With Heater Or Cooler Patents (Class 204/274)
  • Publication number: 20100326820
    Abstract: An electropolishing apparatus comprises a direct current electrical power supply and reservoirs of electrolyte and coolant, a lead which carries current to a cathode block and pumps which pump the electrolyte and coolant from their respective reservoirs through tubes to the block which is made of brass and is covered with an electrolyte absorbent boot knitted from Teflon coated fiber glass thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: METAL SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES PTY LTD
    Inventor: Dean Klower
  • Patent number: 7850838
    Abstract: A system for providing hydrogen gas is provided. The system includes a hydrogen generator that produces gas from water. One or more heat generation devices are arranged to provide heating of the enclosure during different modes of operation to prevent freezing of components. A plurality of temperature sensors are arranged and coupled to a controller to selectively activate a heat source if the temperature of the component is less than a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Wayne Dreier, Michael Thomas Kowalski, Stephen Charles Porter, Oscar Ken Chow, Nicholas Paul Borland, Stephen Arthur Goyette
  • Publication number: 20100276279
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating system includes a housing defining an interior chamber, an electrolyte solution contained within the interior chamber of the housing, and an electrode plate assembly disposed in the interior chamber of the housing and at least in part submerged in the electrolyte solution. The electrode plate assembly comprises a cathode plate, an anode plate separate from the cathode plate and disposed in spaced relationship therewith, and at least one neutral plate separate from both the anode plate and the cathode plate and disposed therebetween in spaced relationship with the anode plate and the cathode plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Etorus, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Paul Arnett, Scott Alan DeHart, Robert E. Yelin, James Leo Icenbice
  • Publication number: 20100270170
    Abstract: A method of converting seawater, waste water, brackish water and polluted water to fresh water, referred to as “The Rosenbaum-Weisz Process”, is disclosed. This method utilizes high temperature electrolysis to decompose the seawater into hydrogen, oxygen and salts/minerals. The generated hydrogen and oxygen are then combusted in a high temperature combustor to generate superheated steam. The heat from the superheated steam is then removed by a high temperature heat exchanger system and recycled to the high temperature electrolysis unit. The superheated steam is then condensed, as a result of the heat extraction by the heat exchanger system, to produce fresh water. The recovered salts/minerals can be sold to generate additional revenue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: HTE Water Corporation
    Inventor: Itzhak Rosenbaum
  • Publication number: 20100264021
    Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas generating system includes water capture-storage where water is stored and hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas is captured, an electrode unit including multiple electrodes to electrolyze water, at least one water supplying pipe connecting a lower part of the water capture-storage and the electrode unit for providing water from the water capture-storage to the electrode unit, at least one gas supplying pipe connecting an upper part of the water capture-storage and the electrode unit to provide hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas produced from the electrode unit to an upper part of the store water in the water capture-storage and an endothermic heat radiant system which absorbs and radiates the heat from the water capture-storage in the water capture-storage. The endothermic heat radiant system includes multiple heat radiant pipes that penetrate the water capture-storage up and down and a heat radiant pin formation contained in the heat radiant pipes to expand the contact area with air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventor: Boo-Sung Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100258449
    Abstract: A self-sustaining, fully automated, hydrogen generator that utilizes the ocean's currents, tides, and water to produce vast amounts of hydrogen and oxygen. Additional electricity may be supplied by locally generated means including offshore wind, offshore geothermal, as well as wave powered generation. Hydrogen is exported as well as the oxygen not consumed by the life support systems. Residue collected from the ocean water purification process is collected and exported for use elsewhere or dispersed locally around the underwater facility. Systems orchestration is achieved by control systems that operate independently of one another with no single point of failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: William Sheridan Fielder
  • Publication number: 20100258436
