Total Or Elemental Sulfur Patents (Class 436/123)
  • Patent number: 11415521
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a furnace suited for oxidation of a gaseous starting mixture comprising one or more sulphur compounds to obtain an oxidized gas mixture and reduction of the oxidized gas mixture to obtain a gaseous mixture of reduced sulphur compounds comprising an interior furnace space, an inlet conduit for the gaseous starting mixture, an inlet for supply of an oxygen comprising gas, a ceramic comprising outlet conduit provided with an inlet opening for the mixture of reduced sulphur compounds, an inlet for hydrogen and heating means, wherein the inlet opening of the outlet conduit is comprised of more than one opening which openings fluidly connect the interior furnace space and the interior of the outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: AC Analytical Controls B.V.
    Inventor: Erwin Barendregt
  • Patent number: 9417227
    Abstract: A method for rapid detection of sulfur in a gypsum sample by causing emission of sulfur from the sample as vapors, reacting the vapors with silver nitrate and detecting sulfur by monitoring for color change. A kit for rapid detection of sulfur in a gypsum sample is also provided. Further methods include those in which the amount of sulfur in a gypsum sample is quantified in colorimetric analysis with silver nitrate and gypsum standards with known concentrations of sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael F. Jankowski, Renee J. Weinberger
  • Publication number: 20150087075
    Abstract: Method of detecting the presence of sulphur in a construction material such as asphalt or concrete comprising the steps of:·(a) adding a quantity of the construction material to a solvent to form a test solution, wherein the solvent is capable of solubilising all or part of any sulphur which is present in the construction material and wherein the solvent is miscible with an aqueous solution; and·(b) detecting the presence of sulphur in the test solution by (i) adding to the solution a reagent which induces part or all of any sulphur present in the test solution to precipitate and (ii) measuring the turbidity of the test solution after the precipitation has been formed. The present invention further relates to a sulphur detection kit for detecting the presence of sulphur in construction materials such as asphalt or concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Majid Jamshed Chughtai, Jacques Colange, Hadyn Howard Jones, Fabien Phillippe Didier Surmont
  • Patent number: 8949038
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of controlling bitumen quality in a process stream within a solvent-assisted bitumen extraction operation, for instance a hydrocarbon stream from a froth separation unit (FSU). Bitumen quality is a measure of the amount of selected contaminants in the process stream. Contaminants may include asphaltenes (comprising metal porphyrins), sulfur, and inorganic solids (comprising inorganic elements, e.g. Si, Al, Ti, Fe, Na, K, Mg, and Ca). First, the amounts of selected contaminants are measured. Next, these measured values are compared to maximum reference values. If one or more of these contaminants is higher than the maximum reference value, at least one variable of the solvent-assisted bitumen extraction is adjusted to improve bitumen quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Tapantosh Chakrabarty, Ken N. Sury, Joseph L. Feimer
  • Patent number: 8932862
    Abstract: A method of determining the solubility of a compound in a selected solvent is provided that does not require determination of, or use of, standards having known concentrations of the compound. In one aspect, the method can include preparation of a mixture where not all of a compound is dissolved in the provided solvent, separating undissolved compound from the solvent, and direct determination of the amount of the compound dissolved in the solvent. Methods adapted for use include those where a multiplicity of compounds or solvents are tested in parallel. Devices adapted for these methods are also provided by the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Analiza, Inc.
