Processing system

Abstract

A system for processing objects to be cleaned that includes a processing vessel, and a storage vessel that includes an upper section for storing clean liquid and a lower section for storing dirty liquid. The upper section and lower section are in flow communication.

Claims

1. A system for processing objects to be cleaned, the system comprising: a processing vessel, a storage vessel that includes an upper section for storing clean liquid and a lower section for storing dirty liquid, wherein the upper section and lower section are in flow communication, wherein the upper section includes a first heat exchanger, wherein gas received from the lower section is cooled by the first heat exchanger to condense the gas to form the clean liquid to be stored in the upper section, wherein the lower section includes a second heat exchanger, wherein dirty liquid stored in the lower section is heated by the second heat exchanger to form a gas that rises into the upper section for condensation by the first heat exchanger, a first compressor, an accumulator vessel, and a second compressor, a first pressurized gas path from the processing vessel through a first set of pipes and to the first compressor, through the first compressor, through a second set of pipes and to the lower section of the storage vessel, and a second pressurized gas path from the processing vessel through a third set of pipes to the second compressor, through the second compressor, through a fourth set of pipes to the accumulator vessel, through the accumulator vessel, through a fifth set of pipes to the first compressor, through the first compressor, through the second set of pipes and to the lower section of the storage vessel.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the upper section and lower section are in flow communication by a standpipe.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first heat exchanger includes a cooling plate.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein an overflow height is defined between a bottom of the upper section and a top of the standpipe, wherein the upper section includes a storage portion that is configured to hold a predetermined volume of clean liquid, whereby when an excess of clean liquid beyond the predetermined volume of clean liquid is present in the upper section the excess of clean liquid flows over the top of the standpipe and into the lower section.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the lower section and upper section are separated by a dividing wall, and wherein the overflow height is defined between the dividing wall and the top of the standpipe.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the storage vessel and processing vessel are positioned such that clean liquid flows to the processing vessel via gravity and dirty liquid flows to the lower section via gravity.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the second heat exchanger comprises a heat jacket.

8. A system for processing objects to be cleaned, the system comprising: a processing vessel, a first storage section for storing clean liquid, wherein the first storage section includes a first heat exchanger, a second storage section for storing dirty liquid, wherein the second storage section includes a second heat exchanger, wherein dirty liquid stored in the second storage section is heated by the second heat exchanger to form a gas that flows to the first storage section, wherein the gas received in the first storage section is cooled by the first heat exchanger to condense the gas to form the clean liquid to be stored in the first storage section, a first compressor, an accumulator vessel, and a second compressor, a first pressurized gas path from the processing vessel through a first set of pipes and to the first compressor, through the first compressor, through a second set of pipes and to the second storage section, and a second pressurized gas path from the processing vessel through a third set of pipes to the second compressor, through the second compressor, through a fourth set of pipes to the accumulator vessel, through the accumulator vessel, through a fifth set of pipes to the first compressor, through the first compressor, through the second set of pipes and to the second storage section, wherein the system is configured to process gas at a first pressure through the first pressurized gas path to cause a pressure drop in the processing vessel and to cause at a least a portion of the dirty liquid in the second storage section to vaporize, wherein the system is configured to further process gas through the second pressurized gas path after the pressure in the processing vessel has dropped to a predetermined second pressure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic or plumbing and instrumentation diagram of the carbon dioxide processing system;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic or plumbing and instrumentation diagram of the storage vessel and associated components of the carbon dioxide processing system of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the storage vessel;

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of the storage vessel; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the storage vessel.

(7) Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an other embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are, references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

(9) Reference in this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Appearances of the phrase in one embodiment in various places in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

(10) The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way.

(11) Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. Nor is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

(12) Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

(13) It will be appreciated that terms such as front, back, top, bottom, side, short, long, up, down, and below used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

