Patents Examined by Ives Wu
  • Patent number: 8298321
    Abstract: A river water utilizing flue gas desulfurization system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a pre-treatment facility 13 that removes humic substances in river water 11 to produce makeup water 12; and a desulfurization apparatus 17 that brings sulfur content in flue gas 15 into contact with limestone gypsum slurry 16 in an apparatus body 14. The pre-treatment facility 13 includes a flocculant mixing basin 22 in which a flocculant 21 is added to the river water 11 to flocculate and remove the humic substances contained in the river water 11; and an activated carbon absorption unit 23 in which the humic substances contained in the river water 11 are absorbed and removed by way of activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ukai, Takashi Yoshimoto, Tatsuto Nagayasu, Susumu Okino
  • Patent number: 8292988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a washing column (T) for implementing a physical gas washing. Gas (1) is sent from the bottom to the top and washing agent (2) is sent from the top to the bottom through the washing column. At least two washing sections (WS1, WS2) are arranged on top of one another in the washing column (T). The top section (WS2) is bounded at the bottom by a riser base (K), from which a portion of the washing agent that is charged into the top washing section can be introduced as washing agent into the lower washing section (WS1). Another portion of the washing agent can be removed from the washing column (T) via a lateral drain (4). The top washing section (WS2) is connected to the lower washing section (WS1) by an overflow (U), via which charged washing agent from the riser base (K) can be introduced into the lower washing section (WS1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Seliger
  • Patent number: 8292989
    Abstract: A power generation plant (112), a method, and a CO2 capture system (122) for removing carbon dioxide (104) from a flue gas stream (106) are disclosed. As shown in FIG. 2, a CO2 capture system (122), comprises an absorber vessel (202), a water wash vessel (210), and a stripper (214). The CO2 capture system (122) can be configured to introduce both a lean ionic ammonia solution (204) from a regeneration system (124) and a flue gas stream (106) from a cooling system (120) and to provide a rich ionic ammonia solution (206) to a regeneration system (124), wherein the introduction of the lean ionic ammonia solution (204) to the flue gas stream (106) produces a flue gas substantially devoid CO2 (224). The water wash vessel (210) can be configured to receive the flue gas substantially devoid CO2 (224) and produce ammoniated water (212) by introducing water (218) to the flue gas substantially devoid CO2 (224).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Frederic Z. Kozak, Arlyn V. Petig, Vikram Shabde
  • Patent number: 8292992
    Abstract: A flue gas desulfurization apparatus includes an absorption tower that absorbs sulfur oxide in a flue gas, and drift suppression members that are arranged near a bend portion of a purified gas exhaust passage arranged at an outlet portion of the absorption tower, the drift suppression members serving to collect mist particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sato, Manabu Oda, Koichiro Iwashita, Eiji Ochi, Susumu Okino, Takeo Shinoda, Tetsu Ushiku
  • Patent number: 8287627
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel piperazinium trifluoroacetate compound prepared by reacting piperazine with trifluoroacetic acid and a carbon dioxide absorbent prepared by dissolving the compound in an ionic liquid or organic solvent. According to the present invention, the carbon dioxide absorbent has excellent carbon dioxide absorption capacity and low solvent loss, and the energy consumption required for the carbon dioxide absorption and desorption is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sung Yeup Chung, Ki Chun Lee, Seok Jin Choi, Hoon Sik Kim, Jelliarko Palgunadi, Je Eun Kang
  • Patent number: 8287741
    Abstract: A filter configured to separate the solid components and the liquid components from a slurry. The filter includes a plurality of filter plate assemblies that cooperate to define a plurality of filter chambers, each defining a perimeter having an open section when the filter plates are in a closed position relative to one another. Each filter plate assembly includes a closure configured to close the open section. Preferably, the closures are movable to an open position to permit a particulate cake to be removed from the filter chambers without separating the filter plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Sean R. Duby
  • Patent number: 8283295
