And Regeneration Patents (Class 95/148)
  • Patent number: 6638341
    Abstract: A method is described for rapid and economical activation and/or preconditioning of gas purification substrates by providing forced convection of the preconditioning or activating gas through the pores of the substrate. The gas is pumped into the substrate-containing vessel and raised to an elevated pressure, which is maintained for a short predetermined time, followed by venting of contents of the vessel. The vessel is again pressurized with the purging gas to an elevated level, and the elevated pressure is maintained for a short predetermined time, followed by venting of the vessel. This cycle is repeated as often as needed or desired. Activation and/or preconditioning can be accomplished in a much shorter time and with much less gas usage compared to diffusion preconditioning and activation processes. This process is particularly suited for preconditioning and activation of gas purifier substrates for decontamination of gases down to ≦1 ppm contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Aeronex, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Spiegelman, Daniel Alvarez, Jr., Joshua T. Cook
  • Patent number: 6626982
    Abstract: The invention relates to adsorbing chemical samples onto inert carriers to form highly stable free flowing solid for long term storage in, for example, a proprietary compound collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventor: Ronald Cotton
  • Publication number: 20030164091
    Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide vapor generation unit (10) receives hydrogen peroxide and water solution at an interface (20) and interconnects with an air dryer (14) by way of nipples (72, 92). In one embodiment, the dryer includes a clamping assembly (42) which is latched (74, 94) with the nipples and which receives a disposable desiccant cartridge (40). In an alternate embodiment, a reusable desiccant cartridge (40′) is connected directly to the nipples (72, 92). When the desiccant cartridge (40′) is saturated, it is removed and placed in a regenerator unit (120). A regenerated cartridge is installed in its place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: STERIS INC.
    Inventors: Aaron L. Hill, Arthur T. Nagare, Frank E. Dougherty, Stanley M. Voyten
  • Patent number: 6607583
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the heating of adsorbent materials in a vessel including the utilization of electrodes in direct contact with the adsorbent material to induce a current in the material. The electrical contacts are spaced apart and receive a potential for inducing the electrical current; one of the electrodes is a different size to thereby induce a radial component in the electrical current to thus modify the current density flowing through the adsorbent material as the current traverses the distance between the electrodes. The resulting modified current density causes the temperature gradient across the transverse section of the vessel to decrease, thus rendering the temperature more uniform across the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventors: Harold R. Cowles, William J. Stanley, Christopher M. Cueman
  • Patent number: 6607581
    Abstract: A passive air sampler is designed to facilitate emptying granular or particulate adsorbent from it directly into a thermal desorption tube or other vessel for use in an analytical instrument. The preferred form has an adsorbent container in a conical or funnel-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: SKC, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Lee Smith, Peter M. Hall
  • Patent number: 6605132
    Abstract: A system for treating air for supply to an enclosed space in which the air is to be breathed, includes an inlet through which air can enter the system from atmosphere for supply to the enclosed space, and a regenerative adsorption assembly having at least two chambers which contain an adsorbent material, arranged so that air flowing in the inlet for supply to the enclosed space can pass through one of the chambers for adsorption of contaminants before supply to the enclosed space while adsorbent material in another of the chambers is purged of adsorbed contaminants. A recirculation path is provided for supplying air from the enclosed space to the inlet to be mixed with air from atmosphere before it is supplied to the enclosed space. The system includes structure for adjusting the resistance to flow of air through the recirculation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Domnick Hunter Limited
    Inventor: Robert Michael Fielding
  • Publication number: 20030145729
    Abstract: A device for absorbing atmospheric moisture includes a support member with a net extending therefrom. The net includes a super absorbent polymer that has the property of being able to absorb a multiple of the polymer mass in atmospheric water and to thereafter release the water in response to an external stimulus. The device is in this way reusable. The device has particular application in the clearing of fog, manure odor clearance, and collection of potable water in remote locations. A process for extracting atmospheric moisture is also detailed that includes the step of extending a super absorbent polymer net into contact with an atmosphere. Thereafter, with that being in contact with the atmosphere for a sufficient amount of time moisture is absorbed from the atmosphere. The application of a stimulus to the super absorbent polymer containing atmospheric moisture causes the release of liquid water therefrom. The super absorbent polymer is then suitable for reuse to again absorb atmospheric water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: John Klemic
