Patents Examined by Pankti Patel
  • Patent number: 8801832
    Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from a gas stream prior to sending the gas stream to a gas separation membrane system are provided. Two schemes are available. When the sulfur content is high or flow is relatively high, a scheme including two columns where one tower is regenerated if the sulfur concentration exceeds a preset value can be used. When the sulfur content is low or flow is relatively low, a scheme including one column and an absorption bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Milind M. Vaidya, Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Sebastien A. Duval, Anwar H. Khawajah
  • Patent number: 8801835
    Abstract: In some implementations, a method for dehydrating carbon dioxide includes identifying a stream including at least carbon dioxide and water. At least a portion of the stream is dehydrated using an initial lean sorbent including glycerol and a polyhydric alcohol to generate dry carbon dioxide stream and rich sorbent including water. The polyhydric alcohol reduces an amount of glycerol lost to the dry carbon dioxide stream during dehydration. This process may result in the beneficial reduction in the amount of glycerol that leaves the system with the dry carbon dioxide. The dry carbon dioxide and the rich sorbent are separated. The glycerol is recycled by dehydrating the rich sorbent to produce recycled lean sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Denbury Onshore, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8795415
    Abstract: A process for removing carbon dioxide from a fluid comprises the steps of: (a) treating the fluid by bringing it into countercurrent contact with a liquid absorbent in a first absorption zone and thereafter in a second absorption zone to absorb at least part of the carbon dioxide contained in the fluid into the absorbent; (b) depressurizing the loaded absorbent to release a first stream of carbon dioxide and yield a partially regenerated absorbent; (c) recycling a first stream of the partially regenerated absorbent into the first absorption zone; (d) heating a second stream of the partially regenerated absorbent to release a second stream of carbon dioxide and yield a regenerated absorbent; (e) recycling the regenerated absorbent into the second absorption zone; (f) condensing water vapor entrained in the second stream of carbon dioxide by cooling the second stream of carbon dioxide and transferring at least part of the heat recovered to the partially regenerated absorbent by indirect heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: BASF SE, JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Torsten Katz, Georg Sieder, Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8795618
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing an amine-based absorption compound for flue gas, or combustion gas, CO2 capture, according to embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, CO2 is delivered from a wet, or dry, flue gas scrubber to an absorber. The amine-based absorption compound is introduced in an aqueous solution to the absorber, which is located downstream of the wet, or dry, flue gas scrubber. In some embodiments, the CO2-laden amine-based absorption compound is then subjected to a regeneration step to regenerate the CO2-laden amine-based absorption compound and strip out absorbed CO2. In some embodiments, energy is supplied to a stripper through a reboiler to accomplish the regeneration step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Ji, George A. Farthing, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8794602
    Abstract: A method of mass transfer includes the steps of: supplying a first fluid and a second fluid into a mass transfer apparatus, wherein the mass transfer apparatus includes a vessel which has a head region, a base region and a mass transfer region, wherein the first fluid is brought into contact with the second fluid at least in the mass transfer region, wherein the mass transfer region is arranged between the head region and the base region and the mass transfer region includes a structured packing which includes a plurality of neighboring layers of fabric which includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material. The mass transfer apparatus is operated at a fluid load of at most 3 m3/m2/h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Werner Wicki, Markus Duss, Ilja Ausner
  • Patent number: 8790453
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas purification system for removal of acidic gases from a gas stream. The system comprises an absorption unit arranged for receiving a gas stream and contacting it with a wash solution stream and a cooling unit in fluid communication with the absorption unit. The cooling unit receives wash solution enriched with acidic gases from a first withdrawal level of said absorption unit, cools the enriched wash solution, and provides cooled, enriched wash solution to a first reintroduction level of the absorption unit upstream of the withdrawal level. The ratio of withdrawn wash solution is 10-90% of the total wash solution stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Alstom Technology Ltd, Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Barath Baburao, Craig Norman Schubert
  • Patent number: 8784525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner filter bag having a composite material comprising a first layer consisting of a netting or a perforated sheet with an air permeability of at least 10,000 l/(m2 s), and a first fiber layer consisting of man-made fibers and/or vegetable fibers and connected to one side of the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Eurofilters Holding N.V.
