensate removal and related replenishing of the liquid supply at the lower side 508.

[0064] The depicted stages of operation for the gas extraction valve 500 of Figures 5-9 may be repeated for extracting additional and / or intermittent gas from the lower side 508 to the upper side 506. As discussed above, a gas extraction valve according to the current disclosure may be configured such that the gas extraction valve is open when a gas pressure below is higher than a gas pressure above taking into account the weight of the valve and any excess liquid in and around it (otherwise the gas extraction valve remains closed in its downposition), the gas extraction valve is closed whenever a gas pressure above is higher than a gas pressure below. Similarly the gas extraction valve is closed to liquid entering the upper side 506 in any position. If liquid is below the float valve can either be closed in its downposition if the pressure above is higher than below, in the up-position if the liquid’ s pressure is higher than above, or with both seals open if the pressure differential of the liquid below and gas above is the same. The disclosed embodiments advantageously allow for a gas extraction valve with higher precision in separating gas and liquid, higher speed in opening and closing, higher reliability and strength, higher throughput of gas relative to known valves as well as advantageously allowing for the return of liquids.

[0065] In varying embodiments, a valve float may be provided with protruding guide elements for ensuring that the same seal surfaces of the valve seat and the valve float meet consistently and maintain a perfect fit. For example, the protruding guide elements may be provided in the form of fins or another shape of protrusion extending from the shoulder section of the valve float, such as at a lower portion of the shoulder section near the body section of the valve float which is an area that’s usually dry and provides maximum stabilityfor it is both located far from the valve float’s center and close to its vertical center as well - thus offering more precision than if located e.g. inside the valve float’s neck. Two protruding guide elements on each side of the valve float may be provided so as not to create weight instability. Corresponding grooves for receiving the protruding guide elements may be provided in the valve seat to improve precision and / or ensuring correct orientation during installation. In some embodiments, a slight angle of the protruding guide elements might be preferable so that the float is installed in correct orientation if it needs to be temporarily removed, e.g. for repairs.

[0066] In some embodiments, the valve seat may be configured to be detachable into two or more parts, such that the valve float may be installed, removed or otherwise accessed. For this purpose, the valve seat may be separable along a seam or dividing line. The most suitable dividing line is along the mid-section of the float valve where the float is the widest. Separating the valve seat in that location is beneficial due to the valve float’ s snug fit and the importance of maintaining integrity of the airtight seals.

[0067] Various embodiments of a valve float and a valve seat may be formed of any suitable material having appropriate hardness, smoothness, temperature resistance, thermal conductivity, resistance to temperature deformation, density, availability, cost etc., according to the desired implementation. Materials used for forming the gas extraction valve may be temperature stable from about 0°C to over 500°C, such that the high operating temperatures and fluctuations in temperature do not cause valve deformation or leaks.

[0068] In at least some embodiments the valve seat may be formed from a softer material than the valve float so to ensure a tighter and more adaptive seat. In some embodiments the valve seat may be made from a thermally conductive material, with low specific heat capacity and high thermal radiation coefficient to assist in maintaining the temperature of hotter gases through the valve.

[0069] A valve float or a base and / or body section may be formed of a material having blackbody-like properties, for example comprising a graybody material, such that a thermal gradient between the lower side and the upper side of the gas extraction valve may allow the valve float to emit infrared radiation, e.g., into the lower side of the gas extraction valve. In this manner, the valve float may be configured to assist in generating and or heating a gas at the lower side of the gas extraction valve, potentially contributing e.g. to a function of a steam generation system connected to the gas extraction valve.

[0070] Figure 18 illustrates various features of a valve float externally and as a crosssection according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0071] Importantly, the shape of the upper and lower seals of the valve seat, as well as the corresponding shape of the valve float, are critical to the desired operation of the gas extraction valve. A curvature of the lower seal and corresponding shape of the valve float may be selected such that, when the gas pressure below the valve float is sufficiently high the valve float starts to lift in such a manner that the volume generated under the wide circular lower seal increases almost solely at the side of the valve float facing the high-pressure gas. The reason for this is for the higher-pressure medium under the valve float to fill the newly generated volume which is preferable to the alternative, where a lower pressure gas may be sucked down (against its eventual flow direction) to fill the newly generated volume (as is the case for e.g. typical conical rubber seals). In other words, for every increment the valve float is raised, the volume under the side of the valve float facing the lower side of the gas extraction valve increases dramatically in comparison to the side facing the lower pressure gas at the upper side. A plot of the evolution of volume along the seal as the vase float lifts is illustrated in Figure 10, while a linear pressure gradient along the surface of the valve float is illustrated in Figure 11. Curvature of this nature also reduces the chance of the valve float becoming stuck and provides a most energy efficient way to open the gas extraction valve, as the kinetic energy of the fluid entering the valve seat is maintained during the opening of the respective seal.

