Heating Or Cooling Means Patents (Class 96/242)
  • Publication number: 20140112855
    Abstract: This invention relates to the separation of components from a gas mixture. Aspects of the invention relate to the separation of components, for example carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or hydrogen sulphide (H2S) from, for example, acid gas, for example natural gas, syngas or process gas although features of the invention may be applied to other source gases. Such a process is sometimes referred to as acid gas removal (AGR). In examples described herein, the source gas mixture contains CO2 and/or H2S in addition to other components and in some examples, the CO2 and/or H2S components of the gas are referred to as acid gas components. In examples of the invention, some or all of the acid gas component is removed using a solvent absorption method; some examples described use a chemical absorption system (for example including N-Methyl diethanolamine (MDEA)), and others use a physical solvent (for example based on methanol (MeOH)).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: BP ALTERNATIVE ENERGY INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventor: Yasushi Mori
  • Publication number: 20140096684
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide separating and capturing apparatus includes: a casing including inner space through which a to-be-treated gas containing carbon dioxide flows; a carbon dioxide adsorbing material disposed in the inner space, the carbon dioxide adsorbing material adsorbing and separating carbon dioxide from the to-be-treated gas flowing through the inner space; and a steam generator configured to generate steam in the inner space and release the steam in the inner space, the steam desorbing and capturing the carbon dioxide adsorbed to the carbon dioxide adsorbing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Ogino
  • Publication number: 20140099245
    Abstract: A method and system are described for the on-board treatment of a hydrocarbon-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) exhaust gas stream to reduce CO2 emissions from the vehicle which include: a. contacting the exhaust gas stream with a CO2 sorbent capture agent on board the vehicle to produce a mixture containing modified CO2-containing sorbent and a treated exhaust gas stream with reduced CO2 content; b. separating the modified CO2-containing sorbent from the treated exhaust gas stream; c. passing the modified sorbent in heat exchange with heat from the ICE to release CO2 and regenerate the CO2 sorbent capture agent; d. recycling the regenerated CO2 sorbent for use in step (a); e. discharging the treated exhaust gas stream having a reduced CO2 content into the atmosphere; f. recovering and compressing the CO2 for temporary storage on board the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Esam Zaki HAMAD
  • Patent number: 8690995
    Abstract: A device for recovering nanometer or sub-micron particles carried by a gas by generating a stabilized suspension, including: a vessel including a mechanism injecting a liquid; a gas discharge mechanism in an upper portion thereof, located near a particle filter; a particle suspension outlet; and a liquid ring pump, transferring and dispersing particles carried by a gas into a liquid. The pump introduces a gas laden with nanometer or sub-micron particles into the pump; injects at least one liquid into the pump; and discharges the mixture obtained following the transfer. The vessel also includes a mechanism introducing the mixture into the vessel and at least one piezoelectric pellet, immersed in the vessel, configured to generate a fog of micron-sized droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Hicham Maskrot, Benoit Guizard
  • Patent number: 8673227
    Abstract: A system for removal of carbon dioxide from a process gas includes an absorption arrangement arranged to allow contact between the process gas and an ammoniated solution within the absorption arrangement such that at least a part of the carbon dioxide of the process gas is captured by the ammoniated solution. The absorption arrangement is arranged to, with regard to the ammoniated solution, only accommodate ammoniated solution without solids. A first heat exchanger is arranged to cool the ammoniated solution including captured carbon dioxide after it has exited the absorption arrangement. A separator is arranged to remove at least a part of any solids in the cooled ammoniated solution. A second heat exchanger is arranged to heat the ammoniated solution after it has exited the separator and returned to the absorption arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Sean E. Black, Sanjay K. Dube, David J. Muraskin, Frederic Z. Kozak
  • Patent number: 8647421
    Abstract: [Problem to be solved] A CO2 recovery apparatus which can significantly reduce the amount of steam and provide further improved energy efficiency is provided. [Solution] The apparatus includes: a flue gas cooling apparatus 14 for allowing cooling water 13 to cool a CO2 and O2 containing flue gas 12 that is emitted from an industrial combustion facility 11 such as a boiler or gas turbine; a CO2 absorber 16 having a CO2 recovery section 16A for bringing the cooled CO2 containing flue gas 12 and a CO2 absorbing CO2 absorbent 15 into contact with each other to remove CO2 from the flue gas 12; and an absorbent regenerator 18 for releasing CO2 from a CO2 absorbed CO2 absorbent 17 to regenerate the CO2 absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takahito Yonekawa
  • Patent number: 8647420
