Unitary (i.e., Nonparticulate) Contact Bed, (e.g., Monolithic Catalyst Bed, Etc.) Patents (Class 422/222)
  • Publication number: 20130330263
    Abstract: A catalyst according to the present invention exhibits a catalytic action to a methanol decomposition reaction or a hydrocarbon steam-reforming reaction in a short time. The present invention provides a catalyst for producing hydrogen gas, using an Ni3Si-based intermetallic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: OSAKA PREFECTURE UNIVERSITY PUBLIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Kaneno, Takayuki Takasugi
  • Patent number: 8603407
    Abstract: A novel catalytic reactor is provided for controlling the contact of a limiting reactant with a catalyst surface. A first flow vessel defines an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the interior surface has a catalyst deposited on at least a portion thereof. A second flow vessel is positioned within the first flow vessel and the second flow vessel defines a porous surface designed to deliver a fluid uniformly to at least a portion of the interior surface of the first flow vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Pfefferle, Shahrokh Etemad
  • Patent number: 8557191
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a nanocarbon producing apparatus includes a heating vessel which provides a reducing atmosphere therein, a heating source disposed on an outer circumference of the heating vessel, a hydrocarbon injection nozzle disposed on an upstream side of the heating vessel for spraying hydrocarbon into the heating vessel, and a nanocarbon product discharge nozzle disposed on a downstream side of the heating vessel, wherein a metallic substrate is disposed on an inside surface of the heating vessel and the hydrocarbon is continuously sprayed from the hydrocarbon injection nozzle, effecting a reaction to grow nanocarbon on the metallic substrate, and the grown nanocarbon product is peeled off from the metallic substrate and discharged through the discharge nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Eiichi Sugiyama, Katsuki Ide, Kazutaka Kojo, Tsuyoshi Noma
  • Patent number: 8549747
    Abstract: A method for producing a tubular catalytic converter, which includes a monolith wrapped in a mat and is disposed in a housing, includes forming a stepped longitudinal fold on a longitudinal side of a housing blank, wherein the longitudinal side on both sides of the fold to be formed is clamped by electrodes of opposite polarity across the fold. Electrode pairs on one side of the fold to be formed are then offset with respect to electrodes on the other side of the fold and the electrodes of opposite polarity move closer together, while a current is flowing between the electrodes of opposite polarity, heating the material in the fold. Opposing longitudinal sides of the tubular housing are then materially joined along the stepped longitudinal fold with the overlap to produce the housing for the tubular catalytic converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Rafael Garcia Gomez
  • Publication number: 20130219914
    Abstract: A fuel conditioning apparatus for de-oxygenating a liquid hydrocarbon fuel has a catalyst portion which, in turn, has an inlet portion and an outlet portion. A hydrocarbon fuel stream is fed through the inlet portion and into the catalyst portion where it passes over a catalytically active component. The catalytically active component promotes the reaction of the fuel with the dissolved oxygen in the fuel stream, converting it into less chemically reactive forms and thereby reducing the fuel's propensity to form carbonaceous deposits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
  • Patent number: 8512646
    Abstract: A device for generating a sterilizing gas includes a methanol gas generation device (11) for vaporizing methanol to generate a methanol gas, a tubular part (12) and a catalyst section (13). The tubular section (12) is arranged on top of the methanol gas generation device (11) to provide a flow path for upwardly directing the methanol gas generated by the methanol gas generation device by natural convection. The tubular section also operates to mix the methanol gas with a predetermined proportion of air. The catalyst section (13) is arranged on top of the tubular section (12) for turning the methanol gas mixed with the air at the predetermined proportion in the tubular section (12) into radicals by a catalyzed reaction. The catalyst section (13) is formed by a turn-into-radical reaction catalyst layer (30) obtained on forming a thin metal sheet (35a) to a honeycomb structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Wiz Systems Corporation, Seavile Inc., Hoei Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kawamata, Yasushi Suzuki, Shunsuke Nishiyama, Motoboru Iio
  • Patent number: 8496837
    Abstract: A process for affecting reductive conversion reactions in a reactor using the palladized bacterial cellulose immobilized on a support for reductive conversion reactions in a reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignees: Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Upendra Patel, Sumathi Suresh
  • Publication number: 20130172577
    Abstract: A process for producing a ringlike oxidic shaped body by mechanically compacting a pulverulent aggregate introduced into the fill chamber of a die, wherein the outer face of the resulting compact corresponds to that of a frustocone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventor: BASF SE
