Patents Examined by Joye L. Woodard
  • Patent number: 9005401
    Abstract: A system for tire distillation including an upper chamber, a first conveyor configured to transport a tire through the upper chamber, a lower chamber located beneath the upper chamber, the lower chamber that includes an ultrasonic purge chamber configured to radiate the tire with ultrasonic radiation, a microwave radiation chamber configured to radiate the tire with microwave radiation, and a second conveyor configured to transport the tire from the ultrasonic purge chamber to the microwave radiation chamber. The system further includes a vacuum system configured to maintain an atmosphere in the ultrasonic purge chamber and the microwave radiation chamber under a vacuum wherein the tire is preheated during conveyance through the upper chamber from heat produced in the lower chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Infinite Earth, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8999252
    Abstract: An exhaust gas catalyst where the catalyst efficiency is improved by enhancing diffusion of the exhaust gas in a catalyst layer. An exhaust gas catalyst comprises at least a carrier and a plurality of layers formed on the carrier. At least one of the layers has pores therein, and at least one other layer has pores therein and contains, as catalyst components, a noble metal, alumina and a complex oxide mainly containing ceria, zirconia and one or more rare earth elements other than cerium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Japan Incorporated
    Inventors: Jin Cho, Tomotaka Hirota, Kenji Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 8992736
    Abstract: A process for quenching, separating and collecting targeted components of a hot pyrolysis product stream from the pyrolysis of biomass is provided. The process utilizes sequential steps of rapid quenching and electrostatic precipitation comprising injecting a coolant comprising at least one of nitrogen, a noble gas and mixtures thereof into a hot pyrolysis vapor to selectively condense a first fraction of components from the hot pyrolysis vapor at a first predetermined temperature which is then collected by electrostatic precipitation in a first electrostatic precipitator at about the first predetermined temperature, where a wall temperature of the first electrostatic precipitator is maintained slightly higher than the first predetermined temperature. The sequential steps of coolant injection and collection are repeated at progressively cooler temperatures in order to selectively collect one or more fractions of the hot mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignees: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc., Phillips 66 Company
    Inventors: Daren E. Daugaard, Samuel T. Jones, Dustin L. Dalluge, Robert C. Brown
  • Patent number: 8992641
    Abstract: A method of startup for a gasification system includes assembling a fuel mixture for use by a gasifier at a fuel mixture assembly point, wherein the fuel mixture includes a quantity of particulate solid fuel and a quantity of non-ventable carrier gas. The method includes channeling the fuel mixture through a first conduit to a fuel mixture disassembly system including a non-ventable carrier gas removal apparatus, establishing a substantially steady flow of the fuel mixture within the first conduit, and redirecting the fuel mixture through a second conduit to the gasifier to facilitate gasifier startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, John Saunders Stevenson
  • Patent number: 8980064
    Abstract: A pyrolytic conversion assembly for processing biomass including: a rotary kiln including a tube for heating the biomass at pressure having a sealable inlet at a first, higher end for ingress of the biomass, and a sealable outlet at a lower end for egress of charcoal formed from the biomass; and heating elements disposed around the kiln to provide a localized source of heating at a predetermined distance from the sealable inlet for reflux condensation of gas from the biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventors: Laurence Rex Manderson, Daniel Charles Manderson
  • Patent number: 8961885
    Abstract: A device for the purification of polluted waste gas by means of regenerative thermal oxidation. The device has at least two heat-accumulator towers having a common combustion chamber and each containing a heat-accumulator material, the upper ends of which face the combustion chamber. The heat-accumulator towers are each connected via a control chamber to a channel for the supply of the raw gas to be purified and a channel for the discharge of clean gas. The two channels are each connectable to the at least two heat-accumulator towers via the control chambers for an alternating supply of raw gas and discharge of clean gas via shut-off devices actuable by actuators. The two channels are arranged laterally adjacent to the heat-accumulator towers and are located adjacent each other and above the respective control chambers and interconnected with the respective control chambers through openings therebetween, with the openings being closable via shut-off devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: CTP Chemisch Thermische Prozesstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Lesky, Johannes Schedler, Heimo Thalhammer
  • Patent number: 8951314
