Tenoroc, LLC

The majority of past research concerning curved separation nozzles was focused on enrichment using single-phase gaseous processes which relied upon massive centrifugal forces to separate isotopes with very minute weight differences. More recently straight nozzles using swirl as a means of generating gravitational force have been attempting to make use of phase change and gravity to separate gases. The swirl changes the direction of the gas to create a gravitational force that is perpendicular to the nozzle’s flow path. These conflicting directions/forces seem to result in turbulence that may interfere with the efficient separation of the phases/gas constituents. The ability of Tenoroc’s nozzles to create and make use of phase change and the resulting massive weight differences between them while running along a curved path that generates massive gravitational force consistent with the nozzle’s course of flow provides a unique opportunity to be able to make use of what seems to be a less turbulent flow that will allow for a more efficient separation of the phases/gas constituents.

Tenoroc’s nozzles have no moving parts with the potential to be used in a small footprint or compact gas separation system that can extract contaminants like carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas, or be used for simultaneous expansion and phase separation in a variety of thermodynamic cycles, such as refrigeration and organic rankine cycle. There are many other potential applications in other industrial gas processes, desalination, and particle separation.