  • Patent number: 8475729
    Abstract: A method of forming a honeycomb reactor or reactor component is disclosed, including the steps of providing a honeycomb structure having cells divided by cell walls, providing an array of cutting tools arrayed in a pattern so as to be able to simultaneously align with a first plurality of the cell walls at a first end of the structure, and cutting the walls of the first plurality, reducing their height. Systems utilizing the reactors or reactor components thus formed are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventor: James Scott Sutherland
  • Patent number: 8444939
    Abstract: A reactor module for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis having a generally rectangular reactor block with a stack of plates defining flow channels for coolant and flow channels for the synthesis reaction arranged alternately in the block. The synthesis flow channels extend in a generally vertical direction between upper and lower faces of the reactor block and are defined by plates in combination with either bars or sheets such that each channel is of width no more than 200 mm. The coolant flow channels are oriented in the same direction, and communicate through distributor chambers with inlet and outlet ports at side faces of the reactor block. A plant may contain a multiplicity of such reactor modules operating in parallel, the modules being interchangeable and replaceable. The temperature control is enhanced by allowing the coolant flow to be parallel to the synthesis gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: CompactGTL plc
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Bowe, Clive Derek Lee-Tuffnell
  • Patent number: 8431095
    Abstract: A compact catalytic reactor defines a multiplicity of first and second flow channels arranged alternately, for an endothermic reaction and for an exothermic reaction respectively, and each containing a removable fluid-permeable catalytic insert to catalyze the reaction. The flow channels have a straight portion extending from one end face of the reactor and a linking portion that communicates between the end of the straight portion and at least one side face of the reactor, wherein the straight portion and the linking portion are defined at least in part by fin structures. The fm structures of the linking portion may be perforated, so that there are perforations aligned with each straight portion, but at the end of the reactor each line of perforations is obstructed. Removal of the obstructions enables the catalytic inserts to be pushed out of the flow channels when they are spent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: CompactGTL plc
    Inventors: Anthony Henry Reading, Ian Kenneth Baxter, Michael Joseph Bowe
  • Patent number: 8420023
    Abstract: A vessel packed with a microfibrous media made of micron-sized highly conductive fibers, which are able (and may be used) to immobilize various reactive materials including catalysts, sorbents, electrocatalysts, and other chemically reactive solids. The vessel enables fine temperature control and a uniform temperature profile for a range of highly endothermic or exothermic chemical reactions, sorptions, separation processes, mixing operations, and heat transfer applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Auburn University, Intramicron, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Tatarchuk, Hongyun Yang, Ranjeeth Kalluri, Donald Cahela
  • Publication number: 20130045157
    Abstract: Mass production of carbon nanotubes (CNT) are facilitated by methods and apparatus disclosed herein. Advantageously, the methods and apparatus make use of a single production unit, and therefore provide for uninterrupted progress in a fabrication process. Embodiments of control systems for a variety of CNT production apparatus are included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: FastCAP Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolo Michele Brambilla, Riccardo Signorelli
  • Publication number: 20120321530
    Abstract: An improved reactor tube which includes a reactor tube, wherein the reactor tube is at least partially filled with at least one porous media catalyst, and at least one shape memory alloy element located within the reactor tube, wherein; at a first temperature, the shape memory alloy element has a first configuration, at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy element has a second configuration is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Pavol Pranda, Robert A. Gagliano, Tony MK Thampan
  • Patent number: 8329032
    Abstract: An exemplary liquid purifying apparatus includes beads in contact with the liquid, a rotating shaft, and a driving member. Each bead has a purifying coating comprised of a nano material. The rotating shaft has the beads positioned thereon and is configured for rotating the beads. The driving member is configured for driving the rotating shaft to rotate, thereby rotating the beads in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shao-Kai Pei
  • Patent number: 8303904
    Abstract: With the help of a fixing device for catalyzer particles, wherein the catalyzer particles are packed in a bed which can be passed through by a gas flow in the direction of gravity, it is intended to achieve a minimum specific pressure loss which will remain low even if dirt should arise from the operating process; a fixing device which has a minimum influence on the period of presence of the gas flowing through; which ensures the reliable hold-down of the catalyzer particles even at high approach velocities; and which is flexible to a certain degree in order to adapt to bed changes. This is achieved by placing at least one layer of a metal braiding on the packed bed of the catalyzer particles, and the metal braiding consisting of individual metal braiding elements which are firmly braided together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hamel, Thore Lohmann, Lothar Semrau
