Patent EA-000512-B1 (EA)
Title: Apparatus in use in the separation substances performing chemical reactions to separate volatile from a substance comprising at least one volatile substance and method thereof
Inventor: AULBAUGH RANDY
IPC: B01J19/20
Filed: 1996-10-16
Abstract: 1. A chemical processing and reaction apparatus for the separation of volatile from non-volatile substances and volatile substances, one from the other, comprising at least one volatile substance characterized in that includes a retort for introducing materials to be processed and rotatable about an axis, a means of off-gases processing and receiving volatile gases from the retort, a rotatable sleeve extending outwardly from the retort and connecting the retort with the means of off-gases processing, a seal arrangement for maintaining a vacuum pressure when heating the material above 204.4 degree C (400 degree F), arranged rotatable inside or around the sleeve, a means for rotating the vessel, a means for establishing a vacuum pressure within the vessel between 3,386 to 98,205 + Pa (1 to 29 + inches of mercury), a means for heating the material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize at least one volatile substance. 2. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that further comprising at least one thermal plug arranged at the of the sleeve. 3. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 1, characterized in that comprises a cooling means of the seal arrangement. 4. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 3, characterized in that the cooling means includes a purge gas flow control device connected to the rotatable sleeve for allowing purge gas to flow into the sleeve. 5. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 3, characterized in that the cooling means includes a purge gas flow control device connected to the rotatable sleeve for gas cooling and for preventing contaminant condensate buildup from accumulating within the rotatable sleeve. 6. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 3, characterized in that comprises at least one lift within the interior of the vessel for enhancing the heat transfer from the vessel walls to the material to be processed and for enhancing the surface area of the material to be processed exposed to the vacuum by inducing cascading and rolling of the substance. 7. A chemical processing and reaction apparatus for the separation of volatile from non-volatile substances and volatile substances, one from the other, comprising at least one volatile substance characterized in that includes a retort for introducing materials to be processed and rotatable about an axis, a means of off-gases processing and receiving volatile gases from the retort, a rotatable sleeve extending outwardly from the retort and connecting the retort with the means of off-gases processing, a seal arrangement for maintaining a vacuum pressure when heating the material above 204.4 degree C (400 degree F), arranged rotatable inside or around the sleeve, a means for rotating the vessel, a means for establishing a vacuum pressure, a means for heating the material to a temperature sufficient to vaporize at least one volatile substance. 8. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 7, characterized in that the retort is connected to a second sleeve for processing off-gases, said sleeve extending outwardly from the retort. 9. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 7, characterized in that comprises said cooling means of the seal arrangement. 10. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that said cooling means further includes a cooling sleeve and said seal arrangement for allowing purge gas. 11. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 10, characterized in that the purge gas is ambient air. 12. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that said cooling means comprises said purge gas flow control device for introducing purge gas into the retort for allowing gases formed after volatization into the system of the off-gases processing 13. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 12, characterized in that the purge gas is inert gas. 14. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that said cooling means comprises a heat exchanger. 15. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that said cooling means is connected to the seal arrangement via the heat transfer exchanger. 16. An apparatus in accordance with Claim 9, characterized in that said cooling means comprises a thermal plug, arranged between a rotatable seal and the retort, thus separating the retort into an inner and an outer chamber, in which a seal arrangement is provided, enabling creation of temperature gradient between said inner chamber and said outer chamber. 17. A method for separating of at least one volatile substance from a material, characterized in that heat is transferred to the material to produce temperature within the retort above 204.4 degree C (400 degree F), then the retort is started to rotate, establishing a vacuum pressure by lowering the boiling point to vaporize least one volatile substance thus separating volatile substances from the material. 18. A method in accordance with Claim 17, characterized in that the retort is provided with the rotatable seal arrangement enabling to maintain vacuum in the retort and set the temperature in the retort exceeding its maximum operation temperature. 19. A method in accordance with Claim 18, characterized in that the seal arrangement is cooled to the temperature less its maximum operation temperature. 20. A method in accordance with Claim 17, characterized in that volatile substances are transported from the retort via second sleeve. 21. A method in accordance with Claim 20, characterized in that the temperature gradient between the retort and the sleeve is maintained by at least one thermal plug. 22. A method in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that the heat is transported from the exhaust conduit by bringing said exhaust conduit into contact with cooling medium to cool seal arrangement. 23. A method in accordance with Claim 19, characterized in that wherein cooling the seal arrangement the purge gas is additionally introduced into the sleeve and transport it into the inner chamber through at least one thermal plug for cooling the seal arrangement, preventing condensate buildup in the sleeve and accumulating macro particles in it. 24. A method in accordance with Claim 17, characterized in that pressure gradient is formed in and outside the retort to transport gases from the retort. 25. A method in accordance with Claim 17, characterized in that the seal arrangement is cooled by vacuum. 26. A method for separating of at least one volatile substance such as off-gas from a material, placed into the retort, characterized in that the heat is transferred to the retort and to the material to produce the temperature within the retort above 204.4 degree C (400 degree F), driving the retort to rotate, establishing vacuum pressure for lowering the boiling point, transporting off-gas from the retort into the system to off-gas processing. 27. A method in accordance with Claim 26, characterized in that at least one substance is vaporized at a temperature less than the boiling point of said substance.