    Abstract: [Problem] To provide a system for recovering carbon dioxide from flue gas, in which a reboiler in a regenerator can be compactly installed, and a method therefor, in facilities where CO2 or the like contained in flue gas is recovered. [Solving Means] To include an absorber 1006 that absorbs CO2 contained in flue gas 1002, a regenerator 1008 that strips CO2 from CO2 absorbent (rich solution) 1007 to regenerate absorbent, internal shells 101 provided at a bottom of the regenerator 1008 with a predetermined interval therebetween, into which regenerated CO2 absorbent is introduced by a feeding unit 102 from a bottom side thereof so that the CO2 absorbent overflows from an upper end of the internal shell thereof toward the bottom of the regenerator, and a reboiler that is inserted into the internal shells 101 in a direction orthogonal to a vertical axis and includes a heat-transfer tube 103 that reboils absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsubone, Toyoshi Nakagawa, Takashi Kamijo, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Katsufumi Inoue, Osamu Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 8641812
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a system includes a gas treatment system configured to treat a gas and a controller configured to control flow of a heat transfer fluid between a solar thermal collector and the gas treatment system. Conduits may interconnect the gas treatment system and the solar thermal collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahendhra Muthuramalingam, Veerappan Muthaiah
  • Publication number: 20140000461
    Abstract: A dehumidifying tower having a washing section, a flash-distilling section, and a condensing section. In the washing section, exhaust gas is washed with a cooling liquid to remove at least a portion of solid dust entrained in the exhaust gas, cool the exhaust gas, and condense at least a portion of moisture in the exhaust gas into liquid. The flash-distilling section flash-distills the cooling liquid used in the washing section to produce a cooled cooling liquid and a cooling liquid vapor. Cooling liquid produced by flash-distillation enters the washing section. The flash-distilling section is in gas-phase isolation from the washing section. The condensing section condenses the cooling liquid vapor produced by flash-distillation. The condensing section is configured to be in gas-phase communication with and liquid-phase isolation from the flash-distilling section, and be in both gas-phase and liquid-phase isolation from the washing section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicants: National Engineering Research Center of Drying Technology and Equipment, Tianhua Institute of Chemical Machinery and Automation Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Xu ZHAO, Yonggong LING, Yan DOU, Tao SHEN, Zhongfu ZHAN, Yongpeng TAN, Yan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130340623
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery device includes a cooling tower including a cooling unit for bringing the flue gas, which contains CO2, into contact with water so as to cool flue gas; a CO2-absorbing unit for bringing the flue gas into contact with a CO2 absorbent (lean solution) so as to remove CO2 from flue gas; and a regenerator including an absorbent regenerating unit for releasing CO2 from a rich solution so as to regenerate the CO2 absorbent. The CO2-absorbing unit includes: a cocurrent flow CO2-absorbing unit provided in a cocurrent flow CO2 absorber, for bringing the flue gas into contact with the CO2 absorbent in a cocurrent flow so as to remove CO2 from flue gas and a countercurrent CO2-absorbing unit provided in a CO2 absorber, for bringing the flue gas into contact with the CO2 absorbent in a countercurrent flow so as to remove CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicants: THE KANSAI ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tsujiuchi, Hiroshi Tanaka, Hiromitsu Nagayasu, Takuya Hirata, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Masahiko Tatsumi, Koji Kadono
  • Publication number: 20130319226
    Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A media material absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. The configuration of the media material enables maximal water extraction and is dynamically configurable. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
  • Publication number: 20130319227
    Abstract: A device recovers water from an ambient airstream. The device includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant. A foam media element in each tray absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and control device operation. The desiccant trays may be selectively configurable in an array to best suit the intended installation. The trays may be arranged in column and row configurations, along with adjustable airflow patterns between each of the trays. User interfaces are provided to monitor and control operation of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball
  • Publication number: 20130319250
    Abstract: A device recovers water from an ambient airstream. The device includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant. A foam media element in each tray absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and control device operation. The desiccant trays may be selectively configurable in an array to best suit the intended installation. The trays may be arranged in column and row configurations, along with adjustable airflow patterns between each of the trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 8597412
