Patent Description:
The application relates generally to ion chromatography and, more particularly, to an ion-exchange system and method thereof.

Ion exchanger systems, such as those employed in ion chromatography, can be used to remove or separate molecules from a fluid. The fluid may pass upwardly through a bed of ion-exchange resin contained in a container of the ion exchanger system to remove the molecules from the fluid. The ion exchanger system typically has an inlet at the bottom to receive the fluid into the container and an outlet at the top to remove the fluid from the container. In operation, the fluid can be pressurized and injected into the container.

The amount of molecules removed from the fluid may depend on the time that the fluid is in contact with the bed of ion-exchange resin. However, a portion of the fluid may pass through the resin at a rate different from rates of other portions of the fluid passing through the resin.

<CIT> discloses a device or apparatus for continuously treating fluids in an ion exchange bed. The device or apparatus comprises a lid, a hollow body, a bottom, an upper intermediate plate, and a lower intermediate plate.

In one aspect, which is defined in the independent apparatus claim <NUM>, there is provided a container for treating a fluid with an ion-exchange system, the container comprising a housing extending in an upright position along a longitudinal axis between a bottom port and an opposed top port, the housing having an internal chamber defined therein; a bottom plate disposed in the internal chamber perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at a predetermined height above the bottom port and having a plurality of openings defined therethrough, the bottom plate dividing the internal chamber between a main chamber and a bottom chamber, the bottom chamber defined between the bottom plate and the bottom port; and a plurality of diffusers in fluid flow communication with the bottom chamber extending from the bottom plate into the main chamber, each one of the plurality of diffusers being received in a respective one of the plurality of openings of the bottom plate and having a diffuser tube section projecting upwardly from the bottom plate and being in fluid flow communication with the bottom chamber, the diffuser tube section having radial openings circumferentially distributed along a length thereof to radially discharge the fluid in the main chamber.

In a further aspect, which is defined in the method claim <NUM>, there is provided an ion chromatography method for treating a fluid with ion-exchange treatment particles disposed in a container, the method comprising uniformly distributing the fluid in a bed of silex particles of the treatment particles through a plurality of bottom diffusers; raising the fluid from the bed of silex particles into, and through, a bed of ion-exchange particles of the treatment particles; and evacuating the fluid from the container.

<FIG> illustrates an ion-exchange system <NUM> that may be used in ion chromatography. The ion-exchange system <NUM> may be used for treating a fluid to remove ions, particles, and/or molecules from the fluid. The ion-exchange system may be used in the food and beverage industry as part of a purification and separation system. For example, the ion-exchange system <NUM> may be used in juice debittering, juice clarification, and the like. It is understood that other suitable applications outside the beverage industry for removing ions, particles and/or molecules from the fluid using the ion-exchange system <NUM> are also contemplated.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the ion-exchange system <NUM> includes four containers <NUM>. The container <NUM> is intended to refer to a vessel, receptacle, tank, and the like. The container <NUM> may receive and treat the fluid with treatment particles that may be disposed therein.

The treatment particles may contain a bed of ion-exchange particles or resin to treat the fluid. The ion-exchange particles are intended to refer to resins, beads, or the like, that can separate ions and/or molecules from the fluid. The ion-exchange resin may be selected to provide the desired separation and removal of the ions and/or molecules from the fluid.

The ion-exchange particles or resin to treat the fluid is preferably a weak anion exchange resin such as a resin of the acrylic or styrene type. Preferably, weak anion exchange resin is comprising ternary amines that are neutral at a pH greater than <NUM> and ionized at a pH lower than <NUM> and may therefore be useful for capturing chemical species (such as weak acids, in particular organic acids). Preferably, the resin is an acrylic-type anion exchange resin having a capacity between <NUM>-<NUM>.

The container <NUM> may include any suitable material for containing the fluid and the treatment particles. The ion-exchange system may include a pump <NUM> to pressurize the fluid and a piping network <NUM> to carry the fluid into and out of the containers <NUM>.