    Inventors: Arnon Chait, Boris Y. Zaslavsky
  • Patent number: 8900874
    Abstract: An analyzing method which enables highly precise and rapid quantitative analysis of sulfur contained in a metal sample, includes: combusting a metal sample containing a sulfur component under pure oxygen gas atmosphere to oxidize the sulfur component into sulfur dioxide; and quantitatively analyzing sulfur in the metal sample through analysis, according to a UV fluorescence method, of a sulfur dioxide containing gas containing the sulfur dioxide generated by combustion of the metal sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinoshiro, Kazutoshi Hanada, Kyoko Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8859291
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating a target molecule from a sample. In an embodiment, the method involves contacting a sample with a capture agent, the agent comprising a siderophore and a transition metal cation, under conditions wherein the agent is capable of binding a target molecule to form a target molecule-capture agent complex, wherein the target molecule is selected from the group consisting of a phosphorylated molecule, a nitrotyrosine-containing molecule and a sulfated molecule, and separating the target molecule-capture agent complex from the sample, thereby isolating the target molecule from the sample. Also provided are methods for determining the presence of a target molecule in a sample, that involve contacting a sample with a capture agent, the agent comprising a siderophore and a transition metal cation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: PerkinElmer LAS, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Bossé, Wayne F. Patton, Philippe Roby
  • Patent number: 8796035
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for sulfur characterization and quantification in a sample of sedimentary rocks or of petroleum products wherein the following stages are carried out: heating said sample in a pyrolysis oven (1) in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, oxidizing part of the pyrolysis effluents and continuously measuring the amount of SO2 generated by said part after oxidation, then transferring the pyrolysis residue of said sample into an oxidation oven (1?) and continuously measuring the amount of SO2 contained in the effluents resulting from said oxidation heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: IFP Energies Nouvelles, Vinci Technologies
    Inventors: Jean Espitalie, Roland Antonas, Violaine Lamoureux-Var, Gérémie Letort, Daniel Pillot, Valérie Beaumont, Frank Haeseler
  • Patent number: 8703059
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for combustion analysing a sample in a combustion analyzer (120,160,180), where the sample comprises a proportion of sulphur. The sample is supplied to the combustion analyzer and combusted to produce combustion products, comprising a yield of sulphur dioxide for detection. Nitrogen monoxide or a source of nitrogen monoxide is supplied to the combustion analyzer to improve the yield of sulphur dioxide in the combustion products. The yield improver may be supplied before and/or during the combusting step. A proportion of yield improver is preferably greater than the (expected) proportion of sulphur. Ozone may be supplied to the combustion products to convert at least a proportion of any nitrogen monoxide in the combustion products to nitrogen dioxide, before detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: David Marco Gertruda Alberti, Maurice Stephan Van Doeselaar
  • Publication number: 20140024129
    Abstract: A system for determining the content of sulfur in a first fluid mixture includes a gas chromatograph including a sample valve, a first column coupled to the sample valve, and a second column coupled to the sample valve. In addition, the system includes a pyrolizer configured to subject the first fluid mixture to pyrolysis to produce a second fluid mixture that includes hydrogen sulfide. The first column is configured to separate at least a first constituent of the second fluid mixture from the hydrogen sulfide in the second fluid mixture and output a third fluid mixture including the hydrogen sulfide. The second column is configured to separate at least a second constituent in the third fluid mixture from the hydrogen sulfide in the third fluid mixture and output a fourth fluid mixture including the hydrogen sulfide. Further, the system includes a detector in fluid communication with the second column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shirley Ann Meyer, Randy James Meyer, Stevie Horton Smith
  • Publication number: 20130196445
    Abstract: An analyzing method which enables highly precise and rapid quantitative analysis of sulfur contained in a metal sample, includes: combusting a metal sample containing a sulfur component under pure oxygen gas atmosphere to oxidize the sulfur component into sulfur dioxide; and quantitatively analyzing sulfur in the metal sample through analysis, according to a UV fluorescence method, of a sulfur dioxide containing gas containing the sulfur dioxide generated by combustion of the metal sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Kinoshiro, Kazutoshi Hanada, Kyoko Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20130149788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quantifying elemental sulfur levels in a test sample. This method involves the steps of: (i) providing a test sample having an unknown amount of elemental sulfur; (ii) converting the elemental sulfur contained in the test sample into volatilized hydrogen sulfide using benign reagents and without prior need to purify the elemental sulfur in the test sample by extraction or other purification processes; and (iii) determining the amount of volatilized hydrogen sulfide from the test sample in order to quantify the amount of elemental sulfur contained in the test sample. The present invention also relates to kits, systems, and assays for quantifying elemental sulfur levels in a test sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: CORNELL UNIVERSITY
