High pressure CO2 purification and supply system
A batch process and apparatus for producing a pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream includes distilling a feed stream of carbon dioxide vapor off of a liquid carbon dioxide supply; introducing the carbon dioxide vapor feed stream into at least one purifying filter; condensing the purified feed stream within a condenser to form an intermediate liquid carbon dioxide stream; introducing the intermediate liquid carbon dioxide stream into at least one high-pressure accumulation chamber; heating the high pressure accumulation chamber to pressurize the liquid carbon dioxide contained therein to a delivery pressure; delivering a pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream from the high-pressure accumulation chamber; and, discontinuing delivery of the pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream for replenishing the high pressure accumulation chamber.
1. An apparatus for producing a purified, pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream comprising:
a bulk liquid carbon dioxide supply tank for distilling off a feed stream comprising carbon dioxide vapor;
a purifying filter for purifying the carbon dioxide vapor feed stream;
a condenser for condensing the carbon dioxide vapor feed stream into an intermediate liquid carbon dioxide stream;
a receiver for accumulating the intermediate liquid carbon dioxide stream;
a high-pressure accumulation chamber for accepting the intermediate liquid carbon dioxide stream from the receiver;
a heater for heating the high-pressure accumulation chamber for pressurizing the carbon dioxide liquid contained therein to a delivery pressure;
a sensor for detecting when the high-pressure accumulation chamber requires replenishment of liquid carbon dioxide;
a flow network having conduits connecting the bulk supply tank, the condenser, the receiver and the high-pressure accumulation chamber and for discharging the pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream therefrom;
the conduits of said flow network including a vent line from the high-pressure accumulation chamber to the condenser to facilitate introduction of the intermediate liquid carbon dioxide stream into the accumulation chamber; and,
the flow network having valves associated with said conduits to allow for isolation of components of the apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a particle filter connected to the flow network to filter the pressurized liquid carbon dioxide stream.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the condenser includes an external refrigeration circuit having a heat exchanger to condense the vapor feed stream through indirect heat exchange with a refrigerant stream.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the condenser is integral with the receiver.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises an electrical heater.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the purifying filter for the carbon dioxide vapor feed stream is a coalescing filter.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the purifying filter for the carbon dioxide vapor feed stream is a particle filter.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a level sensor.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor is a pressure sensor.