The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 11, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 10, 2001
Bradley L. Edgar, San Jose, CA (US);
Richard J. Martin, San Jose, CA (US);
Michael P. Barkdoll, Knoxville, TN (US);
Thermatrix, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A spiral shaped device for thermally processing a gas stream and a method of use thereof is provided. The spiral shaped device has at least one sidewall formed into a coil; at least one spiral passage, defined by the sidewall, for directing the gas stream through the device, and having an inlet and an outlet; and a matrix of heat resistant inert media disposed in at least a portion of the device. The device is particularly useful as a recuperative flameless thermal oxidizer for oxidizing organic material contained in the gas stream or as a heat exchanger. When the device is used as a flameless thermal oxidizer, the device preferably has at least two coiled sidewalls; at least two spiral passages defined by the coiled sidewalls; a chamber located proximate to the interior ends of the coiled sidewalls for directing the gas stream from the spiral inlet passage to spiral outlet passage; and a matrix of heat resistant inert media, preferably disposed in at least the chamber. When the device is used as a heat exchanger, the device preferably has two separate loops, where one loop directs a gas stream and the second loop directs a fluid stream in and out of the device to enable heat transfer therebetween. In the method of the present invention, a gas stream is directed in the device of the present invention, and is thermally processed therein.