  • Patent number: 8367420
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting soil nutrients or soil nutrients in soil from reflected light, and also includes systems for the measurement, calculation and transmission of data relating to or carrying out that method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bowling Green State University
    Inventors: B. B. Maruthi Sridhar, Robert K. Vincent
  • Patent number: 8323980
    Abstract: An early warning sulfur detection system for detecting the presence of corrosive gases, especially elemental sulfur (S8), in air employs a substrate that includes a polymer-bound phosphine compound having sulfur-getting functionality. The phosphine compound in the polymer reacts with any airborne elemental sulfur. This reaction is accompanied by a decrease in the fluorescence intensity (If) of the substrate. The If of the substrate is monitored in real time by a spectrofluorometer to detect a change in fluorescence intensity (?If). In an embodiment sited in a data center, an alarm is triggered if the ?If is above a predetermined threshold, thereby providing a real-time, early warning to IT professionals that corrective action is required to protect metal conductors from corrosion. Preferably, the phosphine compound in the polymer does not react with other components in the air (e.g., carbon dioxide).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dylan Joseph Boday, Joseph Kuczynski, Robert Ernst Meyer, III
  • Patent number: 8288161
    Abstract: Articles of manufacture and methods of making and using same concern a container having an internal space and a passivated internal metal surface. The container contains a composition of an acid gas and a balance gas contained within the internal space and in contact with the passivated internal metal surface. The stability of the acid gas concentration over time is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Benesch, Malik Haouchine, Tracey Jacksier
  • Patent number: 8268251
    Abstract: An early warning sulfur detection system for detecting the presence of corrosive gases, especially elemental sulfur (S8), in air employs a substrate that includes a polymer-bound phosphine compound having sulfur-getting functionality. The phosphine compound in the polymer reacts with any airborne elemental sulfur. This reaction is accompanied by a decrease in the fluorescence intensity (If) of the substrate. The If of the substrate is monitored in real time by a spectrofluorometer to detect a change in fluorescence intensity (?If). In an embodiment sited in a data center, an alarm is triggered if the ?If is above a predetermined threshold, thereby providing a real-time, early warning to IT professionals that corrective action is required to protect metal conductors from corrosion. Preferably, the phosphine compound in the polymer does not react with other components in the air (e.g., carbon dioxide).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dylan Joseph Boday, Joseph Kuczynski, Robert Ernst Meyer, III
  • Publication number: 20120214247
    Abstract: An early warning sulfur detection system for detecting the presence of corrosive gases, especially elemental sulfur (S8), in air employs a substrate that includes a polymer-bound phosphine compound having sulfur-getting functionality. The phosphine compound in the polymer reacts with any airborne elemental sulfur. This reaction is accompanied by a decrease in the fluorescence intensity (If) of the substrate. The If of the substrate is monitored in real time by a spectrofluorometer to detect a change in fluorescence intensity (?If). In an embodiment sited in a data center, an alarm is triggered if the ?If is above a predetermined threshold, thereby providing a real-time, early warning to IT professionals that corrective action is required to protect metal conductors from corrosion. Preferably, the phosphine compound in the polymer does not react with other components in the air (e.g., carbon dioxide).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dylan Joseph Boday, Joseph Kuczynski, Robert Ernst Meyer, III
  • Patent number: 8084263
    Abstract: A device and method for measuring the level of elemental sulfur present in a gas in a gas line. The method may include the steps of: collecting a sample of elemental sulfur-containing gas from the gas line, wherein the sample is collected on an outer surface of a probe by condensing some or all of the elemental sulfur-containing gas in the gas line on a surface of the probe while the gas line is operational, the probe having a piping partially disposed within for providing a cooling medium to the probe and being adapted for insertion into the gas flow stream of the gas line, separating the elemental sulfur from other species in the sample into an amount of elemental sulfur; and analyzing the amount of elemental sulfur collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ihsan Al-Taie, Abdulaziz A. Al-Mathami, Helal M. Al-Mutairi