  • Patent number: 8293944
    Abstract: A reaction apparatus which is used for conducting a gas-liquid chemical reaction in a state that a liquid is in a continuous phase, wherein its reactor has therein a shear type stirring impeller for dispersing a raw reaction gas or a carrier gas and a film-formed catalyst, which apparatus is capable of producing a target reaction product; and a process for producing a tertiary amine in such reaction apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Hirota, Toru Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8273315
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing exhaust NOx species using a monolith substrate having a plurality of channels configured with radially varying cell density. An injector injects reductant into the substrate unobstructedly, without use of a mixer. In some embodiments, a twist angle of the channels is based on a distance from an inlet of the substrate and varies exponentially as a function of the distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeong Yeol Kim, Giovanni Cavataio
  • Publication number: 20120235096
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalytic reactor including: a reaction chamber; at least one catalytic structure made up of at least one catalytic cell-like architecture having outer dimensions at most 10% smaller than the inner dimensions of the reaction chamber; an annular space between the inner wall of the reaction chamber and the cell-like architectures; and at least one second structure positioned in the annular space, selected from among: a) a fibrous structure, or b) a structure including at least one metal collar clasping at least one portion of the cell-like architectures and supporting metal fins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L;Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pascal Del-Gallo, Daniel Gary, Aude Cuni, Mathieu Cornillac
  • Patent number: 8257662
    Abstract: The present invention provides a structure in which the surface of a solid substrate of any shape is covered with metal oxide, in particular, a nanostructure composite in which polyethyleneimine, which is an organic substance, and metal oxide, which is an inorganic substance, are combined in nano-meter scale, spreads at the entire surface of a substrate, and the nanostructure composite forms a nano-boundary of complex shapes so as to thoroughly cover the entire surface of the substrate; a structure in which metal ions, metal nano-particles, organic pigment molecules are contained in the nanostructure composite; a process for producing these structures which can produce these structures with ease and efficiently; and an application method for the structures as an immobilized catalyst type reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Kawamura Institute of Chemical Research, DIC Corporation
    Inventors: Ren-Hua Jin, Jian-Jun Yuan
  • Patent number: 8257659
    Abstract: An inlet face for an aftertreatment device that prevents and/or eliminates face-plugging for a passageway where the inlet face is disposed. The inlet face includes a particular end surface disposed on an outer surface at the end of a substrate. The end surface includes at least one of a three-dimensional topographical configuration disposed at the end of the substrate, a chemical coating applied on the end of the substrate, or both a three-dimensional topographical configuration disposed on the end of the substrate and a chemical coating applied on the three-dimensional topographical configuration. As one example, the inlet face can be helpful in preventing carbonaceous fouling, which can result from engine exhaust material, such as carbon soot and other engine exhaust by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Filtration IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad J. Simon, III, Thomas M. Yonushonis, Bryan E. Blackwell
  • Publication number: 20120198769
    Abstract: A catalyst-coated support including a sheetlike support, a primer layer applied thereto and composed of nanoparticles composed of silicon oxide-comprising material, and at least one catalyst layer applied to the primer layer. The layers applied are notable for a particularly good adhesive bond strength and can be used particularly efficiently in heterogeneously catalyzed gas phase reactions, especially in microreactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Steffen Schirrmeister, Martin Schmitz-Niederau, Ingo Klüppel, Christoph Filthaut
  • Publication number: 20120196495
    Abstract: A retaining structure for a honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb structure, a retainer mat, and a housing. The honeycomb structure is a member made of a ceramic material. The retainer mat is in contact with the honeycomb structure and directly retains the honeycomb structure. The housing is in contact with the retainer mat and directly retains the retainer mat. The housing is made of aluminum. The housing includes an inner wall, an outer wall, and a coolant passage. The inner wall is in contact with the retainer mat. The coolant passage is located between the inner wall and the outer wall. An inflow port of the coolant passage is located at one end of the housing. A discharge port of the coolant passage is located at the other end of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi NAKAYAMA, Toshio SUZUKI, Katsumi OCHIAI
