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).
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Publication number: 20130269525Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: POWERSPAN CORP.Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna Duncan, Christopher McLarnon, Wade Amos
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Publication number: 20100319542Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2008Publication date: December 23, 2010Applicant: POWERSPAN CORP.Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna Duncan
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Patent number: 7052662Abstract: 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 Alkali sulfates, which are valuable fertilizers, can be withdrawn from the rubbing solution.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
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Patent number: 7048899Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 12, 2002Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon
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Patent number: 6991771Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
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Patent number: 6936231Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
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Publication number: 20040105802Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Applicant: POWERSPAN CORP.Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
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Publication number: 20030175190Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
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Patent number: 6605263Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: August 12, 2003Assignee: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon
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Publication number: 20030108466Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon
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Publication number: 20030108472Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon, Francis R. Alix
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Publication number: 20030108469Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2002Publication date: June 12, 2003Applicant: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Francis R. Alix, Joanna L. Duncan, Christopher R. McLarnon
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Patent number: 6132692Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Powerspan Corp.Inventors: Francis R. Alix, S. Edward Neister, Christopher R. McLarnon, Phillip D. Boyle
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Patent number: 6117403Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 1998Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Zero Emissions Technology Inc.Inventors: Francis R. Alix, S. Edward Neister, Christopher R. McLarnon
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Patent number: 5871703Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Zero Emissions Technology Inc.Inventors: Francis R. Alix, S. Edward Neister, Christopher R. McLarnon