(14) FIGS. 1-5 show a carbon dioxide cleaning or processing system 10 and a storage vessel 12 used therewith. As shown in FIG. 1, in general, the processing system 10 includes storage vessel (SV) 12, a processing vessel (PV) 14, an accumulator vessel (ACC) 16, first and second compressors 18 and 20, first and second heat exchangers 22 and 24 and a carbon dioxide supply 26. The processing system 10 also includes a series of pipes and valves through which liquid and gaseous carbon dioxide flow and that connect the various vessels and components, as will be described further below. It will be appreciated that FIGS. 1 and 2 are piping and instrumentation diagrams that will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Many of the components are known in the art and are therefore not described in detail herein. It will understood that TS-H2O is a water temperature switch, PS-H2O is a water pressure switch, PT-SV is a Pressure transmitter or sensor for the storage vessel, PT ACC is a pressure sensor for the accumulator vessel, PT PV is a pressure sensor for the processing vessel, TT PV is a temperature sensor for the processing vessel, FPT are pipe fittings, DL is a door lock switch, DT is a door close switch, RV-1 to RV-7 are relief valves, AV-1 to AV-14 are automatic ball valves (e.g., pneumatic), EV-1 to EV-12 are electronic solenoid valves, MV-1 to MV-12 are manual valves. It will be appreciated that the types of valves are interchangeable and that not all valves are shown, but can be added as desired and needed for a particular embodiment. The system 10 also can include a motor 70, trap 72, steam trap 74, pump 76 and other components known in the art.

(15) FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the storage vessel 12, which generally includes a storage vessel interior 28, an upper section 30, a lower section 32, and a standpipe 34 that communicates the upper section 30 and the lower section 32. A dividing wall 36 spans and divides the storage vessel interior 28 into the upper section 30 and the lower section 32. The dividing wall 36 includes an opening 38 defined therein that communicates with the standpipe 34. In an exemplary embodiment, the dividing wall 36 is a metal disc that is seal welded inside the storage vessel 12 and the standpipe is seal welded into the center of the dividing wall 36 such that the hollow opening of the standpipe aligns with opening 38. It will be appreciated that the storage vessel can be two separate containers or tanks connected by a pipe or standpipe. The upper and lower sections do not have to be directly above and below one another. The pipe can extend at a non-vertical angle therebetween. Also, the dividing wall can be a membrane or any type of separator between the sections.

(16) Throughout the description herein the liquid carbon dioxide may be referred to as clean liquid and dirty liquid. It will be appreciated that the clean liquid is the carbon dioxide liquid prior to being used to process the objects to be cleaned and the dirty liquid is the carbon dioxide liquid after being used to process the objects to be cleaned and prior to being distilled. Within the storage vessel 12, the clean liquid is generally stored in the upper section 30 and the dirty liquid is generally stored in the lower section 32. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the system described herein can be used to process any number of objects as is known in the prior art. For example, the system can be used for cleaning objects such as metals or porcelain or extracting oils from substrates. As described herein, the processing system 10 is used to clean clothes. However, this is not a limitation and is only exemplary.

(17) In a preferred embodiment, the storage vessel 12 includes the first heat exchanger 22 for cooling the gaseous carbon dioxide in the upper section to condense the gas and form liquid carbon dioxide (clean liquid). The first heat exchanger 22 can be any device capable of cooling and condensing the gas. In a preferred embodiment, the first heat exchanger includes cold water coming in on one side, which cools a plate, and the carbon dioxide gas coming in the other side, which is cooled by the plate below its liquid point and is thereby condensed into clean liquid. In another embodiment, the first heat exchanger can be a jacket that surrounds the top of the storage vessel 12 and is filled with cooling water or refrigeration gas. This could eliminate the piping to sent the gas to the first heat exchanger and the pipe for the liquid coming back. Preferably, the storage vessel 12 also includes a second heat exchanger 24 for heating the liquid carbon dioxide (dirty liquid) in the lower section 32 (also referred to herein as the still) to distill it into a gas so that it rises through the standpipe 34 and into the upper section 30 (where it is condensed as described above). The second heat exchanger 24 can be any device capable of heating and distilling the liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the second heat exchanger 24 is a heat jacket that can be filled with a heated fluid, such as water or steam to heat up the bottom of the storage vessel 12. In another embodiment, the second heat exchanger can be omitted and the dirty liquid can be heated as described below through the compressor(s).

(18) As shown in FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, the standpipe 34 defines an overflow height H1. The overflow height is preferably measured between the upper surface of the dividing wall 36 (i.e., the bottom of the upper section 30) and a top 34a of the standpipe 34. It will be appreciated that the upper section 30 is configured to hold a predetermined volume of clean liquid. As a result, when the upper section 30 is filled with the predetermined volume of clean liquid, any excess clean liquid flows over the top 34a of the standpipe 34 and drains via gravity into the lower section 32. In other words, the upper section 30 has a storage area (below the top level of the standpipe 34), and if that storage area gets over full with liquid, the liquid flows over the top 34a of the standpipe 34 and travels back down into the lower section 32.

(19) In use, gaseous carbon dioxide flows upwardly or rises from the lower section 32, through opening 38 and standpipe 34 and into the upper section 30 and overflow liquid carbon dioxide flows from the upper section 30, through standpipe 34 and opening 38 and down into the lower section 32.