  • Patent number: 6596248
    Abstract: In a method for removing carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas from a gas turbine plant (11), which exhaust gas is subjected to a downstream heat recovery process (12, 33), preferably in the heat recovery steam generator (33) of a water/steam cycle (12), a simplification of the plant engineering is achieved by the fact that the carbon dioxide is removed from the exhaust gas (39) between the gas turbine plant (11) and the heat recovery process (12, 33), and that a rotating, regenerative absorber/desorber (22) is used to remove the carbon dioxide, the absorber side of which absorber/desorber is connected into the exhaust gas stream (39) and the desorber side of which absorber/desorber is connected into a carbon dioxide cycle (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) Ltd
    Inventors: Armin Schimkat, Juergen Baum
  • Patent number: 6589315
    Abstract: In order to regenerate the heat exchanger material located in the various segments of a housing section (2) of a regenerative post-combustion device (1), fresh air is fed via the flushing air connection (11) into the combustion chamber (8) of this post-combustion device (1), is heated there by a burner (9), and is fed to the rotary distributor (5) via a segment of the heat exchanger material. Heated air which, when passing through the heat exchanger material has picked up contaminants deposited thereon is fed to the inlet or outlet connection (4, 10) of the post-combustion device (1) via the rotary distributor (5) and, from there, is introduced once again into the combustion chamber (8). The rotary distributor (5) of the thermal post-combustion device (1) stops during this process which is continued until the heat exchanger material is heated to a temperature at which the contaminants absorbed by the heat exchanger material are released and combusted in the combustion chamber (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Eisenmann Maschinenbau KG
    Inventor: Walter Pötzl
  • Publication number: 20030116016
    Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for separating hydrogen. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and methods utilize microchannel devices with small distances for heat and mass transfer to achieve rapid cycle times and surprisingly large volumes of hydrogen separated in short times using relatively compact hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce F. Monzyk, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, David P. VanderWiel, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Wayne W. Simmons, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, Albert E. Weller, Chad M. Cucksey
  • Patent number: 6579347
    Abstract: The present invention, relating to a method for removing dimethyl sulfide and tertiary butyl mercaptan present in city gas as the odorants, is aimed at removal of the sulfur compounds from city gas. The present invention removes dimethyl sulfide and tertiary butyl mercaptan in city gas in the presence of a sulfur compound adsorbent containing one of faujasite, &bgr;, L and MFI type zeolite. The adsorbent, being composed of zeolite and an inorganic binder, can be regenerated under heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidenobu Wakita, Yukiyoshi Ono, Yuko Tachibana, Masato Hosaka
  • Patent number: 6572682
    Abstract: A Diesel particulate filter cartridge system for filtering particulate matter and nitrogen oxide from a flow of air containing particular matter includes a filter support plate with a plurality of cylindrical electrically regenerable filter media members connected thereto. A NOx trap is also provided that is either incorporated directly into the filter media members or provided as a separate structure in close proximity to the filter media members. A valve assembly includes a number of independently actuatable damper valves that correspond to a number of through holes in the filter support plate. When actuated, the damper valves limiting flow of air through a corresponding through hole and filter media member connected thereto. An outer housing is disposed about the valve assembly and filter media members to contain them in a compact package. A programmable computer control module shuts off the flow of air through a filter media member and selectively electrically regenerates it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Rypos, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus J. Peter, Osama M. Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 6562113
