With Addition Of Liquid To Gaseous Fluid Mixture Patents (Class 95/71)
  • Patent number: 7368003
    Abstract: Systems for and methods of providing air purification and cleaning in combination with odor elimination in a single unit, such as a tabletop unit for home or office use, are disclosed. The air cleaning device includes a housing, an air intake port, an air movement mechanism, a pre-ionizer, a filter, a post-ionizer, an air exhaust port, and a flow chamber for holding a compound such as an odor elimination supply. An air movement mechanism, ozone removal mechanism, and/or filter/odor elimination assembly may also be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Crapser, Milan L. Zdrubecky, René Maurice Béland
  • Patent number: 7300496
    Abstract: A method for filtering particle-laden gas includes electrostatically precipitating particles from the particle-laden gas to produce a gas having residual particulates, agglomerating the residual particulates, and using a fabric filter to filter the agglomerated residual particulates from the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7297182
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particulate matter from a biomass combustion gas stream, the apparatus having a mist-producing element that mixes a gas stream entering the apparatus with liquid droplets; a Wet Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP) section that includes ionizing electrodes that electrically charge the particulate matter and the intermixed liquid droplets and collecting surfaces under the influence of an electrical field which attract and remove electrically-charged particulate matter and intermixed liquid droplets from the gas stream; and a scrubbing section that provides for additional scrubbing of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Eisenmann Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac Ray, Mark A. West, Boris Altshuler, Bradley L. Ginger
  • Patent number: 7270697
    Abstract: Electrostatic precipitators, including wet electrostatic precipitators, having a bank of conductive tubes which receive a gas stream having entrained particulates and an electrode connected to an electric current, wherein the tubes each include an internal restriction creating a hydrostatic pressure more evenly distributing the gas flow between the tubes eliminating the requirement for flow distribution devices, such as air straighteners and perforated plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Durr Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald I. McAnespie
  • Patent number: 7267708
    Abstract: An ionizing particulate scrubber is provided for the removal of particulate from a gaseous exhaust stream, said scrubber including two sections: a charging section and a collection section. The charging or ionizing section includes one or more cylindrical tubular ground chambers each with a rigid threaded rod electrode extending through the center thereof. A transformer/rectifier (T/R) is provided to supply high voltage DC power to the electrode such that the cylindrical tubular ground chambers act as the ground to enable a corona to form on the threaded rod electrode. As the gas stream passes through the current flowing from the electrode to the cylindrical tubular ground chambers walls, the particulate contained within the stream is electrostatically charged. The collection system includes either a fixed or fluid bed packed section which is constantly irrigated from above. Ground rods in the packing and liquid sump allow the entire section to act as a grounded collector for the charged particulate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Air-Cure Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: William Chabek, Nathaniel Dickinson
  • Patent number: 7261766
    Abstract: The separation of liquid and/or solid components from a multiphase fluid stream passing through a supersonic fluid separator is enhanced by injecting a surface active agent into the fluid stream passing through the separator. Preferably the spray is injected via an injection tube that has a positive or negative electrical potential, whereas one of the walls of the separator housing has an opposite electrical potential, so that the injected spray and any liquid droplets and/or particles formed around the injected nuclei are induced to flow towards said electrically loaded wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Marco Betting, Cornelis Antonie Tjeenk Willink
  • Patent number: 7160358
    Abstract: Contaminant laden gas streams from wood product dryer operations, and other sources, are purified. The gas stream first is saturated with moisture by contacting the gas stream with fine liquid droplets which entrain particulates. The gas stream then is subjected to a plurality of separate particulate and liquid droplet removal steps before a droplet-free gas stream having substantially reduced particulate contaminant levels is passed to a burner for removal of volatile organic compounds from the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Turbosonic Inc.
