Patent ID: 6039792
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: B01D,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for separating one or more condensable compounds from a gaseous mixture of two or more compounds of differing volatilities, comprising:(a) providing a composite porous structure prepared by depositing a coating to one side of a substrate having a defined pore structure, to obtain a composite having a tapered pore structure characterized as tapering from openings of a large dimension at an opposing side of the substrate to smaller openings at the coated side;(b) priming the pore structure with a liquid solvent;(c) contacting, under condensing conditions, the coated side of the composite porous structure with a gaseous mixture comprising vapors of a more volatile component and a less volatile component whereby vapors from the mixture are permitted to condense, at least in part, substantially in and adjacent to the openings at the coated side, and to flow in a condensed liquid state, substantially in the absence of vapor, from the openings at the coated side to the openings at the opposing side; and(d) maintaining conditions of a gaseous sweep adjacent the opposing side of the composite porous structure, whereby the liquid condensate in and adjacent to the openings at the opposing side is caused to evaporate.