MCGILL, Brian, G. (5288 River Oak Drive, Savage, MN, 55378, US)
BARRIS, Marty, A. (15845 Eastbend Way, Apple Valley, MN, 55124, US)
WHITE, Donald, H. (14718 Natchez Place, Savage, MN, 55378, US)
MCGILL, Brian, G. (5288 River Oak Drive, Savage, MN, 55378, US)
BARRIS, Marty, A. (15845 Eastbend Way, Apple Valley, MN, 55124, US)
| We claim: 1. A shuttle valve comprising: a valve body for controlling a working fluid the valve body comprising, at least a first port, a second port and a third port; a robust flow plug; a first port face seat; a second port face seat; the first port having the first port face seat; the second port having the second port face seat; both the first port and the second port in fluid communication with the third port; the robust flow plug slidingly engaged within the valve body between the first port face seat and the second port face seat to valve the fluid flow to the correct flow path; wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for a period of at least about 2 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. 2. The shuttle valve of claim 1 further comprising: a retaining member bridging the third port. 3. The shuttle valve of claim 1 further comprising: the robust flow plug comprising a polyacetal homopolymer. 4. The shuttle valve of claim 1 further comprising: the robust flow plug comprising a polyacetal composite. 5. The shuttle valve of claim 1 wherein: the robust flow plug comprises a material with a flexural strength of from about 10,000 psi to about 15,000 psi. 6. The shuttle valve of claim 1 wherein: the robust flow plug comprises a material with a coefficient of friction (dry vs. steel) of from about 0.10 to about 0.40. 7. The shuttle valve of claim 1 wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remain in service for a period of at least about 4 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. 8. The shuttle valve of claim 1 wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remain in service for a period of at least about 10 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 5 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. 9. An adsorbent fractionator for removal of contaminants from an input pressurized gas stream, producing an output pressurized gas stream, the adsorbent fractionator comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; a first shuttle valve in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber; a second shuttle valve in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber; a first exhaust valve in fluid communication with the first shuttle valve and the second shuttle valve; a second exhaust valve in fluid communication with the first shuttle valve and the second shuttle valve; the first shuttle valve and the second shuttle valve each comprising: a valve body for controlling a working fluid the valve body comprising, a first port, a second port and a third port; a robust flow plug; a first port face seat; a second port face seat; and the first port having the first port face seat; the second port having the second port face seat; both the first port and the second port in fluid communication with the third port; the robust flow plug slidingly engaged within the valve body between the first port face seat and the second port face seat to valve the fluid flow to the correct flow path; wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for a period of at least about two years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. 10. The adsorbent fractionator of claim 9 further comprising: a retaining member bridging the third port. 11. The adsorbent fractionator of claim 9 further comprising: the robust flow plug comprising a polyacetal homopolymer. 12. The adsorbent fractionator of claim 9 further comprising: the robust flow plug comprising a polyacetal composite. 13. The adsorbent fractionator of claim 9 wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for a period of at least about 4 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. 14. The adsorbent fractionator of claim 9 wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for a period of at least about 10 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 5 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. 15. The adsorbent fractionator of claim 9 wherein: the robust flow plug comprises a material with a flexural strength of from about 10,000 psi to about 15,000 psi. 16. The adsorbent fractionator of claim 9 wherein: the robust flow plug comprises a material with a coefficient of friction (dry vs. steel) of from about 0.10 to about 0.40. 17. A shuttle valve comprising: a valve body for controlling a working fluid the valve body comprising, at least a first port, a second port and a third port; a robust flow plug; a first port face seat; a second port face seat; and the first port having the first port face seat; the second port having the second port face seat; both the first port and the second port in fluid communication with the third port; the robust flow plug slidingly engaged within the valve body between the first port face seat and the second port face seat to valve the fluid flow to the correct flow path; wherein the robust flow plug comprises polyacetal; has a flexural strength of about 13,000 psi to about 14,500 psi; a coefficient of friction of about 0.15 to about 0.25; can sustain operating temperatures of from about 2750F to about 3250F; and is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for a period of at least about 2 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. 