Patents by Inventor Patton M. Adams
Patton M. Adams 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: 20150209714Abstract: A method of removing siloxanes from a gas stream includes flowing the gas stream that carries siloxanes through an adsorbent media to remove at least part of the siloxanes from the gas stream, wherein the adsorbent media comprises lignite-based activated carbon. A spent adsorbent media is provided that contains the lignite-based activated carbon through which a gas stream containing siloxanes has been at least partially purified, and which may be regenerated.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: David B. Herrera, Patton M. Adams
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Patent number: 9023755Abstract: A method of removing siloxanes from a gas stream includes flowing the gas stream that carries siloxanes through an adsorbent media to remove at least part of the siloxanes from the gas stream, wherein the adsorbent media comprises lignite-based activated carbon. A spent adsorbent media is provided that contains the lignite-based activated carbon through which a gas stream containing siloxanes has been at least partially purified, and which may be regenerated.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Cabot CorporationInventors: David Herrera, Patton M. Adams
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Patent number: 8790618Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with optimized startup times, as well as to hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same, and methods of operating the same. Startup and shutdown methods for a PSA assembly, and optionally an associated fuel processing system, are disclosed to provide for shortened startup times. The PSA assemblies may be in fluid communication with a hydrogen source that may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to purge the PSA adsorbent columns of adsorbents during startup and/or shutdown procedures, the hydrogen source additionally or alternatively may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to charge the columns with hydrogen for idling in a pressurized state. The use of this hydrogen source, together with specific startup and shutdown methodologies, provides for reducing the startup time of the PSA assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: DCNS SAInventors: Patton M. Adams, James A. Givens, Arne LaVen, Sudha Rani LaVen, Curtiss Renn
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Publication number: 20140171304Abstract: A method of removing siloxanes from a gas stream includes flowing the gas stream that carries siloxanes through an adsorbent media to remove at least part of the siloxanes from the gas stream, wherein the adsorbent media comprises lignite-based activated carbon. A spent adsorbent media is provided that contains the lignite-based activated carbon through which a gas stream containing siloxanes has been at least partially purified, and which may be regenerated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: CABOT CORPORATIONInventors: David Herrera, Patton M. Adams
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Patent number: 8657483Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus designed to impregnate a sorbent. In some embodiments apparatus of the disclosure may comprise a mixing vessel having either a conical mixing chamber or an cylindrical mixing chamber designed to increase the contact surface area and/or contact/residence time of a sorbent and impregnant to produce compositions comprising an impregnated sorbent. Apparatus of the disclosure may also comprise one or more atomizers operable to produce atomized droplets of impregnant. The disclosure also provides methods for impregnation of a milled sorbent or an un-milled sorbent. Methods of the disclosure provide several technical advantages and may be cost effective. Impregnant sorbent compositions produced by methods and/or apparatus of the disclosure may have higher concentrations of an impregnant, a more uniform distribution of an impregnant and may have a greater sorbent efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Cabot Norit Americas, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Nebergall, Patton M. Adams
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Publication number: 20140004262Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus designed to impregnate a sorbent. In some embodiments apparatus of the disclosure may comprise a mixing vessel having either a conical mixing chamber or an cylindrical mixing chamber designed to increase the contact surface area and/or contact/residence time of a sorbent and impregnant to produce compositions comprising an impregnated sorbent. Apparatus of the disclosure may also comprise one or more atomizers operable to produce atomized droplets of impregnant. The disclosure also provides methods for impregnation of a milled sorbent or an un-milled sorbent. Methods of the disclosure provide several technical advantages and may be cost effective. Impregnant sorbent compositions produced by methods and/or apparatus of the disclosure may have higher concentrations of an impregnant, a more uniform distribution of an impregnant and may have a greater sorbent efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Cabot Norti Americas, Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Nebergall, Patton M. Adams
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Patent number: 8617294Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and/or fuel cell systems including the same. The PSA assemblies include, or are utilized with, combustion fuel stream supply systems that are adapted to regulate the flow of a byproduct stream from the PSA assembly for delivery to a heating assembly for use as a combustible fuel stream, such as to maintain at least a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system at a hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the combustion fuel stream supply system is configured to ensure that the supply of combustible fuel from the PSA assembly to the heating assembly contains at least a sufficient fuel value, such as to maintain at least the hydrogen-producing region at or within a predetermined hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: DCNS SAInventors: Patton M. Adams, Travis A. Bizjak, James A. Givens
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Publication number: 20120058885Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus designed to impregnate a sorbent. In some embodiments apparatus of the disclosure may comprise a mixing vessel having either a conical mixing chamber or an cylindrical mixing chamber designed to increase the contact surface area and/or contact/residence time of a sorbent and impregnant to produce compositions comprising an impregnated sorbent. Apparatus of the disclosure may also comprise one or more atomizers operable to produce atomized droplets of impregnant. The disclosure also provides methods for impregnation of a milled sorbent or an un-milled sorbent. Methods of the disclosure provide several technical advantages and may be cost effective. Impregnant sorbent compositions produced by methods and/or apparatus of the disclosure may have higher concentrations of an impregnant, a more uniform distribution of an impregnant and may have a greater sorbent efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2010Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: Norit Americas Inc.Inventors: Robert S. Nebergall, Patton M. Adams
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Patent number: 8070841Abstract: Combustion fuel stream supply systems for use with pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies, and hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same. The PSA assemblies are operated according to a PSA cycle to receive a mixed gas stream and, while producing a product hydrogen stream therefrom, intermittently discharge a byproduct stream. The byproduct stream, when available, may be delivered as a fuel stream to a heating assembly, which may heat the hydrogen-producing region that produces the mixed gas stream. A combustion fuel stream supply system selectively supplies an auxiliary fuel stream when a byproduct stream is not discharged or otherwise does not have a predetermined combustion fuel value sufficient, when combusted, to maintain the hydrogen-producing region within a desired temperature range. The one or more streams supplied to the heating assembly have a combined combustion fuel value at least as great as the predetermined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Idatech, LLCInventors: Patton M. Adams, Travis A. Bizjak, James A. Givens
