Patents Assigned to Airgard, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11976890
    Abstract: A heated inlet tube for use in a wet scrubber is disclosed. In one embodiment, the heated inlet tube comprises a heated tube concentric to the inlet tube to which a heated gas is applied thereby maintaining temperature of a waste gas stream as it flows through the inlet tube. In a further embodiment, an insulating tube concentrically surrounds the heated tube to further maintain the temperature of the waste gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Messineo, Husain Lohawala, Mark W. Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 10864526
    Abstract: An improved electrode for use in an electrostatic precipitator is disclosed. The electrode comprises a generally rod-shaped conductive central portion, to which are attached a plurality of conductive disc-shaped elements. Each disc-shaped element has a number of sharp points spaced around its circumference and a plurality of openings near its center. The central portion of the central portion passes through the centers of each of the plurality of disc-shaped elements such that the disc-shaped elements are located parallel to one another along the central portion, and may be equally spaced along the central portion. The disc-shaped elements are conical or convex in shape, and oriented with their rims raised above their centers so that any water that collects on them runs out through the openings and down the central portion of the electrode. This greatly reduces or eliminates arcing between the electrode and a collector in the electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Johnsgard, Robert T. LoBianco
  • Patent number: 9138679
    Abstract: Abatement systems are used to remove harmful pollutants resulting from manufacturing processes. Prior art abatement systems can dangerously back-flash due to, for example, changes in gas velocity and if the inlets become constricted due to clogs. To prevent back-flash a sprayer is introduced to an inlet of the abatement system. The sprayer sprays a volume of a cooling liquid, such as water, into the inlet. In the event of a back-flash, the liquid can extinguish the flame, preventing further damage to the abatement system. The sprayed liquid can provide further benefits, such as cooling the incoming, mitigating effects of reactions within the cooling gases, and flushing away solid particles that would otherwise clog the inlet. These further benefits can allow the abatement system to safely handle additional gases and larger volumes of incoming gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Messineo, Robert T. LoBianco, Mark W. Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 9023303
    Abstract: Some industrial or fabrication processes generate effluent gas streams that require scrubbing. Scrubbing may include the use of one or more gases to abate the effluents for safer release into the environment. Systems and methods described herein provide a liquid-enclosed reaction chamber where an extended reaction zone or more than one reaction zone is formed. By having an extended reaction zone or more than one reaction zone, the effluent gas stream and the products of upstream reaction zones can be more completely abated. The reaction zones are formed by adding one or more gas ports into the reaction chamber downstream of a main burner nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Messineo, Robert T. LoBianco, Mark W. Johnsgard
  • Publication number: 20140308186
    Abstract: Some industrial or fabrication processes generate effluent gas streams that require scrubbing. Scrubbing may include the use of one or more gases to abate the effluents for safer release into the environment. Systems and methods described herein provide a liquid-enclosed reaction chamber where an extended reaction zone or more than one reaction zone is formed. By having an extended reaction zone or more than one reaction zone, the effluent gas stream and the products of upstream reaction zones can be more completely abated. The reaction zones are formed by adding one or more gas ports into the reaction chamber downstream of a main burner nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Messineo, Robert T. LoBianco, Mark W. Johnsgard
  • Publication number: 20140308187
    Abstract: Abatement systems are used to remove harmful pollutants resulting from manufacturing processes. Prior art abatement systems can dangerously back-flash due to, for example, changes in gas velocity and if the inlets become constricted due to clogs. To prevent back-flash a sprayer is introduced to an inlet of the abatement system. The sprayer sprays a volume of a cooling liquid, such as water, into the inlet. In the event of a back-flash, the liquid can extinguish the flame, preventing further damage to the abatement system. The sprayed liquid can provide further benefits, such as cooling the incoming, mitigating effects of reactions within the cooling gases,, and flushing away solid particles that would otherwise clog the inlet. These further benefits can allow the abatement system to safely handle additional gases and larger volumes of incoming gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Messineo, Robert T. LoBianco, Mark W. Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 8496741
    Abstract: Aspects include a valve comprising a flowing liquid, operable to control a flow of gas through a port. Certain aspects include reaction chambers operable to react gases, and in some aspects gases are substantially contained within an envelope comprised of a flowing liquid. Certain embodiments control gas entrance into a chamber with a valve comprised of a flowing liquid controlling gas flow through a port. Various gas scrubbing systems are described, including systems comprising reaction chambers operable to react gases that yield substantial amounts of solid reaction products. Methods for controlling gas flow are disclosed. Systems and methods include sequential steps of wet-scrubbing, reacting and further wet-scrubbing a gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Johnsgard
