Patents Assigned to Hera, LLC
  • Patent number: 7416715
    Abstract: A safe, economical and predictable process for producing ammonia from a urea solution, preferably where only a small amount of ammonia is required, (i.e. for SCR denitrification for small boilers, flue gas conditioning to enhance precipitator efficiency and/or alleviate plume problems, SNCR and the like), using an ultrasonic processor to cause “cold boiling” of portions of such solution and produce gaseous ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 6620393
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of unused ammonia (“ammonia slip”) in instances where ammonia is provided to SNCR and/or SCR processes for reducing NOx pollution in flue gas produced by a fossil fuel burning facility. Such a facility incorporates a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (i.e. an air preheater and/or a gas to gas preheater) for absorbing heat from the gas flow on one side of the heat exchanger, and releasing such absorbed heat to heat the gas flow on the other side of the heat exchanger. The invention herein includes absorbent/desorbent media carried by at least some of the elements of the heat exchanger. The media is active to adsorb at least a portion of the ammonia slip after NOx is treated, and before the gas flow is exhausted to the environment, and to desorb essentially an equilibrium portion of such adsorbed ammonia into gas flow upstream from the providing of ammonia for the SNCR/SCR process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 6616901
    Abstract: This invention relates to pollution control requirements for fossil fuel burning facilities such as power plants, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for providing a safe and economical supply of ammonia, from a urea feedstock, when ammonia is desired or necessary to initiate, cause and/or supplement the removal of one or more pollutants from an exhaust gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventors: Vincenzo Lagana, Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 6455456
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the catalytically active surfaces of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) substrate, and more particularly such a method and apparatus which: simultaneously generates two differing frequency sound waves which are effective in cleaning such surfaces, more effectively than if only single waves of such frequency were generated; utilizing spaced arrays of sound emitters at the entry and exit sides of selected SCR layers, with the emitters on opposite sides of the layers being in counter phase, or opposed synchronization; teaches design and placement of sound sources which optimize a variety of output cleanability predictions, for example pulsating pressure distribution, pulsating velocity distribution (U, V, W), time-averaged parameters and measure of cleanability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 6403046
    Abstract: In many situations where the maximum NOx reduction capabilities of conventional SCR systems are not necessary, and alternative SNCR systems may not economically provide desired NOx reduction, a staged SCR/SNCR system is believed to be the most appropriate solution available. By means of the present invention, a system has been developed for delivering NOx reduction agents from a common urea feedstock, when it is appropriate to use combined NOx treatment stages (i.e. SNCR within the boiler followed by in-duct SCR and/or catalyzed air preheater elements). For the SNCR stage, the urea from the common feedstock is diluted prior to injection into the boiler and, for the SCR stage, the urea from the common feedstock is used to produce ammonia using hydrolysis. Urea solution which is not converted to ammonia in the hydrolyzer, is used for dilution of the solution being delivered to the SNCR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 6264905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of unused ammonia (“ammonia slip”) in instances where ammonia is provided to SNCR and/or SCR processes for reducing NOx pollution in flue gas produced by a fossil fuel burning facility. Such a facility incorporates a regenerative heat exchanger (i.e. an air preheater) for absorbing heat on the flue gas side, and releasing such absorbed heat to heat the incoming combustion air. The invention herein includes absorbent/desorbent media carried by at least some of the heat transfer elements of the heat exchanger. The media is active to adsorb at least a portion of the ammonia slip before the flue gas stream is exhausted to the environment, and to desorb essentially an equilibrium portion of such adsorbed ammonia into the incoming combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 6245134
    Abstract: A apparatus for the in-situ predetermination of the effects of NOx reduction systems on selected components. This determination can yield quick, inexpensive and accurate results for a number of characteristics, for example: catalyst longevity; efficiency with differing fuels, in differing locations, and at different temperatures; potential of catalyst poisoning in specific circumstances; ammonia slip considerations; SCR and SNCR interplay, as well as staged NOx reduction design criteria; pressure and blockage considerations; downstream effect on air preheater elements; and more. These determinations can be made in real, or accelerated time. Furthermore, the determinations can be made before any system modifications are made, or to assist in increasing the efficiency of existing systems, or even to assist in predictions of preventive maintenance and associated down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Howard E. Sandler
  • Patent number: 6146605
    Abstract: In many situations where the maximum NOx reduction capabilities of conventional SCR systems are not necessary, and alternative SNCR systems may not economically provide desired NOx reduction, a staged SCR/SNCR system is believed to be the most appropriate solution available. By means of the present invention, a system has been developed for delivering NOx reduction agents from a common urea feedstock, when it appropriate to use combined NOx treatment stages (i.e. SNCR within the boiler followed by in-duct SCR and/or catalyzed air preheater elements). For the SNCR stage, the urea from the common feedstock is diluted prior to injection into the boiler and, for the SCR stage, the urea from the common feedstock is used to produce ammonia using hydrolysis. Urea solution which is not converted to ammonia in the SCR phase, is used for dilution of the solution being delivered to the SNCR system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 6120580
    Abstract: A method for the in-situ predetermination of the effects of NOx reduction systems on selected components. This determination can yield quick, inexpensive and accurate results for a number of characteristics, for example: catalyst longevity; efficiency with differing fuels, in differing locations, and at different temperatures; potential of catalyst poisoning in specific circumstances; ammonia slip considerations; SCR and SNCR interplay, as well as staged NOx reduction design criteria; pressure and blockage considerations; downstream effect on air preheater elements; and more. These determinations can be made in real, or accelerated time. Furthermore, the determinations can be made before any system modifications are made, or to assist in increasing the efficiency of existing systems, or even to assist in predictions of preventive maintenance and associated down time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Howard E. Sandler
  • Patent number: 6093380
    Abstract: This invention relates to pollution control requirements for fossil-fuel burning facilities, such as power plants, and, more particularly, to a method for providing a safe and economical supply of ammonia, from a urea feedstock, when ammonia is desired or necessary to initiate, cause and/or supplement the removal of one or more pollutants from an exhaust gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignees: Siirtec Nigi, S.p.A., Hera, LLC
    Inventors: Vincenzo Lagana, Felix E. Spokoyny