Vertical Dewar Gas Purifier for Continuous Helium Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current helium gas purification methods for cryogen recovery systems are inefficient in removing impurities at high concentrations, leading to significant helium losses and requiring frequent regeneration, which disrupts continuous operation and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A vertically-oriented Dewar-based gas purifier using cryo-condensation for de-sublimation, combined with a filter mechanism and a 'soft' regeneration process, allows for continuous operation by periodically sublimating and storing impurities, reducing the need for frequent high-temperature regeneration and maintaining high purity helium output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional chemical gas adsorption is used to remove impurities, then impurity removal effectiveness is improved, but the system requires frequent regeneration and experiences excessive pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by cooling the gas mixture to cryogenic temperatures where impurities condense from gas to liquid phase, enabling continuous separation without regeneration. The condenser operates at temperatures below the dew point of impurities (N2, O2, CO2) but above helium's liquefaction temperature, maintaining constant purification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter to cryogenic levels to alter the physical state of impurities, transforming them from gaseous to condensable phase. This parameter change enables continuous operation as the condenser simply maintains temperature rather than requiring periodic regeneration like chemical adsorbents.
2Manufacturing precision
If high-temperature regeneration is performed frequently to maintain purification efficiency, then impurity removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The condenser provides continuous purification action by maintaining a steady cryogenic temperature, eliminating the need for periodic high-temperature regeneration cycles. The useful action of impurity removal continues uninterrupted as long as the temperature is maintained, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to cyclic regeneration processes.
3Productivity
If the purifier operates continuously without interruption, then productivity is improved, but impurity accumulation occurs requiring regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses phase transition to trap impurities in liquid form within the condenser at cryogenic temperatures. Impurities continuously condense and accumulate as liquid without requiring regeneration, allowing indefinite continuous operation while maintaining constant gas purity. The liquid impurities remain trapped as long as the temperature is maintained.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces impurity concentrations to <0.1 ppm, enabling continuous helium gas purification for extended periods without interrupting the liquefaction process, improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
purification by cryo-condensation is accomplished by bringing in a phase change of the impurities sought to be removed
Implementation Method 2
removing impurities from the gas mixture by de-sublimation
Implementation Method 3
a filter mechanism, preferably in the form of a cartridge containing a thin layer or layers of nylon or metallic mesh
Implementation Method 4
a heating device operative to sublimate the stored impurities
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for purifying a process gas mixture, such as a cryogen gas, in which impurity components of the mixture are removed by de-sublimation via cryo-condensation. The gas mixture is cooled to a temperature well below the condensation temperature of the impurities, by direct exchange of the gas mixture with a cooling source disposed in a first region of the device. The de-sublimated or frozen impurities collect about the cooling region surfaces, and ultimately transferred to a portion of the device defining an impurities storage region. The output-purified gas is transferred from the impurities storage region, is optionally passed through a first micrometer sized filter, through a counter-flow heat exchanger, and ultimately up to an output port at room temperature. A method of purging the collected impurities and regenerating the device is also disclosed.