Patents Assigned to Praxair Technology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12128347
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for improving PSA/VPSA plant energy efficiency during times of reduced production demand and capital efficiency through optimizing feed, vacuum, and centrifugal product compressors to achieve lower energy consumption and lower unit gas product production cost. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new energy efficient PSA/VPSA turn down process and system which employs high speed direct drive centrifugal product compressor to achieve desired production. Significant lower energy consumption can be achieved by employing lower flow, and lower adsorption top pressure in the lower production range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Rosinski, Nicholas R. Stuckert, Yang Luo
  • Patent number: 12123646
    Abstract: A system and method for liquefaction of natural gas using two distinct refrigeration circuits having compositionally different working fluids and operating at different temperature levels is provided. The turbomachinery associated with the liquefaction system are driven by a single three-pinion or four-pinion integral gear machine with customized pairing arrangements. The system and method of natural gas liquefaction further includes the conditioning of a lower pressure natural gas containing feed stream to produce a purified, compressed natural gas stream at a pressure equal to or above the critical pressure of natural gas and substantially free of heavy hydrocarbons to be liquefied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Edward Howard
  • Patent number: 12076707
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface modified zeolite adsorbent wherein the surface of said zeolite is modified with a coating comprised of a silicone derived species, said zeolite having a mean crystal size from about 5 to about 10 ?m and a skeletal density of ?1.10 gr./cc. The invention is based on the discovery that larger crystals tend to have higher particle density, and the packing of the larger crystals in agglomeration processes leads to more idealized packing to provide a larger mean-pore diameter. The surface modified adsorbent provides rate selectivity for one gas over others is described. The superior adsorbent has the added convenience of bead forming simultaneously with pore modification as well as having the treatment result in the yielding of high crush strength products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Pontonio, Philip A. Barrett, Neil A. Stephenson, Katie Held
  • Patent number: 12059667
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a superior carbon adsorbent with or without a core. In one embodiment the carbon adsorbent of the present invention employs carbon adsorbent powder and an organic binding agent which are combined together with an appropriate solvent in an agglomeration step. In another embodiment the invention contemplates a core-in-shell adsorbent comprising an outer shell composed of a carbon and a non-adsorbing inert inner core. Low temperature processing of these agglomerates substantially preserves the binding agent within the final composition and allows one to prepare adsorbent products of high sphericity. The adsorbents of the invention possess superior characteristics such as higher mass transfer rate and CO2 working capacity for use in a H2PSA process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Neil A. Stephenson, Philip A. Barrett, Steven J. Pontonio, Nicholas R. Stuckert, Garrett R. Swindlehurst
  • Patent number: 12055345
    Abstract: An air separation unit and associated method for separating air by cryogenic distillation using a distillation column system including a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, an intermediate pressure kettle column, and an argon column arrangement is provided. The disclosed air separation unit and method is particularly suited for production of an argon product as well as several nitrogen products wherein a portion of the nitrogen overhead intermediate pressure kettle column is taken as an intermediate or elevated pressure nitrogen product. The present air separation unit and associated method employs a once-through kettle column reboiler, a once-through kettle column condenser while the argon condenser condenses an argon-rich vapor stream against a pumped oxygen stream from the bottom of the lower pressure column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil M. Prosser, James R. Handley
  • Patent number: 12036584
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of rapidly decontaminating hydrocarbon contaminated equipment by sequencing a cleaning mist or foam, an encapsulating mist or foam and a dry carrier gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ashley Zachariah, Richard M. Kelly, Michael St. James, Joseph E. Gulayets
  • Patent number: 12031678
    Abstract: A gas dosing apparatus is provided that includes an inlet configured to receive gas, and a directional control valve connected to the inlet and having a first position and a second position. The gas dosing apparatus also includes a fixed volume reservoir connected to the directional control valve and receiving gas from the inlet, via the directional control valve, while the directional control valve is in the first position. The gas dosing apparatus further includes an outlet connected to the directional control valve and outputting a gas dose received from the fixed volume reservoir, via the directional control valve, while the directional control valve is in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurie M. O'Connor, Paul K. Oetinger
  • Patent number: 12017204
    Abstract: The invention relates to a superior core-in-shell adsorbent comprising adsorbent, and an inert core, wherein said core possesses a porosity less than 10%, and has a volumetric thermal capacity greater than 1 J/K*cc. The adsorbents of the invention possess good physical strength, and allow a longer cycle time, thereby reducing the blowdown (vent) losses compared to known adsorbents. The invention relates to an adsorber design for a vacuum/pressure swing adsorption (VSA, VPSA, PSA) process designed to obtain oxygen product from air utilizing the adsorbents of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Neil A. Stephenson, Philip A. Barrett, Steven J. Pontonio, Nicholas R. Stuckert
  • Patent number: 12018800
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and system for improved gas delivery for regulating gas at a substantially constant delivery pressure on a consistent basis. The system includes an automated redundant pressure regulation safety feature that is specifically configured along a flow network to significantly reduce the occurrence of pressure surges due to failure of the gas to be regulated to the delivery pressure. By reducing the occurrence of pressure surges and utilizing higher pressure package gas sources, the frequency of changeouts can be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Heiderman, Stanley M. Smith, William R. Gerristead
  • Patent number: 12006214
    Abstract: The present invention relates to integrating a hot oxygen burner with an auto thermal reformer of reducing in a system for generating synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Minish Mahendra Shah, Lawrence Bool
  • Patent number: 11976789
