Ammonia Or Ammonium Hydroxide Patents (Class 423/352)
  • Patent number: 8026001
    Abstract: A lithium hydride activation method includes: a nitrification treatment process of reacting lithium hydride with a nitride and therefore forming a chemical compound layer stable to the nitride, on a surface of the lithium hydride; and a particle size reduction process of reducing a particle size of the lithium hydride provided with the chemical compound layer by a mechanical pulverization treatment after the nitrification treatment process is performed. A hydrogen generation method includes generating hydrogen by reacting ammonia with the lithium hydride activated by the activation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Hiroshima University
    Inventors: Kyoichi Tange, Yoshitsugu Kojima, Takayuki Ichikawa, Chie Oomatsu, Satoshi Hino
  • Publication number: 20110201494
    Abstract: A catalyst unit is described in the form of a cylinder having a length C and diameter D, which has one or more holes extending therethrough, wherein said cylinder has domed ends of lengths A and B, such that (A+B+C)/D is in the range 0.50 to 2.00, and (A+B)/C is in the range 0.40 to 5.00. The catalyst or catalyst unit preferably has one or more flutes miming along its length. The catalyst may be used particularly in steam reforming reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC
    Inventors: David James Birdsall, Mileta Babovic, Mikael Per Uno Carlsson, Samuel Arthur French, Michiel Nijemeisland, William Maurice Sengelow, Edmund Hugh Stitt
  • Patent number: 7993611
    Abstract: Wet-chemical methods involving the use of water-soluble hydrolytically stable metal-ion chelate precursors and an ammonium oxalate precipitant can be used in a coprecipitation procedure for the preparation of ceramic powders. Both the precursor solution and the ammonium oxalate precipitant solution are at neutral or near-neutral pH. A composition-modified barium titanate is one of the ceramic powders that can be produced. Certain metal-ion chelates can be prepared from 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and ammonium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: EEStor, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Weir, Carl W. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20110176987
    Abstract: A transfer apparatus for facilitating transfer between a higher density fluid and a lower density fluid. The apparatus includes a transfer chamber includes a higher density fluid zone and a lower density fluid zone adjacent each other. A moveable contactor is housed in the transfer chamber. At least a portion of the moveable contactor is moveable between the higher density fluid zone and the lower density fluid zone. A current generator connected to the transfer chamber generates a current in the lower density fluid zone. A transfer system includes a plurality of fluidly connected apparatuses in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Kenneth Haggerty, Sarah Venhuis
  • Publication number: 20110172086
    Abstract: A catalyst unit is described comprising a cylinder with a length C and a diameter D, wherein said unit has five holes arranged in a pentagonal pattern extending longitudinally therethrough, with five flutes running along the length of the unit, said flutes positioned equidistant adjacent holes of said pentagonal pattern. The catalyst may be used particularly in steam reforming reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC
    Inventors: David James Birdsall, Mileta Babovic, Mikael Per Uno Carlsson, Samuel Arthur French, Michiel Nijemeisland, William Maurice Sengelow, Edmund Hugh Stitt
  • Publication number: 20110165055
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for synthesizing ammonia using nano-size metal or metal alloy catalyst particles. Hydrogen and nitrogen gases are passed through a system comprising, for example, a bed of magnetite supporting nano-size iron or iron alloy catalyst particles having an optional oxide layer that forms the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.