[0072] A curvature of the upper seal and corresponding shape of the valve float may be selected similarly as the lower seal, such that, when the gas pressure above the valve float is sufficiently high the valve float starts to move toward the lower side in such a manner that the volume generated above the wide circular upper seal increases solely at the side of the valve float facing the high-pressure gas. The reason for this is for the higher-pressure medium above the valve float to fill the newly generated volume, which is preferable to the alternative where a lower pressure gas or even liquid may be sucked up (against its eventual flow direction) to fill the newly generated volume. In other words, for every increment the valve float is lowered opening its upper wide seal, the volume above the side of the valve float facing the upper side of the gas extraction valve increases dramatically in comparison to the side facing the lower pressure liquid at the lower side.

[0073] As referenced in the above embodiments, the gas extraction valve may be configured with asymmetric upper and lower seals, and with a correspondingly shaped valveseals on the float side. For example, in the disclosed embodiments, with the float valve initially at its lower position, when the gas pressure below the lower seal increases, at a certain point the pressure should be sufficient to overcome the forces impacted by the weight of the valve float and a pressure at the upper side of the gas extraction valve. At that point, the valve float will accelerate up along a Y-axis extending from the lower side to the upper side of the gas extraction valve, and the valve float will rise. If the upper seal is provided in the form of a symmetrical / inverted version of the lower seal, the valve float would hit the upper seal of the valve seat and close it. However - since the upper seal has a different pressure gradient (vs. circular area along the x-axis) the valve float can intentionally be designed to be unstable. In other words, the valve float can be configured such that the pressure at a lower side is sufficient to lift the valve float and open the lower seal but not sufficient to close the upper seal or at least not sufficient to keep the upper seal closed. To illustrate this asymmetry, Figures 12 and 13 show a side view and Figures 14 and 15 show a top / bottom view of a simplified float, such as according to the perspective view of Figure 16. The float’s two seals, or shoulder and body sections, have length of U and L each with one bend at exactly half of each seal’s length. This simplified float may be 3D visualized as four truncated cones meeting at different angles. Note that this conical float is very simplified and does therefore not have the shape required for a linear increase of volume under the seal.

[0074] It is established that pressure along a wide seal gradually and linearly changes from the pressure on one side to the pressure on the other side of the seal. In the simple example illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the pressure is modeled in only two gradients, from top pressure of 10 kPa to 11 & 12 under a closed seal to the 13 kPa pressure below. Pressure values in this example have been selected for simplicity and are not intended to be limiting, such that the examples should be understood as applicable for example at 150 and 155kPa. Further, as in the described embodiments, only one seal can be closed at a time or neither. As the valve is symmetrical along the center axis only forces along the Y-axis (up / down) need to be considered. Force can be calculated as Pressure * Area. Note that the area of circle with radius L-mid is greater than circle with radius U-mid. In this manner the valve seat and valve float can be configured to establish a pressure differential that is sufficient to lift the valve float but not sufficient enough to close (or keep closed) the upper seal with the valve float at the top of the valve seat.

[0075] An example of a method for numerical estimation of a float-seal curvature that exhibits the described property of linearly changing volume along the seal is provided below,but this example represents only one possibility and is not intended to be limiting. Rather, the example is only provided as one possibility in order to assist in understanding various principles and improvements of the disclosed embodiments. Output of the example calculation is a list of N instances of y and r coordinates representing height and radius of the curve. The coordinates of the curve can subsequently be revolved into a seal / float using cad software or related means according to the principles of the disclosed embodiments. Figure 17 includes an illustration of the relevant parameters used in the example calculation, where a linearly reduced cone area is defined as perpendicular to bottom seal L.