    Abstract: Precipitation vessel for precipitation of flocculants from lubricating oil includes a hollow housing having an interior volume capable of containing oil; an entry port capable of allowing oil to enter into the interior volume; a stirrer capable of stirring contained oil; a heater capable of heating the contained oil; a product exit port capable of allowing oil to exit the interior volume; an upper exterior access port; and a lower exterior access port. Contaminated lubricating oil can be cleaned from solid particulates by a method of providing a vessel for containing oil; providing contaminated lubricating oil to the vessel; contacting the contaminated lubricating oil with a coagulant, and, maintaining the resulting mixture at a mildly elevated temperature throughout the vessel, inducing flocculation of solid particles and settlement of flocculated particles under low thermo-current, if not thermo-current-free, conditions; and drawing off lubricating oil cleaned from settled flocculated solid particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Tajwar Shadikhan
  • Patent number: 8282710
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon dioxide absorbent, an ionic liquid obtained by reacting amide and an organic acid and a method of using the same. The amidium-based ionic liquid of the present invention has excellent CO2 absorption capability, which is hardly reduced even with repeated use, is easy to synthesize and has low manufacturing cost thus being useful as a CO2 absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seok Jin Choi, Jelliarko Palgunadi, Je Eun Kang, Hoon Sik Kim, Sung Yeup Chung
  • Patent number: 8277543
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gaseous fossil fuel fired, indirectly heated, Brayton closed cycle comprising an alkali metal seeded noble gases that is rendered non-equilibrium, electrically conducting in a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) electric power generator with zero emissions from the combustion products, including physical separation and sequestration of the carbon dioxide (CO2) what is emitted from the fossil fuel, with said cycle combined with a Rankine steam turbine bottoming cycle to compress the noble gas, while another optional new or existing Rankine steam cycle is placed in parallel and separate from the MHD cycle, and it is fired by the solid char remaining if the MHD cycle is fired with the devolatilized coal, and/or with solid coal culm, and/or unburned carbon in coal power plant waste ash, in order to achieve high efficiency at low capital, low operating, and low fuel costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Bert Zauderer
  • Patent number: 8268049
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses comprising both a primary absorption zone and a secondary absorption zone comprising a plurality of vortex contacting stages are described. The apparatuses provide improved heat and mass transfer between vapor and liquid phases in processes such as absorption, to selectively solubilize contaminants (e.g., acid gases) from an impure vapor (e.g., sour natural gas). Vortex contacting stage(s) in a zone of vapor-liquid contacting, such as a secondary or finishing absorption zone, are used following bulk absorption in a primary or main absorption zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Lev Davydov
  • Patent number: 8268060
    Abstract: A dehumidifier system having a dehumidifier section within which liquid desiccant absorbs moisture from air flowing therethrough and a dehumidifier section within which the desiccant is regenerated employs a heat exchanger for maintaining a relatively high temperature differential between the desiccant contained within the dehumidifier and regenerator sections. The desiccant which is conducted to either the dehumidifier section or the regenerator section is separated into multiple streams, and the multiple streams are treated differently from one another before being discharged into preselected segments of the air flow moving through the corresponding one of the dehumidifier section and the regenerator section. A control scheme in the system is capable of altering, and thereby improving, the concentration level of desiccant utilized in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Green Comfort Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. Hargis, Robert W. Dibble, Stephen D. Heberle
  • Patent number: 8268050
    Abstract: An improved process for the separation of carbon dioxide from the flue gas of an oxy-combustion power plant is provided. The flue gas is compressed, cleaned, cooled and dried. This clean, compressed dry flue gas is then further cooled, partially condensed and separated into liquid and vapor streams. The liquid streams, which contain a high concentration of carbon dioxide, are vaporized, compressed and exported to an end user. The vapor streams are heated and expanded, in order to extract useable energy. At least two expanders are used to extract this energy, with an intermediate warming step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc.