(20) As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the storage vessel 12 includes a number of inlets and outlets or nozzles for flowing carbon dioxide into and out of the upper and lower sections 30 and 32 and for connecting other components such as valves, levels, etc. The number of inlets and outlets shown is not a limitation on the present invention and there can be more or less than is shown.

(21) As shown in FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, the storage vessel 12 includes a first gas outlet 40 through which gaseous carbon dioxide flows so that it can pass through the first heat exchanger 22 and be condensed into liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the first gas outlet 40 is located at about the top dead center of the storage vessel 12. However, this is not a limitation. The first gas outlet 40 can also be connected to a relief valve (RV). Or, a relief valve can be connected to a separate outlet. Preferably, the storage vessel 12 also includes a first clean liquid inlet 42 for flowing clean liquid carbon dioxide into the storage vessel 12. In a preferred embodiment, the first inlet 42 is located in the upper section 30 at about the level of the top of the standpipe 34. However, in another embodiment, the first inlet 40 can be located in the lower section 32 or higher up in the upper section 30. In a preferred embodiment, gaseous carbon dioxide is cooled by the first heat exchanger 22 outside of the storage vessel interior 28 and then flows into the upper section 30 as a liquid. However, in another embodiment, the condensing step can take place in the storage vessel interior 28.

(22) In a preferred embodiment, the storage vessel 12 includes at least a first 44 and preferably first 44, second 46 and third 48 clean liquid outlets. As shown in FIG. 5, the first 44, second 46 and third 48 clean liquid outlets are positioned at first, second and third heights from the dividing wall 36. This provides the ability to flow different amounts or volumes of clean liquid out of the upper section 30 (through AV-12) and to the processing vessel 14. This capability can be used for small, medium or large loads of clothes or other objects. For example, if first clean liquid outlet 44 is used, a first volume of fluid will flow out of the upper section (essentially all of the clean liquid) (e.g., for a large load of clothes or other objects). If the second clean liquid outlet 46 is used, a second volume of clean liquid will flow out (smaller than the first volume) (e.g., for a medium load of clothes or other objects). If the third clean liquid outlet 48 is used, a third volume of clean liquid will flow out (smaller than the second volume) (e.g., for a small load of clothes or other objects). In another example, the third clean liquid outlet 48 can be used for a first wash, the second clean liquid outlet 46 can be used for a first rinse, and the first clean liquid outlet 44 can be used for a second rinse. This can provide options for a user, such as a dry cleaner. Typically, the full volume of clean liquid is used for a complete cycle of liquid and the upper section is completely empty at the end of a cycle and the entire volume is now in the processing vessel 14.

(23) As shown in FIG. 5, in a preferred embodiment, the lower section 32 includes a first dirty liquid inlet 50. Dirty liquid from the processing vessel 14 that includes a contaminant/solubilized material (e.g., oil removed from the clothes in detergent) flows through the first dirty liquid inlet 50 and into the lower section 32 or still section. The lower section 32 also preferably includes a first dirty liquid outlet 52. The principal purpose of the first dirty liquid outlet 52 is to get the residue (e.g., contaminants from the clothes) off the bottom of the lower section 32. It is essentially a drain. However, in a preferred embodiment, the piping is arranged so that the hot compressor gas (described below) flows in through the same nozzle. In a preferred embodiment, the first dirty liquid outlet 52 is located at the bottom center of the storage vessel 12. However, this is not a limitation.

(24) FIG. 5 also shows the inlets and outlets on the second heat exchanger 24 or heat jacket. In a preferred embodiment, the heat jacket 24 includes at least one and preferably two steam inlets 60 and a water/condensate outlet 62.

(25) It will be appreciated that the storage vessel 12 can be made of any material, but that it is preferably made of metal to withstand the high pressures in the system. In a preferred embodiment, the lower portion of the storage vessel 12 is made of stainless steel and the upper portion is made of carbon steel. Dividing line 64 in FIG. 2 shows the separation between the two materials. During the dry cleaning process, the dirty liquid often contains corrosive solubilized material. These materials sit in the lower section 32. Stainless steel can withstand the corrosive materials. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that stainless steel is generally more expensive than carbon steel. Therefore, instead of making the entire storage vessel 12 of stainless steel, at least a portion of the lower section 32 can be made of stainless steel and the remainder of the storage vessel 12 can be made of carbon steel, to reduce costs. In another embodiment, the entire storage vessel 12 can be made of stainless steel or other material impervious to the corrosive effects of the liquids.