18. A duplex filter vessel for removal of contaminants from an input pressurized fluid stream, producing an output pressurized fluid stream, the duplex filter vessel comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; a first shuttle valve in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber; a second shuttle valve in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber; a first exhaust valve in fluid communication with the first shuttle valve and the second shuttle valve; a second exhaust valve in fluid communication with the first shuttle valve and the second shuttle valve; the first shuttle valve and second shuttle valve each comprising: a valve body for controlling a working fluid the valve body comprising, a first port, a second port and a third port; a robust flow plug; a first port face seat; a second port face seat; and the first port having the first port face seat; the second port having the second port face seat; both the first port and the second port in fluid communication with the third port; the robust flow plug slidingly engaged within the valve body between the first port face seat and the second port face seat to valve the fluid flow to the correct flow path; wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for at least from about 8,000 cycles to about 12,000 cycles. 19. The duplex filter vessel of claim 18 further comprising: a retaining member bridging the third port. 20. The duplex filter vessel of claim 18 further comprising: the robust flow plug comprising a polyacetal homopolymer. 21. The duplex filter vessel of claim 18 further comprising: the robust flow plug comprising a polyacetal composite. 22. The duplex filter vessel of claim 18 wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for at least 11,000 cycles. 23. The duplex filter vessel of claim 18 wherein: the robust flow plug comprises a material with a flexural strength of from about 10,000 psi to about 15,000 psi. 24. The duplex filter vessel of claim 18 wherein: the robust flow plug comprises a material with a coefficient of friction (dry vs. steel) of from about 0.10 to about 0.40. |
This application is being filed on 12 January 2009, as a PCT International Patent application in the name of Donaldson Company, Inc., a U.S. national corporation, applicant for the designation of all countries except the US, and Donald H. White, Brian G. McGiIl, and Marty A. Barris, all citizens of the U.S., applicants for the designation of the US only.
FIELD The disclosure relates to a robust three-port two way shuttle valve that can be used in controlling working fluids in valve-hostile environments. The disclosure further relates to a robust three-port two way shuttle valve for use in an adsorbent fractionator or a duplex filter vessel.
BACKGROUND
Adsorbent fractionators have been marketed for many years and are in wide use throughout the world. In some applications, adsorbent fractionators are typically used to remove unwanted contaminants (for example, desiccant dryers for water removal) from a gas feed stream. In the case of gas fractionators, the gas feed stream to be dried is passed, under pressure, through a desiccant in a first chamber in the drying cycle. At a required time or interval, for example when the desiccant in one chamber is no longer able to adsorb acceptable amount of water from the feed gas stream, the pressurized gas flow is diverted to another bed of desiccant in a second chamber which contains regenerated desiccant. The spent desiccant of the first chamber is regenerated, in a counterflow direction, with dry gas or a combination of dry gas and high temperature gas, depending upon the particular application.
Various desiccants can be used in the chambers of the adsorbent fractionator to adsorb either unwanted water or gases from the fluid feed stream. Compositions such as molecular sieves and activated alumina are typically used as packing materials in the chambers to adsorb from the pressurized feedstream. Some desiccants can produce abrasive dust or particles in the working fluid that abrade the equipment (e.g. valves), causing wear and tear, thus detrimentally affecting the seating of the valve and therefore the efficiency, or in some cases, causing failure of the adsorbent fractionator system.
Adsorbent fractionators that use high temperature gas to regenerate the desiccant or generate high temperatures in processing also require equipment (e.g. valves bodies, flow plugs and face seats) that can sustain the high temperature cycle processes.
In some instances, the regeneration cycle intervals can be less than a minute, depending upon the amount of fluid and contaminant that the column desiccant can adsorb. Because of these demanding short intervals, highly abrasive environment, high pressure process, and in some cases high temperature, the valve can fail after many cycles. Replacement and production down times are costly. Increasing efficiency of the adsorbent fractionator is a need felt in this industry.
Duplex filter vessels are apparatus used to filter particulate matter from fluids under pressure. The duplex filter vessel's shuttle valve can allow for diversion of fluid flow such that filtration of the fluid stream can remain uninterrupted while spent filtration media is replaced. In using duplex filter vessels for filtering fluid media with abrasive particles and or at high temperatures, there is a need to have a shuttle valve that is abrasion and temperature resistant to avoid valve failure. In light of these problems, there is a need for a shuttle valve for fluid streams that can sustain rapid cycles, be abrasion resistant and endure repetitive and frequent high pressure and high temperature cycles, in for example, fractionator equipment, without detriment to the process. These properties are required in the valve for extended equipment operational life.
SUMMARY
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment a robust shuttle valve is provided. The robust shuttle valve can have a robust flow plug that can operate in high frequency cycles and resist abrasion of high pressure fluids with abrasive particles. In other embodiments a shuttle valve with robust flow plug is provided that can sustain high temperature fluids and high pressure fluids, while cycling, without deformation.
One embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure is a shuttle valve comprising: a valve body for controlling a working fluid the valve body comprising, at least a first port, a second port and a third port; a robust flow plug; a first port face seat; a second port face seat; and the first port having the first port face seat; the second port having the second port face seat; both the first port and the second port in fluid communication with the third port; the robust flow plug slidingly engaged within the valve body between the first port face seat and the second port face seat to valve the fluid flow to the correct flow path; wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for a period of at least about 2 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes to about once every 30 minutes.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure a shuttle valve is provided for controlling working fluids having a valve body with a first port, a second port and a third port. A slidably engaged robust flow plug can ride on the inside surface of the valve body, engaging either the first port face seat or the second port face seat to restrict flow to either the first port or the second port. Depending upon the configuration and application of the shuttle valve, the third port can act as either an inlet port or an outlet port. hi some embodiments the third port can be bridged by a retaining member. The retaining member can assume several form factors. The retaining member can prevent the robust flow plug from engaging the third port and thus preventing fluid flow to the third port. The retaining member can also act to guide the robust flow plug past the third port, thus preventing damage to the robust flow plug from inadvertent contact of the robust flow plug with the inner edge of the third port. In some embodiments the retaining member can be made from plastic, glass, metal or any material of the likes that is compatible with the adsorbent fractionation process, for example but not limited to high melting plastics, or material that would not out-gas water vapor. The retaining member can be a narrow diameter rod which bridges the third port. The rod can be, for example but not limited to, a single metal rod that is 0.125 inches in diameter, or larger, hi some embodiments, the retaining member can be a series of metal rods placed parallel to each other. The retaining member can be a plastic or metal screen or mesh along which the robust flow plug can travel when moving from the first face seat to the second face seat. In further embodiments, the retaining member can be a fenestrated plate or fenestrated cylinder which would prevent the robust flow plug from engaging the third port yet would not interfere with the flow of working fluid through the shuttle valve. Another embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure is an adsorbent fractionator for removal of contaminants from an input pressurized gas stream, producing an output pressurized gas stream, the adsorbent fractionator comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; a first shuttle valve in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber; a second shuttle valve in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber; a first exhaust valve in fluid communication with the first shuttle valve and the second shuttle valve; a second exhaust valve in fluid communication with the first shuttle valve and the second shuttle valve; the first shuttle valve and second shuttle valve each comprising: a valve body for controlling a working fluid the valve body comprising, a first port, a second port and a third port; a robust flow plug; a first port face seat; a second port face seat; and the first port having the first port face seat; the second port having the second port face seat; both the first port and the second port in fluid communication with the third port; the robust flow plug slidingly engaged within the valve body between the first port face seat and the second port face seat to valve the fluid flow to the correct flow path; wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for a period of at least about two years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. Other embodiments include a shuttle valve comprising: a valve body for controlling a working fluid the valve body comprising, at least a first port, a second port and a third port; a robust flow plug; a first port face seat; a second port face seat; and the first port having the first port face seat; the second port having the second port face seat; both the first port and the second port in fluid communication with the third port; the robust flow plug slidingly engaged within the valve body between the first port face seat and the second port face seat to valve the fluid flow to the correct flow path; wherein the robust flow plug comprises polyacetal; has a flexural strength of about 13,000 psi to about 14,500 psi; a coefficient of friction of about 0.15 to about 0.25; can sustain operating temperatures of about 275 0 F to about 325 0 F; and is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for a period of at least about 2 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. hi yet other embodiments the shuttle valve of the present disclosure can be used in an adsorbent fractionator to divert or cycle fluid flow. The adsorbent fractionator can include two or more chambers. As described above, members of a shuttle valve for use in an adsorbent fractionator can be robust and able to resist abrasion and sustain high temperatures and pressures without deformation or failure.
Other embodiments of the present disclosure include a robust shuttle valve used with a duplex filter vessel. A duplex filter vessel is an apparatus that can be used to filter contaminant-containing fluids, under pressure, in an in-line process. The duplex filter vessel can be arranged such that when a filter material is exhausted, the fluid flow with contaminants being filtered can be diverted to another chamber that contains fresh filter material. The diversion of fluid can occur using a shuttle valve. This allows for uninterrupted and continuous filtration of the fluid flow, allowing for process efficiency, with reduced down times.