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for purifying a contaminated fluid stream, for example an air stream contaminated with volatile organic compounds. A sorption media is directed between narrowly spaced plates which control the depth of sorbant flow. In an adsorber the plates are porous to allow the contaminated air to pass into an adsorption chamber where the media removes the contaminates from the fluid stream. In a desorber the plates may be transmissive or reflective of microwave energy and porous to a purging gas in a desorption chamber where the media releases the contaminates to refresh the media. An inclined plane or conical surface is contemplated for a desorber which can be coupled to an adsorber in a closed loop system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: American Purification, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur A. Aykanian, Xiang Feng Dai, Philip M. Hodge
  • Publication number: 20030075045
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the heating of adsorbent materials in a vessel including the utilization of electrodes in direct contact with the adsorbent material to induce a current in the material. The electrical contacts are spaced apart and receive a potential for inducing the electrical current; one of the electrodes is a different size to thereby induce a radial component in the electrical current to thus modify the current density flowing through the adsorbent material as the current traverses the distance between the electrodes. The resulting modified current density causes the temperature gradient across the transverse section of the vessel to decrease, thus rendering the temperature more uniform across the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Harold R. Cowles, William J. Stanley, Christopher M. Cueman
  • Patent number: 6547854
    Abstract: A new method for making low-cost CO2 sorbents that can be used in large-scale gas-solid processes. The new method entails treating a solid substrate with acid or base and simultaneous or subsequent treatment with a substituted amine salt. The method eliminates the need for organic solvents and polymeric materials for the preparation of CO2 capture systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: McMahan L. Gray, Yee Soong, Kenneth J. Champagne
  • Patent number: 6544319
    Abstract: An HFBD purification process includes: (a) contacting a composition containing HFBD with an adsorbent to remove from the HFBD at least two impurities selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, hydrofluoric acid and a fluorinated olefin, wherein the adsorbent is a solid having an average pore diameter of about 5 Å and the adsorbent is contacted with the HFBD at a rate of at least 2.7 kg of the HFBD per hour; and (b) recovering from the adsorbent a purified HFBD product containing at least 99.9 vol. % HFBD, a reduced amount of the impurities and less than 0.1 vol. % hexafluoro-2-butyne. Alternatively, the process can be conducted at any contacting rate to produce 99.96 vol. % HFBD. The process can also be conducted at any contacting rate in a bed within a column having a length of at least 30 cm and an inner diameter of at least 2.5 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Arnold Krouse, John Chodur
  • Patent number: 6524544
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the decontamination of fluid ammonia are described. Liquid or gaseous ammonia is purified of contaminants by passage through an adsorbent bed, the contaminants accumulating in the bed. A portion of the purified ammonia discharged from the bed is decomposed to hydrogen and nitrogen. The hydrogen is used to regenerate an adsorbent bed which has accumulated sufficient contaminants to reduce its ability to further decontaminate incoming ammonia satisfactorily. Preferably there are a plurality of interconnected adsorbent beds, with some being operated for ammonia decontamination while others are being regenerated, with their operations being reversed as needed to maintain a continual production of decontaminated ammonia from the plurality of beds. Computers or other controllers can be used to control such bed operations and interchanges. Internal production of hydrogen makes the system self-contained and no addition of hydrogen is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Aeronex, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Alvarez, Jr., Jeffrey J. Spiegelman
  • Patent number: 6508858
    Abstract: An apparatus for treating exhaust gases. The apparatus includes an adsorbing tower containing an adsorbent to adsorb an impurity gas included in the exhaust gases. A desorbing tower heats the adsorbent to desorb the impurity gas from the adsorbent so that the adsorbent can be re-used. A transfer unit circulates the adsorbent between the adsorbing tower and the desorbing tower. A controller controls the temperature of the adsorbent. A helical heater is arranged in the desorbing tower to heat the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hideki Hirose, Mikio Hachikawa, Kouji Teramoto
  • Patent number: 6500238
    Abstract: A system for storage and dispensing of a sorbate fluid, in which a sorbate fluid is sorptively retained on a sorbent medium and desorption of sorbate fluid from the sorbent medium is facilitated by inputting energy to the sorbent medium including one or more of the following energy input modes: (a) thermal energy input including inductive heating of the sorbent medium, resistive heating of the sorbent medium and/or chemical reaction heating of the sorbent medium; (b) photonic energy input to the sorbent medium; (c) particle bombardment of the sorbent medium; (d) mechanical energy input to the sorbent medium; and (e) application of a chemical potential differential to the sorbate fluid on the sorbent medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: George R. Brandes, Thomas H. Baum, Michael A. Tischler