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery apparatus according to the present invention includes: an absorber (1003) that brings CO2-containing flue gas (1001A) into counter-current contact with CO2 absorbent (1002) to reduce CO2, and a regenerator (1005) that regenerates rich solution (1004) that has absorbed CO2, in which lean solution (1006) having CO2 reduced in the regenerator (1005) is reused in the absorber (1003). The absorber (1003) further includes a CO2 absorbing unit (1010) that recovers CO2 contained in the flue gas (1001A), and the CO2 absorbent (1002) that has absorbed CO2 is extracted from a rich side of the CO2 absorbing unit (1010) to exterior, cooled, and then supplied to a position nearer to a lean side of the absorber (1003) with respect to the position at which the CO2 absorbent (1002) is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tanaka, Toru Takashina, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Masaki Iijima, Tomio Mimura, Kouki Ogura, Yasuyuki Yagi
  • Publication number: 20130312614
    Abstract: A separator vessel (5) comprising; a separation chamber (10) arranged to separate liquid from an inflow production fluid (45); at least one gas scrubber (15) for removing entrained liquid from a separated gas inflow from said separation chamber (10); wherein said at least one gas scrubber (15) is positioned above and proximate to said separation chamber (10), said gas scrubber (15) and separation chamber (10) connectable through a vertically oriented at least one liquid outflow conduit (20) arranged to direct the removed entrained liquid from the gas scrubber (15) to the separation chamber (10) wherein the conduit (20) is arranged such that an outflow end (22) of said conduit (20) extends into the separation chamber (10) such that it is lower than a minimum threshold liquid depth (65) in said separation chamber (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicants: PETROLIAM NASIONAL BERHAD (PETRONAS), NGL TECH SDN. BHD.
    Inventors: Shahrul Azman B Zainal Abidin, Arul Jothy
  • Patent number: 8591846
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a sour gas rich in carbon dioxide in a Claus process, so sulfur compounds are removed by a selective solvent in a gas scrubbing process. Sulfur components and carbon dioxide, are separated into at least two sour gas fractions, wherein at least one sour gas fraction having a higher content of sulfur components is obtained, wherein the fraction having the highest hydrogen sulfide content is introduced in the thermal reaction stage of the Claus furnace with a gas containing oxygen by means of a burner. The sulfur is converted to sulfur dioxide in the thermal reaction stage of the Claus furnace and exhaust gases are discharged into the closed Claus reaction chamber behind the burner. The remaining sour gas fractions stripped of sulfur components are fed to the Claus reaction chamber and are mixed with the combustion gases leaving the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp UHDE GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Menzel
  • Publication number: 20130305924
    Abstract: A recovery apparatus of carbon dioxide comprises: an absorption column which brings a gas containing carbon dioxide into contact with an absorbing liquid and allows the absorbing liquid to absorb carbon dioxide; a regeneration column for regenerating the absorbing liquid, by causing the absorbing liquid having carbon dioxide absorbed in the absorption column to release carbon dioxide; a circulation system which circulates the absorbing liquid so that the absorbing liquid flowing from the absorption column returns to the absorption column through the regeneration column; and a steam supply system which generates steam available for a heat source that regenerates the absorbing liquid, using at least one of the absorbing liquid that returns to the absorption column by the circulation system and the absorbing liquid in the absorption column, and supplies the steam to the regeneration column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Shiko Nakamura, Tomoya Muramoto, Yuichi Nishiyama, Shinya Okuno
  • Patent number: 8585810
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for regenerating a carbon dioxide absorption solution that regenerates an absorption solution for absorbing carbon dioxide contained in a combustion exhaust gas emitted during a combustion process of a vehicle, thereby reducing energy costs while simplifying its configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yoon Ji Lee
  • Publication number: 20130298761
    Abstract: A method and system are described for on-board treatment of an exhaust stream containing CO2 emitted by a hydrocarbon-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) used to power a vehicle in order to reduce the amount of CO2 discharged into the atmosphere which include: a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Esam Zaki Hamad
  • Publication number: 20130298763
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described, which remove acid gas from a gas stream in a manner that generates a product gas stream at a higher temperature while consuming less energy than the existing technology. The process requires maintaining a positive product gas temperature differential. The apparatus enables the positive gas temperature differential to be maintained by manipulating the absorber column operating conditions and/or the solvent chemistry to increase the amount of absorption and reaction in the absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicants: DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Frederic Vitse, Craig Norman Schubert