Other embodiments include a duplex filter vessel for removal of contaminants from an input pressurized fluid stream, producing an output pressurized fluid stream, the duplex filter vessel comprising: a first chamber; a second chamber; a first shuttle valve in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber; a second shuttle valve in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber; a first exhaust valve in fluid communication with the first shuttle valve and the second shuttle valve; a second exhaust valve in fluid communication with the first shuttle valve and the second shuttle valve; the first shuttle valve and second shuttle valve each comprising: a valve body for controlling a working fluid the valve body comprising, a first port, a second port and a third port; a robust flow plug; a first port face seat; a second port face seat; and the first port having the first port face seat; the second port having the second port face seat; both the first port and the second port in fluid communication with the third port; the robust flow plug slidingly engaged within the valve body between the first port face seat and the second port face seat to valve the fluid flow to the correct flow path; wherein the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for at least from about 8,000 cycles to about 12,000 cycles.
Contaminants that are commonly filtered from fluids using a duplex filter vessel include, but are not limited to, ferrous metal particulates, silica oxide, aluminum oxide, copper oxide, chromium oxide and organic compounds. In some cases, these materials can be abrasive. Therefore, the components of the duplex filter, especially the shuttle valve, can be made from materials that resist abrasion in order for the duplex filter to remain in extended service.
The frequency of the cycling of the shuttle valve can depend upon several factors. In accordance with the present disclosure the shuttle valve in use with an adsorbent fractionator can efficiently cycle and redirect fluid from one port to another port, sometimes as often as once per minute. One factor upon which the frequency of the cycle can depend upon is the targeted output performance of the adsorbent fractionator. A heatless high performance adsorbent fractionator can require more frequent cycling of the shuttle valve than a low performing adsorbent fractionator. Shuttle valves for both high performance and low performance heatless adsorbent fractionators typically require cycling of the shuttle valve on the order of minutes.
On the other hand, a heated adsorbent fractionator can require less frequent cycling of the shuttle valve than the heatless adsorbent fractionator. Cycling of shuttle valves for a heated adsorbent fractionator can typically require cycling frequency of the shuttle valve on the order of hours.
The shuttle valve of the adsorbent fractionator can be sufficiently robust in that the shuttle valves remain in service for a period of at least about 2 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes. In other embodiments the shuttle valve can be sufficiently robust in that the shuttle valve remain in service for a period of at least about 4 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 2 minutes to about once every 30 minutes, hi other embodiments the valve can be sufficiently robust in that the shuttle valve remain in service for at least about 5 years, for at least about 6, for at least about 7 years, for at least about 8 years, for at least about 9 years or for at least about 10 years, while cycling during service on the average of about once every 5 minutes to about once every 30 minutes. The shuttle valve of a duplex filter vessel can have different cycling requirements than the shuttle valve of an adsorbent fractionator. Depending upon the filtration needs of the fluid being filtered through the duplex filter vessel, cycling times for the shuttle valve on the duplex filter vessel can vary from hours to months. Typically, in some embodiments, the filtration material can be changed, and thus the shuttle valve of the duplex filter vessel cycled, on a weekly basis. In some embodiments, the robust flow plug is sufficiently robust such that the shuttle valve remains in service for at least from about 8,000 cycles to about 12,000 cycles.
A variety of fluids can be filtered using a duplex filter vessel fitted with a shuttle valve of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, fluids filtered using a duplex filter vessel fitted with a shuttle valve of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, petroleum based fluids, water based fluids, glycols, poly α-olefins, polyalkylene glycols, esters, diesters, phosphate esters, polyol esters, silicones, silicone oils, vegetable oils, plant oils, and combinations thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals and letters indicate corresponding structure throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 provides a cross section illustration of a shuttle valve of the present disclosure with a retaining member;
FIG. 2 provides a perspective view illustrating a shuttle valve of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 provides a cross section illustration of another embodiment of a shuttle valve of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4 provides a cross section illustration of an embodiment of a shuttle valve with a fenestrated retaining member and a cylindrical robust flow plug of the present disclosure;
FIG. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present disclosure of an adsorbent fractionator with shuttle valves of the present disclosure whereby the pressurized gas feed stream is directed to the first chamber of the adsorbent fractionator;
Figure 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present disclosure of an adsorbent fractionator with shuttle valves of the present disclosure whereby the pressurized gas feed stream is directed to the second chamber of the adsorbent fractionator; and Figure 7 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present disclosure of a duplex filter vessel with shuttle valves of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS As used herein, the following definitions define the stated term:
The term "service" or "in service" as used herein refers to equipment that is actively operating at the required level of function. For example, if a shuttle valve on a high performance adsorption fractionator is cycling, and supplying working fluid at an appropriate level of purity, the shuttle valve is "in service." The term "cycle" or "cycling" refers to frequency of operation of the equipment. For example, one cycle of a shuttle valve is when the robust flow plug slidingly engages from the first port face seat to the second port face seat.