    Inventors: R. Douglas Carpenter, Kevin Maloney
  • Publication number: 20110166013
    Abstract: A catalyst unit is described in the form of a cylinder having a length C and diameter D, which has two or more flutes running along its length, wherein said cylinder has domed ends of lengths A and B, such that (A+B+C)/D is in the range 0.50 to 2.00, and (A+B)/C is in the range 0.40 to 5.00. The catalyst may be used particularly in reactions where hydrogen is a reactant such as hydroprocessing, hydrogenation, water-gas shift reactions, methanation, hydrocarbon synthesis by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction, methanol synthesis and ammonia synthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON MATTHEY PLC
    Inventors: Daniel Lee Cairns, Mileta Babovic, Terence James Fitzpatrick, Elizabeth Margaret Holt, Colin William Park, William Maurice Sengelow, Edmund Hugh Stitt
  • Publication number: 20110097257
    Abstract: A method includes a first step of, with a CO2.H2S stripper maintained to have a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, from the ammonia-containing wastewater, discharging CO2 and H2S in a form of gas having a low moisture concentration from a tower top of the CO2.H2S stripper while discharging an ammonia-containing solution from a tower bottom of the CO2.H2S stripper; a second step of introducing the ammonia-containing solution obtained after the first step into an ammonia stripper which is maintained to have a lower pressure than that of the CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Sato, Hiroyuki Furuichi, Yudai Kato, Kazuo Ishida
  • Patent number: 7914755
    Abstract: Wet-chemical methods involving the use of water-soluble hydrolytically stable metal-ion chelate precursors and the use of a nonmetal-ion-containing strong base can be used in a coprecipitation procedure for the preparation of ceramic powders. Examples of the precipitants used include tetraalkylammonium hydroxides. A composition-modified barium titanate is one of the ceramic powders that can be produced. Certain metal-ion chelates can be prepared from 2-hydroxypropanoic acid and ammonium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: EEStor, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Weir, Carl W. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7897130
    Abstract: A process for obtaining a synthesis gas (GS) at a predetermined high pressure corresponding to the ammonia synthesis pressure, in which there are hydrogen and nitrogen in a 3/1 molar ratio, comprising the steps of feeding a continuous flow of natural gas to a primary reforming step (RP) with steam and to a subsequent secondary reforming step (RS) with excess air obtaining a gaseous flow (GF) comprises hydrogen, excess nitrogen with respect to said molar ratio, undesired substances such as impurities and inerts and subjects said gaseous flow to a purification step comprising cryogenic rectification in a separator unit (S) obtaining a continuous flow of synthesis gas (GS) comprising hydrogen and nitrogen in a 3/1 molar ratio, and to a subsequent compression step up to a pressure value required for ammonia synthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ammonia Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Geoffrey Frederick Skinner
  • Publication number: 20110033361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for depleting halide ions from liquid ammonia, wherein the liquid ammonia is brought into contact with a strongly basic ion exchanger, where the basic structure of the strongly basic ion exchanger is a covalently crosslinked polymer matrix. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of an ammonia obtainable according to the invention as starting material in the production of amines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Roland Bou Chedid, Gabriele Iffland, Jürgen Ciprian, Johann-Peter Melder, Frank-Friedrich Pape
  • Patent number: 7875089
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus employs a thermocatalytic reactor (60) formed of a top plate (62), a bottom plate (66), and a reactor core (64) disposed between the top an bottom plates. The reactor core has a reaction surface (64a) and a combustion surface (64b), each surface having a raised periphery defining opposing ends (61a and 61b) and opposing sides (63a and 63b). The reaction surface (64a) and the top plate (62) together define a reaction chamber and the combustion surface (64b) and the bottom plate (66) together define a combustion chamber. The reaction core (64) has a first set of a plurality of spaced apart, substantially straight radiating fins (76a) extending from the reaction surface (64a) and a second set of a plurality of spaced part, substantially straight radiating fins (76b) extending from the combustion surface (64b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Roy Powell, Charles J. Call
  • Patent number: 7867300
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides teachings relating to ammonia-based hydrogen generation apparatus and associated methods of use. Exemplary methods and apparatus comprise a thermocatalytic hydrogen generation reactor which includes a reaction chamber containing a catalyst-coated substrate, and a combustion chamber containing a catalyst-coated substrate. Exemplary catalyst-coated substrates include, but are not limited to, metal foam, monolith, mesh, ceramic foam or ceramic monolith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Intelligent Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand Chellappa, Michael Roy Powell
  • Publication number: 20100322837