  • Publication number: 20110236985
    Abstract: An early warning sulfur detection system for detecting the presence of corrosive gases, especially elemental sulfur (S8), in air employs a substrate that includes a polymer-bound phosphine compound having sulfur-getting functionality. The phosphine compound in the polymer reacts with any airborne elemental sulfur. This reaction is accompanied by a decrease in the fluorescence intensity (If) of the substrate. The If of the substrate is monitored in real time by a spectrofluorometer to detect a change in fluorescence intensity (?If). In an embodiment sited in a data center, an alarm is triggered if the ?If is above a predetermined threshold, thereby providing a real-time, early warning to IT professionals that corrective action is required to protect metal conductors from corrosion. Preferably, the phosphine compound in the polymer does not react with other components in the air (e.g., carbon dioxide).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dylan Joseph Boday, Joseph Kuczynski, Robert Ernst Meyer, III
  • Patent number: 7772004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method allowing to determine at least one petroleum characteristic of a geologic sediment sample, wherein the sample is heated in an oxidizing atmosphere, its temperature being successively raised to a first, then to a second value, said first value below 200° C. being reached very quickly, then maintained substantially constant for a certain time, said second value ranging between 600° C. and 850° C. being reached with a temperature gradient ranging between 1 and 30° C./min, from said first value. According to the invention, the amount of SO2 contained by the effluent resulting from said oxidizing heating is measured continuously, every moment of the heating period of said sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: François Lorant
  • Patent number: 7736908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a reactor having a heater, a passage for transporting a reactant, and a chamber containing a gas sample and being coupled to the passage for receiving the reactant and mixing the reactant with the gas sample. The reactor further includes a connector leading from the chamber to the heater for transporting a mixture of the reactant and gas sample, and wherein the heater heats the mixture of the reactant and gas sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: PerkinElmer LAS, Inc.
    Inventors: Otto J. Prohaska, Avinash Dalmia, David Clark
  • Patent number: 7695990
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an electrical leadframe (10), in particular for a light-emitting diode component, having at least one first electrical connection conductor (2) and at least one second electrical connection conductor (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg-Erich Sorg, Gertrud Kraeuter
  • Publication number: 20090317299
    Abstract: An ultraviolet sensor arrangement detects the amount of sulfur in a fuel of an internal combustion engine by emitting an ultraviolet light field in the presence of the fuel. A detector is disposed to detect a responsive amount of fluorescent light and provide a sensing signal indicative of the amount of sulfur in the fuel. A filter (or filters) receives the sensing signal and provides a filtered sensing signal to a sensing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Rebinsky, Dong Fei, Svetlana M. Zemskova
  • Patent number: 7521251
    Abstract: A method for estimating the sulfur content in the fuel of an internal combustion engine equipped with a catalyser capable of storing a quantity of sulfur and NOx groups. The method provides use of a current sulfur concentration value (Sold) and a correction of the current sulfur concentration value (Sold) in order to obtain a new sulfur concentration value (Snew). The method includes the steps of estimating a first value (NOxstored1) of the total quantity of NOx groups stored in the catalyser (11) by means of a model of NOx group production by the engine, estimating a second value (NOxstored2) of the total quantity of NOx groups stored by the catalyser by means of a model of storage of the catalyser, and determining an additive correction coefficient (D) as the difference between the first estimated value (NOxstored1) and the second estimated value (NOxstored2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Ceccarini, Matteo De Cesare, Luca Poggio
  • Patent number: 7520163
    Abstract: A portable diesel fuel tester and a method of its use are provided. A sample of diesel fuel is placed in a sample tray of the tester. The diesel fuel is heated to a gas state and circulated to a SO2 sensor by an air pump. The SO2 sensor determines the level of sulfur in the diesel fuel based on the SO2 levels. The sulfur level is displayed on an LCD screen for viewing by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: SPX Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Kinkade, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7521780
    Abstract: An integrated circuit package system is provided providing an integrated circuit die, and enclosing the integrated circuit die in a heat dissipation enclosure comprises mounting the integrated circuit die on a die paddle attaching a heat block ring to the die paddle around the integrated circuit die, and attaching a heat slug on the heat block ring over the integrated circuit die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Stats Chippac Ltd.