  • Patent number: 8221693
    Abstract: A two stage-carbon monoxide preferential oxidation article and method that uses a single injection of an O2-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Shore, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Publication number: 20120171106
    Abstract: A system and method for growing nanotubes out of carbon and other materials using CVD uses a catalytic transmembrane to separate a feedstock chamber from a growth chamber and provide catalytic material with separate catalytic surfaces to absorb carbon atoms from the feedstock chamber and to grow carbon nanotubes in the growth chamber. The catalytic transmembrane provides for greater flexibility to independently control both the gas environment and pressure in the chambers to optimize absorption and carbon growth and to provide instrumentation in the growth chamber for in-situ control of defects or observation of the carbon nanotube growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Delmar L. Barker, W. Howard Poisl, Brian J. Zelinski, Jon N. Leonard
  • Patent number: 8211377
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of performing a reaction involving a gaseous reactant stream and a falling film liquid reactant stream by providing a reactor comprising a first multicellular extruded body oriented with its cells extending in parallel in a vertically downward direction from a first end of the body to a second end, the body having a first plurality of cells open at both ends of the body and a second plurality of said cells closed at one or both ends of the body, the second plurality of cells being arranged in one or more groups of contiguous cells and cooperating to define at least in part at least one fluidic passage extending through the body; and further flowing a liquid reactant film down inner surfaces of the first plurality of cells while flowing a gaseous reactant stream up or down the centers of the first plurality of cells while flowing a first heat exchange fluid through the at least one fluidic passage. Various alternative devices for performing the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Philippe Caze, Thierry Luc Alain Dannoux, Celine Claude Guermeur, James Scott Sutherland, Pierre Woehl
  • Patent number: 8211376
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor for reacting fluids such as fluids in continuous flow, the reactor including a multicellular extruded body having cells extending in parallel in a direction from a first end of the body to a second end, the body having a first plurality of cells open at both ends of the body and a second plurality of said cells closed at one or both ends of the body, the second plurality being contiguous cells and cooperating to define at least in part a fluidic passage extending at least partly through the body. The fluidic passage desirably has a serpentine path back and forth along cells of the second plurality of cells, and the passage connects laterally from cell to cell, within cells of the second plurality, at or near the ends of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Philippe Caze, Celine Claude Guermeur, James Scott Sutherland
  • Publication number: 20120148457
    Abstract: A reactor formed within a honeycomb monolith is disclosed, the monolith having a plurality of parallel cells and comprising one or more process fluid paths lying within closed cells of the monolith and extending laterally from cell to cell, the monolith having porous walls that are coated with a non-porous coating in at least a first zone along the one or more process fluid paths and that remain porous in at least a second zone along the one or more process fluid paths, the porous walls in the second zone adapted to allow permeate in a respective process fluid path to pass through the porous walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: James Scott Sutherland, Andrew David Woodfin
  • Patent number: 8158087
    Abstract: A microstructure for chemical processing and manufacture is disclosed. The microstructure includes a plurality of microchannel walls constructed of glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic or combinations of these materials, which define at least one microchannel for accommodating chemicals to be processed. At least one coating layer including a catalyst support and a catalyst is adhered to the plurality of microchannel walls. A method of manufacturing a microstructure for chemical processing and manufacture is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Philippe Caze, Christophe Remy, Pierre Woehl
  • Publication number: 20120076704
    Abstract: A system for producing hydrogen features a reactor including a reaction channel adapted to receive a reaction stream including a mixture of supercritical water and a hydrocarbon fuel. A catalyst is positioned in the reaction channel so that a product stream containing hydrogen is produced by a reaction in the reaction channel when the mixture is exposed to the catalyst; wherein the catalyst contains a catalytically active metal and a promoter in a metal format, selected from the group consisting of potassium, sodium, rubidium, lithium, cesium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CHART, INC.
