Patents Examined by Joubert X Glover
  • Patent number: 8753434
    Abstract: Filter media that includes activated carbon particulates and zinc oxide particles disposed on surfaces of the activated carbon particulates. The zinc oxide particles have an average crystallite dimension that is not greater than about 50 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lisa M. Croll, Jeffrey R. Dahn, Jock W. H. Smith, Jennifer V. Romero
  • Patent number: 8721776
    Abstract: A reactor unit includes a bed of desiccant and a bed of media for treating pollutants. The media includes an adsorptive material and a reactive material. The adsorptive material is selected from at least one of activated carbon and zeolite. The reactive material is selected from at least one of potassium permanganate and sodium hydroxide. The adsorptive material is impregnated with reactive materials to enhance performance. A method of using the reactor unit includes delivering a moldable material into a mold. An effluent stream carrying pollutants produced by the moldable material flows through the reactor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Mektech Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Blaise A. LeWark, Sr.
  • Patent number: 8721770
    Abstract: This invention relates to compounds useful as ionic liquids that are based on an N-substituted pyrrolidinone and incorporate a pendant ammonium cation that is spaced from the pyrrolidone ring by a variable length linker; and to methods of carbon dioxide removal in which they may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: E I du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Thomas Foo, Mark Andrew Harmer, Keith W. Hutchenson, Christopher P. Junk, Berlyn R. Mellein, Aaron Minter, Mark Brandon Shiflett
  • Patent number: 8715398
    Abstract: An apparatus for the purification of fluids includes a material exchange apparatus which contains a more volatile fluid and a less volatile fluid. The material exchange apparatus contains a structured packing, with the structured packing containing a first packing layer (10) and a second packing layer (100). The first packing layer (10) and the second packing layer (100) have corrugations, with open channels (12, 14, 16, 112, 114, 116) being formed by the corrugations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Ilja Ausner, Markus Duss
  • Patent number: 8715397
    Abstract: A CO2 amine scrubbing process uses an absorbent mixture combination of an amine CO2 sorbent in combination with a non-nucleophilic, relatively stronger, typically nitrogenous, base. The weaker base(s) are nucleophilic and have the ability to react directly with the CO2 in the gas stream while the relatively stronger bases act as non-nucleophilic promoters for the reaction between the CO2 and the weaker base. The sorption and desorption temperatures can be varied by selection of the amine/base combination, permitting effective sorption temperatures of 70 to 90° C., favorable to scrubbing flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Pavel Kortunov, Lisa S. Baugh, David C. Calabro, Michael Siskin, Preeti Kamakoti, Quanchang Li
  • Patent number: 8702846
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing acid gases from a gas stream, in particular from a natural gas stream, synthesis gas stream or the like, wherein the acid gases are absorbed from the gas stream by at least one absorbent. The absorbent used is a mixture of a physical scrubbing agent, a chemical scrubbing agent and water. The absorbent comprises more than 60% by weight of the physical scrubbing medium, wherein the physical scrubbing medium used is a morpholine derivative and a chemical scrubbing agent based on at least one aliphatic amine compound which includes a polyethylene glycol substituted amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp UHDE GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Menzel
  • Patent number: 8702852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a condensation and washing device with which in particular the process vapors which occur during the production of polylactide can be processed and cleaned. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a polymerization device for the production of polylactide and also to a method for processing process vapors which occur during the production of polylactide; possibilities for use of both the condensation and washing devices and of the method are likewise mentioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Hagen, Udo Muhlbauer
  • Patent number: 8696798
    Abstract: Acid gas is removed from a feed gas using a physical solvent that is regenerated using successive flashing stages after heating of the rich solvent using low-level waste heat that is preferably produced or available within the acid gas removal plant. Especially preferred waste heat sources include compressor discharges of the refrigeration system and/or recompression system for CO2, and/or (low level) heat content from the feed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Patent number: 8679232
    Abstract: A rotating packed bed RPB that includes a first and second packed bed both arranged on the same rotatable shaft. A gas is directed via a gas inlet through the first packed bed in co-current flow with a liquid in a radially outward direction towards the outer radius of the packed bed. The liquid enters the first packed bed via a first liquid inlet. The gas exiting the first packed bed is directed to the second packed bed and forced through it in a radially inward direction in counter-current flow with a liquid, which enters through a second liquid inlet. The arrangement allows an operation of the rotating packed bed with less energy compared to RPBs of the prior art operating in counter-current flow only. The apparatus allows low-cost design and high design flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Hartwig Wolf, Petar Aleksic, Frank Klaus Ennenbach, Mark Harvey Tothill
  • Patent number: 8673058
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for removing solid particles and tar component from carbon monoxide gas. In the method, carbon monoxide gas is conducted from a ferroalloy smelting furnace (1) to a gas scrubber (2), the carbon monoxide gas is scrubbed in the gas scrubber (2) by a liquid medium for removing part of the solid particles, the carbon monoxide gas is conducted from the gas scrubber to a blower (3), the flow rate of the carbon monoxide gas is increased by the blower (3), and the carbon monoxide gas is conducted to a particulate filter (5) and the remaining solid particles are essentially filtered in the particulate filter (5) from the carbon monoxide gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Outotec Oyj
    Inventors: Tom Rönnberg, Stefan Hajek
  • Patent number: 8628603
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Energy & Enviromental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Martin, Ye Zhuang
  • Patent number: 8617299
