System and method for performing separation and dehydroxylation of fumed silica soot particles

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a separator system for performing separation and dehydroxylation of fumed silica particles. The separator system includes a first inlet, a second inlet, a main body, a first outlet and a second outlet. The first inlet collects a primary feed of fumed silica particles from a gaseous stream into a double entry cyclone. The second inlet collects a secondary feed of chlorine gas into the double entry cyclone. The main body of the double entry cyclone is utilized in treating the primary feed and the secondary feed along with heat inside the double entry cyclone. Furthermore, the first outlet is utilized for releasing the dehydrated fumed silica particles and the second outlet is utilized for releasing the water molecules and other gases.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for performing separation of fumed silica particles, the method comprising:
 collecting a primary feed of fumed silica particles from a gaseous stream, wherein the primary feed of fumed silica particles is collected in a fluidized state;   collecting a secondary feed of chlorine gas, wherein the secondary feed of chlorine gas is collected for performing separation of the fluidized fumed silica particles;   treating the primary feed of the fumed silica particles and the secondary feed of chlorine gas along with heat; and   releasing the dehydrated fumed silica particles from a first outlet, whereby separating the fumed silica particles.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the primary feed of fumed silica particles from a gaseous stream is collected into a double entry cyclone from a first inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein collecting the secondary feed of chlorine gas into the double entry cyclone from a second inlet. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising, after performing separation of the fumed silica particles, releasing water molecules and gases from a second outlet. 
     
     
         5 . A separator system for performing separation and dehydroxylation of fumed silica particles, the separator system comprising:
 a first inlet, wherein the first inlet is utilized for collecting a primary feed of fumed silica particles from a gaseous stream into a double entry cyclone, wherein the primary feed of fumed silica particles is collected in a fluidized state;   a second inlet, wherein the second inlet is utilized for collecting a secondary feed of chlorine gas into the double entry cyclone, wherein the secondary feed of chlorine gas is collected for performing dehydroxylation of the fluidized fumed silica particles;   a main body of the double entry cyclone, wherein the main body of the double entry cyclone is utilized in treating the primary feed of the fumed silica particles and the secondary feed of chlorine gas along with heat inside the double entry cyclone;   a first outlet, wherein the first outlet is utilized for releasing the dehydrated fumed silica particles; and   a second outlet, wherein the second outlet is utilized for releasing the water molecules and other gases after performing separation and dehydroxylation of the fumed silica particles.   
     
     
         6 . The separator system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the vortex formation imparts centrifugal force on the fluidized fumed silica particles and the separation and dehydroxylation of the fumed silica particles happens for releasing dehydrated fumed silica particles and water molecules. 
     
     
         7 . The separator system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the fumed silica particles undergoes dehydroxylation for removing physiosorbed water molecules and chemisorbed water molecules, wherein the chemisorbed water molecules are removed after removal of the physiosorbed water molecules, wherein the physiosorbed water molecules are removed at temperature of about 200 degrees Celsius, wherein the chemisorbed water molecules remaining after temperature of 200 degrees Celsius is in range of about 30 parts per million to 50 parts per million. 
     
     
         8 . The separator system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the separator system performs dehydroxylation of isolated SiOH groups, geminal SiOH groups and vicinal SiOH groups, wherein the dehydroxylation of isolated SiOH groups, geminal SiOH groups and vicinal SiOH groups is defined by rate law dCdt=? k [c]n at temperature in range of about 320 degree Celsius to 1200 degree Celsius. 
     
     
         9 . The separator system as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the fumed silica particles undergoes separation and dehydroxylation in a time period, wherein the time period for separation and dehydroxylation of the fumed silica particles depends upon one or more factors. 
     
     
         10 . A method for performing separation of fumed silica particles, the method comprising:
 collecting, a primary feed of fumed silica particles from a gaseous stream into a double entry cyclone from a first inlet, wherein the primary feed of fumed silica particles is collected in a fluidized state;   collecting, a secondary feed of chlorine gas into the double entry cyclone from a second inlet, wherein the secondary feed of chlorine gas is collected for performing separation of the fluidized fumed silica particles;   treating, the primary feed of the fumed silica particles and the secondary feed of chlorine gas along with heat inside a main body of the double entry cyclone;   releasing, the dehydrated fumed silica particles from a first outlet; and   releasing, the water molecules and other gases after performing separation of the fumed silica particles from a second outlet.   
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising, performing dehydroxylation of the fluidized fumed silica particles in a chamber, wherein the dehydroxylation is performed after performing separation of the fumed silica particles in the double entry cyclone, wherein the chamber is surrounded by one or more induction furnaces. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising, performing dehydroxylation of the fluidized fumed silica particles in one or more chambers, wherein the dehydroxylation is performed after performing separation of the fumed silica particles in the double entry cyclone, wherein the one or more chambers are surrounded by one or more induction furnaces. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising, performing compaction of the fluidized fumed silica particles using a punch and a die apparatus, wherein the compaction is performed after performing separation of the fumed silica particles in the double entry cyclone, wherein the compaction is performed for performing dehydroxylation of compacted fumed silica particles. 
     
     
         14 .