    Abstract: An electrolysis apparatus is disclosed as including an electrolysis cell (10) accommodating therein electrolyte (70), a heating section (20) located around the electrolysis cell to heat the electrolysis cell, an electrode section (30) having an electrode unit (30a) immersed in the electrolyte and a power-conducting electrode portion (30b) supporting the electrode unit to apply the electrode unit with electric power, a lid body (45) defining a space region (40) in an area above the electrolysis cell, an exhaust section (50) located in the lid body to allow the space region to communicate with an outside for exhausting by-product gas, resulting from electrolysis of the electrolyte, from the space region to the outside, and an evaporation restraining member (60, 80, 80A, 80B, 90, 90A, 90B) floating on a liquid surface of the electrolyte so as to cover the liquid surface of the electrolyte for permitting by-product gas, resulting from electrolysis of the electrolyte, to escape to the space region while restrainin
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Kinotech Solar Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Takeuchi, Dalsuke Sakaki, Tadashi Ohashi, Hisashi Matsumura
  • Publication number: 20100252423
    Abstract: Among other things, hydrogen is released from water at a first location using energy from a first energy source; the released hydrogen is stored in a metal hydride slurry; and the metal hydride slurry is transported to a second location remote from the first location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: SAFE HYDROGEN, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. McClaine, Kenneth Brown
  • Publication number: 20100243469
    Abstract: A hydrogen producing rotating unit which is fitted and suspended in bearings 102a-b in a evacuated housing 101 which is anchored, and where it is arranged a row of own diffusor-spirals 107b-c-d-e which receives for each nozzle circle 114 a-b-c-d from the rotation device produced and pressurized gas H2, O2 or CO2 and sediment materials which is leaded in channels from the split cell 110 via heat exchangers 109, 108 which re-circulates the heat and lowers the temperature of the gases, and when they executes rotation the gases becomes liquid or ice, where they afterwards evaporated out totally clean in evaporation order, and it can be supplied inert gas in the split cell 110, and the device can change between water electrolysis, heat splitting, steam reforming and motor solution, or a combination of the said processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: ROTOBOOST AS
    Inventor: Age Jorgen Skomsvold
  • Patent number: 7804077
    Abstract: The invention relates to the confinement of an alloy formed of actinide transuranic radioactive wastes and beryllium metal within a neutron moderating and reflecting apparatus to cause accelerated destruction (burning) of the actinide wastes. Waste actinides, including plutonium, neptunium, americium, and curium, emit alpha particles by radioactive decay. The alpha particles are converted into neutrons by the beryllium through an alpha-neutron (alpha, n) reaction. The neutrons developed by the alpha, n reaction are moderated by a surrounding layer of graphite, which allows the slowed neutrons to cause additional fission or decay events within the waste actinide alloy. This process is passive because the alpha particles that initiate the actinide burning are an intrinsic physical property of the actinides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Neucon Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Laurence Danese, Alan Harvey Wells
  • Publication number: 20100200398
    Abstract: An alkaline humidifier for humidifying the environment with alkaline water ions, wherein water contained in a water tank and allowed to drain into the electrolysis unit where water is ionized into, negative alkaline water and positive acidic water and stored in respective reservoirs whereby the acidic water stored in the acidic reservoir is emptied at a later time and the alkaline water stored in the alkaline reservoir is allowed to drain into an evaporation cavity where it is vaporized by a heating element whereby humidifying the surrounding environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Devaraj Thiruppathi, Prakash Thiruppathi
  • Publication number: 20100200399
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system which purifies exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust pipe, an electrochemical reactor and a cooler. The exhaust gas flows through the exhaust pipe. The electrochemical reactor is mounted to the exhaust pipe and has a polyelectrolyte membrane. The cooler is provided at a position that is upstream of the electrochemical reactor for cooling the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Naotaka KOIDE, Hiroyasu Kawauchi, Yoshifumi Kato
  • Publication number: 20100200397
