Patents by Inventor Francis R. Alix

Francis R. Alix 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).

  • Publication number: 20130269525
    Abstract: Absorption media for separating acidic gases such as C02 from a gas stream are disclosed. In some embodiments, the Absorption media include a solution of water, at least piperazine or a derivative of piperazine, and at least one alkali ion. The at least one alkali ion may be potassium. Methods and apparatus for separating acidic gases from a gas stream using such absorption media are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: POWERSPAN CORP.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna Duncan, Christopher McLarnon, Wade Amos
  • Publication number: 20100319542
    Abstract: A process for scrubbing ammonia in a CO2 removal process having the steps of absorbing (204) at least some CO2 from a gas stream (202) with an ammonium carbonate solution or a mixed alkali solution, resulting in a release of >ammonia; regenerating (210) ammonium.carbonate or mixed alkali solution to produce a concentrated CO2 stream; capturing ammonia with an ammonia capture mass transfer apparatus (214). with a concentrated urea ammonium nitrate solution; adjusting the pH of the urea ammonium nitrate solution to between 4 ? and 6 with nitric acid; and adding urea to the urea ammonium nitrate solution, thereby producing a urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) fertilizer product ready for commercial distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: POWERSPAN CORP.
    Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna Duncan
  • 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 Alkali sulfates, which are valuable fertilizers, can be withdrawn from the rubbing solution.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