  • Patent number: 6500237
    Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from a gas stream wherein the filtering media consists essentially of calcined diatomite and between 5% and 30% by weight of ferric ions bonded to the calcined diatomite. This process is particularly efficient due to the fact that the removal of hydrogen sulfide from the gas stream is effected with a single pass adsorption performance of up to 45 mg of H2S per gram of filtering media. Other advantages include the fact that the process has the ability to remove H2S form a gaseous mixture, from a concentration of 30,000 ppm down to non-detectable levels in a single pass. Repeated in-situ regeneration of the filtering media has been proven to be a simple matter of blowing ambient air through the filtering media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: ADI International Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Winchester, Michael J. McMullin, Jeffrey K. Hum
  • Patent number: 6491740
    Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and compositions for gas separation and purification utilizing a metallo-organic polymer adsorbent in processes for separating carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from gas streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Qing Min Wang, Dongmin Shen, Martin Bülow, Miu Ling Lau, Frank R. Fitch, Shuguang Deng
  • Publication number: 20020169068
    Abstract: A method for removing a first sorbate having a first desorption activation energy and a second sorbate having a second desorption activation energy from a sorbent, involves a two-stage desorber. In a first stage, the first sorbate, second sorbate and the sorbent are contacted with a stripping fluid having a first temperature sufficient to separate the first sorbate in a vapor phase from the sorbent. In a second stage, the second sorbate and the sorbent is heated to a second temperature higher than the first temperature to separate the second sorbate in a vapor phase from the sorbent. The second sorbate can then be condensed to a liquid phase and sold to offset the costs of the process. Heating in the second phase can be facilitated by the introduction of microwave or infrared energy for stripping the second sorbate from the sorbent. Use of the microwave or infrared energy can be facilitated with a purging gas which can also be heated to function as a stripping gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Xiangfeng Dai, Kevin Simpson
  • Patent number: 6458185
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of a volatile organic compound (VOC) from a process stream by use of a bed of activated carbon is disclosed. In the first step, VOC laden gas passes through to the bed, in a first direction. In the second step, steam passes through the bed in a second direction. The first direction is opposite to the second direction. In the final step, cooling gas, ambient atmospheric air, passes through the bed in the second direction. This process yields greater VOC recovery efficiency and longer cycle life for the bed of activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Celanese Acetate LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Reiter, Stephen C. Jones
  • Patent number: 6458186
    Abstract: In a method for regenerating an electrically conducting adsorbent laden with organic substances the adsorbent is heated by passing electric current through the adsorbent while not passing a flushing gas through the adsorbent. Subsequently, the flushing gas is passed through the adsorbent while not heating the adsorbent by passing electric current through the adsorbent so that the adsorbed organic substances are flushed from the adsorbent and the adsorbent is simultaneously cooled by the flushing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: M+W Zander Facility Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Chmiel, Egbert Schippert, Cornelia Möhner
  • Patent number: 6454834
    Abstract: A regenerable air cleaning device is disclosed which comprises a filter holder supporting a regenerable filter that includes activated carbon fibers (ACF) and a control system that is adapted to determine when to regenerate the regenerable filter. The device exhibits high performance and longevity over many regeneration cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David E. Livingstone, Michael R. Harms, Daniel T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20020124727
    Abstract: A method for regenerating a loaded adsorber includes heating a regenerating gas flow by a hot thermal oil flow and directing the heated regenerating gas flow through the loaded adsorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Gunther Hauck
  • Patent number: 6444015