    Inventors: Edward F. Spink, Robert A. Allan
  • Patent number: 7156902
    Abstract: A gas separation apparatus combines the technologies of electrostatic precipitators and centrifugal particle separators into a single unit. At an inlet into the gas separation apparatus, a water spray is introduced into the gas stream. The water spray may include various chemical additives, typically selected to react with or neutralize the particulates as they are mixed with the water or for other benefit. The resulting water and particulate mixture, which is much more dense than air, is centrifugally separated and collected through a drain tube outlet. In addition to the centrifugal forces applied to the gas and water stream, an electrical field of magnitude sufficient to produce coronal discharge is also applied to a central electrode. The electric field is generated between the cylinder wall and the central electrode, to assist the centrifugal forces and thereby remove additional particulate beyond that ordinarily removed by a standard centrifugal separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventor: Ralph F. Altman
  • Patent number: 7132009
    Abstract: An air filter device for an air exhauster includes at least one static electricity dust-collecting module, at least one water-cleaning module and a casing. The static electricity dust-collecting module is operated to generate static electricity for electrically attracting greasy dirt and dust filled in exhaust air. The water-cleaning module mechanically connects to at least one side of the static electricity dust-collecting module, and includes a plurality of guiding members each forming a longitudinal groove for guiding water in wetting and washing greasy dirt and dust filled in exhaust air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Fancy Food Service Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ting-Fang Chiang
  • Patent number: 7094274
    Abstract: Manganese is added to a combustion fuel, combustion air, or the resulting combustion exhaust gas in order to improve the efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator in collecting the resulting fly ash. Further, manganese or other flame suppressant is added to a fuel, and/or combustion air, or combustion exhaust gas stream in order to reduce back-corona discharge that could otherwise occur in an electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Afton Chemical Intangibles LLC
    Inventors: Allen A. Aradi, Michael W. Adams, Stephen A. Factor
  • Patent number: 6986803
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for gas cleaning, as in HVAC systems or semiconductor manufacturing clean rooms, for removing 99.999% of particulate and gaseous contaminants, which may be effectively used to remove and neutralize Bio-chem agents introduced by terrorists, having a first stage in which large quantities of positively charged liquid droplets are introduced into the gas to be cleaned so as to remove virtually all negatively charged particulates and at least 90% of neutral particulates and soluble gases; a second stage in which most positively charged droplets from the first stage are removed and remaining particulates are given a positive charge; a third stage in which large quantities of negatively charged liquid droplets are introduced to remove positively charged particulates and more soluble gas contaminants; and a fourth stage in which the negatively charged droplets are removed from the cleaned gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Inventor: Clyde N. Richards
  • Patent number: 6905029
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a cross-flow migration classifier capable of separating particles. The classifier provides a channel through which a sample, having one or more particles, passes in a first direction, wherein the channel comprises two or more walls that are permeable to a flow of fluid. A cross-flow enters the channel through one of the permeable walls and exits through another of the permeable walls. An imposed field is applied in a second direction that is counter to the cross-flow and having an orthogonal component to the first direction. The imposed field causes one or more of the particles to migrate at a first velocity opposite and/or equal to a second velocity of the cross-flow. The particles that migrate opposite to the cross-flow are continuously discharged from the cross-flow migration classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Richard C. Flagan
  • Patent number: 6872238
    Abstract: Fine particles of dust and other pollutants in gas streams are agglomerated to form larger particles which are more easily filtered in downstream processing. In one embodiment, particles in successive portions of the gas stream are charged with opposite polarity, and the gas stream is introduced into an Evasé portion (12) to slow it down. Particles of different sizes have differential deceleration and therefore mix generally in the direction of flow, leading to agglomeration of oppositely-charged particles. In another embodiment, a gas stream is divided into substreams in respective parallel passages, and the particles in adjacent passages are charged to opposite polarity. Deflectors at the downstream end of the passages cause substreams of particles of opposite polarity to mix, with resultant agglomeration of oppositely charged particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Indigo Technologies Group Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodney John Truce
  • Patent number: 6858064
