Patents Assigned to Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company
  • Patent number: 5081977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing emissions from an internal combustion engine used for propelling a heavy land vehicle, for example, comprising a fuel supply tank for storing liquified natural gas and a fuel circuit for cooling compressed charge air to the engine with the heat of vaporization of the fuel. Under low load conditions fuel vapor from the tank can be consumed to avoid an excessive build-up of pressure; the engine is operated with a lean fuel/air mixture without cooling of the charge air to obtain low emissions. Non-methane hydrocarbon emissions are eliminated by stripping the natural gas of essentially all of the higher hydrocarbons during the liquification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Swenson
  • Patent number: 5078064
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from furnace flue gas is provided in which natural gas or other fluid fuel which has little or no fixed nitrogen is introduced into the upper portion of the furnace. The fuel diffuses by laminar or turbulent diffusion into oxygen-rich flue gas where it reacts with oxygen and nitric oxide to form CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and N.sub.2, thus reducing the nitrogen oxide emissions from the furnace. In this manner, the amount of nitrogen oxide in the flue gas is reduced. The apparatus and method can be easily applied to new furnaces or retrofitted on existing furnaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, Steven E. Winberg, James E. Gabrielson, James C. McMichael
  • Patent number: 5044286
    Abstract: A method of recycling fly ash as slag in a wet bottom furnace is described. The furnace may have a cyclone furnace, a pulverized coal furnace, or any other type of furnace producing wet slag. All or part of the collected fly ash is collected and returned to the furnace and combined with enough fuel to melt the ash. Melted ash directed against a wall, floor or side of the cyclone or furnace will flow to the bottom of the furnace so as to facilitate the liquid slag. The fly ash may be collected by an electrostatic precipitator, baghouse, cyclone (multiclone) or other device. The fly ash may be returned to the furnace or the cyclone using air, flue gas, steam, fuel, or other gas as a carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, Robert A. Schrecengost, James E. Gabrielson
  • Patent number: 5042404
    Abstract: An improved method for burning carbonaceous material containing sulfur to reduce emissions of SO.sub.2 is disclosed wherein the carbonaceous material is projected into a furnace as one or more streams and each stream is continuously ignited with a volatile fuel such as natural gas, oil, liquefied petroleum gas or naptha. The volatile fuel is supplied separately from the carbonaceous material and is directed into each stream of the carbonaceous material as it enters the furnace so as to cause the material to be enveloped in a reducing atmosphere during its volatilization. In consequence, at least a portion of the sulfur contained in the carbonaceous material is retained within the ash slag in its reduced or sulfide form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Booth, Bernard P. Breen, Roger W. Glickert
  • Patent number: 4976464
    Abstract: A heating system that reduces the cycling losses of a heat engine driven heat pump by storing rejected heat from the engine and using this rejected heat to meet a heating demand between periods of operation of the engine and heat pump so that over an extended time fewer start/stop cycles of the engine and heat pump are necessary. In a preferred embodiment a conventional storage-type hot water heater is used to store rejected heat, provide potable hot water, supply heat in the event of failure of the heat pump, supplement heat in periods of unusual demand, and provide low level heating requirements when heat pump operation would not be economical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Swenson
  • Patent number: 4960059
    Abstract: A method is disclosed which overcomes the problems which tend to occur in the retrofitting of coal burners for low-NOx emission. A gaseous or volatile liquid fuel is introduced into the primary or secondary air with the amount ranging from 2% to 25% of the boiler energy input as necessary to achieve the necessary NOx reduction and improved load following without operational problems. Optionally gas can be injected through gas burners in an amount ranging from 2% to 50% of the boiler energy input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Berkau, Bernard Breen, James E. Gabrielson, Steve Winberg
  • Patent number: 4932337
    Abstract: A method is disclosed which overcomes the problems which tend to occur in application low-NOx burners to coals in which the volatile matter is low in heat content. A gaseous or volatile liquid fuel is introduced into the ignition zone and/or the primary flame immediately downstream of the burner. This fuel will have the same effect as increased quality and quantity of the volatile content of the coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, John H. Pohl, Howard B. Lange
  • Patent number: 4910414
    Abstract: A system for air conditioning and generating electrical power including a fuel-fired internal combustion engine, an electrical motor/generator, and a vapor compressor/expander all interconnected. The vapor compressor/expander driven by the engine operates in one mode with an evaporator and a condenser in a generally conventional refrigeration cycle. In an alternative mode, the vapor compressor/expander is operated in reverse by refrigerant boiled in the evaporator by the rejected heat of the engine and condensed in the condenser and contributes mechanical power to that of the engine to drive the motor/generator. The motor/generator can be supplied external electrical energy to operate as a motor to drive the compressor/expander during periods of non-operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Krebs
  • Patent number: 4850862
    Abstract: A high efficiency, high temperature radiant heating system utilizing regeneratively coupled combustors. The combustor/regenerator units each comprise a porous body with combustion supported in one layered zone and regeneration occurring in an adjacent layered zone in a subsequent cycle. Each combustor/regenerator unit cycles between combustion and regeneration operational modes and is gas flow coupled with a similar unit operating simultaneously in a mode opposite that of the former. Heat in the combustion products produced at one combustor/regenerator unit is received at the regenerator zone of the other coupled unit and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Bjerklie
  • Patent number: 4848251
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for combustion of carbonaceous substances containing ash and sulfur in slagging combustors wherein the fraction of sulfur retained in the slag is enhanced, emissions of nitrogen oxide are reduced, and operating problems with the furnace are avoided. The process comprises control of slag within a temperature range of 2000.degree.-2500.degree. F., slag stoichiometry less than oxidizing, and gas phase stoichiometry near stoichiometric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company
    Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, James E. Gabrielson, John H. Pohl
  • Patent number: 4831830
    Abstract: A chiller system for satisfying a cyclical cooling load including a fuel-fired prime mover and compressor set and a cold storage bank. The prime mover compressor set is sized for efficient, substantially continuous operation from cycle to cycle and the cold storage is sized to provide any short term deficiency of cooling rate in the prime mover compressor set. The prime mover compressor set is preferably operated during periods of cooling demand and is modulated in output capacity to extend real time matching of cooling delivery rate and consumption. A condenser reset temperature feature takes advantage of cyclic changes in operation to improve efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul F. Swenson
  • Patent number: 4779545
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from furnace flue gas is provided in which a pulse generator introduces natural gas, or other fluid fuel which has little or no fixed nitrogen, into the upper portion of the furnace. The fuel pulse reacts with the nitrogen oxide in the flue gas to form ammonia-like compounds and nitrogen gas. These ammonia-like compounds react with additional amounts of nitrogen oxide in the flue gas to form nitrogen gas, water vapor and carbon dioxide. In this manner, the amount of nitrogen oxide in the flue gas is reduced using a process which can be easily applied to retrofitted furnaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company
    Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, James E. Gabrielson, Howard B. Lange
  • Patent number: 4575948
    Abstract: Gas-solids transport and heat exchange techniques are disclosed wherein solid particulate material is circulated in a "figure 8" or a circular flow path for selective contact and/or direct heat exchange with gaseous media. The particulate material is introduced into streams of gaseous media at spaced locations in the flow path and subsequently separated from the gaseous streams following contact and/or heat exchange therewith. The gaseous streams are maintained separate from one another by loose packed bed columns of particulate material formed in the flow path and used to introduce the particulate material into the gaseous streams. The flow rate of the particulate material is regulated by the controlled biasing of particulate material from each of the columns thereof directly into the gaseous streams, and the particulate material is circulated solely through the use of the gaseous media and the force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester G. Massey, Lawrence G. Clawson, Andrew J. Syska
  • Patent number: 4510756
    Abstract: A cogeneration plant for a site having an expected daily thermal load. In one embodiment, the plant includes a heat engine/electrical power generator set and a heat storage unit. The engine/generator set is sized to normally operate only during the peak rate period of the central electric service utility while rejecting a quantity of heat equal to the daily thermal load at the site. The storage unit is sized to contain a quantity of heat equal to the daily thermal load reduced by that portion of the daily load incurred during the peak rate period. In another embodiment, the cogeneration plant includes a fuel cell electrical power generator serving a local energy-integrated community. The fuel cell is sized to reject a quantity of heat to satisfy the collective average daily thermal load at the community site. Separate thermal storage sections are provided for high and low grade rejected heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph E. Hise, Paul F. Swenson
  • Patent number: 4501253