<FIG>, illustrates the container <NUM>. The container <NUM> has a housing <NUM> to receive the treatment particles, a bottom cover <NUM>, an opposed top cover <NUM>, and diffusers <NUM> positioned inside the container <NUM> to distribute the fluid in the housing <NUM>. The fluid may be uniformly distributed across the housing <NUM> through the diffusers <NUM>. It will be appreciated that relative terms such as, "top", "bottom", "side", "horizontal", "vertical", "upright", "above", and the like are used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that these relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the elements in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

The housing <NUM> may extend in an upright position along a longitudinal axis <NUM> (<FIG>) between a bottom port <NUM> defined in the bottom cover <NUM> and an opposed top port <NUM> defined in the top cover <NUM>. The bottom port <NUM> and the top port <NUM> may be openings. For example, the fluid may be introduced in the container <NUM> from the bottom port <NUM> and/or the top port <NUM> and evacuated from the bottom port <NUM> and/or the top port <NUM>, and vice versa. A fluid source (not shown) may provide the fluid to the container <NUM>. The fluid may be pressurized and injected into the container <NUM>. The pump <NUM> may pressurize the fluid. A vacuum pump may be connected to the top port <NUM> to evacuate the fluid from the container <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may have a sidewall <NUM> extending around the longitudinal axis <NUM> from the bottom cover <NUM> to the top cover <NUM>. The housing <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, the housing <NUM> may have an oval shape.

The container <NUM> has an internal chamber defined therein. The internal chamber may be divided into sub-chambers. For example, the container <NUM> may have a main chamber <NUM>, a bottom chamber <NUM>, and a top chamber <NUM>. The main chamber <NUM> is disposed between the bottom chamber <NUM> and the top chamber <NUM>. The main chamber <NUM> is defined in the housing <NUM> such that the sidewall <NUM> at least partially delimits the main chamber <NUM>. The main chamber <NUM> is adapted to contain therein the treatment particles. The bottom chamber <NUM> is defined between the main chamber <NUM> and the bottom cover <NUM>, and the top chamber <NUM> is defined between the main chamber <NUM> and the top cover <NUM>. In some embodiments, the bottom chamber <NUM> is free from the treatment particles. Similarly, the top chamber <NUM> may be free from the treatment particles.

The container <NUM> includes a bottom plate <NUM> disposed therein at a predetermined height above the bottom port <NUM> such that the bottom chamber <NUM> may be defined between the bottom plate <NUM> and the bottom port <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> may be disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> delimits a bottom portion of the main chamber <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> may extend across the sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In other words, a periphery of the bottom plate <NUM> may be in contact with the sidewall <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> may form a common divider between the main chamber <NUM> and the bottom chamber <NUM>.

The container <NUM> may include a top plate <NUM> disposed therein at a predetermined depth below the top port <NUM> such that the top chamber <NUM> may be defined between the top plate <NUM> and the top port <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> may be disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> delimits a top portion of the main chamber <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> may extend across the sidewall <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In other words, a periphery of the top plate <NUM> may be in contact with the sidewall <NUM>. The top plate <NUM> may form a common divider between the main chamber <NUM> and the top chamber <NUM>.

The diffusers <NUM> may include bottom diffusers 26A that extend from the bottom plate <NUM> into the main chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, each diffuser <NUM> has a diffuser tube section <NUM> that projects upwardly from the bottom plate <NUM> into the main chamber <NUM>. A predetermined height of the diffuser tube section <NUM> may be determined relative to the size and shape of the container <NUM>. The predetermined height of the diffuser tube section <NUM> may depend on the selection of the treatment particles. For example, the treatment particles may include the bed of ion-exchange particles disposed above a bed of silex particles. The silex particles are intended to refer to any suitable forms of quartz, flint, stones, or any of the other forms of silica and/or silicate, and the like. The height of the diffuser tube section <NUM> may extend only within the bed of silex particles. In some embodiments, the diffuser tube section <NUM> may not extend in the bed of ion-exchange particles. The bottom diffusers 26A may be uniformly distributed over the bottom plate <NUM>.

The bottom diffusers 26A are in fluid flow communication with the bottom chamber <NUM>. In operation, the fluid may be injected into the bottom chamber <NUM> through the bottom port <NUM>. The fluid may flow into the diffusers <NUM> to be radially discharged in the main chamber <NUM>.

The container <NUM> may include top diffusers 26B that extend from the top plate <NUM> into the main chamber <NUM>. In some embodiments, each diffuser has a diffuser tube section <NUM> that projects downwardly from the top plate <NUM> into the main chamber <NUM>. A predetermined depth of the diffuser tube section <NUM> may be determined relative to the size and shape of the container <NUM>. The predetermined depth of the diffuser tube section <NUM> may depend on the selection of the treatment particles. For example, the treatment particles may include the bed of silex particles disposed above the bed of ion-exchange particles. The depth of the diffuser tube section <NUM> may extend only in the bed of silex particles. In some embodiments, the diffuser tube section <NUM> of the top diffusers 26B may not extend in the bed of ion-exchange particles. The top diffusers 26B may be uniformly distributed over the top plate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the top cover <NUM> is shown. The top port <NUM> is positioned in a center of the top cover <NUM>. It is understood that other configurations of the top port <NUM> may be employed. The bottom cover <NUM> may be similar to the top cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the bottom plate <NUM> is shown. In some embodiments, the bottom plate <NUM> is perforated and includes openings <NUM> defined therethrough. Each opening <NUM> may receive a corresponding diffuser <NUM>. In other words, the corresponding diffuser <NUM> may extend through the bottom plate <NUM> through a respective opening <NUM>.