  • Patent number: 8568520
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a CO2 recovery system has an absorber, a regenerator, and a circulation device. An absorption liquid has an aqueous solution of amine having an alcohol group, and dimethyl silicone oil in which a part of methyl groups is substituted by at least one type selected from an aminoalkyl group, a carboxyl group, and a hydroxyl-containing alkyl group. The absorber contacts a combustion exhaust gas of a fossil fuel and the absorption liquid to absorb CO2, which is contained in the combustion exhaust gas, into the absorption liquid. The regenerator releases CO2 by applying thermal energy to the CO2-absorbed absorption liquid. A circulation device circulates the absorption liquid between the absorber and the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yukio Ohashi, Takashi Ogawa, Susumu Yamanaka, Katsuya Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20130269526
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for the selective removal of CO2 from a mixture of gases. The method comprises contacting a first gaseous mixture containing CO2 in an absorber with an absorbent having substantial selectivity for CO2, thereby forming a second mixture of absorbed CO2 and absorbent. After separating any nonabsorbed gases from the second mixture of CO2 and absorbent, the second mixture enters a separator wherein the CO2 is released from the absorbent. The absorbent is recycled back to the absorber to start the process over. The released CO2, is then compressed in one or more stages. Each stage provides a compression step to heat the released CO2, followed by a cooling step. The heat generated during the cooling of the CO2 is captured by intercoolers and recycled to operate the capture and separating process in a substantial manner, if not entirely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: E I DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: STEVEN RAYMOND LUSTIG, F. Glenn Gallagher, Manish S. Kelkar
  • Publication number: 20130269534
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating natural gas comprises a contactor having a manifold for spreading gas in the contactor vessel, a plurality of perforated plates above the manifold, a spray system for spraying a treating liquid into an upwardly rising column of gas and a liquid level controller for maintaining the treating liquid above the perforated plates. Gas and liquid from the contactor pass through a cooler and are then separated. A treating liquid regeneration system receives the treating liquid and flashes the liquid at low pressure to separate hydrocarbon gases, hydrocarbon liquid and treating liquid. The treating liquid is regenerated by heating and flashing off contaminant gases and is ultimately redelivered to the contactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Edwin W. Cash, Thomas J. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20130255495
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising contacting a residual flue gas stream with a lean solution stream in an appendix stripper; where the residual flue gas stream comprises nitrogen, oxygen and moisture; and where the lean solution stream comprises ammonium, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium sulfate; forming a vapor phase that comprises ammonia vapor, water vapor, carbon dioxide and nitrogen; forming a liquid phase that comprises water, ammonium sulfate and ammonia; discharging the vapor phase to a capture system; and discharging the liquid phase to a direct contact cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Jalal Askander, Fred Kozak
  • Publication number: 20130255502
    Abstract: There is provided an exhaust gas treatment system including a CO2 recovery unit with further enhanced energy efficiency. The exhaust gas treatment system (1) includes: a CO2 recovery unit (10) including a CO2 absorption column (11), an absorbing solution regeneration column (16), a condensate supply pipeline (15) for supplying condensate, which contains CO2 absorbing solution discharged from the CO2 absorption column (11) to a bottom portion of the absorbing solution regeneration column (16), and a CO2 separation section (22) for performing heat exchange, via a heat exchanger (23), between the CO2 discharged from the absorbing solution regeneration column (16) and the condensate; and an exhaust gas heat exchanger (5) provided on a gas upstream side of the CO2 recovery unit (10) for performing heat exchange between exhaust gas before flowing into the CO2 recovery unit (10) and the condensate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tsujiuchi, Shintaro Honjo, Takahito Yonekawa, Satoru Sugita, Motofumi Ito, Takashi Kamijo, Tatsuto Nagayasu, Takuya Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20130259781
    Abstract: A system for treating a flue gas from a combustion process comprises an absorber vessel configured to receive an aqueous ammonia solvent stream lean in CO2 and a flue gas stream having CO2, the aqueous ammonia solvent stream and the flue gas stream in contact in the absorber vessel in a counter-current arrangement to provide an outlet stream rich in CO2; a desorber configured to strip the CO2 from the outlet stream rich in CO2 from the absorber vessel at a temperature less than 100 degrees C. and to return the resultant aqueous ammonia solvent stream lean in CO2 to the absorber vessel; a source of heat configured to supply heat to the desorber; and a CO2 sequestration system for sequestering CO2 stripped by the desorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Frederic Vitse, Geert Versteeg