  • Publication number: 20120037003
    Abstract: Various apparatus provide for spraying high velocity droplets of liquid into a low velocity gas stream. Finely atomized droplets may quickly transfer their momentum to the gas, resulting in deceleration of the spray and acceleration of the gas. A high velocity spray of atomized liquid may transfer a substantial fraction of its kinetic energy to the gas before contacting a surface, in some aspects, suspended particles in the gas phase may be removed by high velocity liquid droplets passing through the gas. Certain aspects provide for controlling a gas flow by controlling the relative amounts of upstream and downstream momenta transferred to the gas by one or more liquid sprays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Johnsgard, Kris Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 7942951
    Abstract: A low-maintenance scrubber inlet device is provided for delivering effluent gases to gas scrubbers. The scrubber inlet device may comprise an interior volume configured to receive effluent gases and direct the effluent gases into the scrubber while maintaining the temperature of the effluent gases. In some instances, a heated gas is introduced to maintain the effluent gas temperature. The scrubber interface device is configured to deliver the effluent gas stream from the inlet manifold to the gas scrubbing system, and to have a very low susceptibility to clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Johnsgard, Kris Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 7854792
    Abstract: Aspects include a valve comprising a flowing liquid, operable to control a flow of gas through a port. Certain aspects include reaction chambers operable to react gases, and in some aspects gases are substantially contained within an envelope comprised of a flowing liquid. Certain embodiments control gas entrance into a chamber with a valve comprised of a flowing liquid controlling gas flow through a port. Various gas scrubbing systems are described, including systems comprising reaction chambers operable to react gases that yield substantial amounts of solid reaction products. Methods for controlling gas flow are disclosed. Systems and methods include sequential steps of wet-scrubbing, reacting and further wet-scrubbing a gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 7794678
    Abstract: An effluent gas scrubber and a method of scrubbing effluent gases are provided. An inlet port receives an effluent gas. The gas passes through successive chambers in which it is sprayed with a scrubbing fluid. An oxidizer within the scrubbing fluid is effective to oxidize non-water soluble gases within the effluent gas. An oxidation-reduction potential probe measures the oxidation-reduction potential of the scrubbing fluid and adds the oxidizer to the scrubbing fluid as needed. A pH probe measures the pH of the scrubbing fluid and adds a base to the scrubbing fluid as needed to maintain the pH at or above a threshold such as pH 7, or pH 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Johnsgard, Kris Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 7771514
    Abstract: A low-maintenance scrubber inlet device is provided for delivering effluent gases to gas scrubbers. The scrubber inlet device comprises a scrubber interface device in fluid communication with an inlet manifold. The inlet manifold is configured to receive effluent gases and direct the effluent gases into the scrubber interface device while maintaining the temperature of the effluent gases. In some instances, a heated gas is introduced into the inlet manifold to maintain the effluent gas temperature. The scrubber interface device is configured to deliver the effluent gas stream from the inlet manifold to the gas scrubbing system, and to have a very low susceptibility to clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Johnsgard, Kris Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 7611684
    Abstract: An effluent gas scrubber and a method of scrubbing effluent gases are provided. An inlet port receives an effluent gas. The gas passes through successive chambers in which it is sprayed with a scrubbing fluid. An oxidizer within the scrubbing fluid is effective to oxidize non-water soluble gases within the effluent gas. An oxidation-reduction potential probe measures the oxidation-reduction potential of the scrubbing fluid and adds the oxidizer to the scrubbing fluid as needed. A pH probe measures the pH of the scrubbing fluid and adds a base to the scrubbing fluid as needed to maintain the pH at or above a threshold such as pH 7, or pH 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Johnsgard, Kris Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 4986838
    Abstract: An effluent gas scrubbing system is disclosed having an improved scrubber inlet system including a transition tube having a fluted lower portion for directing particulate carrying gas into the mist saturated scrubbing chamber of a gas scrubber, a fluid reservoir affixed to the upper portion of the transition tube and having a plurality of fluid supply jets tangentially positioned along internal cavity forming walls of the reservoir so as to cause the fluid within the internal cavity of the reservoir to swirl, and a readily interchangeable gas inlet pipe which is co-axially positioned within the cavity and with respect to the transition tube so as to create a transition gap between the transition tube and the inlet pipe through which a swirling flow of fluid may exit the cavity and enter the upper portion of the transition tube so as to thoroughly coat the entire length of the transition tube with fluid, and so as to provide a smooth and abrupt transition between the dry-walled inlet pipe and the wet-walled tr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Johnsgard