Including Foaming Of Liquid To Aid In The Separation Patents (Class 95/150)
  • Patent number: 11052343
    Abstract: A droplet generating device includes a tube defining a area in which air including particles flows along a first direction and an evaporation and condensation unit disposed in the tube to intersect with the first direction, the evaporation and condensation unit supplying vapor in the area to supersaturate the area to condense the vapor on surfaces of the particles to form a droplet. Accordingly, droplets may be effectively generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Sang Young Son
  • Patent number: 10345058
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the removal of scale in humidification-dehumidification desalination apparatuses are generally described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Gradiant Corporation
    Inventors: Maximus G. St. John, Jonn-Ross Andrews, Prakash Narayan Govindan
  • Patent number: 10201765
    Abstract: The invention relates to a column having: a shell, which is extended along a longitudinal axis and encloses an interior of the column, at least one mass transfer tray, which is extended along a column cross section, extending transversely to the longitudinal axis, of the column, and at least one liquid distributor, which is designed to feed the at least one mass transfer tray with a liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Gerhard Alzner, Christian Matten
  • Publication number: 20140245887
    Abstract: An absorber is provided which uses a liquid solvent formed into a myriad of bubbles and micro-droplets. The solvent froth is a solvent for a selected component in an incoming gas stream. A plurality of spaced apart mesh assemblies is placed in one or more absorber tubes or in a reaction vessel. Using screens having cross-sections that are substantially rectangular wave in design together with proper operating parameters, the phenomenon of solvent pulsing is induced and maintained, maximizing efficiency of the absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Westec Environmental Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Roy J. Pellegrin, Craig Dugan, William Hargrove, Bobby Liu Zhenshuo
  • Publication number: 20130074694
    Abstract: In a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser, a fluid source supplies a carrier-gas stream including a condensable fluid in vapor phase. The condensable fluid in liquid form is contained as a bath in a chamber in each stage of the condenser, and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bath to condense the fluid into the bath. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
  • Publication number: 20120012002
    Abstract: To develop a means for effectively utilize terpene compounds contained in tree leaves, whereby branches and leaves cut in tree thinning and pruning can be effectively utilized as a resource. For this purpose, provided are a monoterpene component-rich essential oil containing 90% or more of monoterpene components; a method for producing the monoterpene component-rich essential oil which includes subjecting coniferous leaves to microwave steam distillation and collecting a distillate thus obtained; and a method for removing environmental pollutants which includes bringing the monoterpene component-rich essential oil into contact with atmosphere containing the environmental pollutants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Japan Aroma Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Kaneko, Yuichi Tanaka, Tatsuro Ohira, Naoyuki Matsui
  • Publication number: 20110011261
    Abstract: A scrubber unit for removal of carbon dioxide from flue gas, including a first chamber, a second chamber, a partition dividing the first chamber and the second chamber, a first weir to distribute flow across of aqueous absorbent across the chamber, and a second weir in the second chamber. The partition is positioned to allow fluid to flow from the first chamber to the second chamber beneath a lower edge of the partition. The scrubber may be used in an algae growing system, along with an algae bioreactor, with the aqueous absorbent solution flowing in a continuous circuit through the wet scrubber and the algae bioreactor to absorb carbon dioxide in the wet scrubber and to provide the absorbed carbon dioxide to algae.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: TRIANGLE ENERGY GROUP, LLC
    Inventors: Blair L. Jenness, Susan Jenness, Donovan D. Bohn
  • Patent number: 7854791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improving the efficiency of an aqueous froth filter. An array of saturated mesh assemblies interacts with an incoming contaminated air stream. As the air stream flows through the saturated mesh assemblies, an aqueous froth is generated immediately downstream of each mesh assembly. As the bubbles of the froth move downstream towards the next saturated mesh assembly, the velocity of the air stream causes at least some of the bubbles to burst. The bursting bubbles rupture into hundreds or thousands of micro-droplets. The micro-droplets are used together with the aqueous froth to coalesce with or otherwise bind with contaminants in the air stream. An optional feature is that massive particles greater than three microns in diameter are removed by inertial impaction, whereby those heavy particles collide with the walls of serpentine shaped vanes of a mist eliminator. The method and apparatus are capable of filtering chemical and biological warfare agents out of an air stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Westec Environmental Solutions LLC