    Abstract: Provided are a substrate plating apparatus and a substrate plating method. In the substrate plating apparatus, a substrate support member supports a substrate to allow a plating surface to look up. A plating solution containing positive ions dissolved from a positive electrode is supplied from a plating solution supply member onto the substrate at an upper side of the substrate support member. A plating bath surrounds the substrate support member. The substrate support member is rotated in a state where it is immersed into the plating solution and an additive. The substrate can be supported by the substrate support member without reversing the substrate. Also, a pattern defect due to bubbles generated during a plating process can be prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Yijung Kim, Eun Su Rho, Jeong Yong Bae
  • Publication number: 20100200418
    Abstract: A process for the production of energetically rich compounds comprising: using externally supplied thermal energy to heat an electrolyzable compound to a temperature greater than the ambient temperature; generating electricity from a solar electrical photovoltaic component; subjecting the heated electrolyzable compound to electrolysis with the solar generated electricity to generate an energetically rich electrolytic product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Stuart Licht
  • Publication number: 20100187128
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for treating liquids, particularly ocean, brackish water, refuse liquid, and waste water, wherein a hot carrier gas flow charged with water vapor is present in a predetermined treatment step as a hot water vapor carrier gas flow, particularly from a device for the treatment of liquids. According to the invention, at least a partial flow of the hot water vapor carrier gas flow is subjected to water vapor electrolysis in a water vapor electrolysis device in which at least part of the hydrogen and oxygen is separated from the hot water vapor carrier gas flow, and a dried carrier gas flow is created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Joachim Neubert, Karl Ferdinand Staab
  • Publication number: 20100181190
    Abstract: A process encompassing hydrogen and oxygen gases as a partial fuel source when utilized together with a fossil-based fuel to power conventional internal combustion engines. Hydrogen and oxygen gases are produced by electrolysis in an electrolyser unit(s), on-demand and on-board a vehicle, or in stationary applications, eliminating the need of highly-pressurized hydrogen storage tanks When said gases are introduced into the combustion chamber of the engine, via the air intake assembly, they increase the efficiency of the combustion burn by enriching the air to fuel ratio, resulting in a reduction of the fossil-based fuels required for optimum engine performance, said gases effectively becoming a partial hybrid fuel source. The process includes scalability for all size and types of installations, cold-weather applications and longer operating capabilities. As an additional benefit, in direct correlation, this process reduces carbon dioxide emissions, and, in varying quantities, other greenhouse gas emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: HYTRONX TECHNOLOGIES INC
    Inventor: Peter J. Romaniuk
  • Publication number: 20100178437
    Abstract: A gas, which has extremely low oxygen and water content without particles for industrial use and is effective in processes including an oxidation preventing step, can be supplied in a large quantity. An apparatus for generating such gas having extremely low oxygen/water content is provided with an oxygen molecule discharging apparatus (26) comprising a hollow ceramic solid electrolyte body (21), through which a gas passes, and metal tube bodies (20), all of which are adhered to each other in a leak-tight manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Naoki Shirakawa, Yoshida Yoshiyuki, Endo Kazuhiko, Mino Tetsuya
  • Publication number: 20100166634
    Abstract: Method and equipment for production of high purity silicon (Si) metal from reduction of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4) by liquid zinc metal. The Zn reduction of SiCl4 and the production of Zn by electrolysis of ZnCl2 take place in a common, combined reactor and electrolysis cell using a molten salt as electrolyte. The reactor and electrolysis cell may preferably be provided in a common housing which is divided into two or more communicating compartments (13, 1, 2) by a first or more partition walls (15, 8, 7). Further, the electrolysis of ZnCl2, performed by means of suitable electrodes, is taking place in at least one compartment (1, 2) and the Zn reduction of SiCl4 takes place in at least one other compartment (13), where Zn metal flows between the chamber/s (1,2) of the ZnCl2 electrolysis to the chamber/s (13) of SiCl4 reduction, and where the electrolyte circulates between the chamber/s of ZnCl2 electrolysis to the chamber/s of SiCl4 reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventor: Christian Rosenkilde
  • Publication number: 20100155234
    Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen generating apparatus includes a metal thin walled tube, an insulation tube inside the thin walled tube, multiple 1st electrolyte plate that has a 1st small hole placed below a part of a center hole and a first big hole placed above an upper part of the center hole, multiple 2nd electrolyte plates with small hole placed above an upper part of a center hole and a 2nd big hole below a lower part of the center hole, a number of rings with a certain thickness between the 1st electrolyte plate and the 2nd electrolyte plate, an electrolyte unit including a 1st electric pole penetrating the 1st small holes and a 2nd electric pole penetrating the 2nd small holes when the 1st electrolyte plate and the 2nd electrolyte plate are placed opposed to each other, a front cover with a frontal water flowing pipe at a center and the 1st electric pole and the 2nd electric pole piercing the cover through 1,2nd pipes up and down the cover in front of the thin walled tube, a rear cover with the 1st electric pole an
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Boo-Sung Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100155233
    Abstract: A hydrogen-oxygen generating system includes a water capture-storage (10), where water is stored and hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas is captured, an electrolyte unit (20) including inflowing pipe (25) to inhale water, and out-flowing pipe (26) to exhale hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas and including a plurality of electrodes (21)(22) to electrolyze water, a first heat radiant pipe (30) radiating heat and supplying water to the electrolyte unit (20) from water capture-storage (10) and connected to a lower part of the water capture-storage (10) and a second heat radiant pipe (40) connected to the outflowing pipe (26) and an upper part of the water capture-storage (10) radiating heat as it provides hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas to the water capture-storage (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventor: Boo-Sung Hwang
  • Publication number: 20100140102
    Abstract: An electrolyzer for high temperature electrolysis capable of operating in an allothermal mode including an enclosure, at least one electrolysis plate (8) including an anode and a cathode in combination and means for heating an active fluid intended to undergo a high temperature electrolysis, characterized in that the enclosure is capable of maintaining an electrolyte bath under high or very high pressure of several tens of bars, in that said heating means (10) are positioned in the enclosure and use a heat transfer fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE
    Inventor: Patrick Aujollet
  • Publication number: 20100129287
    Abstract: A system for producing hydrogen gas from water decomposition using a thermochemical CuCl cycle, the improvement comprising the use of an insulated hydrogen production reactor comprising a reaction chamber and a separation chamber; the reaction chamber having a hydrogen chloride gas inlet and a solid copper inlet; one or more levels provided in the reaction chamber, the number of which is dependant on production scale and pressure drop; each level comprising a perforated plate with associated filter media, the perforations of the plate and media being of decreasing size from top to bottom of the reaction chamber, and being sized to permit downward flow of the hydrogen gas and molten CuCl products, as well as the HCL gas reactant, and to prevent entrainment of solid copper in the molten CuCl; the separation chamber being located below the reaction chamber and being of greater cross section than the reaction chamber and comprising a first hydrogen removal and entrained copper removal zone and a second molten CuC
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Kamiel Samy Gabriel, Zholin Wang, Greg Naterer
  • Publication number: 20100126435
    Abstract: Apparatus for dissociating water into hydrogen and oxygen, comprising a tank and the quantity of water contained in said tank is dissolved. A quantity of a conductivity promoting material suspended or dissolved in said water to form an electrically conductive fluid and a plurality of plates suspended in said electrically conductive fluid and a reactive agent selected from the group consisting of derivatives of vegetable materials, derivatives of highly resinous vegetable materials, derivatives of vegetable materials taken from pinion pine, derivatives of vegetable materials taken from blood of dragon, water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized vegetable materials, water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized highly resinous vegetable materials, water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized vegetable materials taken from pinion pine, and water soluble derivatives of partially oxidized vegetable materials taken from blood of dragon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Vernon Roth, Gregory Sherman
  • Publication number: 20100084282
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for dissociating water. A reaction chamber contains an anode and a cathode submerged in an aqueous hydroxide electrolyte. The temperature of the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte in the reaction chamber is elevated to least 280° C. The pressure of the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte in the reaction chamber is likewise elevated to least 2 atmospheres. An electrical voltage is applied across the anode and cathode using an electrical power supply and oxygen and hydrogen are formed from the water contained in the aqueous hydroxide electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Jason C. Ganley, John H. Holbrook, Douglas E. McKinley, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100084283