[0076] Example 1For each seal:1. Define N-number of steps (e.g. 80) and a fixed small linear surface step length of L (e.g. 1mm). Start with yi=0. Note that the total length of the seal will then be 80mm.2. Define a significantly smaller Ah which represents a tiny incremental elevation of the valve and an initial angle 0i (e.g. 25 degrees) at the bottom. Note that \h needs to be smaller than L sin(0i)3. Calculate a. rn+i=rn+L cos 0nb. yn+i=yn+L sin 0nC. An = CT Ah COS 0n (2 Tn + L COS 0n+Ah COS 0n sin 0n) because i. Rn— rn+l / 2 L cos 0n ii. Sn=Ah COS 0n iii. Rn+i=rn+ l / 2 L cos 0n+Ah sncos 0nsin 0n4. Calculate initial Ai, the surface area of a truncated cone over distance si a perpendicular short line from the middle of the first step. Since the surface length of each step is fixed, an area can be used as a decent proxy for the volume between the float and the seat.5. For the initial n=l calculate a constant AA = Ai / N which is the incremental area (volume) reduction as one moves to the next step, An+i=An- AA so that AN is zero.6. 0n+i is then estimated iteratively using the calculated An+i Then variables for next n can then be calculated and the process repeats for each successive step of L until n=N where AN=0, 0N=9O and SN=0.7. For the upper seal the slope is backwards and n>90 degrees. Hence AA is increasing and a. yn+i=yn+L sin (18O-0n) b. An = - ct Ah cos 0n(2 rn- L sin 0n+Ah cos 0n sin 0n)

[0077] Various alterations and / or modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims, and are to be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, while various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are contemplated. While a number of methods and components similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice embodiments of the present disclosure, only certain components and methods are described herein.

[0078] It will also be appreciated that systems, devices, kits, methods, and / or processes, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure may include, incorporate, or otherwise comprise properties, features (e.g., components, members, elements, parts, and / or portions) described in other embodiments disclosed and / or described herein. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments can be compatible with, combined with, included in, and / or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, disclosure of certain features relative to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting application or inclusion of said features to the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can also include said features, members, elements, parts, and / or portions without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0079] Moreover, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination therewith, any feature herein may be combined with any other feature of a same or different embodiment disclosed herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, methods, apparatus, and the like are not described herein in particular detail in orderto avoid obscuring aspects of the example embodiments. Such aspects are, however, also contemplated herein.

[0080] The skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various disclosed features. Besides the variations described herein, other known equivalents for each feature can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to prepare a steam or vapor generation system and perform a method for utilizing the same under principles of the present disclosure. The skilled artisan will understand that the features described herein may be adapted to other types of liquids, industries, gases and energy applications generally.

[0081] The disclosure further relates to several embodiments as identified by the below numbered clauses. The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described by way of example and represented in the clauses, and the clauses are provided only to demonstrate non-limiting examples of possible embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A gas extraction valve comprising: a valve seat defining an interior volume; and a valve float provided within the interior volume and comprising a base, a body section extending from the base and having an increasing diameter in a direction opposite the base, and a shoulder section extending from the body section and having a decreasing diameter in the direction opposite the base; wherein the body section and the shoulder section each form a seal; wherein the valve float is configured to move between an upper position and a lower position in the interior volume, such that the valve float and the valve seat cooperate to form an upper seal when the valve float is in the upper position and a lower seal when the valve float is in the lower position.

2. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein the upper seal and the lower seal are asymmetric.

3. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, the valve float further comprising a neck section extending from the shoulder section and a lip curving outward from the neck section toward the valve seat.

4. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1 , wherein the valve float forms a vase shape.

5. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve float is open at an end opposite the base.

6. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1 , wherein the valve float is hollow.

7. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1 , wherein the base is flat.

8. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein the base is curved.

9. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve float is configured to move between the upper position and the lower position for extracting gas through the valve seat without allowing liquid to pass through the valve seat from the lower position to the upper position.

10. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve float is configured to allow liquid to pass through the valve seat from the upper position to the lower position.

11. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1 , wherein the valve float further comprises protruding guide elements configured to cooperate with corresponding grooves formed in the valve seat.

12. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve seat is formed of a material having a lower hardness than a material of the valve float.

13. The gas extraction valve according to claim 6, wherein the valve float is made of graybody material that emits infrared rays to the outside when it contains heated extracted gas.

14. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve seat is axially symmetric about an axis extending between the upper position and the lower position.

15. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve float is axially symmetric about an axis extending between the upper position and the lower position.

16. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein a buoyancy line of the valve float is located between the upper seal and the lower seal, the valve float configured to close the upper seal when a liquid rises to the buoyancy line.

17. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein a buoyancy line of the valve float is located at a height position between 50% and 70% of a total height of the valve float defined from the base in the direction opposite the base.

18. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the interior volume is greater than a diameter of the valve float.

19. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1, wherein the two seals of the valve float are shaped so that when gas pressure below the valve exceeds gas pressure above the valve, the valve float lifts and oscillates between the lower seal and the upper seal, allowing the higher pressured gas below the valve to flow past the valve float.

20. The gas extraction valve according to claim 1 , wherein a height of the body section is greater than a height of the shoulder section in the direction opposite the base.

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