US3820349A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sludge separation system
Assignee: Carrier Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-01
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Granted: 1974-06-28
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Expires: 1993-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A sludge separation system including a reversible refrigeration circuit having a set of sludge receiving heat exhangers which alternate between evaporating and condensing functions to periodically freeze and thaw sludge to effect the separation of solid constituents therein, and a compressor which operates only when the pressure differential of the refrigerant in the heat exchangers is insufficient to force the refrigerant from the evaporator to the condenser.
Inventors
- 👤 J Styron
- 👤 Z Mandy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:41
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D1/00; B01D1/06; B01D1/10; C; C02; C02F; C02F11/00; C02F11/18; C02F11/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sludge holding means comprise falling film heat exchange members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said falling film heat exchange members comprise a set of generally vertical tubes in each heat exchanger for alternately receiving raw sludge and transmitting heat to the refrigerant in the heat exchanger to effect the freezing of sludge in the tubes, and for transmitting heat from the refrigerant in the heat exchanger to sludge in the tubes to effect the melting and discharge of sludge from the tubes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and further including means for receiving melting sludge discharged from said sludge holding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and further including means for delivering raw sludge to said heat exchangers to replace sludge discharged from said apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein and further including means for pumping raw sludge to said sludge holding means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 and further including means for receiving sludge from said pumping means and for containing a supply of sludge for delivery to said sludge holding means; and means for actuating said pumping means when the level of sludge in said sludge containing means falls below a predetermined level.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
312 words
The method of separating solid constituent from raw sludge in a sludge treatment system including first and second heat exchangers adapted to hold sludge and refrigerant in heat exchange relationship, a compressor connected to the heat exchangers, and refrigerant flow lines connecting the heat exchangers and the compressor in a refrigeration circuit, said method comprising: effecting the flow of refrigerant through the first heat exchanger to cause the transfer of heat to the refrigerant from sludge in said first heat exchanger to evaporate the refrigerant; effecting the flow of refrigerant vapor from said first heat exchanger to the second heat exchanger while bypassing the compressor when the pressure differential in the refrigerant is sufficient to urge it to the second heat exchanger; and effecting the flow of refrigerant vapor from said first heat exchanger to the compressor, compressing the refrigerant, and transferring the compressed refrigerant to the second heat exchanger when there is an insufficient pressure differential in the refrigerant urging it to the second heat exchanger at a desired rate; effecting the flow of refrigerant vapor through said second heat exchanger to cause the transfer of heat from said refrigerant vapor to sludge in said second heat exchanger to condense the refrigerant; effecting the flow of refrigerant condensate from said second heat exchanger to said first heat exchanger; reversing the direction of flow of the refrigerant and thereby reversing the roles of said heat exchangers in response to the freezing of the sludge in the first heat exchanger and the melting of the sludge in the second heat exchanger; introducing a quantity of raw sludge into the heat exchanger serving as a refrigerant evaporator and maintaining the sludge in a heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant in said heat exchanger to cause the sludge to freeze; and removing melting sludge previously frozen in the heat exchanger serving as a refrigerant condenser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-27 | 1977-12-27 | 1978-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-27 | 1981-12-27 | 1982-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-27 | 1985-12-27 | 1986-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |