Patent ID: 6405560
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for separation of non-volatile impurities from liquid carbon dioxide, said apparatus comprising:a primary nozzle, connected to a liquid CO2 source, at least one small orifice, arranged in a first conduit upstream of said primary nozzle, and arranged to expand said liquid CO2 in said primary nozzle to form frozen solid CO2, a secondary nozzle arranged so that said first nozzle projects said frozen solid CO2 at an acute angle into said secondary nozzle; and a collection means, positioned to receive said frozen CO2, from a discharge opening of said secondary nozzle; wherein said secondary nozzle has side walls, forming a closed cross-section, and a bottom wall, sealingly attached to one end of said side walls, and wherein said primary nozzle is mounted to said secondary nozzle via a sealed opening and is arranged to project the frozen CO2 at a preset angle into said secondary nozzle, to cause the frozen CO2 to collide with said walls and said bottom wall to lower the velocity of the individual particles of the frozen CO2.