    Abstract: A process to convert carbon dioxide into a stable substance with electrolytically activated seawater and use this process to sequester carbon dioxide from coal power plants (82) and similar carbon dioxide producing equipment, and capture and sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Electrolytically activated seawater (92) is produced using a unipolar electrolytic cell (91) and is sprayed into a contacting tower (93) or into the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: Rodolfo Antonio M. Gomez
  • Patent number: 7691600
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting and/or identifying bacteria present in a liquid or solid sample, characterized in that: a. the sample that may contain said bacteria is placed in a liquid culture medium, in a first container, b. a second container comprising at least one system for detecting said bacteria is provided, c. a means of transfer between the first container and the second container is provided, d. a temperature T1 is applied inside the second container, then e. a temperature T2 is applied inside the second container, f. the temperature T1 is higher than the temperature T2 such that a defined volume of culture medium is transferred from the first container to the second container, g. the presence or absence of bacteria is determined and/or the bacteria are identified within the detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Biomerieux
    Inventors: Josep Vicent Mercader Badia, Bruno Colin, Vincent Atrache
  • Publication number: 20100069600
    Abstract: A method to extract out of water, concentrate and reformulate [18F] fluorides includes passing a dilute aqueous [18F] fluoride solution entering by an inlet (1) in a cavity (6) embodying an electrochemical cell with at least two electrodes (3, 4, 5), flowing in the cavity (6) and coming out of the cavity (6) by an outlet (2), an external voltage being applied to the electrodes. One electrode (4) is used as an extraction electrode, another one (3) is used for polarizing the solution, and configured so that at least the extraction electrode (4), either used as a cathode or as an anode, is in contact with and polarizes a large specific surface area conducting material (7), contained in the cavity (6). The extracted ions are released from the surface of the large specific surface area conducting material (7) by turning off the applied external voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: Trasis S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Morelle, Samuel Voccia, Gauthier Philippart
  • Publication number: 20100044215
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a carbon nanotube sheet is provided. The apparatus includes a bath and a driving unit wherein the bath has a bottom surface and is configured to contain a carbon nanotube colloidal solution. The bottom surface is capable of having an array of capillary tubes. The driving unit is configured to drive at least a part of the carbon nanotube colloidal solution out of the bath through the array of capillary tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: SNU R&DB FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Yong Hyup KIM, Eui Yun Jang
  • Publication number: 20100032311
    Abstract: A method for concentrating an aqueous caustic alkali produced by a membrane cell process by using a single or multiple effect evaporator system in which the vapor flows in a counter direction to the aqueous caustic alkali flow and the heat recovered from the catholyte circulation line is used as part of the concentration process. In one embodiment, a catholyte heat recovery heat exchanger and evaporation chamber are located after the last effect of a multiple effect evaporator system. In another embodiment, the catholyte heat recovery heat exchanger and evaporation chamber are located prior to the single or multiple effect evaporator system. In yet another embodiment, the catholyte heat recovery process is used in conjunction with additional heat exchanger processes to further concentrate the final product as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Anthony B. Davis, Thomas H. Yohe, Russell F. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20100000874
    Abstract: Products from a solar assisted reverse-water-gas-shift reaction (RWGS) are used to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Heliostats focus solar energy to heat carbon dioxide gas. A water splitter splits water into hydrogen molecules and oxygen molecules via the addition of the solar energy also directed from either the same array of heliostats via a beam splitter off a common receiving tower redirecting a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, a heliostat field dedicated for the water splitter, or from its own parabolic trough. A chemical reactor mixes heated carbon dioxide gas with all or just a portion of the hydrogen molecules from the water splitter in a RWGS reaction to produce resultant carbon monoxide. A synthesis reactor uses any unconsumed hydrogen molecules and the resultant stabilized carbon monoxide molecules from the RWGS reaction in the hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: Sundrop Fuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian L. Hinman, John Henry Stevens, Peter Le Lievre