    Inventors: Jan Schultink, Ralf Sauer
  • Patent number: 8778065
    Abstract: In a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser, a fluid source supplies a carrier-gas stream including a condensable fluid in vapor phase. The condensable fluid in liquid form is contained as a bath in a chamber in each stage of the condenser, and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bath to condense the condensable fluid into the bath. Energy from condensation is recovered to a coolant in a conduit that passes through the liquid in the stages of the condenser. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa Hamed Elsharqawy
  • Patent number: 8771408
    Abstract: A range hood for a kitchen range or other similar appliance is disclosed. The range hood is adapted to be coupled to a blower to draw the contaminated effluent stream from the range into the hood. The effluent stream is drawn through a substantially horizontal perforated liquid support or impingement tray that is filled with a working liquid, and is then passed through a high-efficiency mist eliminator. The range hood offers a substantially straight airflow path from a point just inside the inlet to the outlet. The range hood also has a low profile, and offers direct access to its interior components for easy inspection and cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Air Dynamics Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel P. Lehman, Daniel A. Lehman
  • Patent number: 8764892
    Abstract: A method for removal of CO2 from a flue gas stream, comprising the steps of: a) contacting a flue gas stream comprising CO2 with a first absorption liquid comprising NH3 such that the flue gas stream is depleted in CO2; b) contacting the flue gas stream depleted in CO2 of step a) with a second absorption liquid such that NH3 from the flue gas stream is absorbed in said second absorption liquid to form a flue gas stream depleted in CO2 and NH3; c) separating NH3 from the second absorption liquid such that a gas stream comprising NH3 is obtained; d) contacting said gas stream comprising NH3 separated in step c) with a third absorption liquid such that NH3 is absorbed in said third absorption liquid. A system for removal of CO2 from a flue gas stream, the system comprising: a CO2 absorption stage; an NH3 absorption stage; and a reabsorption stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Peter Ulrich Koss, Frederic Zenon Kozak
  • Patent number: 8758483
    Abstract: A process for removing carbon dioxide from a fluid comprises the steps of: (a) treating the fluid by bringing it into countercurrent contact with a liquid absorbent in a first absorption zone and thereafter in a second absorption zone to absorb at least part of the carbon dioxide contained in the fluid into the absorbent; (b) depressurizing the loaded absorbent to release a first stream of carbon dioxide and yield a partially regenerated absorbent; (c) recycling a first stream of the partially regenerated absorbent into the first absorption zone; (d) heating a second stream of the partially regenerated absorbent to release a second stream of carbon dioxide and yield a regenerated absorbent; (e) recycling the regenerated absorbent into the second absorption zone; (f) condensing water vapor entrained in the second stream of carbon dioxide by cooling the second stream of carbon dioxide and transferring at least part of the heat recovered to the partially regenerated absorbent by indirect heat exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: BASF SE, JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Torsten Katz, Georg Sieder, Koji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8758484
    Abstract: A process of removal of CO2 from a flue gas (2). The process comprises the steps of: a) providing a flue gas comprising CO2 (2), b) contacting the flue gas of step (a) with an ammonia-comprising medium (9), to absorb CO2 from said flue gas; and c) condensing ammonia (4) present in the flue gas leaving step (b), to remove ammonia from said flue gas. A system for removal of CO2 from a flue gas. A system for removal of CO2 from a flue gas. The system comprises a CO2 absorber (1) receiving the flue gas (2) and comprising an ammonia-comprising medium (9). The system further comprises an ammonia condenser (4) receiving flue gas (3) leaving the CO2 absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Nader Padban
  • Patent number: 8747532
    Abstract: A filter device for filtering dust from air includes a housing, a dust collecting module, a spraying module, and an exhaust. The housing defines an air inlet near a bottom of the housing and an air outlet near a top of the housing. The dust collecting module is installed in the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet. The spraying module is placed in the housing between the dust collecting module and the air outlet. The exhaust is connected to the housing for generating air pressure difference between near the air outlet and near the air inlet, thereby drawing and introducing air containing dust from the bottom of the housing toward the top of the housing via the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Jung Chang, Wen-Hsiung Chang, Ping-Neng Chang, Run-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8741033