    Abstract: In an apparatus for the purification of a gas which apparatus includes a three section conduit with an ionization and cleaning section in which particles contained in water-saturated air are ionized and then conducted through a chamber with grounded walls so that part of the particles are deposited on these walls, an additional cleaning section which includes grounded tubes past which the gas is conducted to remove additional charged particles and a filter section in which dry remaining fine particles are removed from the gas stream, the deposited particles are flushed from all three sections and the flushing water including the particles is cleaned and recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Andrei Bologa, Thomas Wäscher, Hans-Rudolf Paur, Werner Baumann
  • Patent number: 6797035
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for removing undesired particles from a gas stream including the steps of contacting an additive containing nitrate and/or nitrite anions with the gas stream; collecting the undesired particles and additive on a collection surface to form an aggregate on the collection surface comprising the additive and undesired particles; and removing the agglomerate from the collection zone. The anions can be compounded with one or more of potassium, sodium, calcium, and aluminum. In a preferred composition, the anion(s) is/are compounded with potassium. The process may be applied to electrostatic precipitators to improve undesired particle collection efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: ADA Environmental Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Baldrey, Michael D. Durham
  • Patent number: 6663690
    Abstract: Elemental mercury is removed from emissions of coal-fired utilities by the selective photoionization of mercury atoms using ultraviolet light, followed by electrostatic precipitation of the mercury ions. Mercury is first exposed to light of a wavelength which boosts the mercury to an excited state. Then mercury is ionized using light of a different wavelength. The ionized mercury atoms are exposed to supersaturated water vapor to produce charged droplets which are precipitated, such that the exhaust effluent is substantially devoid of mercury or the mercury level is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Joseph L. Katz
  • Patent number: 6663695
    Abstract: A method for cleaning air utilizing an air cleaner which is smaller than conventional air cleaners, wherein a filter is formed on the peripheral portion of a disk and the filter is bent into a wave-shape such that irregularities of the wave are formed in the radial direction of the disk, so that air existing on the inside area of the disk is discharged to the outside of the disk through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Ike, Yasushi Ishikawa, Shigemi Watanabe, Kazunari Kakuta
  • Patent number: 6607586
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particles from air, including an inlet for receiving a flow of air, a first chamber in flow communication with the inlet, wherein a charged spray of semi-conducting fluid droplets having a first polarity is introduced to the air flow so that the particles are electrostatically attracted to and retained by the spray droplets, and an outlet in flow communication with the first chamber, wherein the air flow exits the apparatus substantially free of the particles. The first chamber of the apparatus further includes a collecting surface for attracting the spray droplets, a power supply, and a spray nozzle connected to the power supply for receiving fluid and producing the spray droplets therefrom. The apparatus may also include a second chamber in flow communication with the inlet at a first end and the first chamber at a second end, wherein particles entrained in the air flow are charged with a second polarity opposite the first polarity prior to the air flow entering the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Alan David Willey, Vladimir Gartstein, Marta Lea Verhoff, Mehmet Suha Yazici
  • Patent number: 6607579
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing particles from air, including an inlet for receiving a flow of air, a first chamber in flow communication with the inlet, wherein a charged spray of semi-conducting fluid droplets having a first polarity is introduced to the air flow so that the particles are electrostatically attracted to and retained by the spray droplets, and an outlet in flow communication with the first chamber, wherein the air flow exits the apparatus substantially free of the particles. The first chamber of the apparatus further includes a collecting surface for attracting the spray droplets, a power supply, and a spray nozzle connected to the power supply for receiving fluid and producing the spray droplets therefrom. The apparatus may also include a second chamber in flow communication with the inlet at a first end and the first chamber at a second end, wherein particles entrained in the air flow are charged with a second polarity opposite the first polarity prior to the air flow entering the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Alan David Willey, Vladimir Gartstein, Chinto Benjamin Gaw, Marta Lea Verhoff, James Henry Saunders, Jean Angela Jefferson, Robert Scott Youngquist
  • Patent number: 6602329
    Abstract: A dust collector for collecting dust, in which the rarefaction of a dielectric at the rear part of electric field forming apparatus is prevented, whereby the collecting efficiency can be increased. The dust collector includes a charging device for charging a substance to be collected, such as dust and mist, contained in a gas; a sprayer device for spraying a dielectric on the substance to be collected which is charged by the charging device; an electric field forming device, having first and second electrodes and which form a direct current electric field and dielectrically polarize the dielectric sprayed by the spray device; and a dielectric collecting device for collecting the dielectric which has arrested the substance to be collected. The spray device includes grounding device and for electrically grounding the dielectric before being sprayed to let a charge of the dielectric escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Tomimatsu, Yasutoshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 6551382