  • Publication number: 20130247755
    Abstract: An absorber that uses a gasified gas containing CO2 and H2S formed by gasifying coal, for example, as an introduced gas, and that makes the CO2 and H2S absorbed from the introduced gas by bringing the introduced gas into contact with an absorbent for absorbing C02 and H2S; an absorbent regenerator-that extracts absorbent that has absorbed CO2 and H2S from the bottom of the absorber and introduces the absorbent from the top of the absorber, and that regenerates the absorbent by releasing the CO2 and H2S; a second supply line that returns the regenerated absorbent from the regenerator to the absorber; and a third supply line that extracts the absorbent (semi-rich solution) that has absorbed a part of the CO2 and H2S from the vicinity of the middle of the absorber, and that introduces the semi-rich solution in the vicinity of the middle of the regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kouji Horizoe, Shinya Tachibana, Moritoshi Murakami, Masaki Yushima, Kazuo Ishida
  • Patent number: 8540803
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a natural gas or an industrial gas that contains acidic gas components, wherein gas drying is followed by the removal of the acidic gas components from the dried gas. The same physical solvent is used for both of the process steps of gas drying and of acidic gas removal. The gas to be dried is brought into contact with the physical solvent, which absorbs most of the water contained in the gas. The physical solvent, loaded with water, is transferred into a solvent regenerating device to be heated where the water contained in the solvent is stripped from the solvent in the countercurrent by acidic gas that is removed from the dried useful gas during the acidic gas absorption. The acidic gas being released again in the acidic gas solvent regenerating device, stripped from the solvent, and discharged from the solvent regenerating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Menzel
  • Patent number: 8535427
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery system includes an absorption tower and a regeneration tower. CO2 rich solution is produced in the absorption tower by absorbing CO2 from CO2-containing gas. The CO2 rich solution is conveyed to the regeneration tower where lean solution is produced from the rich solution by removing CO2. A regeneration heater heats lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam. A steam-condensate heat exchanger heats the rich solution conveyed from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower with the steam condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Takashi Kamijo, Takahito Yonekawa, Tomio Mimura, Yasuyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8535428
    Abstract: To include an absorber (1006) that brings CO2 absorbent that absorbs CO2 contained in flue gas (1002) into contact with the flue gas to remove CO2 from the flue gas, a regenerator (1008) that strips CO2 from CO2 absorbent (rich solution), which is fed from the absorber through a first feed line L1 and has absorbed CO2, to regenerate CO2 absorbent, thereby acquiring regenerated CO2 absorbent (lean solution) (1009), falling film reboilers (1101-1 and 1101-2) that draw off CO2 absorbent (amine solution) (1033) from near the bottom of the regenerator and reheats regenerated CO2 absorbent via steam (1031), a first liquid-vapor separator (1103) that separates the CO2 absorbent reheated by the falling film reboilers into regenerated CO2 absorbent in which CO2 has been removed and vapor containing CO2, and a second feed line L2 for supplying the separated regenerated CO2 absorbent to the absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsufumi Inoue, Takashi Kamijo, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Takahito Yonekawa, Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8535419
    Abstract: A modular amine plant having a front-end module and a back-end module in fluid communication with each other. The front-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of various equipment including: a filter, an absorption tower, and a flash tank. The back-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of other various equipment including: a heat exchanger, a distillation tower, and a reboiler. The modular amine plant capable of being installed at a site in less than about 5 days. The modular amine plant further having moment forces sufficient to withstand wind speeds of about 100 miles per hour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Zephyr Gas Services LLC
    Inventors: Glen Wind, John Kenton Thompson, Lance Perryman
  • Patent number: 8529678
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery system includes an absorption tower and a regeneration tower. CO2 rich solution is produced in the absorption tower by absorbing CO2 from CO2-containing gas. The CO2 rich solution is conveyed to the regeneration tower where lean solution is produced from the rich solution by removing CO2. A regeneration heater heats lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam. A steam-condensate heat exchanger heats the rich solution conveyed from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower with the steam condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Takashi Kamijo, Takahito Yonekawa, Tomio Mimura, Yasuyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8523985