    Inventors: ZHIJUN JIA, Mark Wood, Clay Thiele
  • Patent number: 8119843
    Abstract: A reaction apparatus which is used for conducting a gas-liquid chemical reaction in a state that a liquid is in a continuous phase, wherein its reactor has therein a shear type stirring impeller for dispersing a raw reaction gas or a carrier gas and a film-formed catalyst, which apparatus is capable of producing a target reaction product; and a process for producing a tertiary amine in such reaction apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Hirota, Toru Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20120039775
    Abstract: Supports having a catalytic coating comprising at least one porous and cavity-containing catalyst layer are described, cavities being irregular spaces having dimensions greater than 5 ?m in at least two dimensions or having cross-sectional areas of at least 10 ?m2. The catalytic coatings are distinguished by a high adhesive strength and can preferably be used in microreactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: Evonik Degussa GmbH, Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Steffen Schirmeister, Karsten Büker, Martin Schmitz-Niederau, Bernd Langanke, Andreas Geisselmann, Georg Markowz, Klaus Thomas Schwarz, Elias Johannes Klemm, Frank Becker, Reinhard Machnik
  • Patent number: 8114174
    Abstract: A reaction device 10 is used for producing water gas from polyhydric alcohol and water. The reaction device 10 includes a reactor 13 which has a reaction field 14 where a catalyst is provided inside and a reaction fluid flows. The catalyst 17 has a surface extending in a direction of flow of the reaction fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Shirasawa, Yasukazu Kumita
  • Patent number: 8101140
    Abstract: The present invention is a structured monolith reactor and method that provides for controlled Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. The invention controls mass transport limitations leading to higher CO conversion and lower methane selectivity. Over 95 wt % of the total product liquid hydrocarbons obtained from the monolithic catalyst are in the carbon range of C5-C18. The reactor controls readsorption of olefins leading to desired products with a preselected chain length distribution and enhanced overall reaction rate. And, liquid product analysis shows readsorption of olefins is reduced, achieving a narrower FT product distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Wei Liu
  • Publication number: 20120014864
    Abstract: An autothermal reformer (103) includes a long section of unified foil or honeycomb catalyst bed (120) and a much shorter mixing and spreading section (102) of monolithic, open cell foam which mixes and spreads the components of mixture to be reformed. A fuel/steam mixture (A) passes through a heat exchange tube (44), and air (B) passes through a heat exchange tube (46), both tubes being heated by the exothermic catalytic reaction. The air, fuel and steam are mixed in a plurality of tubes (40) passing through a manifold (32), and thence into the monolithic, open cell foam mixing and spreading section (102). The shorter section may or may not be catalycized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Roger R. Lesieur, Antonio M. Vincitore
  • Patent number: 8075978
    Abstract: A method for producing a honeycomb body includes providing an annular radial partial region with channels through which a fluid can flow. The honeycomb body is formed from at least one metallic layer fastened at least at one fastening point to an outer casing tube. Each metallic layer has alternating substantially smooth and structured sections folded onto one another. A honeycomb body is also provided. The method and the honeycomb body advantageously permit an annular honeycomb body with low material expenditure and good durability to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Inventors: Naroa Zaldua-Moreno, Ferdi Kurth, Rolf Brück
  • Patent number: 8057559
    Abstract: The efficiency of dehydrogenation and that of hydrogenation are improved. A hydrogen generator for generating hydrogen by dehydrogenation of organic hydrides in the presence of a catalyst is characterized by comprising a reactor vessel (10) of a multi-tubular structure having a region (12) for supplying fuel to generate heat necessary for dehydrogenation, the region containing a combustion catalyst for combusting fuel, and a region (11) containing a dehydrogenation catalyst necessary for dehydrogenation, the regions being arranged radially side by side with a wall separating them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignees: Hrein Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaru Ichikawa, Katsumori Tanabe, Masashi Sakuramoto, Satoru Kikuchi, Yukimitsu Mita
  • Publication number: 20110268624
    Abstract: A method of coating a honeycomb monolith substrate comprising a plurality of channels with a liquid comprising a catalyst component comprises the steps of: (i) holding a honeycomb monolith substrate substantially vertically; (ii) introducing a pre-determined volume of the liquid into the substrate via open ends of the channels at a lower end of the substrate; (iii) sealingly retaining the introduced liquid within the substrate; (iv) inverting the substrate containing the retained liquid; and (v) applying a vacuum to open ends of the channels of the substrate at the inverted, lower end of the substrate to draw the liquid along the channels of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Guy Richard Chandler, Keith Anthony Flanagan, Paul Richard Phillips, Paul Schofield, Michael Leonard William Spencer, Hedley Michael Strutt
  • Patent number: 8047272
    Abstract: A low-cost, high-temperature heat exchanger is made from a notched piece of metal, the metal being folded back and forth upon itself to form a monolith. The notches in the metal piece create openings, communicating with distinct sides of the monolith. Ducts are attached to the openings. Cut pieces of corrugated metal, which may have a catalyst coating, are inserted between folds of the monolith. The heat exchanger may be used as part of a fuel cell system, or in other industrial applications, to recover waste heat, or to conduct various catalytic and non-catalytic reactions. The invention also includes an element, or building block, for a high-temperature heat exchanger, including a folded metal monolith with metal combs inserted, the monolith and the combs defining seams which are hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Catacel Corp.