The term "robust" as used herein means capable of performing without failure under a wide range of conditions. FIG 1 is a cross section view of one embodiment of a shuttle valve 10 for controlling working fluid of the present disclosure with retaining member 28 bridging a third port 26. Valve body 20 of the shuttle valve 10 comprises a first port 22, a second port 24 and a third port 26. Robust flow plug 30 slidingly engages shuttle valve body 20 and retaining member 28. The retaining member 28 prevents the robust flow plug 30 from engaging the third port 26 of the valve body 20, allowing fluid flow through the third port 26. As represented in FIG.l, robust flow plug 30 engages first port face seat 32 thus blocking flow of fluids through the first port 22, causing the third port 26 and the second port 24 to be in fluid communication. As a pressure differential in the fluid is created, the robust flow plug 30 disengages from the first port face seat 32, and the robust flow plug 30 moves along the inside surface of valve body 20 and retaining member 28, the robust flow plug 30 ultimately engages the second port face seat 34 of the second port 24. Upon engagement of the robust flow plug 30 with the second port face seat 34, the flow of working fluid through the second port 24 is blocked, allowing the third port 26 and the first port 22 to be in fluid communication.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a shuttle valve 10 of the present disclosure. The shuttle valve 10 has a valve body 20 and three ports, a first port 22, a second port 24 and a third port 26. In certain embodiments, the third port 26 can act as an inlet port. In other embodiments the third port 26 can act as an outlet port. When the third port 26 acts as an inlet port, the first port 22 and second port 24 can alternately act as outlet ports. Conversely, when the third port 26 acts as an outlet port, the first port 22 and the second port 24 can alternately act as inlet ports, depending upon the position of the robust flow plug 30 (FIG 1.). The third port 26 can be in fluid communication with the second port 24. The third port 26 can be in fluid communication with the first port 22. Typically, the first port 22 and the second port 24 are not in fluid communication, or only briefly in fluid communication with each other, due to the engagement of the robust flow plug 30 against either the first port face seat 32 of the first port 22 or the second port face seat 34 of the second port 24 (FIG. 1).
FIG. 3 is a cross section illustration of a shuttle valve 310 of one embodiment of the present disclosure that does not have a retaining member bridging the third port 326. Robust flow plug 330 slidingly engages valve body 320. As illustrated in FIG. 3, robust flow plug 330 engages first port face seat 332 thus blocking flow of fluids through the first port 322, causing the third port 326 and the second port 324 to be in fluid communication. As a pressure differential in the fluid is created, the robust flow plug 330 disengages from the first port face seat 332, and the robust flow plug 330 moves along the inside surface of valve body 320, the robust flow plug 330 ultimately engaging second port face seat 334 of the second port 324. Upon engagement of the robust flow plug 330 with the second port face seat 334, the flow of fluid through the second port 324 is blocked, causing the third port 326 and the first port 322 to be in fluid communication. Although not intended to be limiting, this embodiment without a retaining member bridging the third port 326 can be of particular use when the third port 326 of the shuttle valve 310 is configured as a fluid outlet port.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a shuttle valve 410 of the present disclosure having a fenestrated retaining member 428 and cylindrical robust flow plug 430. The shuttle valve 410 has a valve body 420 and three ports, a first port 422, a second port 424 and a third port 426. The cylindrical robust flow plug 430 slidingly engages valve body 420. As illustrated in FIG. 4, cylindrical robust flow plug 430 engages first port face seat 434 thus blocking flow of fluids through the second port 424, causing the third port 426 and the first port 422 to be in fluid communication. As a pressure differential in the fluid is created, the cylindrical robust flow plug 430 disengages from the second port face seat 434. The cylindrical robust flow plug 430 moves along the inside of valve body 420 and on the surface of the fenestrated retaining member 428, with fenestrations 499. The cylindrical robust flow plug 430 ultimately engages first port face seat 432 of the first port 422. Upon engagement of the cylindrical robust flow plug 430 with the first port face seat 432, the flow of fluid through the first port 422 is blocked, causing the third port 426 and the second port 424 to be in fluid communication. hi certain embodiments, the third port 426 can act as an inlet port, hi other embodiments the third port 426 can act as an outlet port. When the third port 426 acts as an inlet port, the first port 422 and second port 424 can alternately act as outlet ports. Conversely, when the third port 426 acts as an outlet port, the first port 422 and the second port 424 can alternately act as inlet ports. The third port 426 can be in fluid communication with the second port 424. The third port 426 can be in fluid communication with the first port 422. Typically, the first port 422 and the second port 424 are not in fluid communication, or only briefly in fluid communication with each other, due to the engagement of the cylindrical robust flow plug 430 against either the first port face seat 432 or the second port face seat 434.
