Patents by Inventor Christopher R. McLarnon

Christopher R. McLarnon has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7052662
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, NO, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an alkali scrubbing solution, and removing any alkali aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to oxidized mercury and removing it in the scrubbing solution and wet electrostatic precipitator. Alkali sulfates, which are valuable fertilizers, can be withdrawn from the rubbing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
  • Patent number: 7048899
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, NO, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, alkali hydroxide or carbonate scrubbing solution, regenerating the scrubbing solution with limestone, and removing any particulate matter and aerosols generated by the scrubbing step in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to oxidized Hg and removing it in the wet electrostatic precipitator. The scrubbing solution is preferably regenerated with limestone or magnesium, and results in a Group II sulfite or sulfate that can be recovered and sold, or landfilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon
  • Patent number: 6991771
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, NO, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an ammonia scrubbing solution, and removing any ammonia aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to HgO and removing it in the wet electrostatic precipitator. Ammonium sulfate, a valuable fertilizer, can be withdrawn from the scrubbing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
  • Patent number: 6936231
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, O, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an ammonia scrubbing solution, and removing any ammonia aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to HgO and removing it in the wet electrostatic precipitator. Ammonium sulfate, a valuable fertilizer, can be withdrawn from the scrubbing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
  • Publication number: 20040105802
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing S02, NO, and N02 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to N02, scrubbing the S02, NO, and N02 with an ammonia scrubbing solution, and removing any ammonia aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to HgO and removing it in the wet electrostatic precipitator. Ammonium sulfate, a valuable fertilizer, can be withdrawn from the scrubbing solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: POWERSPAN CORP.
    Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
  • Publication number: 20030175190
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, O, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an ammonia scrubbing solution, and removing any ammonia aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to HgO and removing it in the wet electrostatic precipitator. Ammonium sulfate, a valuable fertilizer, can be withdrawn from the scrubbing solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
  • Patent number: 6605263
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2 from a gas stream having the steps of scrubbing the SO2 with an ammonia scrubbing solution and removing any aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The scrubbing solution is maintained at a pH between 6 and 8 to increase the speed of absorption of SO2, to Increase the ratio of sulfite to bisulfite which also facilitates the oxidation of SO2, and to avoid the need to use exotic, corrosion resistant alloys. Ammonium sulfate, a valuable fertilizer, can be withdrawn from the scrubbing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon
  • Publication number: 20030108466
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, NO, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an ammonia, ammonium hydroxide, alkali hydroxide or carbonate scrubbing solution, regenerating the scrubbing solution with limestone, and removing any particulate matter and aerosols generated by the scrubbing step in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to oxidized Hg and removing it in the wet electrostatic precipitator. The scrubbing solution is preferably regenerated with limestone or magnesium, and results in a Group II sulfite or sulfate that can be recovered and sold, or landfilled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon
  • Publication number: 20030108472
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2, NO, and NO2 from a gas stream having the steps of oxidizing a portion of the NO in the flue gas stream to NO2, scrubbing the SO2, NO, and NO2 with an alkali scrubbing solution, and removing any alkali aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. The process can also remove Hg by oxidizing it to oxidized mercury and removing it in the scrubbing solution and wet electrostatic precipitator. Alkali sulfates, which are valuable fertilizers, can be withdrawn from the rubbing solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
  • Publication number: 20030108469
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing SO2 from a gas stream having the steps of scrubbing the SO2 with an ammonia scrubbing solution and removing any aerosols generated by the scrubbing in a wet electrostatic precipitator. Ammonium sulfate, a valuable fertilizer, can be withdrawn from the scrubbing solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicant: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon
  • Patent number: 6132692
    Abstract: A process for reducing particulate, Hg, NOx, and SO.sub.2 emissions from the combustion of fossil fuel while providing the capability of producing an end product that is commercially useful comprising the steps of oxidizing Hg, NOx and SO.sub.2 using a barrier discharge reactor to produce the HgO and acids HNO.sub.3 and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, collecting the HgO, acids and particulates in a wet ESP, and then draining them from the wet ESP to remove them from the flue gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Powerspan Corp.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, S. Edward Neister, Christopher R. McLarnon, Phillip D. Boyle
  • Patent number: 6117403
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing particulate, nitrogen oxides ("NOx"), sulfur dioxide ("SO.sub.2 "), and mercury ("Hg") emissions from the combustion exhaust of fossil fuel fired plants while producing an end product that is commercially useful, comprising the steps of oxidizing Hg, NOx and SO.sub.2 using a barrier, pulse, corona, or electron beam electrical discharge apparatus (100) to produce HgO and the acids HNO.sub.3 and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 collecting the HgO, acids and particulates in a wet ESP (120), and separating the particulates from the collected acid mixture, then separating and concentrating the acids for industrial use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Zero Emissions Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, S. Edward Neister, Christopher R. McLarnon
  • Patent number: 5871703
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing particulate, nitrogen oxides ("NOx"), sulfur dioxide ("SO.sub.2 "), and mercury ("Hg") emissions from the combustion exhaust of fossil fuel fired plants while producing an end product that is commercially useful, comprising the steps of oxidizing Hg, NOx and SO.sub.2 using a barrier, pulse, corona, or electron beam electrical discharge apparatus to produce HgO and the acids HNO.sub.3 and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, collecting the HgO, acids and particulates in a wet ESP, and separating the particulates from the collected acid mixture, then separating and concentrated the acids for industrial use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Zero Emissions Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, S. Edward Neister, Christopher R. McLarnon
  • Patent number: 5458748
    Abstract: This invention presents an NO.sub.x environment effective reduction apparatus comprising a sulfur tolerant, high water vapor (about 3% to about 18%) tolerant, packing-free coronal-catalyst. In one embodiment the invention comprises an NO.sub.x reduction apparatus of high water vapor tolerant coronal-catalyst adapted and configured for hypercritical presentation of an electrical field to an NO.sub.x bearing gas stream, where the electrical field has a minimum field power density of at least about 75 watts/cubic meter, and optionally, accompanying downstream scrubbers. In a particular embodiment, downstream wet or dry absorption arrest particular NO.sub.x reduction products NO.sub.2 and HNO.sub.3, optionally upon exposure to an arresting agent, including basic, caustic, or alkali materials such as CaO or NH.sub.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Thermo Power Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald W. Breault, Christopher R. McLarnon, Frederick E. Becker
  • Patent number: 5240575
    Abstract: This invention presents an NO.sub.x environment effective reduction apparatus comprising a sulfur tolerant coronal-catalyst such as high dielectric coronal-catalysts like glass wool, ceramic-glass wool or zirconium glass wool and method of use. In one embodiment the invention comprises an NO.sub.x reduction apparatus of sulfur tolerant coronal-catalyst adapted and configured for hypercritical presentation to an NO.sub.x bearing gas stream at a minimum of at least about 75 watts/cubic meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Tecogen Inc.
    Inventors: Virendra K. Mathur, Ronald W. Breault, Christopher R. McLarnon, Frank G. Medros
  • Patent number: 5147516
    Abstract: This invention presents an NO.sub.x environment effective reduction apparatus comprising a sulfur tolerant coronal-catalyst such as high dielectric coronal-catalysts like glass wool, ceramic-glass wool or zirconium glass wool and method of use. In one embodiment the invention comprises an NO.sub.x reduction apparatus of sulfur tolerant coronal-catalyst adapted and configured for hypercritical presentation to an NO.sub.x bearing gas stream at a minimum of at least about 75 watts/cubic meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Tecogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Virendra K. Mathur, Ronald W. Breault, Christopher R. McLarnon, Frank G. Medros