    Inventors: William A. Whittenberger, Gordon W. Brunson, John H. Becker
  • Patent number: 8043576
    Abstract: A reformer module (10) comprises a hollow support member (12) having at least one passage (14) extending longitudinally therethrough. The hollow support member (14) has an external surface (20), a barrier layer (22) arranged on at least a portion of the external surface (20) of the hollow support member (12), a catalyst layer (24) arranged on the barrier layer (22) and a sealing layer (26) arranged on the catalyst layer (24) and the external surface (20) of the hollow support member (12) other than the at least a portion of the external surface of the hollow support member (12). By providing the barrier layer (22) and the catalyst layer (24) on the exterior surface (20) of the hollow support member (12), the distribution of the barrier layer (22) and/or the catalyst layer (24) may be more precisely controlled and thus a non-uniform distribution of barrier layer (22) and/or catalyst layer (24) may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Gerard D Agnew, Robert H Cunningham, Philip D Butler, Robert D Collins
  • Patent number: 8038960
    Abstract: A reformer that produces reformed gas from a hydrocarbon material includes a reforming chamber having an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder; a reforming catalyst filled in the reforming chamber; a burner that heats the reforming catalyst and fuel of reformed gas; a combustion gas outer flow channel through which combustion gas of the burner flows along an outer side surface of the reforming chamber; a combustion gas inner flow channel through which the combustion gas of the burner flows along an inner side surface of the reforming chamber; and a plurality of return pipes as a reformed gas flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Higashino
  • Patent number: 8039088
    Abstract: A honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit. The at least one honeycomb unit has a longitudinal direction and includes plural cell walls extending from one end face to another end face along the longitudinal direction to define plural cells. The at least one honeycomb unit includes inorganic particles, an inorganic binder, and inorganic fibers. A degree of orientation of the inorganic fibers in an a-axis direction parallel to the longitudinal direction is about 0.5 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ibiden Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushige Ohno, Masafumi Kunieda, Takahiko Ido, Ikuhito Teshima
  • Publication number: 20110211999
    Abstract: A catalytic reactor containing a core structure near the reactor axis and a casing structure near the reactor wall, the two structures differing from each other to promote catalysis and heat transfer, respectively. The casing contains a multiplicity of first devices for directing fluid centrifugally impinge a reactor wall and second devices for permitting fluid to flow away from a reactor wall as the fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: TRIBUTE CREATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan J. FEINSTEIN
  • Patent number: 8007573
    Abstract: A filter includes a membrane having pores and that is air permeable. A nanoparticle precursor is dispersed throughout the pores, and the nanoparticle precursor is responsive to a stimulus to form a catalytically active nanoparticle. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vishal Bansal, Benjamin Hale Winkler, Hieu Minh Duong, Tamaki Ryo
  • Patent number: 7998424
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a lean-burn internal combustion engine comprises a catalyst for oxidising carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons comprising a flow-through substrate monolith comprising a first platinum group metal (PGM) zone containing at least one PGM supported on a surface area-increasing washcoat component, a second PGM zone containing at least one PGM supported on a surface area-increasing washcoat component, a third PGM zone containing at least one PGM supported on a surface area-increasing washcoat component wherein both the PGM loading in the first PGM zone and the PGM loading in the third PGM zone is greater than the PGM loading in the second PGM zone and wherein the first PGM zone comprises a washcoat loading that is less than a washcoat loading of the third PGM zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: David Bergeal, Paul Richard Phillips, Martyn Vincent Twigg
  • Patent number: 7976787