    Inventors: Taeho Kim, Tae Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 7514264
    Abstract: A method for estimating the sulfur content in the fuel of an internal combustion engine equipped with a catalyser, using a current sulfur concentration value (Sold) and a correction of said current sulfur concentration value (Sold) in order to obtain a new sulfur concentration value (Snew). The method includes the steps of measuring a first time interval (t1-t0) which is actually necessary in order to complete a regeneration process to remove sulfur; determining a quantity (SOxstored) of sulfur stored in the catalyser before the regeneration process to remove sulfur using the current sulfur concentration value (Sold); estimating a second time interval (t2-t0) which is theoretically necessary to complete the regeneration process, on the basis of the estimated quantity (SOxstored) of sulfur stored in the catalyser; and determining a multiplicative correction coefficient as a ratio between the first time interval (t1-t0) and the second time interval (t2-t0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventors: Daniele Ceccarini, Matteo De Cesare, Luca Poggio
  • Patent number: 7427378
    Abstract: An analysis method and analysis apparatus involve analysis for a sulfur component using ultraviolet fluorescence capable of removing the interferential influence of NO with good efficiency and certainty to thereby measure a concentration of only sulfur components such as SO2 and others even in continuous measurement over a long term with a high precision. An analysis method involves analysis for a sulfur component using ultraviolet fluorescence. A sample gas is illuminated with ultraviolet and fluorescence is emitted by the ultraviolet illumination and detected to measure concentrations of sulfur components including at least SO2 in the sample gas. NO, which is an interferential component in the sample gas, is oxidized to nitrogen dioxide, followed by the illuminating of the sample gas with ultraviolet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kotaro Akashi, Hitoshi Hirai
  • Publication number: 20080213908
    Abstract: Improved operating modes of a micro counter-current flame ionization detector (?FID) are demonstrated. By operating the flame inside the end of a capillary gas chromatography (GC) column, the effective cell volume enclosing the flame is considerably reduced and results in significantly lower gas flows being required to produce optimal sensitivity from the stable flame. In a post-column ?FID arrangement, a very lean flame is now situated on the end of a stainless steel capillary delivering 10 mL/min of hydrogen, which is opposed by a counter-current flow of only 20 mL/min of oxygen. The ?FID detection limit obtained in this stable, oxygen-rich counter-current flame mode is 7×10?11 gC/s with a response that is linear over 6 orders of magnitude. These findings are comparable to those of a conventional FID.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: UTI Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Kevin B. Thurbide
  • Patent number: 7244395
    Abstract: A method and system for performing low level sulfur UV fluorescence measures including an UV interference reduction system which removes or destroys interfering nitrogen oxides. The preferred nitrogen removal systems include introducing ozone into the system in sufficient quantities to destroy any produce NO and optionally a nitrogen sparge or similar nitrogen gas removal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Petroleum Analyzer Company, LP
    Inventor: Franek Olstowski
  • Patent number: 7201877
    Abstract: A device for detecting sulfuryl fluoride, in which the gas specimen to be examined is subjected to pyrolysis with ensuing detection of a pyrolysis product, is to be improved for the sake of achieving a mobile, economical structure. To attain this object, in a preliminary tube (1) for pyrolysis, there is a chemical layer (5) of pyrophoric iron, and as an indicator system for the pyrolysis product, a test tube (2) for hydrogen fluoride is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Holger Bohm, Silke Guga, Andreas Mohrmann, Armin Schulten, Bernd Siemensmeyer, Katja Stern, Bettina Runge
  • Patent number: 6932941
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a reactor having a heater, a passage for transporting a reactant, and a chamber containing a gas sample and being coupled to the passage for receiving the reactant and mixing the reactant with the gas sample. The reactor further includes a connector leading from the chamber to the heater for transporting a mixture of the reactant and gas sample, and wherein the heater heats the mixture of the reactant and gas sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: PerkinElmer Instruments LLC
    Inventors: Otto J. Prohaska, Avinash Dalmia, David Clark
  • Publication number: 20030032188