In some embodiments, each one of the openings <NUM> of the bottom plate <NUM> is in fluid flow communication with a corresponding diffuser tube section <NUM>. That is, two or more openings <NUM> may be in fluid flow communication with the same diffuser tube section <NUM>. For example, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the diffuser 26AA expands over four openings <NUM>. The diffuser 26A expands over one opening <NUM>.

The bottom plate <NUM> may have a circular shape. In other embodiments, the bottom plate <NUM> may have a different shape, such as oval, and the like.

A density of the diffusers <NUM> may be defined by a number of the diffusers <NUM> per unit area of the bottom plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, the density of the diffusers <NUM> is between a minimum value and a maximum value of diffusers <NUM> per meter square (number of diffusers/m<NUM>). In some embodiments, the density is between <NUM> and <NUM> diffusers/m<NUM>. In some embodiments, the density is between <NUM> and <NUM> diffusers/m<NUM>. In some embodiments, the density is, or about, <NUM> diffusers/m<NUM>. The density of the diffusers may be <NUM><NUM>/diffuser tube.

For example, for a diameter of <NUM> millimetres (mm) of the bottom plate <NUM>, the area of the bottom plate <NUM> is <NUM><NUM>. Thus, to maintain a density of <NUM> diffusers/m<NUM>, <NUM> diffusers <NUM> may be used and uniformly distributed over the bottom plate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a diffuser <NUM> is shown in accordance to some embodiments. The diffuser tube section <NUM> has a root opening <NUM> at one end and a closed opposite end <NUM>. The diffuser tube section <NUM> may be in fluid flow communication with the bottom chamber <NUM> through the root opening <NUM>. The diffuser tube section <NUM> may have radial openings <NUM> circumferentially distributed along a length thereof between the bottom plate <NUM> and the closed end <NUM>. A flow path of the fluid may be defined from the root opening <NUM> to the radial openings <NUM>.

The diffuser <NUM> may include the diffuser tube section <NUM> and a root tube section <NUM>. The root tube section <NUM> is intended to refer to any suitable tube to reach the fluid within the bottom chamber <NUM>. The root tube section <NUM> may project from the bottom plate <NUM> into the bottom chamber <NUM>. The root tube section <NUM> may be in fluid flow communication with the bottom chamber <NUM> through another root opening 50A.

The diffuser <NUM> may be sized to provide a pressure drop therethrough. The pressure drop may be between <NUM> and <NUM> bars for a flow of the fluid at a volumetric flow rate between <NUM> and <NUM> meter cube per hour (m<NUM>/h). The diffusers <NUM> may be sized and shaped to uniformly distribute the fluid in the bed of silex particles.

The diffuser tube section <NUM> may have a diameter that is between <NUM> and <NUM>. The height of the diffuser tube section <NUM> may be about <NUM>. It is understood that other sizes of the diameter and the height may be used.

A flowrate of the fluid per diffuser <NUM> may vary between <NUM> litres per hour (L/h) and <NUM><NUM>/h. The pump <NUM> may vary the flowrate of the fluid flowing to the diffusers <NUM>.

The diffuser <NUM> may be made from a stainless steel, titanium alloy, or a combination of stainless steel and titanium alloy. For example, the diffuser <NUM> may be made from a titanium loaded stainless steel. The material of the diffuser <NUM> may be known as "Alloy <NUM> Ti".

Referring to <FIG>, an enlarged view of a portion of the diffuser tube section <NUM> is shown in accordance to some embodiments. The radial openings <NUM> may have V-shaped openings. In some embodiments, the V-shaped openings <NUM> may block the silex particles <NUM> from entering into the diffusers <NUM>. The size of the silex particle <NUM> may be greater than the size of the radial opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the main chamber <NUM> defined within the housing <NUM> is shown. The housing <NUM> may have a height along the longitudinal axis <NUM> and a diameter extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. The shape of the housing <NUM> may be referred to as "super square". The term super square is intended to refer to a shape of the housing <NUM> where the values of the height and the diameter are equal, or are near each other. For example, a ratio of the height over the diameter may be between <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ratio of the height over the diameter is between <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ratio of the height over the diameter is between <NUM> and <NUM>. In some embodiments, the ratio of the height over the diameter is, or about, <NUM>.