    Abstract: An improved multiple-tube catalytic reformer comprising a tubular body containing a radiator core having a plurality of longitudinal cells for low-pressure flow-through of combustion gases, the core being formed preferably either by winding of corrugated metal or as an extruded metal monolith. A plurality of reformer tubes, preferably non-cylindrical, containing hydrocarbon catalyst are arrayed in longitudinal openings within the radiator core and preferably are brazed thereto to maximize heat transfer from the radiator core to the reformer tubes. During manufacture, the metal radiator core is economically bored by laser cutting to form the openings to admit the reformer tubes for brazing. Preferably, the reformer tubes are numbered, sized, shaped, and arrayed to minimize the longest conduction path in the radiator core to the center of any reformer tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Diane M. England, Sean M. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7959880
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatuses for producing hydrogen peroxide using microchannel technology. An exemplary process for producing hydrogen peroxide comprises flowing feed streams into intimate fluid communication with one another within a process microchannel to form a reactant mixture stream comprising a hydrogen source and an oxygen source such as, without limitation, hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. Thereafter, a catalyst is contacted by the reactant mixture and is operative to convert a majority of the reactant mixture to hydrogen peroxide that is withdrawn via an egressing product stream. During the hydrogen peroxide chemical reaction, exothermic energy is generated and absorbed by the fluid within the microchannel as well as the microchannel itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Bin Yang, William Allen Rogers, Jr., Paul William Neagle, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Dongming Qiu, David J. Hesse, Micheal Lamont
  • Patent number: 7955570
    Abstract: Highly active, low pressure drop catalyst systems. Catalytically active material is provided on at least a portion of the channel sidewalls of a body comprising one or more flow-through channels. The channel sidewalls preferably bear a charge, e.g., an electrostatic or electret charge, to help adhere the catalytically active material to the sidewall. The catalytically active material preferably includes gold provided on a particulate support, and PVD techniques are used to deposit catalytically active gold onto the support. Optionally, the gold-bearing particulates may be charged as well in a manner to facilitate attraction between the particulates and the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas I. Insley, Larry A. Brey, Gina M. Buccellato, Duane D. Fansler, Marvin E. Jones, Badri Veeraraghavan, Thomas E. Wood
  • Publication number: 20110120853
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a reactor apparatus for pyrolyzing a hydrocarbon feedstock, said apparatus including: a reactor component comprising a refractory material in oxide form, the refractory material having a melting point of no less than 2060° C. and which remains in oxide form when exposed to a gas having carbon partial pressure of 10?22 bar and oxygen partial pressure of 10?10 bar, at a temperature of 1200° C.; wherein said refractory material has no less than 4 vol % formed porosity, measured at 20° C., based upon the bulk volume of said refractory material. In another embodiment, the refractory material has total porosity in the range of from 4 to 60 vol %.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: ChangMin Chun, Frank Hershkowitz, Paul F. Keusenkothen, Shiun Ling, Gary David Mohr
  • Patent number: 7947221
    Abstract: Titania is a semiconductor and photocatalyst that is also chemically inert. With its bandgap of 3.0, to activate the photocatalytic property of titania requires light of about 390 nm wavelength, which is in the ultra-violet, where sunlight is very low in intensity. A method and devices are disclosed wherein stress is induced and managed in a thin film of titania in order to shift and lower the bandgap energy into the longer wavelengths that are more abundant in sunlight. Applications of this stress-induced bandgap-shifted titania photocatalytic surface include photoelectrolysis for production of hydrogen gas from water, photovoltaics for production of electricity, and photocatalysis for detoxification and disinfection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: John M. Guerra