Turning now to FIG. 5, in one embodiment an adsorbent fractionator 500 contains two chambers, a first chamber 514 and a second chamber 514' which are packed with first bed material 516 and second bed material 516', respectively, hi the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5, first exhaust valve 55 is closed and second exhaust valve 55' is open. The input pressurized gas stream 518 flows into the third port 526 of the first shuttle valve 510. The input pressurized gas stream 518 then flows out through the second port 524 of the first shuttle valve 510, directing the input pressurized gas stream 518 toward the first chamber 514. The robust flow plug 530 is positioned against first port face seat 532 such that pressure of the input pressurized gas stream 518 holds the robust flow plug 530 against first port face seat 532, thus preventing the input pressurized gas stream 518 from exiting via the first port 522. The input pressurized gas stream 518 flows into first chamber 514 containing first bed material 516, wherein the unwanted portion or portions (e.g. water) of the pressurized gas inlet stream 518 are adsorbed onto first bed material 516, resulting in an output pressurized gas stream 519. The outlet pressurized gas stream 519 then enters the second port 524' of the second shuttle valve 510'. If so equipped, the outlet gas stream passes through the retaining member 528' of the second shuttle valve 510' and the final outlet pressurized gas stream 529 exits the second shuttle valve 510' through the third port 526' of the second shuttle valve 510'. When the first bed material 516 in the first chamber 514 reaches a point of saturation of unwanted component (e.g. water) such that first bed material 516 requires regeneration or replacement, second exhaust valve 55' is closed to pressurize vessel 514' and the first chamber 514 is depressurized by opening the first exhaust valve 55. (FIG 6.). Upon depressurizing the first chamber 514, the robust flow plug 530 is forced over by the pressure of the inlet pressurized gas stream 518 to lodge against face seat 534 of the second port 524, thus blocking the inlet pressurized gas stream 518 from entering the first chamber 514 through the first shuttle valve 510. Concurrent with the depressurization of first chamber 514, the robust flow plug 530' of the second shuttle valve 510' is forced over by the outlet pressurized gas stream 519' to lodge against the face seat 534' of the second port 524', thus blocking the outlet pressurized gas stream 519 from entering the first chamber 514 through second port 524' of the second shuttle valve 510'. If the second shuttle valve 510' is so equipped with a retaining member 528', the robust flow plug 530' will contact the retaining member 528' when moving from the first face seat 532' of the first port 522' to the second face seat 534' of the second port 524'. If the shuttle valve 510 is so equipped with a retaining member 528, the robust flow plug 530 will contact the retaining member 528 when moving from the first face seat 532 of the first port 522 to the second face seat 534 of the second port 524. Robust shuttle valves of the present disclosure can also be used with duplex filter vessels.
In another embodiment (FIG. 7) a duplex filter vessel 750 contains two chambers, a first chamber 714 and a second chamber 714' which are packed with first filter material 716 and second filter material 716', respectively. In the configuration of FIG. 7, first exhaust valve 75 is closed and second exhaust valve 75' is open. The input pressurized fluid stream 718 flows into the third port 726 of the first shuttle valve 710. The input pressurized fluid stream 718 then flows out through the second port 724, directing the input pressurized fluid stream 718 toward the first chamber 714. The robust flow plug 730 is positioned against first port face seat 732 such that pressure of the input pressurized fluid stream 718 holds the robust flow plug 730 against first port face seat 732, thus preventing the input pressurized fluid stream 718 from exiting via the first port 722. The input pressurized fluid stream 718 flows into first chamber 714 containing first filter material 716, wherein the unwanted portion or portions (for example, but not limited to, water, ferrous metal particulates and silica oxide ) of the input pressurized fluid stream 718 are adsorbed, trapped and/or collected onto first filter material 716, resulting in an output pressurized fluid stream 719. The output pressurized fluid stream 719 then enters the second port 724' of the second shuttle valve 710'. If so equipped, the outlet fluid stream passes through the retaining member 728' of second shuttle valve 710' and the final outlet pressurized fluid stream 719 exits the second shuttle valve 710' through the third port 726' of the second shuttle valve 710'.