    Abstract: Embodiments are described that generally relate to the storage and release of a gas using piezoelectric materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Seth Adrian Miller
  • Publication number: 20100300081
    Abstract: An ammonia producing device for an exhaust system of an engine is provided. It includes a pressure vessel having a cavity for storage of pressurized gases. The pressure vessel includes insulation located at least partially about the cavity for limiting heat transfer from within the cavity. A flash heater is disposed within the cavity and adjacent a solid ammonia gas producing material. An outlet port extends from the pressure vessel and has a valve located therein for providing egress of pressurized gases from within the pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Gary C. Fulks, Kenneth M. Rahmoeller
  • Patent number: 7837965
    Abstract: A process for reducing hydrogen sulfide from a gas comprising contacting the gas with an aqueous scrubbing liquid recycled from a sour water stripper. The aqueous scrubbing liquid comprises ammonia. The contacting of the gas with the aqueous scrubbing liquid thereby produces a semi-sweet gas with reduced concentration of hydrogen sulfide and a rich liquid solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Thiosolv, LLC
    Inventor: Mark C. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100280136
    Abstract: A process for carrying out at least two unit operations in series, the process comprising the step of: (a) directing a feed stream into an integrated assembly which comprises a first microchannel unit operation upon at least one chemical of the feed stream to generate a distributed output stream that exits the first microchannel unit operation in a first set of discrete microchannels isolating flow through the discrete microchannels; and (b) directing the distributed output stream of the first microchannel unit operation into a second microchannel unit operation as a distributed input stream, to continue isolating flow between the first set of discrete microchannels, and conducting at least one operation upon at least one chemical of the input stream to generate a product stream that exits the second microchannel unit operation, where the first microchannel unit operation and the second unit operation share a housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt, Timothy M. Werner, Bin Yang
  • Publication number: 20100266475
    Abstract: A process for saturating a material capable of binding ammonia by ad- or absorption and initially free of ammonia or partially saturated with ammonia comprises treating said material under a pressure and associated temperature located on the vapor pressure curve of ammonia with an amount of liquid ammonia sufficient to saturate said material and an additional amount of a cooling agent selected from liquid ammonia, liquid or solid CO2, hydrocarbons and hydrohalocarbons that have a higher vapour pressure than ammonia, ethyl ether, methyl formate, methyl amine and ethyl amine, such that |Qabs|?|Qevap|+Qext, wherein Qabs is the amount of heat released from said material when it absorbs ammonia from the liquid phase thereof to the point where it is saturated with ammonia, Qevap is the amount of heat absorbed by said cooling agent when it evaporates, and Qext is the amount of heat exchanged with the surroundings and is positive, if heat is removed from the process by external cooling, and negative, if heat is added
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Amminex A/S
    Inventors: Johnny Johansen, Henrik Wagner-Pedersen, Jakob Svagin, Tue Johannessen, Ulrich J. Quaade
  • Publication number: 20100254880
    Abstract: Preferred aspects of the present invention provide ammonium nitrate compositions comprising ammonium nitrate and at least one stabilizing agent, and preferably a third compound. In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing agent, together with third compound, is present under conditions and in amounts effective to substantially reduce the detonation sensitivity of the composition and/or to otherwise improve a desired property of the composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: JAMES A. KWEEDER, Richard J. Williams
  • Patent number: 7785556
    Abstract: A method of recovering ammonia by the distillation of an aqueous solution containing ammonia, carbon dioxide and hydrogen cyanide. The distillation is conducted using a distillation apparatus having at least its portion which comes into contact with the aqueous solution made of an alloy 1 or alloy 2. The alloy 1 contains 3% by weight or more of molybdenum, 15% by weight or more of nickel and 15% by weight or more of chromium. The alloy 2 contains 1% by weight or more of molybdenum, 9% by weight or less of nickel and 20% by weight or more of chromium. The use of the alloy 1 or alloy 2 prevents the corrosion of the distillation apparatus and enables the stable recovery of ammonia for a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Amakawa, Fumio Tanaka, Takuji Shitara
  • Publication number: 20100209329
    Abstract: Provided is a process for producing ammonia by the catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxide in the presence of a hydrocarbon, and in certain embodiments, in the presence of an oxygenated hydrocarbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: BASF Catalysts LLC
    Inventors: Howard FURBECK, Gerald S. Koermer, Ahmad Moini, Steven J. Schmieg
  • Patent number: 7776306
