Patent ID: 6143056
Filing Date: 2000-11-07
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A method for separating components from a fluid mixture comprising the steps of:a) providing a source of feed fluid; a source of vacuum; and first and second chambers, each chamber adapted to selectively remove a component from said fluid; andb) providing a valve operatively connected to said source of feed fluid or said source or vacuum by a first flow passage, to said first chamber by a first flow port, and to said second chamber by a second flow port, said valve having a plurality of positions simultaneously interconnecting said first flow passage with a selected flow port;c) moving said valve to a first position to connect said source of feed fluid to said first chamber and introduce fluid therein to selectively remove a desired component from said fluid while simultaneously connecting said source of vacuum to said second chamber to evacuate fluid from said second chamber;d) moving said valve to a second position to seal said first chamber while simultaneously connecting said source of vacuum to second chamber to evacuate said second chamber;e) moving said valve to a third position to connect said source of fluid to said second chamber to introduce said feed fluid therein and selectively remove a desired component from said fluid while simultaneously connecting said source of vacuum to said first chamber to evacuate fluid from said first chamber; andf) moving said valve to said fourth position to seal said second chamber while simultaneously connecting said source of vacuum to said first chamber to evacuate said first chamber, wherein said valve has first and second independently positionable portions, the first valve portion being operatively connected to said source of feed fluid by a first flow passage, to said first chamber by a first flow port, to said second chamber by a second flow port.