In use, the treatment particles may be provided inside the main chamber <NUM> to a filling height that extends from the bottom plate <NUM> toward the top plate. The filling height may be between <NUM>% and <NUM>% of the total height of the housing <NUM>. The treatment particles may expand in volume during the treatment of the fluid. The container <NUM> may be sold separately from the treatment particles. The container <NUM> may be sold with the bed of silex particles <NUM> and the bed of ion-exchange particles.

The ion-exchange system <NUM> may include the container <NUM> with an identical bottom half and top half. That is, for example, the top plate <NUM> and top diffusers 26B mirror the bottom plate <NUM> and bottom diffusers 26A. In some embodiments, a regenerating or washing fluid may be used to regenerate or wash the ion-exchange particles. For example, after treating the fluid, the ion-exchange particles may be washed to remove the molecules that were separated from the fluid, the molecules retained by the ion-exchange particles, or both.

In some operations of the ion chromatography, a method may be provided for treating the fluid. The method may include uniformly distributing the fluid in the bed of silex particles <NUM> in the container <NUM>, raising the fluid from the bed of silex particles into, and through, the bed of ion-exchange particles, and evacuating or retrieving the fluid from the container <NUM>. The method may include a reverse washing flow from the top port <NUM> to the bottom port <NUM> to wash and regenerate the ion-exchange particles.

Referring to <FIG>, a cross-section of the container <NUM> is shown. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the bottom chamber <NUM> and the top chamber <NUM> are free from the ion-exchange particles <NUM>. In operation, during a treatment cycle, the fluid may flow through the container <NUM> from the bottom port <NUM>, to the bottom chamber <NUM>, to the main chamber <NUM>, to the top chamber <NUM>, and flow out of the container <NUM> through the top port <NUM>. For example, the fluid may enter the housing <NUM> through the bottom port <NUM>. The fluid may flow into the bottom diffusers 26A. The bottom diffusers 26A may uniformly discharge the fluid in the bed of silex particles <NUM>. The fluid may rise from the bed of silex particles <NUM> into the bed of ion-exchange particles <NUM>. The fluid may flow into the top diffusers 26B. The fluid may exit the container through the top port <NUM>.

In operation, during a washing cycle, the fluid may flow through the container <NUM> from the top port <NUM>, to the top chamber <NUM>, to the main chamber <NUM>, to the bottom chamber <NUM>, and flow out of the container <NUM> through the bottom port <NUM>. For example, the fluid may enter the housing <NUM> through the top port <NUM>. The fluid may flow into the top diffusers 26B. The top diffusers 26B may uniformly discharge the fluid in the bed of silex particles <NUM>. The fluid may flow from the bed of silex particles <NUM> into the bed of ion-exchange particles <NUM>. The fluid may flow into the bottom diffusers 26A. The fluid may exit the container through the bottom port <NUM>.

The above description is meant to be exemplary only, and one skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed. For example, the bottom diffusers may be identical to the top diffusers. The bottom plate <NUM> may be identical to the top plate.

Claim 1:
A container (<NUM>) for treating a fluid with an ion-exchange system (<NUM>), the container (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) extending in an upright position along a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) between a bottom port (<NUM>) and an opposed top port (<NUM>), the housing (<NUM>) having an internal chamber defined therein;
a bottom plate (<NUM>) disposed in the internal chamber perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (<NUM>) at a predetermined height above the bottom port (<NUM>) and having a plurality of openings (<NUM>) defined therethrough, a bottom chamber (<NUM>) being defined between the bottom plate (<NUM>) and the bottom port (<NUM>); and
a plurality of diffusers (26A) in fluid flow communication with the bottom chamber (<NUM>) extending from the bottom plate (<NUM>) into a main chamber (<NUM>), each one of the plurality of diffusers (26A) being received in a respective one of the plurality of openings (<NUM>) of the bottom plate (<NUM>) and having a diffuser tube section (<NUM>) projecting upwardly from the bottom plate (<NUM>) and being in fluid flow communication with the bottom chamber (<NUM>), the diffuser tube section (<NUM>) having radial openings (<NUM>) circumferentially distributed along a length thereof to radially discharge the fluid in the main chamber (<NUM>),
characterized in that the bottom plate (<NUM>) divides the internal chamber between the main chamber (<NUM>) and the bottom chamber (<NUM>).