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention for treating a gas containing a substance to be decomposed comprises an adsorption unit equipped with an adsorbent for adsorbing the substance to be decomposed, a steam introduction unit for bringing steam into contact with the adsorbent, a condensation unit for obtaining a condensed liquid containing the substance to be decomposed from the steam containing the substance, a reaction tank, a condensed liquid supply unit for supplying the condensed liquid to the reaction tank, a hypochlorous acid supply unit for supplying a solution containing hypochlorous acid to the reaction tank, and a light irradiation unit for irradiating the reaction tank with light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kinya Kato
  • Patent number: 6436172
    Abstract: The present invention is a method for separating condensable substances from gases or gas mixtures with the use of porous materials including the steps of employing as adsorbents substances or materials suitable for capillary condensation and cyclically performing the method. The method can be used to separate water from air. The porous materials have a pore structure adapted to the environmental or climatic conditions present at the site of utilization of the method. The step of cyclically performing the method can be performing a plurality of times in succession separation by capillary condensation of the condensable substances in the porous materials and desorption of the condensed substances from the porous materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Universitat Bremen
    Inventor: Norbert Räbiger
  • Patent number: 6428608
    Abstract: A robust, relatively simple air quality control system that can control the air quality in buildings during both the heating and cooling seasons. In one illustrative embodiment, a first air stream is directed through an air treatment module and back into the inside space. A desiccant in the air treatment module adsorbs water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material from the first air stream. A second air stream is then directed through the air treatment module to a location outside of the inside space. The second air stream is preferably heated relative to the first air stream so that at least a portion of the adsorbed water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material are desorbed from the desiccant into the second air stream. The second air stream carries the desorbed water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material to a location outside the inside space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Dipak J. Shah, Chin-Hsiung Chang, John D. Howard, III, Ronald P. Rohrbach, Peter D. Unger, Stephen F. Yates, Brian C. Krafthefer, Russell W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6425937
    Abstract: A process for purifying a gas stream containing at least one impurity chosen from the group formed by propane, nitrogen protoxide and ethylene, in which process: (a) the gas stream to be purified is brought into contact with at least one adsorbent including at least one X zeolite containing barium cations; (b) at least one impurity is adsorbed on the adsorbent. Preferably, the adsorbent includes particles of X zeolite exchanged to at least 70%, preferably at least 89%, with barium cations, it being possible for the adsorbent to furthermore include a bed of activated alumina particles which is located upstream of the bed of barium-exchanged X zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Georges Kraus, Cyrille Millet, Serge Moreau, Jean-Pierre Gabillard
  • Patent number: 6425941
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an activated carbon composition that is resistant to oxidation and the activated carbon bed fires that can result from uncontrolled oxidation of the activated carbon bed. The activated carbon composition of the present invention includes from about 0.0001-25 wt. % of an antioxidant and from about 75-99.9999 wt. % activated carbon including any and all other impregnants and moisture. The presence of the antioxidant on the surface of the activated carbon inhibits uncontrolled oxidation and the activated carbon bed fires that can result. A method of removing solvents from a solvent-laden gas is also disclosed. The method includes passing the solvent-laden gas through an activated carbon bed, which contains the activated carbon composition described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Envirotrol, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Roodman
  • Publication number: 20020096048
    Abstract: A process is provided for the transport and storage of hydrogen by reversible sorption and containment within carbon-metal hybrid materials. The process comprises contacting a carbon-metal hybrid composition with a hydrogen-containing gas at conditions of temperature and pressure whereby the carbon-metal hybrid composition sorbs the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen that is sorbed in the carbon-metal composition is subsequently released by lowering the H2 pressure and/or increasing the temperature to levels which cause desorption of the hydrogen gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Alan Charles Cooper, Guido Peter Pez
  • Publication number: 20020092422