    Abstract: Effluent gas cleaning process and apparatus for effectively removing particulates in the 0.01 micron to 0.1 micron diameter range, and for removing water-soluble gaseous contaminants, by first bringing the effluent to a relatively high temperature and humidity in a first stage, and then exposing the effluent to copious quantities of small cool water droplets in a second stage, for particular combinations of: the first stage relative humidity; the first-to-second stage droplet temperature difference; the stage two water droplet mass flow rate vs. effluent flow rate; the second stage droplet size; the travel time of the effluent during exposure to the cool droplets; and the electrical charge state of the second stage water droplets and opposite charge state of the particulates. The combinations enhance effluent cleaning through the combined operation of up to four distinct physical processes which can be made to occur during the second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Clyde N. Richards
  • Patent number: 6527829
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method and an arrangement for purifying the intake air of a gas turbine of solid particles and liquid droplets. According to the invention air is taken into the system of intake air passages (1, 2, 4) of the gas turbine and the particles contained in the intake air are collected by means of at least one plate filter (3) to which a collection voltage has been connected. In order to enable and enhance collection, the air is taken into at least one charging chamber (2) arranged at a distance prior to the plate filters (3) in the flow direction of the air, where an electric field is formed between at least two electrodes (5, 7) by connecting a voltage between the electrodes which exceeds the collection voltage, whereby powerful charging of the particles and at least partial removal of the water contained in the air are effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Fortum Oyj
    Inventors: Matti Malkamäki, Matti Lehtimäki
  • Patent number: 6500240
    Abstract: A dust collector for collecting dust, in which the rarefaction of a dielectric at the rear part of electric field forming apparatus is prevented, whereby the collecting efficiency can be increased. The dust collector includes a charging device (1) for charging a substance (9) to be collected, such as dust and mist, contained in a gas; a sprayer device (2) for spraying a dielectric (10) on the substance (9) to be collected which is charged by the charging device (1); an electric field forming device (3), having first and second electrodes (11) and (12) which form a direct current electric field and dielectrically polarize the dielectric (10) sprayed by the spray device (2); and a dielectric collecting device (16) for collecting the dielectric (10) which has arrested the substance (9) to be collected. The spray device (2) includes grounding device (17) and (18) for electrically grounding the dielectric (10) before being sprayed to let a charge of the dielectric (10) escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Tomimatsu, Yasutoshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 6488740
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a wet electrostatic precipitator (ESP) field disposed along a combusted fossil-fuel flue gas stream path downstream of a dry ESP field. The wet ESP field includes a chamber having a flue gas inlet and a flue gas outlet, and at least one collection plate positioned within the chamber. The chamber also includes one or more wash nozzle positioned adjacent the collection plate, and a wet hopper positioned substantially under the collection plate. The apparatus preferably further includes one or more cooling nozzles positioned near the flue gas inlet. The cooling and wash nozzles are fluidly coupled to a water source, while the wet hopper is fluidly coupled to either a pH adjustment module or a treatment processor. A method of removing contaminants from a flue gas stream using the above apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan V. Patel, Alfred L. Hester, David W. Morris
  • Patent number: 6471753
    Abstract: A device for collecting dust using highly charged hyperfine liquid droplets formed through an electro-hydrodynamic atomization process is disclosed. In the dust collecting device of this invention, a high voltage is applied to capillaries, set within a dust guide duct and having nozzles at their tips. An electric field is thus formed between the capillaries and the duct, and allows the nozzles to spray highly charged hyperfine liquid droplets. Such liquid droplets absorb dust laden in air, flowing in the duct by suction force of a fan. An electrostatic dust collector is detachably coupled to the duct while being insulated from the duct, and forms an electric field having polarity opposite to that of the highly charged liquid droplets, thus electrostatically collecting and removing the dust absorbed by the highly charged liquid droplets. The dust collecting device of this invention easily and effectively removes fine dust having a size smaller than 0.1 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignees: Ace Lab., Inc.
