Patents Examined by Amy M. Harding
  • Patent number: 5612008
    Abstract: A process for the removal of volatilizable inorganic contaminants from solid waste is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (a) providing solid waste containing volatilizable inorganic contaminants; (b) heating the waste to a temperature sufficiently high for the volatilization of the inorganic contaminants and sufficiently low so as to prevent slag formation of the solid waste, thereby producing a contaminant-rich vapor phase and a contaminant-poor solid phase; and (c) separating the solid phase and the vapor phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventors: Donald W. Kirk, John W. Graydon
  • Patent number: 5612012
    Abstract: A method for removing CO from a reformed gas includes the steps of treating the reformed gas by a hydrogen purifier to decrease a ratio of the concentration of components other than hydrogen to the concentration of hydrogen so that the ratio may be lower than in the reformed gas, and then converting CO contained in the gas treated by the hydrogen purifier into a gas other than CO. CO can be removed from the reformed gas, and simultaneously high-purity hydrogen can also be obtained, which leads to the increase of a fuel efficiency and the inhibition effect of performance deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Soma, Tomonori Takahashi, Manabu Isomura
  • Patent number: 5609840
    Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from various gases containing hydrogen sulfide. In order to remove hydrogen sulfide, an aqueous solution containing a di(lower alkyl)amino-(lower alkanol) or triethylenediamine is used. In order to remove hydrogen sulfide selectively from gases containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, an aqueous solution containing tert-butyldiethanolamine, triisopropanolamine, triethylenediamine or 2-dimethylamino-2-methyl-1-propanol is used. In order to remove both carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from gases containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, an aqueous solution containing a mono(lower alkyl)amino-(lower alkanol) is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignees: The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomio Mimura, Shigeru Shimojo, Masaki Iijima, Shigeaki Mitsuoka
  • Patent number: 5607653
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating and detoxifying salts-hydroxides scrubber wastes containing nitrite salts or sulfite salts so that the final product has low nitrite or sulfite content, a neutral pH and is usable either as a base blend or as a stand-alone liquid product for agricultural applications. One approach is to have a continuous flow oxidation of the waste solution by ozone followed by a neutralization step with MKP. Another approach is to perform oxidation and neutralization in one step by the addition of hydrogen peroxide and MKP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Mainstream Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Dwight D. Back, Lawrence R. Grzyll, Charlie Ramos, Nidal A. Samad
  • Patent number: 5605557
    Abstract: A conditioning composition comprising from 60 to 80% by weight of a mineral source, from 20 to 40% by weight of basalt, from 2 to 5% by weight of a bonding agent, from 1 to 20% by weight of a mixed colloidal mineral source and an amount of catalyst provided in the ratio of at least one half liter of catalyst to at least 20 liters of water per 10 ton of composition. A catalyst for use with a conditioning composition, the catalyst comprising water, calcium nitrate, molasses, phosphoric acid and at least one non-ionic surfactant, each being provided in the following amounts (w/w):______________________________________ water 30 to 60% calcium nitrate 2 to 40% urea 30 to 70% molasses 3 to 35% phosphoric acid 3 to 35% non-ionic surfactant 1 to 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Plantagenet Holdings Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: David A. Hall
  • Patent number: 5603909
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for minimizing equipment and flue fouling for any boiler, turbine, or combustion process in which heat recovery is advantageous and pollutant removal is necessary. The process uses an SCR located upstream of a condensing heat exchanger and maintains the temperatures in the flue gas duct such that ammonia slip and ammonium salt products are collected only on the heat exchanger surfaces which are periodically washed with water and this wash water being collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Varner, Dennis W. Johnson, Robert B. Myers
  • Patent number: 5599759