    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. Energy from condensation is recovered to a liquid composition in a conduit that passes through the liquid in the stages of the condenser. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
  • Publication number: 20130220122
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide separating and collecting system includes an absorbing tower to cause an absorbing liquid to absorb carbon dioxide, and discharge a rich liquid. The system includes a regenerating tower to cause the absorbing liquid to release the carbon dioxide, and discharge a lean liquid. The system includes a heat exchanger to heat the rich liquid by using the lean liquid. A discharge port of the rich liquid of the exchanger is at a higher position than a supply port of the rich liquid of the regenerating tower so that the rich liquid discharged from the exchanger contains a descending flow by which liquid head pressure loss in a path from the discharge port to the supply port becomes negative, and an absolute value of the liquid head pressure loss becomes larger than an absolute value of flow friction pressure loss in the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
  • Patent number: 8518157
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for purifying a process gas in a reflow soldering system. Said device comprises a receptacle that contains at least one packing bed. The process gas is fed to the receptacle via a gas inlet while being discharged from the receptacle after penetrating the packing bed. The inventive device further comprises an apparatus for delivering a liquid fluid to the receptacle. Secondary materials of the soldering process in the reflow soldering system can be absorbed by the liquid fluid and thus be eliminated from the process gas. Secondary materials and/or droplets and vapors of the fluid can additionally be absorbed and adsorbed on the surface of the packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Rehm Thermal Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Bell, Jürgen Felgner, Ralf Heidenreich
  • Patent number: 8518148
    Abstract: A method and system for dehumidifying flue gas from a flue gas-generating process that supplies the flue gas to a wet flue gas processor. A wet cooling tower supplies water to a wet flue gas processor to condense water from the flue gas and form a liquid mixture in the wet flue gas processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. McDonald, Douglas J. DeVault, Paul J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20130213224
    Abstract: Processes for operating an ammonia stripper at a low pressure in a gas purification system include providing a first side-draw stream from the ammonia stripper; heating the first side-draw stream with a second side-draw stream from a regenerator; providing a stripper offgas stream from the ammonia stripper to a stripper overhead condenser; and utilizing the stripper offgas stream as a heat source for a regenerating system fluidly coupled to the stripper overhead condenser. Also disclosed are systems for implementing the processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Alstom Technology Ltd
  • Publication number: 20130206010
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery system according to the present invention includes: a CO2 absorber that brings a cooled CO2-containing exhaust gas into contact with a CO2-absorbent that absorbs CO2, thereby removing the CO2 from the exhaust gas; an absorbent regenerator that releases CO2 from a CO2-absorbent that has absorbed CO2 (rich solution), thereby regenerating the absorbent; and a lean solution temperature-reduction unit that recovers heat from a lean solution discharged from the absorbent regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicants: THE KANSAI ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Yasuyuki Yagi, Kazuhiko Kaibara
  • Publication number: 20130192470
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery system according to the present invention includes: a cooling tower that uses cooling water to cool a CO2-containing exhaust gas discharged from industrial equipment such as a boiler or a gas turbine; a CO2 absorber that brings the cooled CO2-containing exhaust gas into contact with a CO2-absorbent that absorbs CO2, thereby removing the CO2 from the exhaust gas; and a first absorbent regenerator and a second absorbent regenerator that release CO2 from a CO2-absorbent that has absorbed CO2 (rich solution), thereby regenerating the CO2-absorbent. A second lean solution at the outlet of the second absorbent regenerator is subjected to vacuum flash vaporization, and the resulting vapor is inputted to the first absorbent regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: THE KANSAI ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Masahiko Tatsumi, Yasuyuki Yagi
  • Publication number: 20130186268
    Abstract: This disclosure describes an automatic adjusting natural gas dehydration system. The dehydration system includes a still column, a reboiler, a pump and an absorber column suitable for circulating a desiccant, The absorber column includes inlet and outlet ports for receiving a stream of natural gas. The method automatically adjusts the flow rate the desiccant and the temperature of the desiccant within the reboiler in response to the moisture content of the natural gas exiting the absorber column after contacting the desiccant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: KIMRAY, INC.