    Inventor: Roy J. Pellegrin
  • Publication number: 20100116137
    Abstract: An air/liquid exchanger comprising an open-cell foam 102 supporting a liquid sorbent. The exchanger may be used for removing trace gaseous components from the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Eddy J. Peters
  • Publication number: 20080271603
    Abstract: An air purification system and method of purifying air according to various embodiments of the invention includes an ambient air inlet and a purified air outlet for the passage there through of air via a transport line. At least one cleaning chamber configured to contain therein an aqueous solution containing a reactant medium is in fluidic communication with the transport line. The ambient air passes through the at least one cleaning chamber and bubbles through the aqueous solution reacting with the reactant medium contained therein to remove gaseous pollutants and/or particulates. To recharge the system, a user simply changes out the cleaning chamber when the reactant medium is no longer capable of reacting to remove the gaseous pollutants and/or particulates from air passing there through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Carl Triplett, Michael Mathiesen, Jie Chen, Geoffrey Faires
  • Patent number: 7135058
    Abstract: A system for removing at least one pollutant from an air stream exhaust, the system including a plurality of enclosures through which the air stream exhaust is directed to cool the air stream exhaust, a plurality of barriers within each respective enclosure to impede a flow of the air stream exhaust, a liquefied material, comprising bone glue, gelatin and/or skin glue, mixed with water provided within at least one of the plurality of enclosures, and wherein the air stream exhaust passes therethrough the liquefied material and at least one pollutant attaches to the liquefied material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Kemal Burkay
  • Patent number: 6872240
    Abstract: A method for urging contact between contaminants in an air stream and the wet surfaces of an aqueous-froth, and additional means of limiting the froth to a predetermined volume are provided. A wide spectrum of solution micro-droplet sizes (0.001 to 1000 micron) is introduced into a contaminated air stream. Micro-droplets suspended in the air stream remove contaminants by contact, collide and coalesce in the dynamics of the air stream and are removed by inertia. Smaller micro-droplets remain suspended in the air stream. The smallest micro-droplets evaporate, increasing the solution vapor pressure of the air stream. The humidified or saturated, contaminated air stream continuously expands the surface area of the solution reservoir exponentially into an aqueous froth of tiny bubbles. Airflow velocity drops in the micro-atmosphere inside each bubble of the froth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Peletex, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy J. Pellegrin
  • Patent number: 6723756
    Abstract: Unreacted syngas containing CO2 from a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor, a methanol synthesis reactor or a dual functional syngas conversion is scrubbed with an aqueous medium to adsorb at least some of the CO2. At least a portion of the unreacted CO2-depleted syngas is then recycled to the reactor. The aqueous medium containing absorbed CO2 is treated to desorb CO2. A CO2-enriched stream and a CO2-depleted stream are recovered. A portion of the CO2-enriched stream may be recycled to a syngas generator while another portion is dissolved in an aqueous phase and disposed in a marine environment and/or a terrestrial formation. The CO2-depleted stream preferably is used in the scrubber to absorb CO2 from the unreacted syngas. The process reduces the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere while improving the over-all efficiency of the syngas conversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis L. Munson, Dennis J. O'Rear, Daniel Chinn
  • Patent number: 6720359
    Abstract: A process for removing CO2 from a CO2-containing gas. The process includes scrubbing CO2 from a CO2-containing gas using an aqueous phase liquid forming a CO2-enriched aqueous phase. The CO2-enriched aqueous phase is then disposed of in at least one of a marine environment, a terrestrial formation or combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. O'Rear, Curtis Munson
  • Publication number: 20040020361
    Abstract: A method for urging contact between contaminants in an air stream and the wet surfaces of an aqueous-froth, and additional means of limiting the froth to a predetermined volume are provided. A wide spectrum of solution micro-droplet sizes (0.001 to 1000 micron) is introduced into a contaminated air stream. Micro-droplets suspended in the air stream remove contaminants by contact, collide and coalesce in the dynamics of the air stream and are removed by inertia. Smaller micro-droplets remain suspended in the air stream. The smallest micro-droplets evaporate, increasing the solution vapor pressure of the air stream. The humidified or saturated, contaminated air stream continuously expands the surface area of the solution reservoir exponentially into an aqueous froth of tiny bubbles. Airflow velocity drops in the micro-atmosphere inside each bubble of the froth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Roy J. Pellegrin