When the first filter material 716 in the first chamber 714 reaches a point of saturation of contaminants (for example, but not limited to, ferrous particles, copper oxide and chromium oxide) such that first filter material 716 requires replacement to remain in service, second exhaust valve 75' is closed to pressurize vessel 714' and the first chamber 714 is depressurized by opening the first exhaust valve 75. Upon depressurizing the first chamber 714, the robust flow plug 730 is forced over by the pressure of the inlet pressurized fluid stream 718 to lodge against face seat 734 of the second port 724, thus blocking the inlet pressurized gas stream 718 from entering the first chamber 714 through the first shuttle valve 710. Concurrent with the depressurization of first chamber 714, the robust flow plug 730' of the second shuttle valve 710' is forced over by the outlet pressurized fluid stream 719' to lodge against the face seat 734' of the second port 724', thus blocking the outlet pressurized fluid stream 719 from entering the first chamber 14 through second port 724' of the second shuttle valve 710'. If the second shuttle valve 710' is so equipped with a retaining member 728', the robust flow plug 730' will contact the retaining member 728' when moving from the first face seat 732' of the first port 722' to the second face seat 734' of the second port 724'. If the first shuttle valve 710 is so equipped with a retaining member 728, the robust flow plug 730 will contact the retaining member 728 when moving from the first face seat 732 of the first port 722 to the second face seat 734 of the second port 724. Filtration Materials
In some embodiments of the present disclosure the duplex filter vessel can have chambers that contain filtration material. The filtration material can be chosen according to the particular fluid to be filtered. For example, material such as inorganic glass fiber-based non-woven media can be used for filtration of fine particulate contaminants (e.g. particulate contaminants less than about 10 μm). Additionally, material such as wire mesh and/or cellulose fiber-based non-woven media can be used for filtration of more coarse particulate contaminants (e.g. particulate contaminants larger than about 10 μm to about 30 μm). For absorption of free and/or emulsified water materials such as acrylic copolymers can be used. Other filtration materials include microfiberglass, available from Hollingsworth and Vose, East Walpole, Massachusetts, under the trade designations HOVOGLASS®, HOVOGLAS®PLUS, DUALPHASE®, and DUALLAYER® and microglass available from Lydell, Rochester, New Hampshire, under the trade designations LYPORE® DEFENDER®, LYPORE® XL and LYPORE®.
Typically, the filtration material used in duplex filter vessel applications can be discarded after the filter material has exceeded its useful lifetime. Once the filtration material has exceeded its useful lifetime, new filtration material can then be inserted into the duplex filtration vessel. The duplex filtration vessel can then be ready to cycle to the new filtration material without interruption of the filtration process. In some instances, the filtration material can be regenerated, for example, with application of heat or rinsing with water or solvent, and replaced for continued service.
Desiccants
In some embodiments of the present disclosure the adsorbent fractionator can have chambers that are packed with desiccant. The types of desiccants are, for example, but not limited to, activated alumina (available from BASF, Iselin, New Jersey, under the trade designation "BASF F-200"), and silica gels (available from BASF under the trade designation "SORBEAD™ WS"). When the adsorbent fractionator is operating under high pressure and high temperature, for example, during the heated regeneration cycle, abrasive dust or particles can dislodge from the desiccant of the packed bed of the chamber and come in contact with the shuttle valve and shuttle valve components (e.g., such as the valve body, robust flow plug and face seats). When this occurs, the shuttle valve components, if not constructed from robust material, can become abraded and fail to perform. The valve can lose its ability to properly direct the pressurized fluid, as distortions can occur in either of the face seats, the valve body or the flow plug due to the abrasive nature of the desiccant in the chamber.
Materials
As described above, materials for use in making shuttle valves for adsorbent fractionators in some embodiments of the disclosure can be abrasion resistant under high pressure working fluid, hi other embodiments of the disclosure materials for use in making shuttle valves can be resistant to high temperatures under high pressure working fluid.
Materials for use in shuttle valves, and shuttle valve components such as robust flow plugs, valve bodies or face seats for use in fluid applications described herein can generally have a flexural strength value of about 10,000 psi to about
15,000 psi. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure materials for use in the shuttle valve and shuttle valve components such as robust flow plugs, valve bodies and face seats can have flexural strength values of about 10,500 psi, about 11,000 psi, about 11,500 psi, about 12,000 psi, about 12,500 psi, about 13,000 psi, about 13,500 psi, about 14,000 psi or even about 14,500 psi.