    Inventor: David K. Hill
  • Patent number: 8480798
    Abstract: A system for separating and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) in exhaust produced by an internal combustion engine. The system uses a scrubber tank containing a carbon dioxide absorbent fluid to capture CO2 in the exhaust. The system also includes a carbon dioxide storage means configured to temporarily store the captured CO2, and a CO2 recovery facility to refine the captured CO2 for future use or prepare the CO2 for permanent storage. The system is intended for installation on vehicles such as automobiles to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted by automobiles into the environment, but could also be used for other applications such as stationary power generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Myers, David W. Ihms
  • Publication number: 20130092026
    Abstract: Systems and processes for reducing the energy requirements of an ammonia recovery stripper in a chilled ammonia-based CO2 removal system. The systems and processes include a nanofiltration or reverse osmosis unit for physically separating the washed liquid from a wash vessel configured to receive an ammonia slip feed stream from the main absorber of the chilled ammonia-based CO2 removal system and provide first and second feed streams. Relative to the washed liquid from the wash vessel, the first feed stream has a decreased ammonia molarity whereas the second feed stream has an increased ammonia molarity. The second feed stream is then fed to the ammonia recovery stripper, which reduces steam consumption. The reduced steam consumption translates to significant energy savings, among numerous other advantages. Additionally, the systems and process provide a reduction of equipment sizes related to the stripper unit as may be desired in some applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Sanjay Kumar Dube
  • Patent number: 8414694
    Abstract: Provided are a CO2 absorber that reduces CO2 contained in flue gas; a regenerator that reduces CO2 contained in rich solvent absorbing CO2 to regenerate the rich solvent, so that lean solvent having the CO2 reduced in the regenerator is reused in the CO2 absorber; a heat exchanger that allows the rich solvent to exchange heat with the lean solvent; and a controller that controls to extract rich solvent portion that is part of the rich solvent, to allow the rich solvent portion to by pass the heat exchanger, and to be supplied into the top of the regenerator without exchanging heat so as to minimize a sum of an enthalpy that is taken out of the regenerator as CO2 gas accompanying steam and an enthalpy of the lean solvent after heat exchange with the rich solvent in the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Kouki Ogura, Masahiko Tatsumi, Yasuyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8409339
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery system includes an absorption tower and a regeneration tower. CO2 rich solution is produced in the absorption tower by absorbing CO2 from CO2-containing gas. The CO2 rich solution is conveyed to the regeneration tower where lean solution is produced from the rich solution by removing CO2. A regeneration heater heats lean solution that accumulates near a bottom portion of the regeneration tower with saturated steam thereby producing steam condensate from the saturated steam. A steam-condensate heat exchanger heats the rich solution conveyed from the absorption tower to the regeneration tower with the steam condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Takashi Kamijo, Takahito Yonekawa, Tomio Mimura, Yasuyuki Yagi
  • Publication number: 20130074695
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for improving the utilization of energy in a cement manufacturing plant comprising an absorption based contaminant, e.g. CO2, capture process using thermal regeneration of a liquid absorbent. The methods and systems of the present invention are characterized in that the thermal regeneration of the liquid absorbent is at least partially effected using a hot exhaust gas stream generated in the kiln of the cement manufacturing plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Nareshkumar B. Handagama, Rasesh R. Kotdawala, Ajay Vajpeyi
  • Patent number: 8398748