  • Publication number: 20090313847
    Abstract: A device for obtaining energy carriers from moist biomass includes a dehydration device for mechanically pre-dehydrating the biomass, and a drying step for post-dehydrating the pre-dehydrated biomass via the addition of heat. The dehydration device includes a first dehydration step and a second dehydration step, which is combined with the drying step to form a single assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Horst Weigelt
  • Publication number: 20090283418
    Abstract: A gas generating apparatus for use with an internal combustion engine, the apparatus comprising a reactor including a housing, at least one anode and at least one cathode located within the housing, an electrolyte input and a gas output, wherein the at least one anode and the at least one cathode are electrically connected to an electrical energy source; the electrolyte input is adapted to provide in use a flow of electrolyte such that a substantially constant volume of electrolyte is maintained within the reactor; and the gas output is in fluid communication with an air inlet of the engine, whereby in use the electrolyte is broken down to a gas in the reactor and the product gas is supplied to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen Martin, Darryl Watts
  • Publication number: 20090272653
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for producing hydrogen from a hydrocarbon fuel by combining the fuel with a gas comprising both oxygen and steam, and passing the resulting mixture through a plasma generated by a microwave plasma generator between opposed electrodes. At least one of the electrodes defines a duct for outflow of gaseous material from the vicinity of the plasma, and the gas mixture emerging from the outflow duct contains hydrogen. The fuel undergoes partial oxidation and steam reforming, the reactions being initiated by the plasma rather than by a catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Philip Michael Beech, Stuart Leigh Jones, James Timothy Shawcross
  • Publication number: 20090263693
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating apparatus and a fuel cell power generation system having the hydrogen generating apparatus are disclosed. The hydrogen generating apparatus can include an electrolyte bath configured to contain an electrolyte solution, an anode placed inside the electrolyte bath and configured to generate electrons, a cathode placed inside the electrolyte bath and configured to receive the electrons from the anode to generate hydrogen, a condensation plate disposed on a transfer path of the hydrogen such that moisture carried in the hydrogen is condensed and the hydrogen is separated, and a heat exchanger configured to cool down the condensation plate heated by the moisture carried in the hydrogen. The hydrogen generating apparatus of the present invention can increase the efficiency of hydrogen generation by removing the moisture carried in the hydrogen while generating the hydrogen and reusing the moisture circulated through the electrolyte solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Eon Soo LEE, Jae-Hyoung Gil, Craig Miesse, Jae-Hyuk Jang, Kyoung-Soo Chae
  • Publication number: 20090095635
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable radiosynthesis of radiolabeled compounds using electrochemical trapping and release. The trapping and release of radioactive isotopes all occur inside a microreactor, a vial or similar device, thus eliminating the need for azeotropic drying and several dead-end filling steps, as well as the necessity to move concentrated radioisotopes from one compartment of the chip to another. These and other features allow radioisotope enrichment to be carried out internally within a radiochemical synthesis chip, providing faster and more robust operation, as well as producing very high radiochemical labeling yields.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Arkadij M. Elizarov, Hartmuth C. Kolb, R. Michael van Dam, James R. Heath, Brian Edgecombe, Farshad Motamedi, Anthony Stephen, Michael A. Giardello
  • Publication number: 20090038958
    Abstract: Devices are provided for generating a plasma field for dissociating water into elemental hydrogen and water. The elemental hydrogen may be used directly to produce power, or may be stored for use as an energy source or as a commodity. The devices of the present invention can provide on site, point of use sources for producing elemental hydrogen. In addition, the devices can produce a net positive energy output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Edward L. Coyle, John W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20090026069