    Abstract: A method of forming basic copper carbonates includes providing an aqueous solution comprising copper (II), ammonia, and carbonic acid; and adding sufficient carbon dioxide to precipitate a basic copper carbonate from the aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Peninsula Copper Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeff Miller, Brian Miller, Nader Mazloom
  • Publication number: 20100204348
    Abstract: A gasification plant and methods for producing ammonia, Fischer-Tropsch fuels, electrical power, and/or sulfur from carbon-bearing feedstocks including coal and/or petroleum coke. Methods for production of desired relative amounts of ammonia and Fischer-Tropsch liquid hydrocarbons by adjusting the amount of synthesis gas bypassing the Fischer-Tropsch reactor. The multi-product and integrated plants may be used to reduce the amount of CO2 vented into the atmosphere during the production of these products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: RENTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Peter S. PEDERSEN, Dennis L. YAKOBSON
  • Patent number: 7767181
    Abstract: A method of ammonia production for a selective catalytic reduction system includes producing a first exhaust flow and a second exhaust flow. The first exhaust flow has a higher NOx concentration than the second exhaust flow. The method also includes directing a portion of the second exhaust flow to a reformer. The method further includes combining the portion of the second exhaust flow directed to the reformer with the first exhaust flow upstream of an ammonia-producing catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Ronald Silver, Julie Marie Faas, Paul Worn Park, Christie Susan Ragle
  • Publication number: 20100183497
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for synthesizing ammonia using nano-size metal or metal alloy catalyst particles. Hydrogen and nitrogen gases are passed through a system comprising, for example, a bed of magnetite supporting nano-size iron or iron alloy catalyst particles having an optional oxide layer that forms the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: QUANTUMSPHERE, INC.
    Inventors: R. Douglas CARPENTER, Kevin MALONEY
  • Publication number: 20100172816
    Abstract: A system for storing ammonia comprises gas detector that is able to detect gases other than ammonia. The system further comprises thermally activatable ammonia stores, which can be activated to release ammonia upon heating. When the ammonia stores are not heated, the system is below ambient pressure and any leak will cause external gas to enter the system. Therefore, the gas detector is used to detect the presence of such external gas, which allows to detect leaks. The gas detector may be embodied as a thermal detector using a single heater and two temperature sensors for detecting a gas flow as well as external gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Felix Mayer, Mark Hornung, Lukas Bürgi, Pascal Gerner
  • Publication number: 20100143226
    Abstract: A process is proposed for reprocessing the exhaust gas from a plant for producing hydroxylamine or hydroxylammonium salts by catalytic reduction of nitrogen monoxide with hydrogen for the purpose of utilization of at least a part of the nitrogen monoxide and if appropriate hydrogen present in the exhaust gas for producing hydroxylamine or hydroxylammonium salts, which comprises, in a first separation stage, selectively separating off nitrogen monoxide from the exhaust gas of the plant for producing hydroxylamine or hydroxylammonium salts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Carsten Oost, Wolfgang Rohde, Christian Miller, Manfred Stroezel, Alfred Thome, Wilfried Berning
  • Patent number: 7731935
    Abstract: An apparatus for steam reforming of hydrocarbons comprises a heat exchange reformer having disposed within a plurality of vertical catalyst-filled tubes, through which a gas mixture comprising hydrocarbon and steam may be passed, and to which heat may be transferred by means of a heat exchange medium flowing around the external tube surfaces, wherein heat exchange adapting means are provided within the reformer so that the tubes have a zone of lower heat exchange extending from the bottom of the catalyst up to 25% of the catalyst depth with no heat exchange enhancement means provided in that zone. A process for steam reforming of hydrocarbons employs this apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventors: Stuart Ballentyne Brady, Peter William Farnell, Martin Fowles
  • Publication number: 20100129283
    Abstract: A chemical reactor for catalytic reactions, comprises a substantially cylindrical shell (2) closed at the opposite ends by respective covers (3 and 4), at least one reaction zone (7, 8) in which a respective catalytic bed (9, 10) and a plurality of heat exchangers (25) placed in said at least one reaction zone (7, 8) are supported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Enrico Rizzi, Mirco Tarozzo
  • Patent number: 7708966
    Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system includes an on-board ammonia generation system that produces nitrogen from air and hydrogen from a source of a hydrogen-containing compound, and generates an ammonia product from the nitrogen and hydrogen to provide the ammonia product into an exhaust from a NOx generator to reduce the NOx in the exhaust. Oxygen from one or both of the nitrogen generator and the hydrogen generation cell can be supplied to the NOx generator for cleaner combustion or to a particulate filter for cleaning the filter. H2O from the NOx generator can at least partially provide a water source for the hydrogen generation cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc.
