IP Library Granted Patent US 8,801,843
Granted Patent B1
US 8,801,843 · App. 13/191,803 · Granted Aug 12, 2014

System for removing vapors from a liquid tank as the liquid tank is filled with fluid from a fluid source

Inventors: Jefferey St. Amant (League City, TX); Kenneth R. Matheson (Corpus Christi, TX); Keith Nathan (Seabrook, TX)
Assignee: Vapor Point, LLC
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,801,843
App. No.
13/191,803
Granted
Aug 12, 2014
Kind
B1
Abstract

A system for removing unwanted contaminates from gases using a scrubber, which comprises a housing, a reaction chamber having a liquid level, an inlet connected to a source containing gases to be scrubbed with a contamination concentration greater than zero ppb to saturation. A gas exit port connected to the housing is used for evacuating scrubbed gas and a sintered permeable membrane is disposed across the reaction chamber, which provides a reaction zone in the plurality of pores when gases to be scrubbed are introduced to the membrane on a first side while the membrane is immersed in the lean liquid; and a cleaned gas on a second side wherein the clean gas initially has a drop in contamination concentration of at least 99 percent and gradually decreasing to 70 percent as additional gases to be scrubbed are introduced to the plurality of pores without replacing the lean liquid.

Claims (24)

1. A system for removing vapors from a liquid tank as the liquid tank is filled with fluid from a fluid source, wherein the system comprises:

a. a transport vehicle;

b. a liquid tank connected with the transport vehicle, wherein the liquid tank comprises at least one vent; and

c. a scrubber in fluid communication with the at least one vent of the liquid tank, wherein the scrubber comprises a sintered permeable membrane disposed in a reaction zone within a housing, wherein the housing comprises a lean liquid, wherein the sintered permeable membrane is configured to contact vapor from the liquid tank, wherein the vapor has been in prior contact with the lean liquid in a portion of a reaction chamber, and wherein the sintered permeable membrane provides an interface for enhanced contact of gases to be scrubbed and an interface for the lean liquid.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a pump connected with the at least one vent and wherein an exhaust of the pump is connected with the scrubber.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a removable portion.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the sintered permeable membrane is integrated with a cartridge, and wherein a portion of the cartridge is connected to the removable portion of the housing.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the scrubber is disposed on a transport device.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the transport device is a skid, a trailer, a pallet, or combinations thereof.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the scrubber is connected with the transport vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the scrubber and the liquid tank are disposed on a single transport device.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the scrubber and the liquid tank are disposed on the transport vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of scrubbers each in fluid communication with at least one vent of the liquid tank.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transport vehicle is a barge, a trailer, a barge with a trailer disposed on the barge, a truck, a ship, a rail car with a trailer disposed thereon, a skid, or combinations thereof.

12. A system for removing vapors from a liquid tank as the liquid tank is filled with fluid from a fluid source, wherein the system comprises:

a. a transport vehicle; and

b. a housing comprising a liquid tank portion and a scrubber portion, wherein the liquid tank portion has at least one vent in fluid communication with the scrubber portion, and wherein the scrubber portion comprises a sintered permeable membrane disposed in a reaction zone within a housing, wherein the housing comprises a lean liquid, wherein the sintered permeable membrane is configured to contact vapor from the liquid tank, wherein the vapor has been in prior contact with the lean liquid in a portion of a reaction chamber, and wherein the sintered permeable membrane provides an interface for enhanced contact of gases to be scrubbed and an interface for the lean liquid.

13. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a pump connected with the at least one vent and wherein an exhaust of the pump is connected with the scrubber portion.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the housing comprises a removable portion.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the sintered permeable membrane is integrated with a cartridge, and wherein a portion of the cartridge is connected to the removable portion of the housing.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the housing is disposed on a transport device.

17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the transport device is a skid, a trailer, a pallet, or combinations thereof.

18. The system of claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of housings wherein at least one of the housings comprises a liquid tank portion and a scrubber portion connected with the transport vehicle.

19. The system of claim 12 , wherein the transport vehicle is a barge, a trailer, a barge with a trailer disposed on the barge, a truck, a ship, a rail car with a trailer disposed thereon, a skid, or combinations thereof.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2014
From: VAPOR POINT, LLC
To: IBERIABANK
Reel/Frame 033769/0889 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2011
From: ST. AMANT, JEFFEREY; MATHESON, KENNETH R.; NATHAN, KEITH
To: VAPOR POINT, LLC
Reel/Frame 026657/0635 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation In Part 12365567 · Feb 4, 2009
Provisional Application 61063901 · Feb 6, 2008
Provisional Application 61065720 · Feb 14, 2008