    Inventors: Kang Ho Ahn, Jeong Ho Ahn, Sang Hyun Ahn
  • Patent number: 6238459
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultra-high particulate collection of sub-micron aerosols in a fuel gas conveys the fuel gas to a first venturi scrubber for removing a relatively large amount of particulates and leaving a smaller particulate load which is not removable in the first venturi scrubber. The fuel gas with the smaller particulate load is then conveyed to an electrostatic agglomerator for agglomerating the remaining smaller particles in the smaller particle load into larger particles. The fuel gas with the agglomerated larger particles is then conveyed to a second venturi scrubber for removing the agglomerated larger particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: William Downs
  • Patent number: 6156098
    Abstract: Gas scrubbing apparatus and method, employing highly charged liquid droplets for removal of both particulates and pollutant gases from the gas to be cleaned, allowing scrubbing of uncharged particulates by means of monopole--dipole attractive forces between the charged liquid droplets and the electric dipoles induced in the uncharged particulates by the charged droplets; employing electrode geometry at the site of droplet production and charging, having spreading liquid sheet electrodes emitting the droplets from the edges of the liquid sheets, interspersed with electrically conductive induction electrodes, with electrostatic potential of no more than about 20 kv existing between the induction electrode array and the array of liquid sheets, and with spacing such that adequately high electric field strength can be maintained at the edges of the liquid sheets to allow adequate charging of the droplets emitted from the liquid sheets, without the occurrence of corona discharges which could deplete droplet charges
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Clyde N. Richards
  • Patent number: 6126722
    Abstract: A dust reduction system for reducing airborne contaminants such as, for example, dust, smoke, microorganisms, etc., includes at least one ion generator made up of at least one ionizer bar and a ground plane which is parallel and proximate to at least one bar. The system can also include a dust collection device such as a tray containing an aqueous composition optionally containing a degreaser, and/or a metal sheet with a water rinse system, and/or the surfaces of a room-sized enclosed space. The system can be applied to any enclosed space where it is desired to obtain high efficiency reduction of airborne dust and microorganisms. The system is especially useful in poultry production and processing areas such as hatching cabinets, throwing rooms, and controlled environment poultry rearing rooms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
    Inventors: Bailey W. Mitchell, Henry D. Stone
  • Patent number: 6110256
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing particulates and corrosive gases from a gas stream includes the serial use of a condensing wet electrostatic precipitator section for removing smaller particulates, in the submicron range, in conjunction with a vertically aligned preliminary scrubber section which removes larger particulates, in the micron range, and corrosive gases, in an integrated unit in which the temperature and moisture conditions in the gas stream are controlled for assuring effective and efficient operation of the condensing wet electrostatic precipitator section. Discharge electrodes of the electrostatic precipitator are supported by insulators which are protected against deleterious deposits of particulates by discharge electrode elements and collector electrode elements placed between the gas stream and the insulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Croll Reynolds Clean Air Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip E. Reynolds, Isaac Ray
  • Patent number: 6106592
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas cleaning process and apparatus for removing solid and liquid aerosols entrained in a gas stream. The gas to be treated is passed through a wetted, electrostatically charged filter media. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polarity of the electrostatic charge on the filter media is selected to enhance the removal of captured solid particles from the filter media. The apparatus is readily adaptable to a modular gas cleaning system configuration wherein varying numbers of the apparatus may be operated in parallel to provide a gas cleaning system of any desired gas flow capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Prabhakar D. Paranjpe, Lawrence F. Paschke
  • Patent number: 6074458
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating carbon particles from flyash includes one of increasing a relative humidity of the flyash or decreasing the relative humidity of the flyash to within an optimum humidity range, and introducing the flyash within the optimum humidity range into a triboelectric separator so as to triboelectrically charge the carbon particles and the flyash and so as to electrostatically separate the charged carbon particles from the charged flyash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Separation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Bittner, Thomas M. Dunn, Frank J. Hrach, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6001152
