Patents Examined by Cabrena Holecek
  • Patent number: 10010828
    Abstract: A filtration membrane device which uses a filter to collect solid contents remaining in a branched lean solution cleans the filter by using a low-concentration CO2 absorption liquid circulating within the system as cleaning water (containing the absorption liquid); rough cleaning, which returns the low-concentration CO2 absorption liquid used for cleaning to a lean solution supply line, is performed; the filter is finish-cleaned by cleaning water from outside the system which does not include the CO2 absorption liquid; the CO2 absorption liquid which is adhered to the solid contents is washed and removed; finish-cleaning water which includes the CO2 absorption liquid is returned to the lean solution supply line the moisture content within the system is maintained at a prescribed value by adjusting the water balance in an absorption tower and the concentration of the CO2 absorption liquid which circulates within the system is kept at a prescribed concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Hirata, Hiromitsu Nagayasu, Hiroshi Tanaka, Tomoki Noborisato, Tsuyoshi Oishi
  • Patent number: 10011484
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying raw-material gases by fractionation. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for cleansing chlorine gas of bromine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: COVERSTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG
    Inventors: Alfred Soppe, Juergen Bittner, Thorsten Leidig, Friedhelm Steffens, Knud Werner, Thomas Runowski
  • Patent number: 10005032
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus includes a heat exchanger which heats a first rich liquid, a flow divider which divides the first rich liquid heated by the heat exchanger into a second rich liquid and a third rich liquid, a first release device which heats the second rich liquid and discharges a first semi-lean liquid, a second release device which heats the third rich liquid and discharges a second semi-lean liquid, and a regeneration tower which heats the first and second semi-lean liquids to generate a lean liquid. The first release device heats the second rich liquid, using the lean liquid. The second release device heats the third rich liquid, using a carbon dioxide-containing steam discharged at the regeneration tower. The heat exchanger heats the first rich liquid, using the lean liquid which has passed through the first release device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideo Kitamura, Satoshi Saito, Mitsuru Udatsu
  • Patent number: 10000383
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery apparatus capable of recovering CO2 by using only a low-quality exhaust heat at 100° C. or less is provided. The present invention includes an absorption tower for allowing a basic aqueous solution to absorb CO2; and a regenerator for heating a basic aqueous solution with CO2 absorbed therein using a heating medium having a temperature of 100° C. or less, thereby desorbing CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: THE KANSAI ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC.
    Inventors: Tsunenori Watanabe, Tetsuo Sasaki, Michio Hirose, Yasuyuki Yagi, Hiroshi Deguchi
  • Patent number: 10000713
    Abstract: A plant includes a pretreatment unit for H2S removal and air dehydration, and at least two absorbers that receive a feed gas at a pressure of at least 300 psig with variable CO2 content (e.g., between 5 to 60 mol %), wherein the feed gas is scrubbed in the absorbers with an ultralean and a semi-lean physical solvent, respectively, at low temperatures to at least partially remove the CO2 from the feed gas. Such configurations produces a low CO2 dry treated gas and a H2S-free CO2 for sequestration while advantageously providing cooling by expansion of the rich solvent that cools the semi-lean solvent and the feed gas, wherein an ultralean solvent is produced by stripping using dry air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Patent number: 9993767
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery device includes: a CO2 absorption tower in which CO2 included in an exhaust gas is absorbed by a CO2 absorption liquid; and a CO2 absorption liquid regeneration tower that heats and regenerates the CO2 absorption liquid that has absorbed CO2. The CO2 absorption liquid regeneration tower includes: a main body part in which the CO2 absorption liquid is temporarily stored; a boot part provided downward from a tank end of the main body part, having a relatively smaller capacity than the main body part; a flowmeter provided to the boot part, and measuring the liquid surface level of the CO2 absorption liquid that changes between the main body part and the boot part; and a control device controlling the liquid surface level of the CO2 absorption liquid between the main body part and the boot part on the basis of the measurement result of the flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Miyamoto, Takashi Kamijo, Tsuyoshi Oishi, Shimpei Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 9993766
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture apparatus according to an embodiment includes an absorber and a stripper. The liquid level of the absorbing liquid within the absorber is measured by an absorber level gauge. A regulating liquid that contains water and is used to control the proportion of water contained in the absorbing liquid is stored in a regulating liquid tank. The flow rate of the regulating liquid to be supplied from the regulating liquid tank to the absorber or the stripper is controlled by a regulating liquid control valve. A controller controls the opening degree of the regulating liquid control valve based on the liquid level of the absorbing liquid measured by the absorber level gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Noriko Chiba, Masatoshi Hodotsuka, Norihide Egami
  • Patent number: 9988653