    Abstract: Contemplated configurations and methods include a solvent regenerator (58) that has an upper (93) and a lower stripping section (94). Cooled rich solve is used as reflux while heated rich solvent (11) is used as a source of stripping agent in the upper section (91). A reboiler (62) in the lower section provides further stripping agent, hi especially preferred configurations, a portion of lean solved from the regenerator (58) is further stripped in a separate or integrated regenerator (62) to form an ultra-lean solvent. Both lean and ultra-lean solvents are preferably used in a two-stage absorber (52) to thereby from the rich solvent and an offgas that is very low in acid gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20130036911
    Abstract: A syngas treatment plant is configured to remove sulfurous compounds from syngas in a configuration having two flash stages for a physical solvent to so enrich the acid gas to at least 40 mol % H2S or higher as required by the Claus unit and to flash and recycle CO2 back to the syngas feed. Contemplated methods and configurations advantageously remove sulfur to less than 10 ppmv while increasing H2S selectivity at high pressure operation to thereby allow production of an H2S stream that is suitable as feed gas to a Claus plant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: John MAK
  • Publication number: 20130019751
    Abstract: A separation apparatus for carbon dioxide is provided which includes an absorption unit for absorbing flue gas from a fossil-fueled power station, a desorption unit and a heat exchanger which on the primary feed side is connected via an inlet-side feedback line to the desorption unit, and on the discharge side is connected via an outlet-side feedback line to the absorption unit. On the secondary feed side, the heat exchanger is connected via an inlet-side feed line to the absorption unit, and on the discharge side is connected via an outlet-side feed line to the desorption unit. A first bypass line connects the inlet-side feedback line to the outlet-side feed line so that a mostly closed first circuit with the desorption unit is formed, and a second bypass line connects the inlet-side feed line to the outlet-side feedback line so a mostly closed second circuit with the absorption unit is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Mike Rost, Ruediger Schneider, Henning Schramm
  • Publication number: 20120325089
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a carbon dioxide capturing device includes an absorption tower, a regeneration tower, and a cooling unit. A gas containing carbon dioxide and a lean liquid is introduced to the absorption tower which brings the gas and the lean liquid into contact with each other to generate a rich liquid. The regeneration tower generates a lean liquid by diffusing vapor containing carbon dioxide from the rich liquid from the absorption tower, and then returns the lean liquid to the absorption tower. The cooling unit cools at least one of the gas, the lean liquid, and the rich liquid. The cooling unit includes first and second coolers connected in series to each other, by first and second cooling mediums, respectively. The first cooling medium is generated outside the device without using power for cooling in the device. The first cooler is located upstream of the second cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsuru UDATSU, Kensuke Suzuki, Satoshi Saito, Masatoshi Hodotsuka, Hideo Kitamura, Norihide Egami
  • Publication number: 20120318141
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery unit includes an absorber that reduces CO2 in flue gas (101) discharged from a combustion facility (50) by absorbing CO2 by an absorbent, a regenerator that heats the absorbent having absorbed CO2 to emit CO2, and regenerates and supplies the absorbent to the absorber, and a regenerating heater that uses steam (106) supplied from the combustion facility (50) for heating the absorbent in the regenerator and returns heated condensed water (106a) to the combustion facility (50). The CO2 recovery unit further includes a condensed water/flue gas heat exchanger (57) that heats the condensed water (106a) to be returned from the regenerating heater to the combustion facility (50) by heat-exchanging the condensed water (106a) with the flue gas (101) in a flue gas duct (51) in the combustion facility (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicants: THE KANSAI ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tsujiuchi, Hiromitsu Nagayasu, Takuya Hirata, Keiji Fujikawa, Tetsuya Imai, Hiroshi Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Masahiko Tatsumi, Yasuyuki Yagi, Kazuhiko Kaibara