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for initiating regeneration in a particulate trap including the steps of locating microwave-absorbing material in the particulate trap in areas that particulates build up, generating microwaves, absorbing microwaves with the microwave-absorbing material, and controlling the microwaves to initiate a burn-off of particulates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Frank Ament, Eugene Victor Gonze
  • Publication number: 20020088344
    Abstract: In a method for regenerating an electrically conducting adsorbent laden with organic substances the adsorbent is heated by passing electric current through the adsorbent while not passing a flushing gas through the adsorbent. Subsequently, the flushing gas is passed through the adsorbent while not heating the adsorbent by passing electric current through the adsorbent so that the adsorbed organic substances are flushed from the adsorbent and the adsorbent is simultaneously cooled by the flushing gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: MZander Facility Engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Chmiel, Egbert Schippert, Cornelia Mohner
  • Publication number: 20020069756
    Abstract: A regeneration system includes at least two microwave sources for producing microwaves. There is also a microwave cavity in communication with the microwave sources to receive the microwaves. Additionally, there is a particulate filter disposed in the cavity which is heated by the microwaves in the cavity. Alternatively, there can be at least one microwave source with the microwave cavity having a plurality of ports through which microwaves from the microwave source enter the cavity. A method for regenerating a particulate filter comprising the steps of passing exhaust through the particulate filter. Then, there is the step of heating the particulate filter from a plurality of directions with microwaves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Frederick M. Mako, Richard Silberglitt
  • Patent number: 6402812
    Abstract: An integrated environmental control (IEC) system includes a decontamination Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) system in which a contaminated decontamination bed is purged through a purge exhaust duct and subsequently dumped overboard through a purge ejector. The energy from a high pressure drain duct serves as the primary motive force for the purge ejector to create a sub-atmospheric region therein and reduce back pressure upon the PSA filtration system. The reduced back pressure creates additional pressure drop across the PSA filtration system which improves performance. Risk of the purge exhaust duct and the purge ejector freezing in a low temperature environment is further minimized by mixing the purge exhaust with the relatively warmer high pressure drains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Perrotta, Clement I. Anekwe
  • Patent number: 6391091
    Abstract: A monolithic hygroscopic material shaped to facilitate a circulation flow of ambient air. The hygroscopic material may be used to remove various compounds from an ambient gas and may be reactivated to restore its drying capacity. The tendency of the material to seek equilibrium may be utilized to achieve dehumidification or humidification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: James P. McMahon
  • Patent number: 6375715
    Abstract: A receptacle (14) open in its upper part into which opens a conduit (13), is inserted between a device (11) for fast extraction and the stripping zone (18). The receptacle (14) consists at its base of at least one diffuser (15) fed in fluidization gas and to which the solid particles are put in a dense fluidized bed state (17), whose density ranges between 300 and 800 kg.m−3, then escape by overflow from the receptacle (14) toward the stripping zone (18) located below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Mauleon, Cyrille Mirgain
  • Patent number: 6375716
    Abstract: A gas separation device includes an inner conduit, and a concentric outer conduit. An electrically conductive filter media, preferably a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve, is provided in the annular space between the inner conduit and the outer conduit. Gas flows through the inner conduit and the annular space between the inner conduit and the outer conduit, so as to contact the filter media. The filter media preferentially adsorbs at least one constituent of the gas stream. The filter media is regenerated by causing an electric current to flow through the filter media. The inner conduit and outer conduit are preferably electrically conductive whereby the regeneration of the filter media can be electrically stimulated. The invention is particularly useful for the removal of CO2 from the exhaust gases of fossil-fueled power plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy D. Burchell, Roddie R. Judkins, Kirk A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6372018