(26) With reference back to FIG. 1, the remainder of the processing system 10 will now be described. Generally, clean liquid is flowed from the upper section 30 of the storage vessel 12 to the process vessel 14 (through first, second or third clean liquid outlet 44, 46 or 48), where it is used to process the objects in the process vessel 14 (e.g., cleaning clothes after a detergent is added). The now dirty liquid is then flowed from the process vessel 14 to the lower section 32 of the storage vessel 12 (through first dirty liquid inlet 50). The dirty liquid is then distilled into gas that rises to the upper section 30 through standpipe 34. The gas exits through first gas outlet 40 and is condensed to clean liquid in the first heat exchanger 22. The clean liquid reenters the upper section through first clean liquid inlet 42. As shown in FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, the processing vessel 14 is positioned such that clean liquid flows from the upper section 30 to the process vessel via gravity, and dirty liquid flows from the processing vessel 14 to the lower section 32 via gravity. To make this happen, the first, second and third clean liquid outlets 44, 46 or 48 are positioned higher than the inlet on the processing vessel 14 and the first dirty liquid inlet 50 is positioned lower than the inlet on the processing vessel 14. This positioning is not a limitation on the present invention. In another embodiment, pumps can be used to move the liquid instead of gravity. Pumps and gravity can also be used.

(27) At this point in the process the clothes have been cleaned and the dirty liquid has been drained to the storage vessel, but the processing vessel 14 is pressurized. We now want to reclaim the carbon dioxide gas from the processing vessel 14, which is pressurized at a first pressure. At this point, the processing vessel 14 and storage vessel 12 are both at the first pressure.

(28) For exemplary purposes only, and to further understand the process described above, assume 800 psi is the first pressure. In a preferred embodiment, at least the first compressor 18 is used to pull the carbon dioxide gas from the processing vessel 14 and flow it to the storage vessel 12. However, in a more preferred embodiment, the gas side of the processing system 10 includes the first compressor 18, the accumulator vessel 16 and the second compressor 20. In a preferred embodiment, to depressurize the processing vessel 14 to a point where the door can be opened, the system includes a high pressure step and a low pressure step. In another embodiment, the pressurized carbon dioxide gas in the processing vessel 14 can be vented instead of being reclaimed.

(29) Those of ordinary skill in the art understand the ideal gas law, PV=nRT (P is the pressure of the gas, V is the volume of the gas, N is the amount of substance of gas (also known as number of moles), R is the ideal gas constant, and T is the temperature of the gas. At the beginning of the high pressure step (when the pressure vessel 14 is at the first pressure), the gas is pulled from the processing vessel 14 by the first compressor and it flows along a first pressure path P1. As is shown in FIG. 1, the gas flows upwardly from the top of the processing vessel 14, through automated valve AV-10, through the first compressor 18, through automated valve AV-8 and into the lower section 32 of the storage vessel 12. As the gas is pulled from the processing vessel 14 it drops the pressure in the fixed volume processing vessel 14. As a result, the temperature drops in the processing vessel 14 at the rate the gas is pulled from the processing vessel 14. Conversely, the gas that flows through the first compressor 18 is heated (as a result of being compressed). The hot gas then flows into the lower section 32 of the storage vessel 12. As described above, in a preferred embodiment, the hot gas then flows in through the first dirty liquid outlet 52. In another embodiment, a separate inlet/nozzle can be provided for the hot gas. It will be appreciated that the hot gas is being directed into the dirty liquid from the wash cycle that just ended and is contained in the lower section 32 of the storage vessel 12. Therefore, the pressure in the processing vessel 14 is dropping while hot compressed gas is being blown into the storage vessel 12, which causes the dirty liquid temperature to increase and to start to distill. As the distilled gas rises through the standpipe 34, the first heat exchanger 22 cools the distilled gas and condenses it (to clean liquid for the next cycle) to keep the pressure constant in the storage vessel 12 at the first pressure.

(30) At this point in the exemplary process the pressure in the process vessel 14 has dropped to about half, e.g., about 400 psi. Preferably, the storage vessel 12 and the processing vessel 14 have about the same volume. Due to the condensing portion of the process happening in the storage vessel 12, the storage vessel 12 stays at a relatively constant pressure while the pressure in the pressure vessel 14 is dropping. Therefore, both the upper section 30 and the lower section 32 of the storage vessel 12 are at about 800 psi.