Materials for shuttle valves, valve bodies, robust flow plugs or face seats for use in adsorbent fractionators described herein can sustain operating temperatures of about 200 0 F to about 34O 0 F. In some embodiments the material can sustain operating temperatures of about 21O 0 F, about 22O 0 F, about 23O 0 F, about 24O 0 F, about 25O 0 F, about 26O 0 F, about 27O 0 F, about 28O 0 F, about 29O 0 F, about 300 0 F, about 31O 0 F, about 32O 0 F, and even as high as about 33O 0 F.
Materials for shuttle valves for use in high pressure flow fluid applications described herein can have a dynamic coefficient of friction (dry vs. steel) of about 0.10 to about 0.40. In some embodiments according to the present disclosure materials for shuttle valves can have a dynamic coefficient of friction (dry vs. steel) of about 0.12, about 0.14, about 0.16, about 0.18, about 0.20, about 0.22, about 0.24, about 0.26, about 0.28, about 0.30, about 0.32, about 0.34, about 0.36 or even of about 0.38. Furthermore, in other embodiments of the present disclosure materials for shuttle valves and shuttle valve components such as robust flow plugs, valve bodies and face seats for use in pressurized fluid applications described herein can have an Izod Impact (Notched) of about 0.5 ft-lbs/inch to about 8.0 ft-lbs/inch. In some embodiments of the present disclosure materials can have an Izod Impact (Notched) of about 1.0 ft-lbs/inch, about 1.5 ft-lbs/inch, about 2.0 ft-lbs/inch, about 2.5 ft- lbs/inch, about 3.0 ft-lbs/inch, about 3.5 ft-lbs/inch, about 4.0 ft-lbs/inch, about 4.5 ft-lbs/inch, about 5.0 ft-lbs/inch, about 5.5 ft-lbs/inch, about 6.0 ft-lbs/inch, about 6.5 ft-lbs/inch, about 7.0 ft-lbs/inch or even about 7.5 ft-lbs/inch. In alternative embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure, the material for robust flow plugs, valve bodies or face seats of the shuttle valve can have a water absorption value (per ASTM D570) of from about 0.8 wt% to about 1.0 wt%.
In yet other embodiments the material of the robust flow plug, valve body or face seat of the shuttle valve can have a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of from about 6 x 10 "5 inch/inch 0 F to about 8 x 10 "5 inch/inch 0 F. In some embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure the material can have a coefficient of linear thermal expansion of about 6.2 x 10 "5 inch/inch 0 F, about 6.4 x 10 "5 inch/inch 0 F, about 6.6 x 10 '5 inch/inch 0 F, about 6.8 x 10 "5 inch/inch 0 F, about 7.0 x 10 "5 inch/inch 0 F, about 7.2 x 10 "5 inch/inch 0 F, about 7.4 x 10 "5 inch/inch 0 F, about 7.6 x 10 "5 inch/inch 0 F or even about 7.8 x 10 '5 inch/inch 0 F
In some embodiments components of the shuttle valve such as the robust flow plug, valve body and/or face seats of the shuttle valve can be made of homopolymer polyacetal (available from DuPont, Wilmington, Delaware, under the trade designation "DELRIN®"), copolymers of polyacetal (available from Quadrant, Los Angeles, California, under the trade designation "ACETRON® GP") or combinations thereof. In other embodiments composite materials such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) filled polyacetal homopolymer (available from Quadrant, under the trade designation "EXTENDED WEAR DELRIN® AF") can be used. Other polyacetal materials for use in the present application include, but are not limited to "KEPIT AL®" and "CELCON®", available from Korea Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea; "IUPIT AL®" available from Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Corp., Tokyo, Japan; "ULTRAFORM®", available from BASF, Iselin, New Jersey; and "KOCET AL®" available from Kolon Industries, China. These polymeric materials have physical properties that are conducive to making various elements of the shuttle valve for embodiments of the present application, such as the robust flow plug, the face seat and the valve body. Physical properties such as moisture absorption, flexural strength, Izod Impact (Notched), coefficient of friction (abrasion resistance), coefficient of linear thermal expansion and melting point can contribute to desirable features for materials for the preparation of robust shuttle valves of the present disclosure.
Many features and advantages of the embodiments of the disclosure are apparent from the foregoing detailed description. Numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art and the disclosure is not meant to limit the scope of the invention to the exact construction and/or operation illustrated in the accompanying Figures described herein. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents within the spirit of the invention fall within the scope of the invention.