Apparatus and process for recovering volatile liquids

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for recovering volatile liquids collected in volatile storage tanks (T). The apparatus comprises absorption and condensation chambers ( 3, 8, 9, 10, 11 ) with transverse evaporation elements ( 12 ) and metallic elements having a high surface area, through which the gas mixture flows, is condensed and recirculated both internally and externally. These features make it possible to reduce the size of and increase the heat exchange efficiency and yield of the apparatus (R).

1 . Apparatus for recovering volatile liquids comprising a housing (C), at least one inlet pipe ( 1 ) of gaseous mixture and at least one outlet pipe ( 5 ) of recovered liquid; said housing (C) being divided into a series of vertical plates ( 19   a,    19 )), interrupted before the inner upper face of the housing (C), and forming consecutive absorption and condensation chambers ( 3 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ) from the inlet pipe ( 1 ) to the outlet pipe ( 5 ); said plates ( 19   a  and  19 ) are provided with an upper closure element ( 20 ) limiting the chambers ( 8 ,  9 ,  10 ) and forming an upper passage ( 21 ); plates ( 19 ) further comprise openings ( 14 ) that allow for the passage of gaseous mixture among the chambers ( 8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ); equipment is further comprised by at least one evaporative element ( 12 ) transversally arranged in the chambers ( 8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ); and, at least one opening ( 15 ) in the element ( 20 ) for the gaseous mixture to come out of the chamber ( 8 ) into the passage ( 21 ). 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus for recovering volatile liquids, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plate ( 19   a ) is made up from the housing (C) base, while plates ( 19 ) are minimally away from its base so as to allow for the passage of the condensate from one chamber to the other and be later guided to outlet pipe ( 5 ). 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus for recovering volatile liquids, as defined in  claim 1 , comprising a pipe ( 16 ) from chamber ( 8 ) with a relief valve ( 18 ). 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus for recovering volatile liquids, as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the pipe ( 16 ) comprises an adsorbent material cartridge ( 17 ). 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus for recovering volatile liquids, according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing (C) is thermally insulated. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus for recovering volatile liquids, as defined in  claim 1 , comprising a branch pipe ( 2 ) derived from pipe ( 1 ) connected to the outlet pipe ( 5 ) and provided with a stopcock ( 4 ) for flow control. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus for recovering volatile liquids, as defined in  claim 1 , comprising metal elements ( 13 ) for directing the stream between the evaporative elements ( 12 ). 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus for recovering volatile liquids, as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the pipe ( 5 ) comprises a stopcock ( 6 ) and a flow meter ( 7 ). 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus for recovering volatile liquids, as defined in  claim 1 , comprising a defrosting system. 
     
     
         10 . Process for recovering volatile liquids, comprising the following stages:
 a) Collecting gaseous mixtures released from volatile liquids in storage tanks (T);   b) Absorbing volatile compounds from the gaseous mixture into a chamber ( 3 ) kept at negative temperature;   c) Submitting gaseous mixture resulting from stage “b” to evaporative elements ( 12 ) in a series of chambers ( 8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ) in an alternate ascending and descending flow between the chambers;   d) Internal recirculating gaseous mixture resulting from stage “c” so as to join gaseous mixture resulting from stage “b”;   e) Submitting gaseous mixture through metal elements ( 13 ) with a high specific area so as to increase contact of gaseous mixture stream with evaporative elements ( 12 );   f) Returning obtained condensate to storage tank (T).   
     
     
         11 . Process for recovering volatile liquids, as defined in  claim 10 , comprising a stage wherein gaseous mixture resulting from stage “d” is submitted to a thermal exchange with the condensate obtained in the thermal exchanges from stage “c” deposited in each chamber ( 8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11 ). 
     
     
         12 . (canceled)