    Inventor: Ashok V. Joshi
  • Patent number: 7703403
    Abstract: A system and method for decomposing ammonia from fly ash contaminated with ammonia is provided which includes maintaining the temperature of a bed of ammonia-contaminated fly ash at a decomposition temperature greater than 500° F. and less than 842° F. to decompose the ammonia from the fly ash. In a preferred embodiment, the ammonia-laden fly ash is maintained at a temperatures less than a lowest carbon combustion temperature at which substantial combustion of carbon in fly ash begins to occur. A preferred embodiment includes a first chamber operating at a decomposition temperature greater than 500° F. and less than 842° F. followed by a second chamber operating at a higher carbon combustion temperature for carbon burn-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: PMI Ash Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vincent M. Giampa, Joseph W. Cochran
  • Publication number: 20100093877
    Abstract: A novel catalytic reactor suitable for use in chemical and petrochemical processes. The reactor is of a pillow panel that has superior heat transfer properties. This invention also relates to a chemical process, such as a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process performed with use of the novel pillow panel reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Rafael Espinoza
  • Publication number: 20100086467
    Abstract: A system for storage and dosing of ammonia, including a solid ammonia storage material capable of binding and releasing ammonia reversibly by adsorption/absorption. The system is able to release ammonia gradually according to a demand that can vary over time with intermediate periods of no ammonia demand. A main storage unit and a start-up storage unit are provided. The storage units hold ammonia storage material. At least one one-way valve is provided via which the one main storage unit is in communication with the start-up storage unit. The one-way valve prevents any back-flow of ammonia from the start-up storage unit to the main storage unit. Heating devices are arranged to heat the main storage unit and the start-up storage unit separately to generate gaseous ammonia by thermal desorption from the solid storage material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: Amminex A/S
    Inventors: Johnny Johansen, Jan Oeschsle, Henning Schmidt, Tue Johannessen, Jakob Svagin
  • Patent number: 7685809
    Abstract: Often NOx selective catalysts that use ammonia to reduce NOx within exhaust to a harmless gas require on-board storage of ammonia which can be hazardous and inconvenient. In order to generate ammonia in exhaust, the present disclosure increases a NOx concentration in exhaust from at least one combustion chamber, at least in part, by injecting fuel in a predetermined increased NOx generation sequence that includes a first injection during non-auto ignition conditions and a second injection during auto ignition conditions. At least a portion of the NOx is converted to ammonia by passing at least a portion of the exhaust with the increased NOx concentration over an ammonia-producing catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Josh Driscoll, Wade J. Robel, Cory A. Brown, Roger L. Urven, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100076097
    Abstract: A chemical product providing system is provided, which comprises an electrolyser and a gasification unit, whereas the gasification unit is fed with oxygen, resulted from the electrolyser, to produce a synthesis gas by the gasification unit, the synthesis gas being a source material for the chemical product. A method is for providing a chemical product is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas Metz, Erik Wolf
  • Patent number: 7682586
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to the treatment of NOx in combustion flue gas. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to the use of a regenerative heat exchanger (RHE) to convert urea to ammonia in a side stream of flue gas. Ammonia and/or other urea decomposition products exit the heat exchanger, are mixed with the rest of the flue gas, and enter a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit for reduction of NOx in the flue gas. The use of an RHE significantly improves the thermal efficiency of the overall process. More particularly, in certain embodiments, the regenerative heat exchanger is a dual chamber RHE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Babcock Power Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Harold, Clayton A. Erickson
  • Publication number: 20100050615