    Abstract: An air pollution control apparatus 1 includes: an absorber 2 that serves as a passage for flue gas; an absorbent spraying unit 5 that sprays an absorbent into the absorber 2; and a reservoir tank 3 that reserves therein the absorbent. The air pollution control apparatus 1 brings the flue gas into gas-liquid contact with the absorbent to process the flue gas, while sending the flue gas in the absorber 2. The air pollution control apparatus 1 also collects and reserves therein the absorbent after processing the flue gas in the reservoir tank 3. The air pollution control apparatus 1 also includes a defoaming agent diffusing unit 6 that diffuses a defoaming agent over foams of the absorbent in the reservoir tank 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Kagawa, Yoshito Tanaka, Jun Hashimoto, Hiroshi Kawane
  • Patent number: 8741035
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for reducing the amount of coarser particles from a stream of flue gas prior to treatment by a spray dryer absorption process (SDA). The method comprises the steps of directing a stream of flue gas containing entrained particles of varying sizes through a curve, thereby subjecting the particles to a centrifugal effect, collecting the particles predominately of the coarser size at a particles collecting means provided in the outer circumference of the curve, dispersing the flue gas reduced in particles of coarse particle sizes into the chamber of a spray dryer absorption apparatus, wherein the particles content of the original flue gas stream is above 20 g/Nm3. Also an apparatus for performing the method and a gas disperser is disclosed. The method substantially reduces the cost of the entire plant for treating flue gas having a high content of entrained coarse particles by eliminating the need for a particle pre-collector upstream the SDA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GEA Process Engineering A/S
    Inventors: Niels Jacobsen, Henrik Maimann, Bjarne Rasmussen, Christian Holm Fridberg
  • Patent number: 8728208
    Abstract: An air cleaner is described comprising a housing having an air inlet and an air exhaust extending therethrough, a refill for containing a reservoir of liquid which is releasable from the housing, a nebulizer within the housing configured, in use, to be in fluid contact with the source of liquid to generate a mist of liquid droplets, said nebulizer being configured, in use, to eject the mist upwardly, a chamber within the housing in which the mist is retained, a fan within the housing configured, in use, to generate a flow of air through the air inlet and into the chamber such that at least some of the contaminants in the air flow are urged by the mist out of the flow of air and toward the refill. A refill for the air cleaner is also described as well as the use of said air cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) Limited
    Inventors: Jocelin Langford, Ellen Piercy, Steve Walsh
  • Patent number: 8728221
    Abstract: A modified wet scrubber for removing airborne toner particles including, increased recirculation pumping capacity, and controlling the operating fluid level by relating the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet air streams to proper operating fluid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventors: Donald F. Laffler, Lacee L. Lamphere, Robert Vines, James T. Hardin
  • Patent number: 8728209
    Abstract: A method for reducing energy requirements of a CO2 capture system comprises: contacting a flue gas stream with a CO2 lean absorbent stream in an absorber, thereby removing CO2 from the flue gas and providing a CO2 rich absorbent stream; heating a first portion of the CO2 rich absorbent stream using heat from the CO2 lean absorbent stream, and providing the heated first portion of the CO2 rich absorbent stream to a regenerator; providing a second portion of the CO2 rich absorbent stream to the regenerator, wherein the heated first portion is hotter than the second portion and the heated first portion is provided to the regenerator at a lower elevation in the regenerator relative to that of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Joseph P. Naumovitz, Michael Koch
  • Patent number: 8728220
    Abstract: A CO2 recovery system according to the present invention includes: a cooling tower that uses cooling water to cool a CO2-containing exhaust gas discharged from industrial equipment such as a boiler or a gas turbine; a CO2 absorber that brings the cooled CO2-containing exhaust gas into contact with a CO2-absorbent that absorbs CO2, thereby removing the CO2 from the exhaust gas; and a first absorbent regenerator and a second absorbent regenerator that release CO2 from a CO2-absorbent that has absorbed CO2 (rich solution), thereby regenerating the CO2-absorbent. A second lean solution at the outlet of the second absorbent regenerator is subjected to vacuum flash vaporization, and the resulting vapor is inputted to the first absorbent regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Masahiko Tatsumi, Yasuyuki Yagi
  • Patent number: 8702842
    Abstract: A method for removing elemental sulfur from a hot gas stream, such as an autoclave vent gas, while simultaneously cooling the gas stream. The method results in conversion of sulfur in the hot gas stream to the form of solid, non-sticky sulfur allotropes such as rhombic sulfur while avoiding formation of sticky sulfur allotropes such as monoclinic sulfur, thereby avoiding scaling and fouling of plant equipment. According the method, the hot gas stream is contacted with an aqueous medium containing a particulate material inside a quench vessel having a first inlet for the hot gas stream, a second inlet for the aqueous medium, and an outlet for removing a sulfur-containing liquid fraction from the vessel. At least a portion of the sulfur contained in the hot gas stream, along with other condensable materials, becomes incorporated into the aqueous medium and is subsequently drained from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Fraser, William E. McCombe