    Abstract: A fuel feed system for use in a gasification system includes a feed preparation section, a pressurization and conveyance section, and a slag additive section. The feed preparation section is configured to grind the fuel to a predetermined size and to adjust the moisture content within the particulate fuel. The pressurization and conveyance section is coupled in flow communication with the feed preparation section, and includes at least one solids pump configured to receive a flow of the particulate fuel at a first pressure and discharge the particulate fuel at a second pressure. The slag additive section is configured to feed a slag additive mixture into the gasifier and to substantially control the total water content within the gasification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter
  • Patent number: 8945348
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing charcoal. It is characterized in that: first hot gases are generated by at least one heating means; its first gases are mixed with second gases in order to form a gas mixture; this mixture is sent into a charge of wood in order to generate therein a pyrolysis front; an overpressure is created between the upstream end and the downstream end of the charge so as to force this front to pass through it in one direction, namely from the upstream end to the downstream end; and third gases are recovered downstream of the charge, at least a first portion of said third gases, in the form of a stream of said second gases, is conveyed by a conveying means. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Carbonex Societe A Responsabilite Limitee
    Inventors: Arnaud Loiseau, Philippe Soler-My, Pierre Soler-My
  • Patent number: 8940136
    Abstract: Improvement in carbonization in a carbonization furnace and simultaneous reduction in NOx emissions is achieved by recirculation of waste gas from a coking oven back to the oven chamber, the downcomers, or the sole channel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Ronald Kim, Rainer Worberg
  • Patent number: 8916104
    Abstract: An exhaust gas denitrifying system having a noise-reduction structure includes a reactor in which a chemical reaction that converts nitrogen oxides included in exhaust gas into nitrogen by denitrifying the nitrogen oxides using a catalyst takes place. The reactor includes a catalytic filter unit coated with a catalyst and provided with a plurality of through-holes through which exhaust gas passes; and a noise-reducing unit for removing noise from the exhaust gas denitrified by the catalytic filter unit. The reactor denitrifies the nitrogen oxides, and simultaneously reduces the noise, thus reducing the size of the exhaust gas denitrifying system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Panasia Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo-Tae Lee, Ok-Ryeol Song, Chang-Won Lee, Ha-Geun Kang
  • Patent number: 8900415
    Abstract: A process and a unit for fluidized bed torrefaction and grinding of particles of a biomass with a largest dimension of 2 cm to 5 cm, and which unit contains an envelope having a general shape of a sector having a) two substantially vertical walls delimiting that sector; and b) at least one inclined wall defining three zones, from bottom to top: a lower zone provided with a fluidization means, and provided with a grinder placed at the bottom of that zone; an intermediate zone (2) provided with a fluidization means; and an upper zone (3) provided with a fluidization means; and a pipe (11) for introducing the particles reaching into the unit to the level of the intermediate zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Matthieu Rolland, Sylvain Louret
  • Patent number: 8894935
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a selective catalyst reduction system according to the present invention includes a selective catalyst reduction system that reacts with ammonia and reduces NOx, a first NOx sensor that is disposed upstream of the selective catalyst reduction system and measures the amount of the NOx that flows into the selective catalyst reduction system, a second NOx sensor that is disposed downstream of the selective catalyst reduction system and measures the amount of the NOx that is reduced, an injector that is disposed between the first NOx sensor and the selective catalyst reduction system and injects a urea solution, and a control portion that calculates reduction efficiency based on signals that are detected from the first NOx sensor and the second NOx sensor, determines the necessary amount of the ammonia according to the reduction efficiency, and controls the injection amount of the urea solution through the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chang Eun Choi
  • Patent number: 8894943
    Abstract: A catalyst-carrying filter includes a gas-inflow-side layer and a gas-outflow-side layer, the gas-inflow-side layer including a PM collection layer that has a small average pore size and a PM removal catalyst layer that supports or is coated with an oxidizing catalyst, and the gas-outflow-side layer including a gas purification catalyst layer that supports or is coated with a gas purification catalyst. An amount of oxidizing catalyst supported on the PM collection and PM removal catalyst layer is larger than that of the gas purification catalyst layer by a factor of 1.05 to 10 and an amount of noble metal contained in the PM collection and PM removal catalyst layer is smaller than an amount of noble metal contained in the gas purification catalyst layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 8888962