    Abstract: A diagnostic system for monitoring catalyst performance in an exhaust system comprises a plurality of treatment devices catalytically treating an exhaust gas stream, and a plurality of gas sensors for monitoring the catalyst performance of the treatment devices to determine when sulfur poisoning occurs. An on-board diagnostic system receives signals from the gas sensors, and, based upon response time differentials between sensors, determines whether the treatment devices are experiencing sulfur poisoning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Owen H. Bailey, Jean J. Balland, Sergio Quelhas, Bart Schreurs
  • Patent number: 6399391
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for analyzing stack gas for total reduced sulfur. The gas is withdrawn from a stack through a probe, filtered and regulated to a known temperature. The gas is then passed through a scrubbing column to remove sulfur dioxide and split into first and second portions. The first portion is oxidized to covert total reduced sulfur compounds to SO2, and the gas is then passed to an electrochemical sensor for SO2 which is maintained at a temperature at least equal to the temperature of the regulated gas. The second portion of the scrubbed gas is passed through an electrochemical sensor for oxygen which is maintained at substantially the same temperature as the sensor for SO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Inventor: Robert L. Tomlin
  • Patent number: 6255117
    Abstract: A test method and device are described for quantitatively determining the presence and concentration of monopersulfate ion in aqueous solution. Contacting the aqueous solution containing monopersulfate ion with a test strip in accordance with the invention produces a color change in proportion to the concentration of the ion. The invention has particular utility in maintaining the proper level of sanitizers in swimming pool water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Lamotte Company
    Inventor: Lydia Johnson
  • Patent number: 6205841
    Abstract: Mass flow controllers are respectively placed in the middle of a hydrogen gas tube and air tube connected to a FPD. The flow controllers are controlled to supply hydrogen and oxygen from the nozzle to achieve the optimum mixture rate of hydrogen and oxygen for combustion of each target component in a sample. Since the mixture rate of hydrogen gas and air is optimum for each target component, the quantity of light emitted by the combustion increases and detection of each target component improves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeaki Shibamoto
  • Patent number: 6130095
    Abstract: An improved system for the measurement of sulfur compounds is described. The system comprises an enclosed burner assembly for the conversion of sulfur-containing compounds to sulfur monoxide and subsequent detection of sulfur monoxide by ozone-induced chemiluminescence. The new burner assembly provides higher efficiency for the conversion of sulfur compounds to produce sulfur monoxide than previous flame-based detection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Sievers Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Lee Shearer
  • Patent number: 6013530
    Abstract: In a sulfur determining process, comprising a hydrocracking step of a sample in a ceramic reactor and darkness measuring step of lead acetate soaked tape by reaction of produced H.sub.2 S, an improvement is made. The improvement comprises at least one of procedure selected from the group consisting of introduction of CO.sub.2 in the ceramic reactor, using an inverted AC current from stabilized DC current as an electric supply for the darkness measuring step, covering a box containing the darkness measuring sensor and a sensor circuit with a heat insulating material, A/D converting a differential output and making moving averages for making a noiseless record, and charging the differential output to a condenser through an electric resistance for making a noiseless record. Sulfur content is measured from a record of improved output. According to the improvements, an economic conventional ceramic reactor becomes available, and limit of sulfur determination of 25 ppb is improved to 2 ppb in the best case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: Kinya Tawara
  • Patent number: 5661036
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the detection and measurement of sulfur in both organic and inorganic sulfur-containing compounds. The process includes admixing a sample including a sulfur-containing compound with oxygen, and then exposing the mixture to a source of combustion causing heat in the presence of a combustion supporting reducing agent at a combustion site. The resulting gaseous combustion products are vacuum extracted from the combustion site, and then directed into a darkened low pressure chamber. The combustion products in the low pressure chamber are then contacted with ozone, with the result that the sulfur combustion products are converted to chemiluminescent sulfur dioxide. The emitted chemiluminescence is then detected, and may be measured to provide a quantitative indication of the amount of sulfur in the original sample. The preferred source of oxygen is air, the preferred form of combustion heat is a flame, and the preferred form of reducing agent is hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Sievers Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Benner, Donald H. Stedman