(31) While the high pressure step is taking place, the accumulator vessel 16 is at a second pressure as a result of the previous cycle. For exemplary purposes, the second pressure is 250 psi. The high pressure step continues until the pressure in the processing vessel 14 is approximately the same as the pressure in the accumulator vessel 16, i.e., the second pressure (in this example about 250 psi). The storage vessel 12 is still at the first pressure (about 800 psi) as it continues distilling and condensing.

(32) Once the pressure in the processing vessel 14 and accumulator vessel 16 are both at about the second pressure, the low pressure or second step begins by switching the valving (e.g., automated valve AV-6 is opened) so that the gas being pulled from the processing vessel 14 follows a second pressure path P2 that flows through the second compressor (the low pressure compressor) 20, the accumulator vessel 16 and the first compressor 18 (the high pressure compressor). As shown in FIG. 1, the gas path is from the processing vessel 14, up and over through automated valve AV-6, through the second compressor 20, through automated valve AV-7, through the accumulator vessel 16, through automated valve AV-13, through the compressor, through automated valve AV-8, and into the storage vessel 12. The second step continues until the pressure in the processing vessel 14 is reduced to a third pressure at which time the compressors are shut off (any remaining pressure/gas is vented) and the door to the processing vessel 14 can be opened. This may be, for example, about 30 psi. In an exemplary embodiment, the first compressor 18 is about a fifteen horsepower compressor and the second compressor 20 is a five horsepower compressor. However, this not a limitation and any size compressors can be used. In another embodiment a single compressor can be used.

(33) Describing the end of the low pressure step in more detail and using the foregoing example, the pressure of the processing vessel has gone from about 250 psi (the second pressure) down to about 30 psi (the third pressure). Preferably, the same flow rate of gas flows through the accumulator vessel (e.g., 1 cubic foot per minute) and through the second compressor 20. The flow rate to the first compressor 18 is set at approximately the same flow rate (e.g., 1 cubic foot per minute). Because the first compressor 18 is compressing further the first compressor 18 takes more energyabout three times the second compressor 20, which is why the second compressor 20 is five horsepower in the example and the first compressor 18 is fifteen horsepower. When the processing vessel 14 goes from 250 psi down (the second pressure) to about 30 psi (the third pressure), the accumulator vessel 16 stays at about 250 psi (the second pressure) and the heat goes through the first compressor 18 and to the storage vessel 12. It will be appreciated that it is almost the same rate that is required to distill the volume dirty liquid in the bottom of the storage vessel 12. Once the pressure vessel 14 reaches the third pressure, at least the second compressor 20 shuts off If desired (depending on how much gas is desired to be reclaimed), the first compressor 18 can continue to pull the pressure in the accumulator vessel 16 down. In a preferred embodiment, the first compressor 18 can run up to about a 10 to 1 ratio, which means it can pull the accumulator vessel 16 down to about 75 psi while SV 12 is at 750 psi. If it is not desired to further depressurize the accumulator vessel 16, once the pressure vessel 14 reaches the third pressure both compressors can be shut off

(34) The 75 psi is the pressure where dry ice is formed. Therefore, if the accumulator vessel 16 is below 75 psi dry ice cannot form and the accumulator vessel 16 is ready at the beginning of the next cycle with 75 psi in it. Preferably, the accumulator vessel 16 is about the same volume as the processing vessel 14. Therefore, at the 75 psi pressure, the accumulator vessel 16 can be used to purge air from the processing vessel 14 (prior to washing) without the worry of getting dry ice in the processing vessel (which can be abrasive to the material being processed).

(35) It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the first and second steps are done to capture the heat of compression off the high pressure compressor into the dirty liquid in the bottom of the storage tank 12 to help distilling so another energy source does not have to be used or at least less energy from another source can be used. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the accumulator vessel 16 serves two functions. First, it provides storage of some gas so air can be purged out of the processing vessel at the beginning of the cycle (e.g., after the door is closed, but before the clothes are washed). Second, the accumulator vessel 16 acts as a buffer between the second and first compressors 20 and 18.

(36) It will be appreciated that FIG. 1 shows other piping branches that are not described in detail herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that these branches are included to provide processing options for users of the system. For example, in an application where it is desirable to apply hot vapor to the processing vessel to drive off liquid, the hot vapor may follow a path from ACC 16, through AV-13, through the first compressor 18, down around and up through AV-14 and into the top of PV 14. Other processing options will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

(37) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of including, but not limited to. As used herein, the terms connected, coupled, or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words herein, above, below, and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word or in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

(38) The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values, measurements or ranges. It will be appreciated that any dimensions given herein are only examplary and that none of the dimensions or descriptions are limiting on the present invention.

(39) The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

(40) Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.

(41) These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosures to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

(42) Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.