Patents Examined by Maribel Medina
-
Patent number: 6936237Abstract: The present invention provides catalysts, reactors, and methods of steam reforming alcohols over a catalyst. Surprisingly superior results and properties obtained in methods and catalysts of the present invention are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Jianli Hu
-
Patent number: 6932956Abstract: A petroleum coke-based combined De-SOx and De-NOx process is described comprising use of four key units, namely, a flue gas concentrator (FC), a carbothermal reducer (CR), an elemental sulphur condenser (SC) and an oxidizer for reduced sulphur and nitrogen species (RO). The two major reactants in this process are the petroleum coke, preferably, and a flue gas containing SOx/NOx. The major products are elemental sulphur from the SC and activated coke from the CR. The process provides for SOx and NOx abatement in an economically viable way while the activated coke produced has a wide range of applications, particularly, in environmental protection.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Inventor: Charles Q. Jia
-
Patent number: 6932845Abstract: A method is provided for performing crystallization experiments for a molecule, the method comprising performing a plurality of crystallization experiments where the crystallization experiments have volumes of less than 1 microliter, the crystallization experiments comprising a molecule to be crystallized and a composition that varies among the plurality of crystallization experiments detecting crystal formation in the crystallization experiments.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Bernard D. Santarsiero, Raymond C. Stevens, Peter G. Schultz, Joseph M. Jaklevic, Derek T. Yegian, Earl W. Cornell, Robert A. Nordmeyer
-
Patent number: 6932958Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-rich product gas suitable for direct use in fuel cell applications includes a housing, an annular shift/methanator reactor vessel at least one reactor vessel wall disposed within the housing and forming an outer annular space between the at least one reactor vessel wall and the housing. A combustion chamber having at least one combustion chamber wall and forming a first inner annular space between the at least one combustion chamber wall and the at least one reactor vessel wall is disposed in the interior space formed by the annular shift/methanator reactor vessel, and a reformer reactor vessel having at least one reformer vessel wall and forming a second inner annular space between the at least one reformer vessel wall and the at least one combustion chamber wall is disposed within the combustion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Gas Technology InstituteInventors: James R. Wangerow, Alvie R. Meadows, Andy H. Hill, Michael Onischak
-
Patent number: 6926881Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas, which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of (1) a catalyst comprising platinum and zinc oxide, wherein the content of the platinum is in the range of 5 to 50% by weight based on the total amount of the platinum and zinc oxide, or (2) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and chromium oxide, wherein the atomic ratio of zinc to chromium (zinc/chromium) is in the range of 2 to 30, or (3) a catalyst comprising platinum, zinc oxide and at least one element selected from the group consisting of lead, bismuth and indium.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Shigeyuki Hirose, Futoshi Ikoma, Masayuki Katagiri, Koki Takamura, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
-
Patent number: 6926875Abstract: Disclosed are a porous material comprising particles without substantial fibrous structure and having pores, the pores having a mean pore diameter in a meson-pore region, sharp pore size distribution, and at least a part of the pores being connected three-dimensionally to form a three-dimensional network structure with random passages, the porous material preferably being of alumina and having a spongy structure or the porous material preferably being an aggregate of particles having an aspect ratio of 3 or less; a process of producing the porous material which includes a step of aging a system capable of becoming an oxide on thermal decomposition; a catalyst for exhaust gas purification having excellent NOx removal performance, high resistance against sulfur poisoning, and satisfactory high-temperature durability which comprises the porous material as a carrier having supported thereon a noble metal and an NOx storage component; and a method of exhaust gas purification using the catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo KenkyushoInventors: Miho Hatanaka, Akihiko Suda, Toshiyuki Tanaka, Naoki Takahashi, Toshio Yamamoto, Yusuke Akimoto, Naohiro Terao
-