  • Patent number: 5582684
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining the concentration of sulfide and optionally also of polysulfide in liquors and solutions of smelt deriving from the sulfate process. According to the method, the concentrations are determined by measuring the light absorption of the liquor or the solution in the ultra-violet range. According to one preferred embodiment, the method is applied to determine the degree of reduction in sulfate liquor and smelt derived from burning liquor, wherein the concentrations of sulfate, thiosulfate and optionally sulfite and/or carbonate are determined by measuring the light absorption of the liquor or the solution in the infrared range, whereafter the degree of reduction is calculated from the measuring data obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: STFI
    Inventors: Richard Holmqvist, Torbjorn Jonsson
  • Patent number: 5547876
    Abstract: Non-toxic combustion decomposition accelerators and processes for their production for elemental analysis. The non-toxic accelerators may be either single component or multicomponent. The single component non-toxic accelerators are glass frit, niobium pentoxide, and inorganic phosphate compounds. The multicomponent accelerators are formed from a combination of the foregoing, and most preferably from (a) one or more of niobium pentoxide, tungsten oxide and mixtures thereof, and (b) one or more of glass frit, inorganic phosphate compounds, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Leco Corporation
    Inventors: Ching-Fong Chen, Carlos Guerra
  • Patent number: 5501981
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the measurement of sulfur compounds is described. The system comprises a dual burner assembly for the conversion of sulfur-containing compounds to form sulfur monoxide and subsequent detection of sulfur monoxide by ozone-induced chemiluminescence. The dual burner assembly also provides for the conversion of hydrocarbons and other chemical constituents of the sample to simple molecules that do not interfere in the formation or detection of sulfur monoxide. The dual burner assembly eliminates the interference observed in the measurement of sulfur compounds from the sample matrix using flame-based or single burner devices for the production of sulfur monoxide and detection by ozone-induced chemiluminescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Sievers Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Ray, Neil Johansen
  • Patent number: 5424217
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed for the detection and measurement of sulfur in both organic and inorganic sulfur-containing compounds. The process includes admixing a sample including a sulfur-containing compound with oxygen, and then exposing the mixture to a source of combustion causing heat in the presence of a combustion supporting reducing agent at a combustion site. The resulting gaseous combustion products are vacuum extracted from the combustion site, and then directed into a darkened low pressure chamber. The combustion products in the low pressure chamber are then contacted with ozone, with the result that the sulfur combustion products are converted to chemiluminescent sulfur dioxide. The emitted chemiluminescence is then detected, and may be measured to provide a quantitative indication of the amount of sulfur in the original sample. The preferred source of oxygen is air, the preferred form of combustion heat is a flame, and the preferred form of reducing agent is hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Sievers Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Benner, Donald H. Stedman
  • Patent number: 5385830
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for measuring the amount of free sulfurous acid and bound sulfurous acid in a sample using a bacterium belonging to Thiobacillus thiooxidans or Thiobacillus ferrooxidans of in which the sample is treated with acid and/or alkali to give free sulfurous acid alone in the sample. Then, the total amount of free sulfurous acid in the sample is measured by an oxidation reaction of free sulfurous acid to sulfuric acid using a bacterium belonging to Thiobacillus thiooxidans or Thiobacillus ferrooxidans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Nakano Vinegar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Amano, Kazuo Nakamura, Hiroshi Kurosawa, Takeshi Sato, Hirofumi Akano, Yoshiya Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5338515