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for rapidly grow zirconium hydride (ZrH2) on a Zr tube. ZrH2 is obtained through electrolyte in a hydrogenation. The electrolyte uses As2O3 as a catalyst to speed up the deposition of ZrH2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL - INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Wen-Chen Liao, Jen-Hung Chen
  • Publication number: 20090008252
    Abstract: Devices for generating and storing ozone. A device for generating ozone includes: at least one elongated electrode unit including an outer tubular dielectric member and an inner conducting member having a longitudinal axis; and one or more elongated electrode tubes disposed circumferentially about the longitudinal axis. Each of the electrode tubes is arranged in parallel to the electrode unit. When an electrical potential is applied across the conducting member and electrode tubes during operation, plasma is established between the dielectric member and electrode tubes. The plasma converts oxygen gas into ozone gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Amarante Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Ifland
  • Publication number: 20080314741
    Abstract: An electrolysis apparatus comprises an electrolysis cell to electrolyze a first fluid to generate a product fluid. The electrolysis apparatus also comprises a fuel cell to electrolyze an electrolytic fluid and to heat a second fluid. The electrolysis apparatus also includes a fluid transfer arrangement to transfer the heated second fluid from the fuel cell to the electrolysis cell to provide heat to drive the electrolysis of the first fluid in the electrolysis cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Cristiano Balestrino, Gerard D. Agnew, Michele Bozzolo
  • Publication number: 20080289955
    Abstract: Solid oxide stacks used as fuel cells generate electricity from hydrogen or other sources. By an electrolysis process such standard fuel cells can be operated in order to create hydrogen or other electro chemical by-products. Unfortunately stacks generally operate at relatively high temperatures which will be difficult to sustain purely on economic grounds. In such circumstances less efficient operation can be achieved at lower temperatures where the air-specific resistance is higher by balancing with the electrical power input in order to cause the disassociation required. In such circumstances by provision of an incident heat source, whether that be through a heat exchanger heating the compressed air flow, or recycling of a proportion of exhaust from the stack, or combustion of a product from stack disassociation the result will be a sustaining electrolysis operation reducing the amount of expensive electrical supply required to achieve dissociation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Cristiano Balestrino, Gerard D. Agnew, Michele Bozzolo
  • Publication number: 20080271996
    Abstract: This invention relates to electrolytic cells used for production of aluminium. The side walls (8) of the pot surrounding its crucible (4, 4?) include a part (13) made of a porous material over at least one fraction of their height and/or their thickness, to enable a heat transfer gas to circulate, the part (13) made of a porous material being connected to heat transfer gas inlet means (15) and outlet means (16), so as to make a heat exchanger in order to recover heat energy lost through the sides of the pot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: ALUMINUM PECHINEY
    Inventors: Airy-Pierre Lamaze, Richard Laucournet, Christian Barthelemy
  • Patent number: 7442283
    Abstract: A device and process is presented for producing hydrogen peroxide on an as needed basis is disclosed. The process and device produces hydrogen peroxide on a small scale without the addition of chemicals and disposal of waste streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Sanjay N. Gandhi, Robert T. Sprague, Lin Li, Massimo Sangalli, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Richard A. Janicki, Anil R. Oroskar, Laszlo T. Nemeth, Kerry S. Crosby, Pat Palmese
  • Publication number: 20080230377
    Abstract: A capacitively coupled plasma reactor comprising a processing chamber, a first electrode, a second electrode and a thermoelectric unit. The processing chamber has an upper portion with a gas inlet and a lower portion, and the upper portion is in fluid communication with the lower portion. The first electrode has a front side and a backside and is positioned at the upper portion of the processing chamber. The second electrode is positioned in the lower portion of the processing chamber and is spaced apart from the front side of the first electrode. The thermoelectric unit is positioned proximate to the backside of the first electrode and is capable of heating and cooling the first electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Kiehlbauch
  • Publication number: 20080190762