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including a salt selected from the group consisting essentially of sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, ammonium nitrate, lithium nitrate, barium nitrate, cerium nitrate, and mixtures thereof, as flue gas conditioning formulations for use in controlling particulates, hazardous substances, NO.sub.x, and SO.sub.x. For the purpose of obtaining greater yields of particulate and hazardous substance removal, the compositions may further include a polyhydroxy compound, preferably selected from the group consisting essentially of sucrose, fructose, glucose, glycerol, and mixtures thereof. Methods are also provided for adding these compositions to the flue gas stream to control particulate, hazardous substance, NO.sub.x, and SO.sub.x emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Rabindra K. Sinha
  • Patent number: 5968231
    Abstract: A device and a method for purifying and decontaminating air uses an exchanger of the cyclone type and furthermore employs a combination of the action of cyclonic centrifugation and the action of at least one path enhancing field. A tranquilizing chamber, which is separated from the cyclone exchanger by a vent, maintains a volume of liquid into which particles and droplets are received from the peripheral wall. To this end, particulates are partially electrified before entering the enhancing field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Grignotage, (SARL)
    Inventors: Michel Parmentier, Jean-Charles Weber
  • Patent number: 5914454
    Abstract: An apparatus for sampling a gas stream and concentrating selected constituents found therein. The apparatus includes a collection chamber into which a gas stream is drawn and a nozzle which sprays charged droplets of a collection fluid countercurrent to the gas stream. The charged droplets, now containing the selected constituents, are propelled to the wall under the influence of an electrostatic force and collected in a collection well at the bottom of the collection chamber. The apparatus can include a cyclonic flow inducer which imparts a circumferential component to the gas stream velocity, thereby enhancing collection efficiency by increasing the residency time of the gas stream within the collection chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Team Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert L. Imbaro, Erich A. Dieffenbach
  • Patent number: 5902380
    Abstract: A dust collector efficiently collects dust, especially fine dust (submicron particles). The dust collector, which removes dust and/or mist contained in a gas, includes a charger for charging the dust and/or mist contained in a gas, a sprayer for spraying the charged dust or charged mist or spraying a dielectric material to the charged dust or mist, an electric field former for forming an electric field for subjecting the dielectric material to dielectric polarization, and a collector for collecting the dielectric material which has arrested the charged dust and/or the charged mist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Tomimatsu, Yasutoshi Ueda
  • Patent number: 5855649
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for removing undesired particles from a gas stream including the steps of contacting a composition containing an adhesive with the gas stream; collecting the undesired particles and adhesive on a collection surface to form an aggregate comprising the adhesive and undesired particles on the collection surface; and removing the agglomerate from the collection zone. The composition may then be atomized and injected into the gas stream. The composition may include a liquid that vaporizes in the gas stream. After the liquid vaporizes, adhesive particles are entrained in the gas stream. The process may be applied to electrostatic precipitators and filtration systems to improve undesired particle collection efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: ADA Technologies Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dean Durham, Richard John Schlager, Timothy George Ebner, Robin Michele Stewart, David E. Hyatt, Cynthia Jean Bustard, Sharon Sjostrom
  • Patent number: 5851437
    Abstract: Positive static electricity charges in air flow from an air washer generated by an industrial process are reduced and controlled to a desired level by treatment of the water circulating in the air washer with an anionic polymeric material such as water soluble, neutralized polyacrylate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: BetzDearborn Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby J. Brown, Bruce K. Fillipo, David M. Polizzotti, Gregory J. Pomrink
  • Patent number: 5843210