    Abstract: A VOC removal or destruction system incorporates a regenerator/reactivator having a cylindrical ceramic tube for receiving contaminated adsorbent activated carbon. Electrodes are provided in the ceramic tube in contact with the activated carbon and a programmable logic controller is connected to control the voltage applied to the electrodes and the current flowing through the activated carbon within the tube. The temperature of the material in the tube is controlled by the programmable controller to maintain a temperature within one of two temperature ranges for regenerating the activated carbon and for reactivating the activated carbon. An inert gas is supplied through the tube in contact with the contaminated adsorbent material; the effluent gas including the stripped VOC's is supplied to an oxidizer for destruction. The oxidizer includes a stoichiometric burner providing combustion products for oxidizing the gaseous adsorbate and for providing carrier gas to the regenerator/reactivator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Harold R. Cowles
  • Patent number: 6364936
    Abstract: An adsorption/desorption unit includes a hollow enclosure containing one or more elongate hollow elements of activated carbon fiber cloth (ACFC) of appropriate length to cross sectional area to provide suitable electrical resistance for heating. The elements conduct electrical current to heat to a temperature that permits selective adsorption of a gas stream constituent and subsequent desorption to recover sorbate. An enclosure houses the ACFC elements and is arranged to direct gas stream flow through the elements and into and out of the enclosure via gas ports. The ability to heat the elements to a desired temperature by electrical current flow allows for straightforward implementation of selective adsorption. After an adsorption step, altering the temperature of the element or elements enables desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Mark J. Rood, Patrick Sullivan, K. James Hay
  • Publication number: 20020017192
    Abstract: Described are a gas adsorbent which comprises anatase titanium oxide as an adsorbent, preferably, the gas adsorbent obtained by sintering anatase titanium oxide together with fluoro-carbon resin particles, and having an adsorption layer containing 20 wt. % or greater of anatase titanium oxide; and a using method of the gas adsorbent. The gas adsorbent according to the invention has adsorption performance of an odorous substance, can be regenerated in a simple manner and permits decomposition of the adsorbed ingredient upon regeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Seiichi Takaoka, Takayuki Hiyori
  • Patent number: 6346138
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and system for purifying hexafluoroethane near its critical temperature and pressure, particularly where the hexafluoroethane contains at least about 1 ppb by weight of a non-volatile residue. A combination of a sand trap, an adsorption assembly made of a glass wool-molecular sieve-glass wool combination, and a filter is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur Edward Holmer
  • Patent number: 6280504
    Abstract: A hygroscopic material having at least one passageway or channel therethrough. In a dehumidifier embodiment, the material is shaped to provide a surface area to facilitate gas flow, and drying of an ambient gas by creating a chimney effect which facilitates mixing of the gas. This causes the heavier water vapor or other compound containing gas to contact adsorbent material adjacent to the passageway or channel, adsorb at least some of the compound, and cause the lighter gas to exit the passageway or channel. The dehumidifier may have various shapes and sizes and can be reactivated to restore its drying capacity. When utilized as a humidifier, the material desorbs or adds the constituent (such as water vapor) to the gas and a downdraft rather than a chimney effect is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: James P. McMahon
  • Patent number: 6280503
    Abstract: Adsorption of carbon dioxide from gas streams at temperatures in the range of 300 to 500° C. is carried out with a solid adsorbent containing magnesium oxide, preferably promoted with an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate so that the atomic ratio of alkali metal to magnesium is in the range of 0.006 to 2.60. Preferred adsorbents are made from the precipitate formed on addition of alkali metal and carbonate ions to an aqueous solution of a magnesium salt. Atomic ratios of alkali metal to magnesium can be adjusted by washing the precipitate with water. Low surface area adsorbents can be made by dehydration and CO2 removal of magnesium hydroxycarbonate, with or without alkali metal promotion. The process is especially valuable in pressure swing adsorption operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gerard Mayorga, Scott Jeffrey Weigel, Thomas Richard Gaffney, Jeffrey Richard Brzozowski
  • Publication number: 20010015131
    Abstract: A desorbable sorption filter, in particular for a heating or air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, has a metallic support (12) which can be heated by flow of current and an adsorber (14) mounted at or on the support (12). To provide an improved, directly heatable sorption filter which particularly enables inexpensive production and good electrical and thermal conductive contact without the use of adhesives, it is proposed for the adsorber (14) to be of planar design and to be mechanically connected to the support (12, 112) by means of holding elements (26) formed integrally on the support (12, 112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: BEHR GmbH & CO.