    Abstract: This invention is a process for detecting low concentration levels of sulfur oxides (SO.sub.2) in a flowing gas stream (typically a combustion exhaust gas stream) and a catalytic SO.sub.2 sensor system which may be used in that process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Catalytica, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Dalla Betta, David R. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 5330714
    Abstract: The present invention describes the process and apparatus for the simultaneous measurement of sulfur-containing compounds and organic compounds with or without sulfur in their structures. A detector cell is described that allows simultaneous measurement of compounds that can be ionized in a flame and thereby cause the electrical conductivity of the flame to increase, and the selective measurement of sulfur-containing compounds which simultaneously form sulfur monoxide. Sulfur monoxide, upon mixing with ozone, emits light from 240 to 450 nm. The intensity of the light can be measured and related to the concentration of sulfur in the sample, while changes in electrical conductivity of the flame measured by imposing a voltage across the cell quantifies the organic compounds irrespective of whether or not they contain sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: Sievers Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Godec, Neil Johansen, Donald H. Stedman
  • Patent number: 5310683
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the simultaneous measurement of sulfur-containing compounds and organic compounds with or without sulfur in their structures. A detector cell allows simultaneous measurement of compounds that can be ionized in a flame and thereby cause the electrical conductivity of the flame to increase, and the selective measurement of sulfur-containing compounds which simultaneously form sulfur monoxide. Sulfur monoxide, upon mixing with ozone, emits light from 240 to 450 nm. The intensity of the light can be measured and related to the concentration of sulfur in the sample, while changes in electrical conductivity of the flame measured by imposing a voltage across the cell quantifies the organic compounds irrespective of whether or not they contain sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Sievers Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Godec, Neil Johansen, Donald H. Stedman
  • Patent number: 5227135
    Abstract: The present invention describes the process and apparatus for the simultaneous measurement of sulfur-containing compounds and organic compounds with or without sulfur in their structures. A detector cell is described that allows simultaneous measurement of compounds that can be ionized in a flame and thereby cause the electrical conductivity of the flame to increase, and the selective measurement of sulfur-containing compounds which simultaneously form sulfur monoxide. Sulfur monoxide, upon mixing with ozone, emits light from 240 to 450 nm. The intensity of the light can be measured and related to the concentration of sulfur in the sample, while changes in electrical conductivity of the flame measured by imposing a voltage across the cell quantifies the organic compounds irrespective of whether or not they contain sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: Sievers Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Godec, Neil Johansen, Donald H. Stedman
  • Patent number: 5152963
    Abstract: A total sulfur analyzer system is set forth. The system operates with gas, liquid or solid samples including free sulfur, and sulfur and nitrogen compounds. The sample is first combusted to provide products of combustion including SO.sub.2 and NO. The SO.sub.2 quantity is measured by exposure to a particular frequency of ultraviolet light to obtain fluorescence, the fluorescent photons being measured by a photomultiplier tube (PMT). The system preferably includes suitable elecronics connected to the PMT for providing data of measurements of sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Donald M. Wreyford
  • Patent number: H1093
    Abstract: An HCl monitor is provided for the extractive analysis of high-temperature, high-pressure, coal-derived process streams. The monitor is capable of HCl concentration measurement in the presence of all known coal gasification products, with detection being based on the ability of HCl to protonate a high boiling alcohol (solvent) and, thus, enhance the conductivity of the alcohol. Conductivity is then related to HCl concentration. The observed high degree of sensitivity that can be achieved is a result of analyte preconcentration prior to the conductivity measurement due to the fast dissolution rate of HCl into the alcohol solvent, coupled with a large analyte gas-to-solvent ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Gregg C. Huston