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pyrolysing a solid organic feed material are disclosed. Solid organic material is moved through a reaction chamber and exposed to a temperature profile within the chamber that dries and pyrolyses the organic material and releases water vapour and a volatile products gas phase. The water vapour phase and the volatile products gas phase are moved counter-current to the solid organic material so that the water vapour phase and condensable components of the volatile products gas phase condense in cooler upstream sections of the chamber and form a liquid water product and a separate liquid oil product. The liquid water product is discharged via an outlet along the length of the chamber and a dried and pyrolysed solid product is discharged from a downstream outlet in the chamber. The chamber includes a plurality of heat transfer members extending within the chamber and a supply of oxygen-containing gas for establishing and maintaining the temperature profile within the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: The Crucible Group Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Lazar Strezov, Steven Robert Osborn, Joseph George Herbertson, Gary Kenneth Ellem
  • Patent number: 8888961
    Abstract: A pyrolysis device and process to convert a carbonaceous feedstock to a carbon solid and pyrolysis gas, and processes for refining the resulting carbon solid and pyrolysis gases. The pyrolysis process may include introducing a carbonaceous feedstock into a pyrolysis processor having a vertical rotary tray processor, heating the feedstock to a temperature above about 790° F., removing a carbon material from a bottom of the pyrolysis processor, and removing a pyrolysis gas from a top of the pyrolysis processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Reklaim, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Horn, Daniel F. Kapral, William J. Langley, Jr., Thomas A. Reynolds
  • Patent number: 8883082
    Abstract: A distributor for a circulating dry scrubber reactor includes a venturi section with a venturi section wall extending from a venturi section inlet to a venturi section outlet along a longitudinal axis, with the venturi section inlet connected to an inlet plenum and the venturi section outlet connected to a circulating dry scrubber reactor. A hub is mounted within the venturi section wall with an annular converging-diverging flow path defined between the venturi section wall and the hub for distribution of gas flow from the venturi section outlet into a circulating dry scrubber reactor space and for maintaining stable bed fluidization in a CDS system at a comparatively low system pressure loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock Power Development LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Quitadamo, Kimbal Hall, Martin J. Kozlak, Angelos Kokkinos
  • Patent number: 8877015
    Abstract: A process and system is disclosed for optimizing a key parameter of a biomass feedstock that enhances bio-oil production. The process and system involves optimizing the values of the key parameter in multiple biomass feedstocks by regulating their feed rates and blending those feedstocks to produce a cumulative biomass feedstock with an optimal value for the key parameter. The key parameter in the biomass feedstocks is measured and the feed rates of the multiple biomass feedstocks are adjusted in order to produce a cumulative biomass feedstock exhibiting optimal values for the desired key parameter. The key parameters can include compositional properties, such as lignin content or mineral content, and/or fluidization properties of the biomass materials, such as density, particle cohesion force, or particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: KiOR, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bartek, Steve Yanik
  • Patent number: 8840843
    Abstract: An air pollution control apparatus includes at least one denitration catalyst layer for reducing the amounts of nitrogen oxides in flue gas from a boiler and oxidizing mercury with hydrogen chloride sprayed into the flue gas. Spraying pipe headers 51 are disposed in a flue gas duct 19. The spraying pipe headers 51 are inserted into the flue gas duct 19 and arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction of a gas flow in the flue gas duct 19. At least four spray nozzles 52-1 to 52-4 are disposed at intervals on the spraying pipe header 51 to form a vertical vortex flow 53 in the gas flow direction. A swirling diffuser plate is disposed on an opening side of the spray nozzles to form the vertical vortex flow in the gas flow direction, wherein the swirling diffuser plate has a flat shape at one side parallel to the spraying pipe header and a wavy shape corresponding to the nozzle intervals on the header at the other side. The diffusion of hydrogen chloride is thereby facilitated in a rapid manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyasu Sakata, Rikuma Shijo, Toshihiro Sato, Moritoshi Murakami, Nobuyuki Ukai, Katsumi Nochi, Masashi Kiyosawa
  • Patent number: 8834824
    Abstract: A method is described for treating a gas stream comprising fluorine (F2) gas. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises adding water vapor to a gas stream and conveying the gas stream and water vapor to a reaction chamber containing a heated bed of material to react with F2 to form an inorganic fluoride while inhibiting formation of CF4 within the reaction chamber, and at least partially evacuating the reaction chamber so that the gas stream is conveyed to and from the reaction chamber at sub-atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: James Robert Smith, Andrew David Wright
  • Patent number: 8828325
    Abstract: A catalyst is disclosed. The catalyst contains a ternary nitride and at least one of gold, osmium, iridium, palladium, rhodium, rhenium, ruthenium, or cesium. The catalyst may be used for a particulate filter in an engine exhaust treatment system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert Florey Martins DaCosta, Thomas Edward Paulson, Svetlana Mikhailovna Zemskova, James Joshua Driscoll, Wade James Robel