    Abstract: Electrostatic spray apparatus including an electrode for generating a high-voltage corona, one or more sprayers for generating a spray of liquid droplets and for directing the droplets into the high-voltage corona whereby an electrical charge is imparted to the droplets. The conduit which supplies the liquid to the sprayers is electrically grounded so that liquid supplied to the sprayer device is at ground potential. The electrode is continuously maintained substantially clean and dry as it generates the high-voltage corona. A process for removing particulates from a gas stream is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Monsanto Company
    Inventors: Prabhakar D. Paranjpe, Michael L. Ketcham, David A. Berkel
  • Patent number: 5833736
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for removing undesired particles from a gas stream including the steps of contacting a composition containing an adhesive with the gas stream; collecting the undesired particles and adhesive on a collection surface to form an aggregate comprising the adhesive and undesired particles on the collection surface; and removing the agglomerate from the collection zone. The composition may then be atomized and injected into the gas stream. The composition may include a liquid that vaporizes in the gas stream. After the liquid vaporizes, adhesive particles are entrained in the gas stream. The process may be applied to electrostatic precipitators and filtration systems to improve undesired particle collection efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: ADA Environmental Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Dean Durham, Richard John Schlager, Timothy George Ebner, Robin Michele Stewart, David E. Hyatt, Cynthia Jean Bustard, Sharon Sjostrom
  • Patent number: 5827352
    Abstract: A method for removing mercury from a gas stream. In the method, sorbent is injected into the gas stream. Water is dispersed into the gas stream to create a cooled gas stream. The cooled gas stream is allowed to dwell with the sorbent in a chamber to remove mercury from the cooled gas stream. The cooled gas stream is passed through an electrostatic precipitator located above the chamber which collects water and recycles the collected water back into the chamber for cooling the gas stream in the chamber. An apparatus for removing mercury from a gas stream is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph F. Altman, Ramsay Chang, Robert M. Henningsgaard, Ronald W. Elsner
  • Patent number: 5792238
    Abstract: An integrated flue gas treatment condensing heat exchanger having a particle charger located upstream of the second stage heat exchanger of the system for improved cleaning of flue gas and increased removal of fine particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Dennis W. Johnson, Robert B. Myers, Karl H. Schulze, Ralph T. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5753012
    Abstract: A method of operating an apparatus for the cleaning of industrial waste gases and especially power plant flue gases. The gases are fed through a quencher to a first scrubber with its own recirculation and upstream of a second scrubber having its own recirculation and aerosols of halogen compounds which are eliminated by providing the quencher is part of a prescrubber or by forming the downstream scrubber with a wet electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Firnhaber, Michael Lang, Cort Starck, Wolfgang Schulte
  • Patent number: 5707422
    Abstract: A method for use in an electrostatic precipitator unit, of controlling, with a view to cleaning an incoming dust-laden gas, the supply of conditioning agent to the incoming contaminated gas upstream of the precipitator unit. The precipitator unit includes discharge electrodes and collecting electrodes, between which a varying high voltage is maintained by means of a pulsating direct current supplied thereto. The frequency, the pulse charge and/or pulse length of the pulsating direct current are so varied that a plurality of frequency-charge-length combinations are obtained. For each combination, a figure of merit is measured or calculated. The figures of merit are used for establishing an optimal combination. The supply of conditioning agent is adjusted in dependence upon the pulse frequency of the established optimal combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventors: Hans Jacobsson, Kjell Porle
  • Patent number: 5678493
    Abstract: A flue gas conditioning system generates sulfur trioxide which is injected into boiler flue gas to condition it by reducing the resistance of the particulate matter entrained in the flue gas. The conditioned flue gas is passed through an electrostatic precipitator which collects the particulate matter by electrostatic precipitation. The sulfur trioxide concentration in the flue gas is measured with a mass spectrometer downstream of where the sulfur trioxide was injected into the flue gas and upstream of the electrostatic precipitator. The concentration of the sulfur trioxide in the flue gas is measured with a mass spectrometer at a point where the injected sulfur trioxide has uniformly mixed with the flue gas. The measured sulfur trioxide concentration is used to control the flue gas conditioning system, such as by comparing the measured concentration to a desired concentration range and adjusting the amount of sulfur trioxide being injected into the flue gas accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Wilson Eugene Kelley