    Abstract: A process for producing a heat-resistant and high-purity porous silicon oxide material having excellent crystallinity and uniformity in pore size. The process includes: a first step of dispersing a substance containing silicon in an aqueous solution of a surfactant and adjusting the pH of the dispersion to a value of 10 or higher; a second step of adjusting the pH thereof to a value lower than 10 and forming a composite of a silicon oxide and a surfactant; and a third step of removing the surfactant from the composite. A water-soluble component is preferably removed from the dispersion between the first and second steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Shinji Inagaki, Yoshiaki Fukushima, Yuri Yamada
  • Patent number: 5597539
    Abstract: A process for scrubbing volatile or odoriferous substances from a gas stream (1) with aqueous liquor (7) containing hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant (15) and recycling (12) part of the resultant liquor after passage through a bed (11) of catalyst for the decomposition of the oxidant is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Martin E. Fakley, Friedrich H. H. Valentin
  • Patent number: 5595718
    Abstract: A crystalline silicon nitride powder having a high specific surface area and an enhanced sintering property is produced with a high producibility and a large scale, by calcining a silane material comprising at least one nitrogen-containing silane compound in a nitrogen-containing inert gas mixed with 0.1 to 5%, based on the total volume of the mixed gas, of molecular oxygen, preferably at 600.degree. to 1200.degree. C.; baking the resultant amorphous silicon nitride powder in a nitrogen-containing inert gas preferably at 1400.degree. to 1700.degree. C.; and milling the resultant crystalline silicon nitride powder in a mixed gas atmosphere comprising 5 to 40% by volume of molecular oxygen and the balance consisting of an inert gas preferably at 0.degree. to 100.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: UBE Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Yamada, Takeshi Yamao, Yasukazu Kondo, Hideo Nakamura, Tadayuki Mitani
  • Patent number: 5593651
    Abstract: Gaseous effluents containing oxygen and no greater than 2% by volume of sulfur dioxide, SO.sub.2, for example those emanating from facilities for the industrial-scale production of sulfuric acid, are converted into useful solutions of ammonium or of alkali or alkaline earth metal bisulfites, by first absorbing such gaseous effluent in a solution of ammonium or of an alkali or alkaline earth metal sulfite and bisulfite, at a pH ranging from 5 to 7, and, secondly, contacting the solution thus produced with an acidic reagent, advantageously a gaseous feedstream containing oxygen and greater than 2% by volume of sulfur dioxide, the O.sub.2 / SO.sub.2 ratio by volume thereof being less than 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Chimie
    Inventors: Jean-Yves Chane-Ching, Gerard Hustache, Jean-Louis Sabot
  • Patent number: 5587136
    Abstract: The present invention provides a desulfurization and denitrification process by dry process, whereby a stable operation is rendered possible at a temperature of 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. with a high energy efficiency and without deterioration of a catalyst for a long time and any problem on by produced N.sub.2 O. This process comprises treating a waste gas containing SOx and NOx with catalyst-poisoning materials in an apparatus for mainly effecting desulfurization and then in an apparatus for mainly effecting denitrification, characterized by passing the waste gas through a desulfurization apparatus of moving bed type, in which a carbonaceous adsorbent is moved downward at a temperature of 100.degree. to 200.degree. C., adding ammonia to the waste gas at a temperature of 100.degree. to 200.degree. C., leaving the desulfurization apparatus, and then passing the waste gas through the low temperature denitrification apparatus, in which a catalyst of TiO.sub.2 -V.sub.2 O.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhide Ikeyama, Yutaka Iwanaga
  • Patent number: 5587138
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preventing the formation of dioxin and/or furan during combustion of composite combustible materials in a combustion chamber. The process includes passing the generated combustion gas in a flow from the combustion chamber to a dedusting device, cooled and purified while maintaining the SO.sub.3 content in the combustion gas flow from about 7 to about 500 mg/m.sup.3 and at a temperature of from about 300 .degree. to about 800.degree. C., The process allows at least surface regions of particles of meal dusts contained in the combustion gas to be converted to sulfates and thereby prevent formation of dioxins and furan. The invention also includes a steam generator for carrying out the process whose steel structures coming into contact with the combustion gases are either alloyed or coated with tungsten and/or vanadium on the combustion-gas side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Austrian Energy & Environment, SGP/Waagner-Biro GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Bobik, Ralf L. Lindbauer, Alfred Glasner
