Continuous gas separation in an open system

Abstract

A continuous process for separating a gaseous constituent from a gaseous mixture comprises continuous and concurrent steps of: (a) introducing the gaseous mixture through an entry port into an enclosed ionization chamber; (b) ionizing the gaseous mixture between oppositely charged electrodes (i.e., an anode and a cathode) of static polarity; (c) pumping the gaseous constituent out of a space between the anode and the cathode through a first passage adjoining a selected one of the anode or the cathode; and (d) pumping the balance of the gaseous mixture out of the space between the anode and cathode through a second passage adjoining the anode/cathode of opposite polarity. The ionization chamber comprises an anode and a cathode separated by a volume for containing the gaseous mixture. Ions of a gaseous constituent are drawn towards one of the anode or cathode of opposite polarity to the ions, and away from the other anode or cathode of same polarity to the ions. As ions approach the cathode/anode, they are collected and sucked though an exhaust port by the action of an electro-mechanical pump. The balance of the gaseous mixture is collected adjacent to the opposite cathode/anode, and exhausted by a separate pump.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of separating a gaseous constituent from a gaseous mixture in a continuous process, comprising continuous and concurrent steps of: 
 introducing the gaseous mixture through an entry port into an enclosed ionization chamber, the ionization chamber comprising oppositely-charged electrodes of static polarity separated by a volume for containing the gaseous mixture;    ionizing the gaseous mixture between the oppositely charged electrodes, whereby ions of a gaseous constituent are drawn towards one of the oppositely-charged electrodes of opposite polarity to the ions, and away from another of the oppositely-charged electrodes of same polarity to the ions;    pumping the gaseous constituent out of the volume through a first passage adjoining the one of the oppositely-charged electrodes of opposite polarity to the ions, the first passage separate from the entry port; and    pumping a balance of the gaseous mixture out of the volume through a second passage adjoining the another of the oppositely-charged electrodes of same polarity to the ions, the second passage separate from the entry port.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ionizing step further comprises exposing the gaseous mixture to ionizing radiation from a radiation source.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the exposing step further comprises exposing the gaseous mixture to ultraviolet radiation.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the introducing step further comprises reducing a static pressure of the gaseous mixture by throttling the entry port.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the introducing step further comprises introducing the gaseous mixture comprising ambient air reduced to a static pressure substantially below atmospheric pressure.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the introducing step further comprises reducing the static pressure to a pressure not less than one torr.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first pumping step further comprises pumping the gaseous constituent as an enriched mixture having a greater concentration of oxygen than in the ambient air.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first pumping step further comprises pumping the gaseous constituent as an enriched mixture having a greater concentration of nitrogen than in the ambient air.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first pumping step further comprises pumping the gaseous constituent through the first passage, wherein the first passage comprises a plurality of openings through the one of the oppositely-charged electrodes.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first pumping step further comprises pumping the gaseous constituent through the first passage, wherein the first passage comprises a plurality of channels through the one of the oppositely-charged electrodes.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the introducing step further comprises introducing the gaseous mixture into an ionization chamber wherein the oppositely-charged electrodes comprise spaced-apart parallel plates.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the introducing step further comprises introducing the gaseous mixture into an ionization chamber wherein the oppositely-charged electrodes comprise nested cylindrical sheets.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first pumping step further comprises pumping the gaseous constituent through the first passage into a plenum on a side of the electrode opposite from the volume; and out from the plenum through an exhaust port.  
     
     
         14 . A system for separating a gaseous constituent from a gaseous mixture, comprising: 
 an ionization chamber having an entry port for discharging the gaseous mixture into a substantially enclosed volume, the volume disposed between an anode and a cathode;    first suction means disposed against the anode, for suctioning the gaseous mixture from the substantially enclosed volume through the anode; and    second suction means disposed against the cathode, for suctioning the gaseous mixture from the substantially enclosed volume through the cathode.    
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a source of direct current connected to the anode and the cathode.  
     
     
         16 . A system for separating a gaseous constituent from a gaseous mixture, comprising: 
 an ionization chamber having an entry port for discharging the gaseous mixture into a substantially enclosed volume, the volume disposed between an anode and a cathode;    a first suction plenum separated from the enclosed volume by the cathode, in fluid communication with the enclosed volume; and    a second suction plenum separated from the enclosed volume by the anode, in fluid communication with the enclosed volume.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a first suction port in fluid communication with the first suction plenum, and a second suction port in fluid communication with the second suction plenum.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising an adjustable valve in series with the entry port.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a first plurality of passages through the cathode, for providing fluid communication between the enclosed volume and the first suction plenum.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a second plurality of passages through the cathode, for providing fluid communication between the enclosed volume and the first suction plenum.