Patent number: 6926880Abstract: A methanol reforming catalyst containing passivated copper and zinc oxide and/or alumina can be prepared by (1) precipitating or spray-drying a mixture of catalyst precursor components dissolved or suspended in a diluent in order to form a solid catalyst precursor in the form of powder or granules, (2) calcining and reducing the solid catalyst precursor obtained in stage (1), (3) passivating the reduced catalyst precursor obtained in stage (2) and (4) shaping the passivated catalyst precursor obtained in stage (3) to form the catalyst. A reduction in the volume shrinkage and an increase in the mechanical hardness during operation of the methanol reforming catalyst are achieved by the preparation process.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Markus Hölzle, Michael Jolyon Sprague, Klaus Harth, Martin Schüssler, Martin Karl, Stefan Boneberg
-
Patent number: 6923890Abstract: A method for activating chemical reactions using a non-thermal capillary discharge plasma (NT-CDP) unit or a non-thermal slot discharge plasma (NT-SDP) unit (collectively referred to as “NT-CDP/SDP”). The NT-CDP/SDP unit includes a first electrode disposed between two dielectric layers, wherein the first electrode and dielectric layers having at least one opening (e.g., capillary or a slot) defined therethrough. A dielectric sleeve inserted into the opening, and at least one second electrode (e.g., in the shape of a pin, ring, metal wire, or tapered metal blade) is disposed in fluid communication with an associated opening. A non-thermal plasma discharge is emitted from the opening when a voltage differential is applied between the first and second electrodes. Chemical feedstock to be treated is then exposed to the non-thermal plasma.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: PlasmaSol CorporationInventors: Pascal J. Ricatto, Edward J. Houston, Richard Crowe
-
Patent number: 6921522Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the production of low sodium lithium carbonate and lithium chloride from a brine concentrated to about 6.0 wt % lithium are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for direct recovery of technical grade lithium chloride from the concentrated brine are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Chemetall Foote CorporationInventors: Daniel Alfred Boryta, Teresita Frianeza Kullberg, Anthony Michael Thurston
-
Patent number: 6921520Abstract: The present invention is a process for upgrading feedstock prepared from raw phosphate ore. Phosphorus sludge is burned to produce impure phosphoric acid and the acid is combined with beneficiated phosphate ore to prepare anhydrous monocalcium phosphate. Feedstock prepared from raw phosphate ore is blended with anhydrous monocalcium phosphate to upgrade the feedstock.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: James C. Barber and Associates Inc.Inventor: James C. Barber
-
Patent number: 6919066Abstract: Catalysts containing passivated copper and zinc oxide and/or alumina are prepared by (1) precipitating a mixture of catalyst precursor components dissolved or suspended in a diluent with anion-containing precipitating agents, washing and drying to form a solid catalyst precursor in the form of powder or granules, (2) calcining the solid catalyst precursor obtained in stage (1) to an anion content from the precipitating agent of from 0.1 to 2.5% by weight and (3) shaping and, if required, reducing and passivating the calcined catalyst precursor from stage (2) in any desired order to form the catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Markus Hölzle, Michael Jolyon Sprague, Klaus Harth, Wolfgang Jürgen Pöpel
-
Patent number: 6916458Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a hydrogen-containing gas, which comprises reacting methanol, steam and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising palladium, zinc and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of chromium, gallium, copper, indium, bismuth and platinum.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.Inventors: Yasuhiro Kushida, Masayuki Katagiri, Hutoshi Ikoma, Shigeyuki Hirose, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Mikio Yoneoka
-
Patent number: 6911056Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing a crystal structure of a molecule, the method comprising performing a plurality of crystallization experiments where the crystallization experiments have volumes of less than 1 microliter, the crystallization experiments comprising a molecule to be crystallized and a composition that varies among the plurality of crystallization experiments and diffracting a crystal formed in one of the crystallization experiments.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Bernard D. Santarsiero, Raymond C. Stevens, Peter G. Schultz, Joseph M. Jaklevic, Derek T. Yegian, Earl W. Cornell, Robert A. Nordmeyer
-
Patent number: 6911193Abstract: Embodiments include a method and apparatus for converting a hydrocarbon and oxygen feed stream to a product stream such as syngas, including multiple serially aligned reaction zones and multiple hydrocarbon feeds. The first reaction zone catalyzes the net partial oxidation of the feed hydrocarbon. The subsequent zones catalyze reactions such as the stream or dry reforming of hydrocarbons or the water gas shift reaction, depending on the stream composition in the vicinity of the zone, and the desired product stream composition.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Joe D. Allison, Sriram Ramani, Daxiang Wang, Tianyan Niu, Yaming Jin, Gloria I. Straguzzi