    Inventors: Hans-H. Angermann, Roland Burk, Herbert Damsohn, Klaus Luz, Tilo Rinckleb
  • Patent number: 6277342
    Abstract: A method for delivering a gas having a proton affinity of less than 866 kJ/mol is disclosed. A support including at least one polymer sufficiently acidic to protonate the gas is contacted with the gas to protonate the gas. The protonated gas condenses to form a solid salt which is sorbed by the support. The gas is dispensed by deprotonating the sorbed solid salt to regenerate said gas. The at least one polymer of the support has a first Hammett acidity value greater than a second Hammett acidity value of a conjugate acid of the gas. Also provided is an apparatus for performing the method. The invention is especially useful for storing, transporting and delivering hazardous gases, such as arsine and phosphine. The polymer can be polymeric sulfonic acids, polymeric perfluoroalkylsulfonic acids, fluorinated sulfonic acid polymers, cross-linked sulfonated polystyrene-divinylbenzene macroreticular copolymers, carboxylic acid polymers, halogenated carboxylic acid functionalized polymers and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Martin Pearlstein, Steven Arthur Rogers
  • Patent number: 6212882
    Abstract: An assembly, a method and a motor vehicle for cleaning ambient air in the vicinity of an internal combustion engine (102) having combustion air inlet means (103) and energy emitting means (104)are disclosed. The assembly (101) further includes adsorbent means (105) for adsorbing at least one pollutant when in a first mode of operation and for desorbing the pollutant when in a second mode of operation. The adsorbent means have an inlet (106) for polluted ambient air (107, 107′) and an outlet (108) for cleaned ambient air (109, 109′). Furthermore, the assembly (101) includes a pollutant conduit (110) through which the desorbed pollutant is transferred from the adsorbent means (105) to the combustion air inlet means (103) when in the second mode of operation, and the adsorbent means (105) are arranged for being brought into the second mode of operation by means of energy supplied from the energy emitting means (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar AB & Engelhard Corp.
    Inventors: Lars Greger, Göran Wirmark, Ingemar Gottberg, Ronald M. Heck, Jeffrey B. Hoke, Terence C. Poles, Wayne M. Rudy
  • Patent number: 6205793
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for economically storing and transporting coal mine methane gas is presented. The apparatus utilizes converted propane tankers. Standard propane tankers are filled with activated carbon or commercial carbons with a high volumetric methane adsorption capacity. The methane gas is compressed by a smaller compressor at the well and loaded into the converted tanker. At least three converted tankers are utilized in this method, one being loaded at the well, one discharging its methane gas at the end-user, and one being transported in between the well and the end-user. The truck used to transport the converted tankers has a bi-fuel system adding to the economy of the method and apparatus. Utilizing this apparatus and method of storage and transportation will reduce greenhouse emissions from the mine and from the power plants, and will provide the owner and operator with numerous tax credits and clean air incentives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher E. Schimp
  • Patent number: 6168652
    Abstract: A process for purifying halosilanes consisting of contacting a mixture comprising a halosilane and a hydrocarbon with silica gel, thereby reducing the hydrocarbon content of the mixture. The present process is particularly useful for removing hydrocarbon contaminates from chlorosilanes, where the hydrocarbon contaminates have a boiling point similar to that of the chlorosilanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Andrew McIntyre, Oliver K. Wilding