    Abstract: The present invention, aiming at providing an exhaust gas treating system capable of increasing the exhaust gas treating volume, through increase of the diameter of the reaction tube, stabilizing the state of generation of plasma without requiring any water membrane, and improving the harmful matters removing performance by extending the plasma length, comprises a reaction tube 1 for introducing exhaust gas G, an upper electrode 2 disposed in the air on the top side of the reaction tube 1, a lower electrode 3 disposed on the bottom side of the reaction tube 1, and a spray nozzle 4 for spraying an electrolytic solution D between the upper electrode 2 and the lower electrode 3, so as to form a path of electric current between the electrodes 2, 3 and generate plasma P in the reaction tube 1, by spraying an electrolytic solution D between the upper electrode 2 and the lower electrode 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventors: Toshio Awaji, Takashi Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20080135403
    Abstract: A personal hydrogen fueling station capable of producing hydrogen from solar radiation at a good efficiency via combined photovoltaic and thermal energy and then storing hydrogen safely at a home or business site. The station comprises a hydrogen-generating unit that includes primarily: a) a solar energy conversion subsystem to capture solar radiation, with the subsystem comprising a photovoltaic device to convert a portion of the captured solar radiation to electricity and a solar thermal device to convert another portion of the captured solar radiation to heat energy; and b) a fuel cell electrolyzer that uses the converted electricity and heat to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, wherein the fuel cell electrolyzer operates at a temperature between 80° C. and 300° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Bor Z. Jang, Aruna Zhamu
  • Publication number: 20080128291
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the removal of ammonia from an ammonia-containing gas stream by treating the ammonia in the ammonia-containing gas stream with an acid, during which treatment an aqueous stream comprising an ammonium salt, wherein the aqueous stream comprising the ammonium salt is treated with electrodialysis, whereby the acid is recovered and an aqueous stream comprising an ammonium hydroxide salt is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Jozef I. Meessen, Axel Erben, John Krijgsman, Winfried Liebig
  • Publication number: 20080128271
    Abstract: A process for melting material to be treated includes placing material to be treated in a container that may include an insulating lining, heating the material to be treated and melting the material to be treated, preferably allowing the melted material to cool to form a vitrified and/or crystalline mass, and disposing of the mass. The mass is either disposed while contained in container or removed from container after cooling and disposed. The time required for startup of the melting procedure can be reduced by utilizing a plurality of electrodes and multiple starter paths, at least one of which is horizontally-oriented and positioned in a deeper region of the melt container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: GEOSAFE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick S. Lowery, James E. Hansen
  • Patent number: 7381313
    Abstract: A method of operating an integrated hydrogen production and processing system is provided. The method includes operating an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen from water and utilizing heat generated from the electrolyzer to increase a temperature of an electrolyte in a first mode of operation. The method also includes heating the electrolyte in a second mode of operation by extracting heat from a hydrogen compressor to increase or maintain the temperature of the electrolyte during periods when electrolysis is not performed in the electrolyzer or during startup of the electrolyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cara Suzanne Libby, Richard Scott Bourgeois
  • Publication number: 20080073114
    Abstract: An electroplating process is performed using a substrate that includes a thickness of voltage switchable dielectric (VSD) material having photoactive components that are dispersed, mixed or dissolved in a binder of the VSD material. A pattern of conductive elements may be formed on the substrate by switching the VSD material from a dielectric state to a conductive state using, in part, voltage generated by directing light onto the thickness and VSD material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Lex Kosowsky, Robert Fleming
  • Patent number: 7343248
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling analytical instruments are provided. A sequence of steps can be utilized to specify wells of a microfluidic device, mobility to be applied to fluid in the wells, and the duration to apply the mobility. For example, fluids can be sequentially run past down a main channel to a detection zone of the microfluidic device in order to analyze the fluids. In order to increase the efficiency of the analysis, fluids can be processed in parallel by running one fluid down the main channel while another fluid is loaded to the main channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences
    Inventors: J. Wallace Parce, Morten J. Jensen