    Abstract: A vaporization system and control method are provided. Liquid cryogen is provided to first ambient air vaporizer (AAV) units. When an output superheated vapor temperature is less than a threshold, the liquid cryogen is provided to second AAV units. When greater than or equal to the threshold, it is determined whether the second AAV units are defrosted. When defrosted, the liquid cryogen is provided to the second AAV units. When not defrosted, it is determined whether ice has formed on the first AAV units. When not formed, it is again determined whether the superheated vapor temperature is less than the threshold. When formed, it is determined whether a current ambient condition is favorable to defrosting the second AAV units. When not favorable, the liquid cryogen is provided to the second bank of AAV units. When favorable, it is again determined whether the superheated vapor temperature is less than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao Liang, Lee J. Rosen, Seth A. Potratz, Hanfei Tuo, Rakesh Ranjan
  • Patent number: 11959701
    Abstract: An air separation unit and associated method for separating air by cryogenic distillation using a distillation column system including a higher pressure column, a lower pressure column, an intermediate pressure kettle column, and an argon column arrangement is provided. The disclosed air separation unit and method is particularly suited for production of high purity nitrogen for electronics applications and includes nitrogen recycle circuit necessary to attain the higher purity nitrogen products. In addition to the intermediate pressure kettle column, the present air separation unit and associated method employs a once-through argon condenser, preferably disposed within the lower pressure column as well as a once-through kettle column reboiler, a once-through kettle column condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil M. Prosser, Dimitri Golubev
  • Patent number: 11953159
    Abstract: A cryogenic vaporization system and a method for controlling the system are provided. The system includes a first vaporizer arrangement and a second vaporizer arrangement configured for receiving a liquid cryogen and outputting a superheated vapor. The second vaporizer arrangement is connected in parallel with the first vaporizer arrangement, and includes one or more banks of ambient air vaporizer (AAV) units or loose fill media with a high heat capacity. The second vaporizer arrangement has a different configuration than that of the first vaporizer arrangement. The system further includes at least one control valve controlling provision of the liquid cryogen to at least one of the first vaporizer arrangement and the second vaporizer arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao Liang, Seth A. Potratz, Lee J. Rosen, Hanfei Tuo, Rui Ma
  • Patent number: 11939451
    Abstract: A composition comprising acetylene fluid at least partially solubilized in an improved solvent is described. The improved solvents exhibit non-toxicity and are further characterized by low vapor pressures to minimize solvent carryover during delivery of the acetylene fluid, while retaining suitable acetylene solubilizing capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuemei Song, William S. Kane, Ashwini K. Sinha
  • Patent number: 11933538
    Abstract: A moderate pressure nitrogen and argon producing cryogenic air separation unit is provided that includes a three distillation column system and turbine air stream bypass arrangement or circuit. The turbine air stream bypass arrangement or circuit is configured to improve argon and nitrogen recoveries in select operating modes by optionally diverting a portion of the turbine air stream to a nitrogen waste stream circuit drawn from the lower pressure column of the cryogenic air separation unit such that the diverted portion of the turbine air stream bypasses the distillation column system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian R. Kromer, Neil M. Prosser
  • Patent number: 11933539
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the performance of an oxygen, nitrogen, and argon producing air separation unit configured to produce a gaseous nitrogen product stream is provided. By recycling the argon condenser boil-off vapor stream to the main air compression train, the argon recovery and oxygen recovery while maintaining the production level of a medium or high pressure gaseous nitrogen product stream. In addition, some operational cost savings in terms of lower power costs can also be realized compared to some prior art oxygen, nitrogen, and argon producing air separation units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhengrong Xu, Neil M. Prosser
  • Patent number: 11933541
    Abstract: A system and method for producing two or more nitrogen product streams and a crude argon stream from a nitrogen and argon producing air separation unit is provided. The disclosed embodiments of the cryogenic-based nitrogen and argon producing air separation units and associated air separation cycles include the means for directing a first portion of a boil-off stream from an argon condenser of the air separation unit to a waste expansion refrigeration circuit and concurrently recycling a second portion of the boil-off stream from the argon condenser to the main air compression system of the air separation unit to be mixed or blended with the incoming feed air. Optionally, a third portion of the boil-off stream from the argon condenser may be further compressed in a cold compressor and returned to the lower pressure column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhengrong Xu
  • Patent number: 11933540
    Abstract: Enhancements to a dual column, nitrogen producing cryogenic air separation unit are provided. Such enhancements include an improved air separation cycle that uses multiple condenser-reboilers and recycles a portion of the vapor from one or more of the condenser-reboilers to the incoming feed stream and or the compressed purified air streams to yield improvements in such dual column, nitrogen producing cryogenic air separation units. The multiple condenser-reboilers preferably include an integrated condenser-reboiler arrangement comprising a heat exchanger having a set of nitrogen condensing passages, a first set and second set of boiling passages, and a phase separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hanfei Tuo, Zhengrong Xu
  • Patent number: 11920862
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for loading, removing, accessing, positioning or preserving one or more items in a presence of dry ice are provided. The apparatus includes a tapered container that has a barrier-like structure which can partition the inner volume of the tapered container into an internal product storage volume and a dry icechamber. Each of the regions remain substantially undisturbed during handling, operation, use and transport of the tapered container. Methods for selectively introducing dry ice into the dry ice chamber of the tapered container and engaging the barrier-like structure within the tapered container can be achieved with a novel guiding assembly apparatus. The methods and apparatuses are particularly useful when loading and retrieving one or more items in the presence of dry ice for tapered containers that have single restrictive access openings and/or other characteristics which make access and handling difficult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Sever, Ying Zhou, Ranko Bursac
  • Patent number: 11920097
    Abstract: Fuel gas compositions for use in metal fabrication are provided comprising fuel gases comprising a base fuel gas mixed with from about 1% to less than 30% hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Clayton Orivam De Morais, Keith G. Pierce, Marcos Müller Lobato