Patent ID: 6082133
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: B01D,F25J,Y02C,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for separating CO.sub.2 from a mixture of gases comprising CO.sub.2 and a second gas, said apparatus comprising:an active heat exchanger for freezing said CO.sub.2 in said mixture, said active heat exchanger comprising a heat exchange surface in contact with said mixture of gases, said mixture of gases being present at a predetermined pressure, said heat exchange surface being cooled by a refrigerant having a temperature below that at which CO.sub.2 freezes at said predetermined pressure;a regenerating heat exchanger for pre-cooling said refrigerant, said regenerating heat exchanger comprising a heat exchange surface in contact with said refrigerant and also in contact with a layer of frozen CO.sub.2, said refrigerant entering said regenerating heat exchanger at a temperature above that at which said CO.sub.2 in said frozen layer of CO.sub.2 sublimates;an expansion valve for expanding said refrigerant after said refrigerant has been precooled in said regenerating heat exchanger and prior to said refrigerant entering said active heat exchanger; anda compressor for compressing said refrigerant after said refrigerant has left said active heat exchanger, said compressor having an input port for receiving said refrigerant after said refrigerant has left said active heat exchanger and an output port for discharging said compressed refrigerant.