    Abstract: Solid metal ammine complexes are applied for safe and high-density storage of ammonia to be released for use as reducing agent in selective catalytic reduction of NOx in exhaust gases or as an energy carrier for fuel cell applications. The compositional formula of the metal ammine complexes is M(NH3)nXz, where Mz+ represents one or more metal ions capable of binding ammonia, X represents one or more anions, n is the coordination number (from 2 to 12), and z the valency of the metal ion (and thus the total number of compensating anion charges). Ammonia is released by controlled dosing of water into the storage container whereby ammonia is released because water replaces ammonia on the active sites capable of binding ammonia. Consequently, ammonia can be released without applying a normal thermal desorption of ammonia and the operating temperature of the system is reduced as well as the energy needed for releasing ammonia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Gladsaxevej 363
    Inventors: Tue Johannessen, Henning Schmidt, Jens Kehlef Norskov, Claus Hviid Christensen
  • Publication number: 20100047638
    Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus (100, 100?) for storing and delivering ammonia wherein at least two ammonia storage materials (1a, 2a) capable of reversibly adsorbing or absorbing ammonia having different ammonia vapor pressures are used. Ammonia storage material (2a) having a lower vapor pressure, which is only partially saturated with ammonia or void of ammonia, is brought into fluid communication with ammonia storage material (1a) having a higher ammonia vapor pressure to adsorb or absorb ammonia released from the ammonia storage material (1a) having a higher ammonia vapor pressure when the latter is higher than a pressure threshold. An automotive NOx treatment system (200) comprising such apparatus (100, 100?) is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Amminex A/S
    Inventor: Tue Johannessen
  • Publication number: 20090297417
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus enabling the efficient utilization of urea for purposes such as selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOx, which enable feeding urea to a chamber designed to efficiently and completely gasify the urea to enable ammonia feed. Preferably, aqueous urea is fed to a gasification chamber, which is also fed with heated gases. An injector means, capable of distributing the aqueous urea as fine droplets, is positioned centrally of a gas distribution plate in the chamber. An arrangement of spaced holes in the gas distribution plate provides higher gas velocity in the vicinity of the injector means than near the walls of the chamber. Uniform gas distribution without equipment fouling is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: FUEL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: William H. Sun, John M. Boyle, Ronald A. Lau
  • Publication number: 20090257940
    Abstract: A system of hardware and controls, know as a Hydrogen Hub, that absorbs electric power from any source, including hydropower, wind, solar, and other energy resources, chemically stores the power in hydrogen-dense anhydrous ammonia, then reshapes the stored energy to the power grid with zero emissions by using anhydrous ammonia to fuel diesel-type, spark-ignited internal combustion, combustion turbine, fuel cell or other electric power generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: John S. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20090246114
    Abstract: A hydrothermally stable, microporous organic-inorganic hybrid membrane based on silica, having an mean pore diameter of between 0.2 and 1.5 nm, is characterised in that between 5 and 40 mole % of the Si—O—Si bonds have been replaced by moieties having the one of the formulas: Si—{[CmH(n-1)X]—Si—}q, Si—[CmH(n-2)X2]—Si or Si—CmHn—Si{(CmHn)—Si—}y in which m=1-8, n=2m, 2m-2, 2m-4, 2m-6 or 2m-8; provided that n?2, X=H or (CH2)pSi, p=0 or 1, and q=1, 2, 3 or 4. The membrane can be produced by acid-catalysed hydrolysis of suitable bis-silane precursors such as bis(trialkoxysily)alkanes, preferably in the presence of monoorganyl-silane precursors such as trialkoxy-alkylsilanes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: STICHTING ENERGIEONDERZOEK CENTRUM NEDERLAND
    Inventors: Ashima Sah, Hessel Lennart Castricum, Jaap Ferdinand Vente, David Hermanus Adrianus Blank, Johan Evert Ten Elshof
  • Publication number: 20090226356
    Abstract: A device for evaporating at least one of the following reactants: a reducing agent precursor solution and a reducing agent precursor, includes at least one electrically heatable heating zone having at least one electrically operable heating element with a heating resistor that is self-regulated about a significant temperature. A method and the device for evaporating a reactant allow a simple control of an evaporation process, especially of a urea/water solution, to provide a reducing agent, especially in an SCR process. The heating resistors have a significant temperature that corresponds to a control temperature of the heating resistor. The need for additional control electronics can be removed by adjusting a correspondingly steep curve within a range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Emitec Gesellschaft fur Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: ROLF BRUCK, PETER HIRTH, THOMAS HARIG, MARC BRUGGER
  • Publication number: 20090221042