  • Patent number: 6667347
    Abstract: A method for removing CO2 from a gas stream, including methane and CO2. The method includes contacting a gas stream with an aqueous stream, so that at least a portion of the CO2 in the gas stream is dissolved into the aqueous stream, thereby creating a CO2-depleted gas stream, having an enriched methane concentration, and a CO2-enriched aqueous stream. The CO2-enriched aqueous stream is separated from the gas stream. Finally, the CO2-enriched aqueous stream is disposed of in at least one of a marine environment, a terrestrial formation or combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. O'Rear, Curtis Munson
  • Patent number: 6616733
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering an air stream with an aqueous froth are provided. The process includes: passing a contaminated air stream through a diffusing sieve, into an aqueous solution in an expansion chamber; generating, maintaining, and containing an aqueous froth between the liquid-bath reservoir and a saturated fiber element; and continually saturating a coarse-fiber element with liquid from the aqueous solution. The froth is generated and maintained, and the fiber element is saturated, by controlling the dynamic interface between the contaminated air stream and the liquid-bath reservoir. The apparatus for filtering an air stream includes: an air filter device that incorporates a liquid-bath filter initial stage; an aqueous-froth filter second stage; a constantly saturated, coarse-fiber filter as a combined third stage and froth-limiter; and a moist, fine-fiber filter as the final stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Peletex, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy J. Pellegrin
  • Patent number: 6022727
    Abstract: A method for forming gas or liquid aphrons with reversible surfactants or emulsifiers is described. Polymers which change their emulsifying properties upon change of pH, temperature or other condition are used to form the aphrons. The aphrons are useful for chemical reactions and separations, mass transfer processes, and for biological processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Assignee: Board of Trustees Operating Michigan State University
    Inventors: Robert Mark Worden, Alec B. Scranton
  • Patent number: 5749944
    Abstract: In a method for removing dimethyl ester vapors or particles emitted from a molten dimethyl ester storage tank, a gaseous mixture containing dimethyl ester vapors or particles and an inert gas are supplied to an inlet port of a water scrubber. Water is continuously sprayed through downstream spray nozzles located inside the water scrubber whereby the water and air mix with the gaseous mixture to form a foamy mixture of dimethyl ester, air and water. Water through an upstream spray nozzle located inside the water scrubber is intermittently sprayed to wash an inner wall of an elongated body and the inlet port of the water scrubber to remove buildup of dimethyl ester particles. The foamy mixture is continuously removed from an outlet port. The water scrubber utilized in the method has an elongated body having an inner wall, a top with an orifice for receiving air, and a bottom with an outlet port. The inlet port is positioned on the body between the top and the bottom of the water scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Eastman Chemical Company
    Inventors: Elliott Will Henry Johnson, Robert Wellington Stepp, III, William L. Cook
  • Patent number: 5558768
    Abstract: A process is described for removing chlorides from crude oils, including heavy oils and bitumens. The process steps comprise (1) mixing a non-ionic surfactant with the crude oil, (2) bubbling a gas into the crude oil-surfactant mixture to form a froth, (3) centrifuging the frothed mixture to obtain a chloride containing sediment and an oil product of reduced chloride content and (4) collecting the oil product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Energy, Mines and Resources Canada
    Inventors: Michio Ikura, Maria Stanciulescu
  • Patent number: 5522808
    Abstract: A filter device and method of filtering components from a surgery plume. The filter device is comprised of a plurality of elements which react with one or more components of a surgery plume, such as that generated during electrocautery or laser surgery. The filter device, particularly in conjunction with a separate particle filter, removes cyanide, formaldehyde, benzene, and particulates, as well as odor-causing species and moisture from the surgery plume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: EnviroSurgical, Inc.
    Inventor: Randy M. Skalla
  • Patent number: 5261933
    Abstract: A method of treating gas includes the steps of (1) mixing pressurized air and treatment liquid and thereby generating treatment foam and (2) venting the gas through the treatment foam. Preferably, the liquid is liquid deodorant for deodorizing gas from a waste water treatment system. The treatment system is efficient, economical, uncomplicated and easy to install and operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Inventor: Edward C. Greene