    Abstract: Processes, methods, and apparatus for carbon sequestration utilizing catalysis schemes configured to provide high concentrations of hydrated CO2 in proximity with a sequestration agent are provided. Reactants are combined with catalyst such that at least two regions of controlled catalytic activity form encompassing at least the interface between a sequestration agent and an aqueous solution containing dissolved CO2. Suitable reactants include various sequestration agents, catalyst, and carbon dioxide dissolved in an aqueous solution (seawater, for example). Possible products include bicarbonate and metal cations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, University of Southern California, Yissum Research Development Company of the Hebrew University of Jeresalem Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam Vinay Subhas, William Berelson, Nick Everett Rollins, Jess Firey Adkins, Jonathan Erez
  • Patent number: 9987586
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery unit includes a CO2-absorber that causes a gas containing CO2 to contact a CO2-absorbing solution and that causes the CO2 in the gas to be absorbed into the CO2-absorbing solution; a CO2-regenerator that heats the CO2-absorbing solution, releases the CO2 from the CO2-absorbing solution, and regenerates the CO2-absorbing solution; and a CO2 recovery amount controller that: calculates a computed target value of a CO2 recovery amount and a computed target value of a CO2 recovery rate based on a set value of the CO2 recovery rate, actual measured values of CO2 concentration, gas flow rate, and temperature of the gas, and calculates a maximum value of the CO2 recovery amount in the CO2-absorber and a maximum value of the CO2 recovery amount in the CO2-regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Nakagawa, Daisuke Shimada, Tatsuya Tsujiuchi
  • Patent number: 9975078
    Abstract: Ammonia-adding apparatus and methods for ammonia-based desulfurization use multi-stage control, calculate a theoretical amount of ammonia based on gas amounts provided by an inlet continuous emission monitoring system (CEMS) and an outlet CEMS of the ammonia-based desulfurization device or associated gas amounts, a SO2 concentration provided by the inlet CEMS, and a predetermined SO2 concentration of the outlet CEMS. The apparatus and methods calculate a corrected theoretical amount of ammonia using half of the ratio of the actual amount of added ammonia to the actual amount of removed sulfur dioxide as a correction coefficient for the theoretical amount of ammonia; add an ammonia absorbent equivalent to the corrected theoretical amount of ammonia to the ammonia-based desulfurization device through an ammonia metering means and an ammonia control valve, and automatically control the actual ammonia flow rate based on the actual SO2 concentration and a change trend provided by the outlet CEMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Jiangnan Environmental Protection Group Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Luo, Jinyong Wang, Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 9975768
    Abstract: A system for generating and purifying hydrogen. To generate hydrogen, the system includes inlets configured to receive a hydrogen carrier and an inert insulator, a mixing chamber configured to combine the hydrogen carrier and the inert insulator, a heat exchanger configured to apply heat to the mixture of hydrogen carrier and the inert insulator, wherein the applied heat results in the generation of hydrogen from the hydrogen carrier, and an outlet configured to release the generated hydrogen. To purify hydrogen, the system includes a primary inlet to receive a starting material and an ammonia filtration subassembly, which may include an absorption column configured to absorb the ammonia into water for providing purified hydrogen at a first purity level. The ammonia filtration subassembly may also include an adsorbent member configured to adsorb ammonia from the starting material into an adsorbent for providing purified hydrogen at a second purity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventors: Arvind Varma, Hyun Tae Hwang, Ahmad Al-Kukhun
  • Patent number: 9975079
    Abstract: A multi-stage process for recovering acid gas from natural gas having high acid gas contents utilizes two or more membrane absorption contactors arranged in series. The first membrane absorption contactor uses a physical solvent to remove a high volume of acid gas transferred across a membrane, and to reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to a lower level that can be managed using chemical solvents. The second and, if needed, subsequent membrane absorption contactors can use a chemical solvent to remove acid gas transferred across the respective membranes and reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to very low levels, if needed, depending on product specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Shaojun Zhou, Howard S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9956505
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of removing acidic gas from a gaseous stream and regenerating an aqueous solution allows for the recovery of waste heat of stripping steam and more economical regeneration of the aqueous solution. In at least one embodiment, one or more rich solvent bypasses combine with a rich solvent heat exchanger to recover waste heat. In another embodiment, the apparatus and method include one or more rich solvent bypasses and a heater positioned upstream of the stripper to more economically regenerate an aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: Gary Rochelle, Tarun Madan, Yu-Jeng Lin
  • Patent number: 9956522
    Abstract: Methods of reducing the water content of a wet gas are presented. In one case, the method includes exposing the gas to an amine-terminated branched polymer solvent to remove a substantial portion of the water from the wet gas, exposing the diluted solvent to carbon dioxide to phase separate the solvent from the water, and regenerating the solvent for reuse by desorbing the carbon dioxide by the application of heat. In another case, the method includes exposing the gas to a cloud-point glycol solvent to remove a substantial portion of the water from the wet gas, heating the diluted solvent to above a cloud point temperature for the solvent so as to create a phase separation of the solvent from the water so as to regenerate the solvent for reuse, and directing the regenerated solvent to a new supply of wet gas for water reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: NRGTEK, INC.
