摘要 |
Oxygen is separated from air by a regenerative chemical process. Air is contacted with an oxygen acceptor comprised of a molten solution of alkali nitrite and nitrate salts at elevated temperature and pressure, causing the oxygen to react with the nitrite, and thereby increasing the proportion of nitrate in the salt solution. The oxidized oxygen acceptor is separated from the oxygen depleted air, and then its pressure is reduced while supplying heat, thereby causing the release of relatively pure oxygen, which is collected. The oxygen acceptor, restored to its approximate original composition, is recycled to the oxidation step. Since the oxygen acceptor remains in the liquid state throughout the cycle, both salt to salt heat exchange and salt circulation are facilitated, making possible a continuous process of high efficiency.
|