    Abstract: A process for the treatment of biomass to render structural carbohydrates more accessible and/or digestible using concentrated ammonium hydroxide with or without anhydrous ammonia addition, is described. The process preferably uses steam to strip ammonia from the biomass for recycling. The process yields of monosaccharides from the structural carbohydrates are good, particularly as measured by the enzymatic hydrolysis of the structural carbohydrates. The monosaccharides are used as animal feeds and energy sources for ethanol production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Bruce E. Dale, Lee R. Lynd, Mark Laser
  • Patent number: 7575612
    Abstract: Methods and systems for decomposing ammonia in a gasifier are provided. The system includes a gasifier including a pressure vessel and an injection nozzle extending through the pressure vessel and including a nozzle tip at a distal end of the injection nozzle, the injection nozzle further includes a passage configured to direct a fluid stream including ammonia proximate the nozzle tip such that the fluid stream including ammonia facilitates reducing a temperature of at least a portion of the nozzle tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul Steven Wallace
  • Patent number: 7537744
    Abstract: An improved process for ammonia recovery is provided for the recovery of substantially pure ammonia for use in industrial processes. In this improved method, specific raw materials and/or specific materials of construction are used. Overall efficiency and operational cost savings are increased as a result of the process of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Abraham Benderly, Keith Frederick Briegel, Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Ronald Eugene Myers
  • Publication number: 20090123361
    Abstract: A solid ammonia storage and delivery material comprising an ammonia absorbing/desorbing solid material, said storage and delivery material having been compacted to a density above 50% of the theoretic skeleton density provides a solid ammonia storage material which is easy to produce and handle and has a very high density of stored ammonia which is readily released under controlled conditions even though the porosity of the material is very low, and which storage material is safe for storage and transport of ammonia without special safety measures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Amminex A/S
    Inventors: Tue Johannessen, Claus Hviid Christensen, Jens Kehlet Norskov, Ulrich Quaade, Rasmus Zink Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20090119979
    Abstract: A method of producing biodiesel through the trans-esterification of a triglyceride, comprising mixing a triglyceride, an alcohol, and a catalyst to form a mixture, where said catalyst is non-metal quaternary ammonium hydroxide or non-metal quaternary phosphonium hydroxide, removing volatile components from said mixture, and allowing the remaining mixture to separate into a biodiesel-rich layer and a glycerol-rich layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: IMPERIAL PETROLEUM, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Mullen
  • Patent number: 7517969
    Abstract: A process for isolating nucleic acid from a nucleic acid-containing sample, which comprises: (a) providing a chaotrope; (b) providing a nucleic acid binding solid phase capable of binding nucleic acid in the presence of the chaotrope; (c) providing a source of NH4+ or NH3; (d) contacting the sample with the nucleic acid binding solid phase in the presence of a liquid phase comprising the chaotrope and the NH4+ or NH3; and (e) optionally separating the solid phase with the nucleic acid bound thereto from the liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: QIAGEN GmbH
    Inventors: Evy Reitan, Arne Deggerdal, Vidar Skagestad
  • Publication number: 20090035206
    Abstract: In an industrial scale ammonia synthesis process (10, 110), in which the hydrogen necessary for such synthesis is obtained by subjecting natural gas (5) to partial oxidation (16), with an oxygen-rich gas (6) and in the presence of steam (2), obtaining a gaseous mixture (7) that comprises hydrogen, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water, said gaseous mixture (7) is firstly subjected to catalytic conversion (18) to convert part of the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide, then to decarbonation (20) to remove the carbon dioxide (20a) and finally to purification (22) to reduce the unconverted carbon monoxide concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: AMMONIA CASALE S.A.
    Inventor: Ermanno Filippi
  • Patent number: 7431902
    Abstract: A method for separating ammonia and sulfides from a sour water stream is disclosed. The stripping of a sour water stream where it is stripped to create a sour water stripper overhead gas and then contacted with an alkali hydroxide in order to separate ammonia and make an alkali sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Sundance Resources Inc.
    Inventor: Robert V. Kerley