    Abstract: A canister includes a first fuel vapor adsorption device and a second fuel vapor adsorption device. The second fuel vapor adsorption device can adsorb a part of fuel vapor that still remains in a gas after desorption by the first fuel vapor adsorption device. The second fuel vapor adsorption device includes a first passage containing a fuel vapor adsorption material and a second passage containing no fuel vapor adsorption material. The first passage and the second passage allow the gas to flow therethrough. A gas introduction device allows the fuel vapor to flow from the second passage into the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masakazu Hasegawa, Masahiro Sugiura
  • Patent number: 8603221
    Abstract: A rapid cycle, gas permeable, adsorbent-containing (“RCA”) paper suitable for separating at least a portion of a first gas from a second gas in a gas mixture to produce a product stream enriched in the first gas. The RCA paper contains p-aramid fibrids and zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Robert L. Bedard
  • Patent number: 8603226
    Abstract: An absorption medium for removing acid gases from a fluid stream comprises an aqueous solution of A) at least one cyclic amine compound having solely tertiary amine groups and/or sterically hindered secondary amine groups and B) at least one cyclic amine compound having at least one sterically unhindered secondary amine group. The absorption medium comprises, e.g., an aqueous solution of A) 1-hydroxyethylpiperidine and/or triethylenediamine and B) piperazine. The absorption medium is particularly suitable for separating off carbon dioxide from flue gases and satisfies the following criteria: (i) sufficient capacity at low CO2 partial pressures; (ii) sufficiently rapid absorption rate at low CO2 partial pressures; (iii) stability toward oxygen; (iv) low vapor pressure for reducing solvent losses; and (v) low energy requirement for regeneration of the absorption medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Hugo Rafael Garcia Andarcia, Ute Lichtfers, Georg Sieder, Oliver Spuhl, Steven Brughmans
  • Patent number: 8597412
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery apparatus according to the present invention includes: an absorber (1003) that brings CO2-containing flue gas (1001A) into counter-current contact with CO2 absorbent (1002) to reduce CO2, and a regenerator (1005) that regenerates rich solution (1004) that has absorbed CO2, in which lean solution (1006) having CO2 reduced in the regenerator (1005) is reused in the absorber (1003). The absorber (1003) further includes a CO2 absorbing unit (1010) that recovers CO2 contained in the flue gas (1001A), and the CO2 absorbent (1002) that has absorbed CO2 is extracted from a rich side of the CO2 absorbing unit (1010) to exterior, cooled, and then supplied to a position nearer to a lean side of the absorber (1003) with respect to the position at which the CO2 absorbent (1002) is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Toru Takashina, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Masaki Iijima, Tomio Mimura, Kouki Ogura, Yasuyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8585808
    Abstract: Filter media that includes activated carbon particulates and zinc oxide particles disposed on surfaces of the activated carbon particulates. The zinc oxide particles have an average crystallite dimension that is not greater than about 50 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Lisa M. Croll, Jeffrey R. Dahn, Jock W. H. Smith, Jennifer V. Romero
  • Patent number: 8585801
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a gas mixture comprising providing a slot in a gas separation channel (conceptualized as a laterally elongated Clusius-Dickel column), having a length through which a net cross-flow of the gas mixture may be established; applying a higher temperature to one side of the channel and a lower temperature on an opposite side of the channel thereby causing thermal-diffusion and buoyant-convection flow to occur in the slot; and establishing a net cross-flow of a gas mixture comprising at least one higher density gas component and at least one lower density gas component along the length of the slot, wherein the cross-flow causes, in combination with the convection flow, a spiraling flow in the slot; and wherein the spiral flow causes an increasing amount of separation of the higher density gas from the lower density gas along the length of the channel. The process may use one or more slots and/or channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Charles R. Bryan, John R. Torczynski, Patrick V. Brady, Michail Gallis, Carlton F. Brooks
  • Patent number: 8580021
    Abstract: The portable air scrubber device provides for removably covering an existing chimney with the chimney cap. The axial fan forces airflow through the device hoses, removable filters, flex joints, and tank. The hose flex joints allow adaptation to various chimneys and roofs. The device may be disassembled into its various components such as the hoses, the fan housing, the chimney cap, the flex joints, and the tank components, thereby aiding portability. Liquid filtration media used for filtration may include water, water and glycol mix, and other additives that aid in air filtration and particulate removal. Air once passed through the filters and sprayed by the liquid filtration media may exit the top section holes. Excessive liquid filtration media may also exit the top section holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Florencio A. McPherson
  • Patent number: 8568512
    Abstract: The method and system for methane separation and purification from a biogas includes collecting a raw Biogas gas stream having methane, carbon dioxide, water, sulfur compounds and non-methane organic compound (NMOC) constituents. The Biogas stream is fed into the intake of a liquid sulfur scrubber or a sulfur adsorber unit where the Biogas is separated into a main gas stream routed downstream in the system and a sulfur compounds stream removed from the system. The main gas stream is then processed by an NMOC absorber and further downstream, by an NMOC adsorber. NMOC produced by both NMOC processes is liquefied, removed from the system and stored. Upstream from the NMOC processes, the main gas stream is processed by at least one CO2, N2, O2 gas separation unit that produces a usable product stream of enriched methane gas, and an off-gas stream, which a VPSAU processes for venting and recycling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: A.R.C. Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley M. Siegel, Dennis C. Siegel
  • Patent number: 8551231
    Abstract: In a vaporized fuel treatment apparatus a partition wall member is housed in an inner cap, and a gas-liquid separation chamber and a fuel adsorption chamber are defined on either side of the partition wall member. Further, a partition plate is provided on an open end of the inner cap. Wall portions are formed respectively on the partition wall member and the partition plate, and a conduction passage is defined in the fuel adsorption chamber by these wall portions. As a result, air containing vaporized fuel can be guided to every corner of the fuel adsorption chamber. Further, a through hole is provided in a central portion of the partition wall member, and therefore liquid fuel is prevented from flowing into the fuel adsorption chamber even when a fuel tank is tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hideki Tanaka