Patents Assigned to Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
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Publication number: 20140056787Abstract: A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John Henry Pavlish
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Patent number: 8652235Abstract: A promoted carbon and/or non-carbon base sorbent are described that are highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The promoted sorbent comprises a carbon and/or non-carbon base sorbent that has reacted with and contains forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase and/or preserve reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the base sorbent, or in-flight within a gas stream (air, flue gas, etc.), to enhance base sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The promoted sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Base sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. Methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active base sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2009Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish
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Patent number: 8530715Abstract: The present invention relates to production of fuels or fuel blendstocks from renewable sources. Various embodiments provide a method of producing a hydrocarbon product by hydrotreating a feedstock including at least one of a renewable triacylglyceride (TAG), renewable free fatty acid (FFA), and renewable fatty acid C1-C5 alkyl ester (C1-C5 FAE) in the presence of a nonsulfided hydrotreating catalyst to produce a first product including hydrocarbons. In some examples, the first product can be subjected to further chemical transformations such as aromatization, cracking, or isomerization to produce a second product including hydrocarbons. In various embodiments, the first or second hydrocarbon product with minimal or substantially no further processing can be suitable as a liquid transportation fuel or fuel blendstock, including fuels such as gasoline, naptha, kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fuels.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Joshua R. Strege, Benjamin G. Oster, Paul D. Pansegrau, Chad A. Wocken, Ted R. Aulich, Marc D. Kurz
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Patent number: 8512655Abstract: A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John Henry Pavlish
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Patent number: 8460413Abstract: A carburetion system and method for adapting a low-Btu gas source with a low-Btu gas consumer. Pressure-based air-gas mixers geometrically appropriate for the carburetion system and method. The carburetion system comprises a low-Btu gas inlet, a gas outlet, a zero-pressure regulator, and at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer capable of maintaining a volumetric air to low-Btu gas ratio of no more than about 2:1. The method comprises diverting a low-Btu gas to a gas outlet when the gas consumer is off. The method further comprises, during operation of the consumer, diverting low-Btu gas to a zero-pressure regulator in order to balance low-Btu gas pressure with air pressure, passing low-Btu gas to at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer capable of maintaining a volumetric air to low-Btu gas ratio of no more than about 2:1, mixing the low-Btu gas with air in the at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer to form an air-gas mixture, and sending the air-gas mixture to the consumer.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2007Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Darren D. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20130130336Abstract: A method comprising providing a starting composition comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid, a polyunsaturated fatty ester, a carboxylate salt of a polyunsaturated fatty acid, a polyunsaturated triglyceride, or a mixture thereof; self-metathesizing the starting composition or cross-metathesizing the starting composition with at least one short-chain olefin in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form self-/cross-metathesis products comprising: cyclohexadiene; at least one olefin; and one or more acid-, ester-, or salt-functionalized alkene; and reacting cyclohexadiene to produce at least one cycloalkane or cycloalkane derivatives.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2013Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventor: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
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Patent number: 8440585Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for regenerating a sorbent that has been poisoned by components derived from flue gas. The sorbent is treated with an agent to remove the poisoning components and introduce a promoting agent into the sorbent. The method and apparatus can also be used to enhance the effectiveness of a new sorbent.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John Henry Pavlish
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Publication number: 20130074693Abstract: A method for treating a process gas with a liquid comprises contacting a process gas with a hygroscopic working fluid in order to remove a constituent from the process gas. A system for treating a process gas with a liquid comprises a hygroscopic working fluid comprising a component adapted to absorb or react with a constituent of a process gas, and a liquid-gas contactor for contacting the working fluid and the process gas, wherein the constituent is removed from the process gas within the liquid-gas contactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER FOUNDATIONInventors: Christopher L. Martin, Ye Zhuang
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Publication number: 20130072731Abstract: The present invention relates to production of fuels or fuel blendstocks from renewable sources. Various embodiments provide a method of producing a hydrocarbon product by hydrotreating a feedstock including at least one of a renewable triacylglyceride (TAG), renewable free fatty acid (FFA), and renewable fatty acid C1-C5 alkyl ester (C1-C5 FAE) in the presence of a nonsulfided hydrotreating catalyst to produce a first product including hydrocarbons. In some examples, the first product can be subjected to further chemical transformations such as aromatization, cracking, or isomerization to produce a second product including hydrocarbons. In various embodiments, the first or second hydrocarbon product with minimal or substantially no further processing can be suitable as a liquid transportation fuel or fuel blendstock, including fuels such as gasoline, naptha, kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fuels.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Joshua R. Strege, Benjamin G. Oster, Paul D. Pansegrau, Chad A. Wocken, Ted R. Aulich, Marc D. Kurz