    Inventor: Subramanian Iyer
  • Patent number: 9957029
    Abstract: An exhaust gas processing apparatus that processes exhaust gas, including a reaction tower that includes an internal space extending in a height direction; a trunk tube that extends in the height direction in the internal space of the reaction tower and transports a liquid; and a plurality of branch tubes that are provided extending from an outer side surface of the trunk tube toward an inner side surface of the reaction tower, each include an ejecting section that ejects the liquid supplied from the trunk tube, and are provided at positions at different heights. Ejection regions of the liquid where the liquid is ejected from the respective ejecting sections of branch tubes that are adjacent in the height direction include a region in which the ejection regions partially overlap in an overhead view as seen from the height direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Nanae Matsumoto, Yoshiaki Enami, Kuniyuki Takahashi, Takashi Inui
  • Patent number: 9950290
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the disclosure correspond to, for example, a system for scrubbing a mixture of gases and/or contaminants from indoor air from an enclosed space to remove at least one gas and/or contaminant from the mixture of gases and/or contaminants. The system may include one or more adsorbent materials configured to be cycled between adsorption and regeneration of at least one of gas and/or contaminant from the mixture of gases and/or contaminants via a temperature swing adsorption cycle (for example), regeneration means configured to regenerate one or more adsorbent materials. The regeneration means may be configured at a regeneration temperature to regenerate the one or more adsorbent materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: ENVERID SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Udi Meirav, Israel Biran, Abraham Bechar
  • Patent number: 9943801
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for regenerating solvent used to remove contaminants from a fluid stream. Said process comprises a solvent regeneration system (10) comprising a rich/lean solvent stripper column (29), reboiler (50), condenser (36), and reflux receiver (38) wherein the improvement is the location 46 of the condensed stripper gas return from the reflux receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Leister, Ross E. Dugas
  • Patent number: 9945102
    Abstract: An apparatus for extracting water from atmospheric air by means of a flowable sorbent for the sorption of the water, wherein the sorption by way of the flowable sorbent (3) is provided at least along a sorption path (2) of the sorbent (3), wherein a sorbent (4) diluted with sorbed water (17) is provided at the end of the sorption path (2), wherein a separation unit (12) for at least partially separating the sorbed water (17) from the flowable sorbent (3, 4) is provided, wherein the separation unit (12) has at least one evaporator (12) for the evaporation of the sorbed water (17), is proposed, which apparatus can be operated in an energy-efficient manner and is not imperatively reliant on the presence of solar energy. This is achieved according to the invention in that the separation unit (12) has at least one negative-pressure compressor (16) for subjecting the diluted sorbent (4) to negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: LOGOS-INNOVATIONEN GMBH
    Inventors: Frank W. Thielow, Christian Thielow
  • Patent number: 9938216
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus to recover and purify methanol from gases produced in the digester during the kraft pulping process. The gas is typically recovered as a foul gas (called stripper off gas or SOG) comprising methanol, water and various other contaminants. The gas is then treated with successive decanting and distillation steps to remove impurities, thereby producing highly purified methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: A.H. Lundberg Systems Limited
    Inventors: Bruce Der, Allan Stewart Jensen
  • Patent number: 9938147
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying raw-material gases by fractionation. In particular, the present invention relates to a process for cleansing chlorine gas of bromine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Alfred Soppe, Juergen Bittner, Thorsten Leidig, Friedhelm Steffens, Knud Werner, Thomas Runowski