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Patent number: 8021446Abstract: Feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems containing the same. The feedstock delivery systems include a liquid pump that draws at least one liquid feedstock from a supply and delivers at least one feed stream containing the feedstock(s) to a fuel processor, such as to the hydrogen-producing region thereof. The feedstock delivery system further includes a recycle conduit that establishes a fluid flow path for the liquid feedstock(s) from a location downstream of the pump back to a location upstream of the pump. In some embodiments, the feedstock delivery system further includes a flow restrictor associated with the recycle conduit and a pressure-actuated valve that selectively permits the recycled feedstock to bypass the flow restrictor. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to draw a greater flow rate of the feed stream from the supply than is delivered to the fuel processor.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Idatech, LLCInventors: Patton M. Adams, David J. Edlund, Vernon Wade Popham, Mesa Scharf, R. Todd Studebaker
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Publication number: 20110150756Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with optimized startup times, as well as to hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same, and methods of operating the same. Startup and shutdown methods for a PSA assembly, and optionally an associated fuel processing system, are disclosed to provide for shortened startup times. The PSA assemblies may be in fluid communication with a hydrogen source that may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to purge the PSA adsorbent columns of adsorbents during startup and/or shutdown procedures, the hydrogen source additionally or alternatively may be used or otherwise configured or controlled to charge the columns with hydrogen for idling in a pressurized state. The use of this hydrogen source, together with specific startup and shutdown methodologies, provides for reducing the startup time of the PSA assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: IDATECH, LLCInventors: Patton M. Adams, James A. Givens, Arne Laven, Sudha Rani Laven, Curtiss Renn
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Publication number: 20110053006Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and/or fuel cell systems including the same. The PSA assemblies include, or are utilized with, combustion fuel stream supply systems that are adapted to regulate the flow of a byproduct stream from the PSA assembly for delivery to a heating assembly for use as a combustible fuel stream, such as to maintain at least a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system at a hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the combustion fuel stream supply system is configured to ensure that the supply of combustible fuel from the PSA assembly to the heating assembly contains at least a sufficient fuel value, such as to maintain at least the hydrogen-producing region at or within a predetermined hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: IDATECH, LLCInventors: Patton M. Adams, Travis A. Bizjak, James A. Givens
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Patent number: 7837765Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and/or fuel cell systems including the same. The PSA assemblies include, or are utilized with, combustion fuel stream supply systems that are adapted to regulate the flow of a byproduct stream from the PSA assembly for delivery to a heating assembly for use as a combustible fuel stream, such as to maintain at least a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system at a hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the combustion fuel stream supply system is configured to ensure that the supply of combustible fuel from the PSA assembly to the heating assembly contains at least a sufficient fuel value, such as to maintain at least the hydrogen-producing region at or within a predetermined hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: Idatech, LLCInventors: Patton M. Adams, Travis A. Bizjak, James A. Givens
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Publication number: 20090151560Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and/or fuel cell systems including the same. The PSA assemblies include, or are utilized with, combustion fuel stream supply systems that are adapted to regulate the flow of a byproduct stream from the PSA assembly for delivery to a heating assembly for use as a combustible fuel stream, such as to maintain at least a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system at a hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the combustion fuel stream supply system is configured to ensure that the supply of combustible fuel from the PSA assembly to the heating assembly contains at least a sufficient fuel value, such as to maintain at least the hydrogen-producing region at or within a predetermined hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2008Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: IDATECH, LLCInventors: Patton M. Adams, Travis A. Bizjak, James A. Givens
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Publication number: 20090151249Abstract: Combustion fuel stream supply systems for use with pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies, and hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same. The PSA assemblies are operated according to a PSA cycle to receive a mixed gas stream and, while producing a product hydrogen stream therefrom, intermittently discharge a byproduct stream. The byproduct stream, when available, may be delivered as a fuel stream to a heating assembly, which may heat the hydrogen-producing region that produces the mixed gas stream. A combustion fuel stream supply system selectively supplies an auxiliary fuel stream when a byproduct stream is not discharged or otherwise does not have a predetermined combustion fuel value sufficient, when combusted, to maintain the hydrogen-producing region within a desired temperature range. The one or more streams supplied to the heating assembly have a combined combustion fuel value at least as great as the predetermined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Patton M. Adams, Travis A. Bizjak, James A. Givens
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Publication number: 20080222954Abstract: Feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems containing the same. The feedstock delivery systems include a liquid pump that draws at least one liquid feedstock from a supply and delivers at least one feed stream containing the feedstock(s) to a fuel processor, such as to the hydrogen-producing region thereof. The feedstock delivery system further includes a recycle conduit that establishes a fluid flow path for the liquid feedstock(s) from a location downstream of the pump back to a location upstream of the pump. In some embodiments, the feedstock delivery system further includes a flow restrictor associated with the recycle conduit and a pressure-actuated valve that selectively permits the recycled feedstock to bypass the flow restrictor. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to draw a greater flow rate of the feed stream from the supply than is delivered to the fuel processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2006Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: IDATECH, LLCInventors: Patton M. Adams, David J. Edlund, Vernon Wade Popham, Mesa Scharf, R. Todd Studebaker