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Patent number: 8398842Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the preparation of nitrogen fertilizers including ammonium nitrate, urea, urea-ammonium nitrate, and/or ammonia utilizing a source of carbon, a source of nitrogen, and/or a source of hydrogen. Implementing an electrolyte serving as ionic charge carrier, (1) ammonium nitrate is produced via the reduction of a nitrogen source at the cathode and the oxidation of a nitrogen source at the anode; (2) urea or its isomers are produced via the simultaneous cathodic reduction of a carbon source and a nitrogen source; (3) ammonia is produced via the reduction of nitrogen source at the cathode and the oxidation of a hydrogen source at the anode; and (4) urea-ammonium nitrate is produced via the simultaneous cathodic reduction of a carbon source and a nitrogen source, and anodic oxidation of a nitrogen source. The electrolyte can be solid.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Ted R. Aulich, Edwin S. Olson, Junhua Jiang
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Patent number: 8312822Abstract: A system and method is provided for the removal of mercury from flue gas. Effective removal of mercury is obtained by oxidation of elemental mercury, with highly reactive halogen species derived from dissociation of halogen compounds at moderate temperatures brought into contact with the flue gas with or without the addition of carbon.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish, Edwin S. Olson
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Patent number: 8309783Abstract: The present invention relates to production of fuels or fuel blendstocks from renewable sources. Various embodiments provide a method of producing a hydrocarbon product by hydrotreating a feedstock including at least one of a renewable triacylglyceride (TAG), renewable free fatty acid (FFA), and renewable fatty acid C1-C5 alkyl ester (C1-C5 FAE) in the presence of a nonsulfided hydrotreating catalyst to produce a first product including hydrocarbons. In some examples, the first product can be subjected to further chemical transformations such as aromatization, cracking, or isomerization to produce a second product including hydrocarbons. In various embodiments, the first or second hydrocarbon product with minimal or substantially no further processing can be suitable as a liquid transportation fuel or fuel blendstock, including fuels such as gasoline, naptha, kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fuels.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Joshua R. Strege, Benjamin G. Oster, Paul D. Pansegrau, Chad A. Wocken, Ted R. Aulich, Marc D. Kurz
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Patent number: 8304591Abstract: A novel, energy efficient process of producing jet fuel is disclosed herein. The process is based on utilizing a medium chain fatty acid source such as cuphea oil, which precludes the need for high-energy fatty acid chain cracking to achieve the shorter molecules needed for jet fuels and other fuels with low-temperature flow requirements. In an embodiment, a process for producing a jet fuel comprises providing a medium chain fatty acid source. The method also comprises cleaving the one or more medium chain fatty acid groups from the glycerides to form glycerol and one or more free fatty acids. The method further comprises decarboxylating the one or more medium chain fatty acids to form one or more hydrocarbons for the production of the jet fuel.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Ted R. Aulich, Chad A. Wocken, Ronald C. Timpe, Paul Pansegrau
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Publication number: 20120234689Abstract: A method for producing fertilizers comprising feeding gaseous reactants comprising at least one nitrogen source and a source of hydrogen selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen-containing salt, a hydrogen-containing compound, and a hydrogen-containing gas to a reactor, the reactor including at least one reaction chamber, at least one anode, at least one cathode, and at least one electrolyte between each at least one anode and each at least one cathode, providing electricity to drive anodic and cathodic reactions, and producing a fertilizer having nitrogen by providing a nitrogen source of the at least one nitrogen source and at least one carbon source to the at least one cathode and a nitrogen source of the at least one nitrogen source to the at least one anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER FOUNDATIONInventors: Ted R. AULICH, Edwin S. OLSON, Junhua JIANG
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Patent number: 8247632Abstract: A method of producing a hydrocarbon product by hydrotreating a feedstock comprising triacylglyceride (TAG) and TAG-derived materials such as free fatty acid (FFA) and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in the presence of a nonsulfided hydrotreating catalyst to produce a first product comprising hydrocarbons. A method of producing a transportation fuel by selecting an undoped feedstock comprising virgin TAG, used TAG, FFA, and FAME or a combination thereof; hydrotreating the undoped feedstock in the presence of an unsulfided hydrotreating catalyst to produce a first product and subjecting the first product to at least one process selected from aromatization, cyclization, and isomerization to produce a second hydrocarbon product selected from gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, and diesel fuels. A method is described by which fatty acids may be converted to hydrocarbons suitable for use as liquid transportation fuels.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Joshua R. Strege, Benjamin G. Oster, Paul D. Pansegrau, Chad A. Wocken, Ted R. Aulich, Marc Kurz
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Publication number: 20120202679Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for regenerating a sorbent that has been poisoned by components derived from flue gas. The sorbent is treated with an agent to remove the poisoning components and introduce a promoting agent into the sorbent. The method and apparatus can also be used to enhance the effectiveness of a new sorbent.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2012Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish
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Publication number: 20120183458Abstract: A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish
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Patent number: 8182787Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for use in producing high-pressure hydrogen from natural gas, methanol, ethanol, or other fossil fuel-derived and renewable hydrocarbon resources. The process can produce hydrogen at pressures ranging from 2000 to 12,000 pounds per square inch (psi) using a hydrogen carrier, with or without high-pressure water, and an appropriate catalyst. The catalyst reacts with the hydrogen carrier and, optionally, high-pressure water, in a catalytic reformer (20) maintained under desired temperature and pressure conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Michael Collings, Ted R. Aulich, Ronald C. Timpe, Michael J. Holmes
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Patent number: 8173566Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for regenerating a sorbent that has been poisoned by components derived from flue gas. The sorbent is treated with an agent to remove the poisoning components and introduce a promoting agent into the sorbent. The method and apparatus can also be used to enhance the effectiveness of a new sorbent.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish
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Patent number: 8168147Abstract: A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center FoundationInventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish