Dean Smith

US Patent:

52385639, Aug 24, 1993

Filed:

Jul 29, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/921875

Inventors:

Dean L. Smith - Mountainside NJ
Charles P. Darnell - Baton Rouge LA
Tan-Jen Chen - Baton Rouge LA
Richard J. Basile - Wharton NJ
Burghard H. Ruterbories - Morris Plains NJ
David H. Hopkins - Escondido CA

Assignee:

Exxon Research & Engineering Company - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

B01D 6312

US Classification:

21032174

Abstract:

A multi-element housing is disclosed for the containment of multiple membrane separation elements in parallel. The multi-element housing is characterized in that the elements are grouped in parallel with a feed/retentate zone, defined by a space enclosed by two tube sheets arranged at the same end of the elements. The central mandrels of the elements pass through the feed/retentate zone space defined by the two tube sheets and empty permeate outside the defined space into a permeate collection zone from which it is removed, while the tube sheet directly attached to the element is in open relationship to the interior of the membrane element and retentate accumulates in the space between the top tube sheet and the bottom tube sheet from which it is removed.

US Patent:

41509005, Apr 24, 1979

Filed:

Sep 30, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/838558

Inventors:

Dean L. Smith - Mountainside NJ
Barry L. Tarmy - Berkeley Heights NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Research & Engineering Co. - Florham Park NJ

International Classification:

B01F 716

US Classification:

366302

Abstract:

A mixing system which prevents accumulation of buoyant stagnant particles on the liquid surface and produces substantially uniform outlet slurry concentrations, comprising a tank having partial baffles in combination with an agitator. The baffle designs may be suitable for variable or constant level tanks depending upon the particular design selected and basically includes a plurality of baffles located within the tank substantially at or just below the liquid surface. These baffles are spaced about the tank wall and for a constant level agitated tank can be secured to the wall at a fixed location. In the case of variable level tanks the baffles can be maintained at the desired location by means of a floating member. Another embodiment locates the baffles as mentioned above and further provides a centrally located draft tube located above the agitator. Still another embodiment for variable level tanks locates narrow fixed baffles extending substantially from the liquid surface to the bottom of the tank.