Patent Application
20070292335
These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the invention, in which:
It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
As indicated above, the invention provides a method, system, and device for producing a steady flow of carbon dioxide.
As will be explained in greater detail below, the production of carbon dioxide according to the invention includes the slow dispensation of a liquid, preferably water, onto a mixed carbonate source and weak acid within body 112. Accordingly, cap 116 (or, optionally, body 112) includes an apparatus for supplying such a liquid. In
The production of carbon dioxide according to the invention includes the slow dispensation of a liquid into body 112, which contains a mixed carbonate source and a weak acid. Suitable carbonate sources include, for example, limestone (calcite), sodium bicarbonate, trona, dolomite, magnesite, and natrite. Other carbonate sources may also be employed, as will be recognized by one skilled in the art. Suitable weak acids include, for example, citric acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, acetic anhydride, acetyl chloride, 1,3-acetone dicarboxylic acid, succinic anhydride, formic acid, trichloroacetic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and hydrocyanic acid. Other weak acids may also be employed, as will be recognized by one skilled in the art. The preferred combination of carbonate source and weak acid is limestone (calcite) and citric acid, respectively, each in powder form.
As noted above, once the carbonate source and weak acid are added to body 112, a liquid is slowly dispensed onto the carbonate source and weak acid to produce a quantity of carbon dioxide. The preferred liquid is water, although virtually any aqueous liquid may be used. The liquid is dispensed onto the carbonate source and weak acid slowly, e.g., at a rate between about 0.5 mL per minute and about 2.0 mL per minute, although slower or faster rates may also be employed. Typically, bag 130 is adapted to contain up to approximately 1000 mL of liquid. Accordingly, such a quantity of liquid may be dispensed over a period of between about eight hours and about 36 hours.
In order to ensure a steady flow of carbon dioxide from device 100, once dispensation of the liquid from bag 130 into body 112 has begun, cap 116 is attached to neck 114 and the release of carbon dioxide from vessel 110 controlled by flow regulating member 120.
Flow B was produced using 400 g of limestone, 310 g of citric acid, and 375 mL of water dispensed at a rate of approximately 1 mL per minute. A maximum carbon dioxide flow rate of approximately 150 mL per minute was achieved within one minute and remained steady for approximately 18 hours, after which the rate steadily declined to approximately 125 mL per minute by hour 20.
Flow C was produced using 270 g of limestone, 205 g of citric acid, and 250 mL of water dispensed at a rate of approximately 1 mL per minute. A maximum carbon dioxide flow rate of approximately 50 mL per minute was achieved within one minute and remained steady throughout the 20-hour sampling period. In fact, although not shown in
As will be recognized by one having skill in the art, by manipulating the types and quantities of carbonate source and weak acid, and by adjusting flow regulating member 120, a substantially steady flow of carbon dioxide at almost any rate can be produced over an extended period (e.g., about 36 hours).
The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims. For example, while the steady flow of carbon dioxide produced according to the invention has been described as useful as an attractant for insect species, other uses for a steady flow of gaseous carbon dioxide are also possible and within the scope of the present invention.