    Inventor: Bao Ha
  • Patent number: 8257467
    Abstract: A process for partial dehydration of a gas by contact with a solvent that can be regenerated by: a) A stage for absorption of H2O by contact of the gas to be treated and regenerated solvent producing a dehydrated gas effluent and a liquid solvent effluent that is charged with H2O and absorbed gas, b) A stage for cooling the solvent charged with H2O at ambient temperature, c) A stage for separation by segregation during which liquid H2O and the solvent are separated at ambient temperature, d) A stage in which the regenerated solvent that is obtained at the end of stage c) is heated, e) A stage in which the regenerated and heated solvent that is obtained at the end of stage d) is recycled to the absorption stage a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Nicolas Ferrando, Julien Grandjean, Abdelhakim Koudil, Pascal Mougin, Jean-Pierre Ballaguet
  • Patent number: 8257476
    Abstract: A first contaminant selected from oxygen and carbon monoxide is removed from impure liquid carbon dioxide using a mass transfer separation column system which is reboiled by indirect heat exchange against crude carbon dioxide fluid, the impure liquid carbon dioxide having a greater concentration of carbon dioxide than the crude carbon dioxide fluid. The invention has particular application in the recovery of carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen PSA process. Advantages include reducing the level of the first contaminant to not more than 1000 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 8241410
    Abstract: Ancillary embodiments and modifications to a homogenizer unit that increases its applicability to a wide spectrum of chemical or physical-chemical reactions and properties. Methods of introducing reactants and devices that present a tortuous pathway to reactants are placed at a strategic locus (or loci) that delay or modify flow pathways to gases, liquids, aerosols, particulates, or any combination thereof. Reactions of a chemical, physical-chemical, and thermo-chemical nature between a wide variety of matter are possible and readily achieved with the correct solvent(s), reactant(s), or pressure under controlled conditions of pressure, temperature, chemical concentrations, and other impingements. Various well-recognized or established principles are used to expedite reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Alchem Environmental LLC
    Inventors: John R. Pease, John F. Blatnick
  • Patent number: 8241399
    Abstract: A method of generating heat from a gas stream includes providing a first gas stream having a first temperature and a moisture content approximately saturating the gas stream, removing the moisture content from the first gas stream to form a second gas stream having a second temperature greater than the first temperature of the first gas stream, and heat exchanging the second gas stream having the second temperature greater than the first temperature of the first gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Walter Albers
  • Patent number: 8241459
    Abstract: A vessel header comprising a plurality of lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration and entering the vessel header through alternating header penetrations with a single header penetration per lateral flow tube. A method of increasing the throughput of a polymerization reaction comprising conducting the polymerization reaction in a reaction vessel comprising a plurality of lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration and entering the vessel header through alternating header penetrations with a single header penetration per lateral flow tube wherein the polymerization reaction displays an increase in throughput of 10% and a decrease in volatiles of from 5% to 10% when compared to a polymerization reaction carried out in a reaction vessel lacking a plurality of lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration and entering the vessel header through alternating header penetrations with a single header penetration per lateral flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: John Tomlinson, Roy Kennedy, Jose M. Sosa
  • Patent number: 8241384
    Abstract: A filter element arrangement is provided which includes a media pack comprising Z-filter media, a preform and an overmold sealing a portion of the interface between the preform and the media pack, and also forming an air cleaner seal for the filter element. The overmold preferably comprises molded, foamed, polyurethane. A variety of media pack shapes can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Schrage, Troy Murphy, Donald Raymond Mork
  • Patent number: 8236092
    Abstract: A gas scrubber employing liquid droplets injected into a flowing gas stream at a higher velocity than the gas velocity, having means to create a gradient of increasing pressure downstream from the droplet injection site, which gradient decelerates the gas and thereby increases the velocity of the droplets relative to the gas, thus increasing the total path length of the droplets through the gas, so as to allow substantial increase of scrubber collection efficiency without use of increased scrubber size or increased liquid droplet flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Clyde N. Richards
  • Patent number: 8231706
    Abstract: A method for separating methane and carbon dioxide from biogas and a device are intended for purifying biogas, wherein carbon dioxide is separated off from the biogas. The method is distinguished by an energetically favorable mode of operation. The biogas is passed under atmospheric pressure and standard temperature into an absorption column. While the biogas ascends through a packed bed, which has a surface area of 600 to 1200 m2/m3, and at a space velocity of 5 to 40 Nm3/m3h, carbon dioxide present in the biogas is bound in a wash liquid by chemosorption. The purified methane gas is taken off at the top of the absorption column at a defined flow velocity. Carbon dioxide bound in the wash liquid is removed by desorption at a relatively high pressure of 2 to 30 bar and a temperature of at least 120° C. Biogas may be separated into methane and CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: MT-Biomethan GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Günther