-
Patent number: 6911191Abstract: A one-step method for production of green-colored, stabilized wet-process phosphoric acid in which black-colored, wet-process phosphoric acid containing incidental metallic impurities and a carbonaceous content of less than 1000 ppm is oxidized to produce a green-colored liquid having a carbonaceous content less than 500 ppm. A typical green-colored liquid product produced by this one-step process has an emf of greater than 800 mv.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Agrium U.S. Inc.Inventors: Daniel Carl Neuman, Russell Dean Alcorn, Bryce Richard Carpenter
-
Patent number: 6911189Abstract: A filter such as an air having a reagent which chemically reacts with and removes a gaseous component of an air stream. The reagent contains functional groups covalently bonded to a non-volatile inorganic substrate which is incorporated in the filter. The filter can remove gaseous components such as aldehydes. Preferred functional groups are 3-aminopropylsilyl groups covalently bonded to silica gel (APS silica gel). The reagent can be contained in a space in the filter or incorporated in one or more filter elements. The reagent can be part of or coated on paper such as filter paper or incorporated in non-paper filter elements formed from fibrous materials such as cellulose acetate or polypropylene fibers. Other preferred reagents include aminoethylaminopropylsilyl silica gel (AEAPS) and aminoethylaminoethylaminopropylsilyl silica gel (AEAEAPS).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.Inventors: Kent B. Koller, Susan E. Wrenn, Willie G. Houck, Jr., John B. Paine, III
-
Patent number: 6908602Abstract: Method for producing hydrogen and a hydroprocessed product from a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock by subjecting it to a catalytic hydrocracking treatment using hydrogen which has been at least partly produced from hydrocracked feedstock and subjecting at least pan of the hydrocracked feedstock, after having subjected it to a separation treatment in the event that hydroprocessed product is to be recovered, to a treatment to produce hydrogen in a single operation which hydrogen is at least partly recovered as product.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2000Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Johan Willem Gosselink, Michiel Jan Groeneveld, Andreas Karl Nowak, Antonius Adrianus Maria Roovers
-
Patent number: 6902717Abstract: A process for the catalytic partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas, wherein a flow of a feed mixture comprising the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock and the oxygen-containing gas is contacted with a catalyst comprising at least one metal selected from Group VIII of the Periodic Table supported on a catalyst carrier to form a conversion product comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, wherein the catalyst is retained in a fixed arrangement in a reactor comprising a feed supply chamber which is in fluid communication with the upstream surface of the fixed arrangement, in which process a part of the conversion product formed flows back to the feed supply chamber. The invention further relates to an electrical-energy generating process, an electrical-energy generating system, and transport means provided with this electrical-energy generating system.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2000Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Gert Jan Kramer, Jurjen Wietze Van Der Meer, Coen Willem Johannes Pieterse, Ronald Jan Schoonebeek, Hendrik Martinus Wentinck, Eric Sevenhuijsen
-
Patent number: 6899861Abstract: A heat exchanger design is provided for optimal transfer of thermal energy between a primary reactor-out reformate and a primary reactor-in steam and air. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a prime-surface true counterflow heat exchanger positioned around the primary reactor. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that is will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Steven D. Burch, Matthew J. Beutel, Kevin Stukey
-
Patent number: 6896868Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of synthesis gas (i.e., a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen), typically labeled syngas. More particularly, the present invention relates to a regeneration method for a syngas catalyst. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to the regeneration of syngas catalysts using a re-dispersion technique. One embodiment of the re-dispersion technique involves the treatment of a deactivated syngas catalyst with a re-dispersing gas, preferably a carbon monoxide-containing gas such as syngas. If necessary, the catalyst is then exposed to hydrogen for reduction and further re-dispersion.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2002Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: ConocoPhillips CompanyInventors: Daxiang Wang, Baili Hu, Yaming Jin, Harold A. Wright