    Abstract: A gaseous fuel system for a vehicle including an on-board compressor for recharging an associated pressure storage tank. The compressor and tank are mounted on the vehicle as a structural unit whereby the tank shields the compressor and high pressure gas flow circuits therebetween and provides a heat exchanger surface for the compressor. A regulator in series with a supply line of low pressure gas prevents gas flow when the compressor does not operate to maintain a vacuum in an intervening dispensing line. An O.sub.2 sensor disconnects the compressor motor when the percentage of O.sub.2 exceeds a predetermined safe limit. A bypass circuit allows the tank to be filled from a high pressure supply without operation of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Gerstmann, William M. Hauck, Robert Raymond, Paul F. Swenson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4455863
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for locating gas leaks in underground pipelines by detection of sound waves created by the leaking gas. The apparatus and process uses a sound transducer attached to an elongated probe inserted in the ground for a substantial portion of its length. The elongated probe and transducer combination has an effective mechanical resonant frequency equal to or below the electrical resonant frequency of the sound transducer. The passive sonic detection apparatus and process of this invention provides improved sensitivity for detection of sounds created by leaking gas and thereby more accurate pinpointing of the gas leak in an underground pipeline. In one embodiment acoustic reflection and absorption shielding is provided for reduction of system response to airborne noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company
    Inventors: James E. Huebler, Jeffrey M. Craig
  • Patent number: 4374540
    Abstract: Gas-solids transport and heat exchange techniques are disclosed wherein solid particulate material is circulated in a "figure 8" or a circular flow path for selective contact and/or direct heat exchange with gaseous media. The particulate material is introduced into streams of gaseous media at spaced locations in the flow path and subsequently separated from the gaseous streams following contact and/or heat exchange therewith. The gaseous streams are maintained separate from one another by loose packed bed columns of particulate material formed in the flow path and used to introduce the particulate material into the gaseous streams. The flow rate of the particulate material is regulated by the controlled biasing of particulate material from each of the columns thereof directly into the gaseous streams, and the particulate material is circulated solely through the use of the gaseous media and the force of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1983
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester G. Massey, Lawrence G. Clawson, Andrew J. Syska
  • Patent number: 4312188
    Abstract: An air heating and cooling system for a building includes an expansion-type refrigeration circuit and a heat engine. The refrigeration circuit includes two heat exchangers, one of which is communicated with a source of indoor air from the building and the other of which is communicated with a source of air from outside the building. The heat engine includes a heat rejection circuit having a source of rejected heat and a primary heat exchanger connected to the source of rejected heat. The heat rejection circuit also includes an evaporator in heat exchange relation with the primary heat exchanger, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, and a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchangers are disposed in series air flow relationship, with the heat engine indoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream from the refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Swenson, Paul B. Moore
  • Patent number: 4178772
    Abstract: An air heating and cooling system for a building includes an expansion-type refrigeration circuit and a heat engine. The refrigeration circuit includes two heat exchangers, one of which is communicated with a source of indoor air from the building and the other of which is communicated with a source of air from outside the building. The heat engine includes a heat rejection circuit having a source of rejected heat and a primary heat exchanger connected to the source of rejected heat. The heat rejection circuit also includes an evaporator in heat exchange relation with the primary heat exchanger, a heat engine indoor heat exchanger, and a heat engine outdoor heat exchanger. The indoor heat exchangers are disposed in series air flow relationship, with the heat engine indoor heat exchanger being disposed downstream from the refrigeration circuit indoor heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Swenson, Paul B. Moore
  • Patent number: RE31281
    Abstract: An air heating and cooling system for a building includes an expansion type refrigeration circuit and a vapor power circuit. The refrigeration circuit includes two heat exchangers, one of which is communicated with a source of indoor air from the building and the other of which is communicated with a source of air from outside the building. The vapor power circuit includes two heat exchangers, one of which is disposed in series air flow relationship with the indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger and the other of which is disposed in series air flow relationship with the outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger. Fans powered by electricity generated by a vapor power circuit alternator circulate indoor air through the two indoor heat exchangers and circulate outside air through the two outdoor heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Consolidated Natural Gas Service Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Swenson, Paul B. Moore