    Inventors: Wilson Eugene Kelley, Robert A. Wright
  • Patent number: 5624476
    Abstract: A gas is purified using both mechanically atomized liquid and liquid dispersed by electrostatic atomization at asperities arranged at surfaces of emitting electrodes. The concentration of washing liquid between the make-up pipeline and discharge pipeline is obtained, on the one hand, by recycling using atomization pipes of a group of electrodes for the run-off liquid collected by an accumulation tank and, on the other hand, using a back-flow of the liquid between successive accumulation tanks through interconnecting pipelines. A physical and/or chemical treatment line for the liquids and the sludges is also associated with the gas treatment line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Ecoprocess
    Inventor: Charles Eyraud
  • Patent number: 5518525
    Abstract: Method for treating gas or vapor includes an impeller arranged in a duct which draws dusty or fume-laden air through the duct. One or more nozzles are arranged to spray fine droplets of water onto the impeller. Downstream of the impeller, a set of angled collection plates collect the fine water droplets emitted by the nozzle, together with dust or fumes collected by the droplets. The nozzle is connected to a high voltage source, so that the droplets emitted by the nozzle are electrostatically charged. This causes them to attract dust particles and other contaminants. The collection plates are earth, so that the charged droplets are attracted to them, improving the effectiveness of the apparatus. A second, auxiliary spray of fine uncharged droplets is directed over an entrance opening of the duct to prevent ignition of explosive gas or particles outside the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Inventor: Victor O. Steed
  • Patent number: 5470556
    Abstract: The invention is a method for reduction of sulfur trioxide in flue gases which includes (a) combusting air and petroleum coke in a combustion zone to produce a particulates, sulfur trioxide, and sulfur dioxide-containing combustion product gas; (b) passing the combustion product gas from step (a) to a dry electrostatic precipitator for removal of particulates and recovering the combustion product gas substantially free of particulates, or alternatively rearranging the steps so so that step "b" follows steps "c" and "d"; (c) admixing particulates with the combustion product gas from step (b), to produce a first mixture; (d) passing the first mixture from step (c) to an air preheater for cooling the first mixture and heating the air for combustion with the petroleum coke, wherein the sulfur trioxide in the first mixture condenses on the particulates, to produce a second mixture containing combustion product gas containing sulfur trioxide condensed on particulates and sulfur dioxide; (e) passing the second mixtu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Norman C. Samish
  • Patent number: 5439508
    Abstract: For the separation of dioxins and furans from exhaust gases from combustion plants, particularly from refuse incinerating plants, a process is described in which the dust and the gaseous pollutants HF, HCl, SO.sub.2, and SO.sub.3 are first substantially entirely separated from the exhaust gases in known manner, the thus prepurified exhaust gas is then supplied to a wet-process electrostatic precipitator, and 10 to 500 mg activated carbon powder per sm.sup.3 are added to the prepurified exhaust gas immediately before it enters the wet-process electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gernot Mayer-Schwinning, Gunter Boning
  • Patent number: 5310416
    Abstract: The separation process and apparatus is based on conducting the explosive gas or vapour through a mass transfer column which is charged with an absorbent and filled with an electrically conductive packing. The packing (2) of the mass transfer column (1) must be earthed and have such a dense lattice spacing that no electric charge sufficient for ignition can accumulate at any point in the packing. Under these conditions, a non-conductive electrostatically chargeable liquid may be used as absorption liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gotz-Gerald Borger, Uwe Listner, Gunther Luttgens
  • Patent number: 5282885
    Abstract: In the purification of gases generated in metallurgical and similar furnace operations, the impurities include solid particles and compounds or elements which are gaseous at the furnace temperatures and only form solid or liquid at temperatures approaching ambient conditions. Proper cleaning therefore requires cooling of the gases to at least the water dew point to cause these impurities to form as particles or droplets. This invention describes a process and apparatus for collecting such particles or droplets in which a charging device and condensation equipment are combined to provide a simple, yet effective apparatus at a fraction of the cost of conventional apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Cecebe Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon M. Cameron