  • Patent number: 5587134
    Abstract: In a process for the catalytic low temperature oxidation of ammonia to nitrogen in an ammonia containing off-gas at a temperature of between 200.degree. C. and 500.degree. C. the improvement comprises,sulphating a catalyst comprising on an inert carrier a metal selected from the group of copper, cobalt, iron, chromium, nickel, manganese and mixtures thereof in the form of their oxides and/or sulphates and a further component selected from the group of platinum metals;contacting the ammonia containing atmosphere with the catalyst, andwithdrawing a decomposed gas being rich in nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Haldor Tops.o slashed.e A/S
    Inventor: Flemming Dannevang
  • Patent number: 5585083
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for oxidizing formaldehyde to carbon dioxide and water without the addition of energy. A mixture of formaldehyde and an oxidizing agent (e.g., ambient air containing formaldehyde) is exposed to a catalyst which includes a noble metal dispersed on a metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state. Especially good results are obtained when the noble metal is platinum, and the metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state is tin oxide. A promoter (i.e., a small amount of an oxide of a transition series metal) may be used in association with the tin oxide to provide very beneficial results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignees: The United States as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Rochester Gas & Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Erik J. Kielin, Kenneth G. Brown, Christine M. D'Ambrosia
  • Patent number: 5582808
    Abstract: The present invention provides borohydrides that are useful in reducing aldol condensation and subsequent polymer formation in caustic scrubbers. The borohydrides are believed to react with reactive carbonyls yielding more stable alcohols and a salt of the borohydride which remains water soluble, and thus is unlikely to be carried out with the hydrocarbon phase. The borohydrides of the present invention have the potential to reduce reactive carbonyls at a molar ratio as high as about 4:1::carbonyl:borohydride. A preferred borohydride is sodium borohydride (sodium tetrahydroborate).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Gary Patek
  • Patent number: 5578283
    Abstract: A catalyst and process for treating gas streams which contain halogenated organic compounds, non-halogenated organic compounds, carbon monoxide or mixtures thereof, and particularly gas streams which contain organobromides. The catalyst comprises at least one platinum group metal, zirconium oxide and at least one oxide of manganese, cerium or cobalt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Chen, Pascaline H. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5571303
    Abstract: A particulate sulfur-based fertilizer comprising a uniform dispersion of sulfur and at least one member selected from the group consisting of ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate and mixtures thereof, the sulfur having an average particle size of less than about 100 .mu.m. A process for producing a sulfur-based fertilizer is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Cominco Fertilizers Ltd.
    Inventor: Stewart G. Bexton
  • Patent number: 5571758
    Abstract: A process for preparing a material includes preparing a preform having carbon particles and a carrier material. A first end of a wick, made of a material that is wetted by liquid silicon, is contacted to the preform. The wick and the preform are heated to a temperature greater than the melting point of silicon, so that silicon flows along the wick to the preform. The silicon reacts with the carbon particles to form silicon carbide. At least a portion of the reaction of carbon and silicon is performed in an atmosphere containing a source of nitrogen and substantially free of oxygen, so that free silicon reacts to form silicon nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Theodore R. Grossman
  • Patent number: 5571494
    Abstract: A temperature-activated polysilicic acid is prepared by heating an acidified aqueous alkali metal silicate. The temperature-activated polysilicic acid is used in the production of paper for improvement of retention and water removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: J. M. Huber Corporation
    Inventor: Sakari Saastamoinen
  • Patent number: 5562887
    Abstract: Alkyl nitrite-containing exhaust gases are purified in continuous form by treating them with equimolar to excess amidosulphuric acid in the form of an aqueous solution in the manner of a counter-current scrubbing at a temperature of 0.degree.-100.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Landscheidt, Kaspar Hallenberger, Paul Wagner, Alexander Klausener