Patents Examined by Stanley S. Silverman
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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
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Patent number: 6924408Abstract: In a method for reducing the content of polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans in the exhaust gas of chemical high temperature processes handling process materials, amides or organic oxides are made available to the process under the conditions under which the polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and -furans are generated, which amides comprise of at least one of the group consisting of amidosulfonic acid, hydroxyl amino sulfonic acid and sulfamid in an amount of 0.5 to 10% of the process material.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: GSF Forshungszentnem für Umwelt und Gesundheit GmbHInventors: Dieter Lenoir, Petros Samaras, Karl-Werner Schramm, Antonius Kettrup
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Patent number: 6923948Abstract: The invention provides a combined heat and power plant with an integrated gas production system. The combined heat and power plant contains a steam reformer heated with a gas burner which converts a mixture of hydrocarbons and water vapour into a reformate gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The plant further contains a reactor system with several stages for removing carbon monoxide from the reformate gas stream. The plant also contains a heat exchanger for removing heat energy from the reformate gas stream and a fuel cell unit for producing electrical energy by catalytic reaction of the hydrogen contained in the reformate gas with oxygen in the fuel cell, wherein the reformate gas stream is supplied to the anode in the fuel cell unit and the anode waste gas is taken to the gas burner of the steam reformer as fuel, via a gas pipe.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignees: Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG, Umicore AG & Co. KGInventors: Frank Baumann, Stefan Wieland, Peter Britz, Klaus Heikrodt
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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
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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
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Patent number: 6921523Abstract: An efficient process for the preparation of magnesium thiosulfate involves reaction of magnesium hydrosulfite and sulfur at elevated temperature. Magnesium hydrosulfite can be prepared from commercial magnesium oxide and sulfur. Sulfur dioxide can be used to maintain pH. The resulting product is an emulsion of liquid magnesium thiosulfate and solid byproducts. Under controlled conditions, including mole ratios of MgO to sulfur, temperature of the reaction process, and pH, as well as rate and duration of SO2 purging, production of byproducts can be reduced to less than about 2% by weight. The magnesium thiosulfate solution can be prepared with concentrations of at least about 25%, preferably at least about 30%.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc.Inventors: Michael Massoud Hojjatie, Constance Lynn Frank Lockhart
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Patent number: 6921731Abstract: Process for regenerating a Pd catalyst after a homogeneously catalyzed C—C coupling reaction in which the Pd catalyst precipitates, is separated from the reaction mixture and subsequently treated with I2 or Br2. The Pd catalyst can then be used in a subsequent reaction run. Preferably between 1 and 3 mole equivalents of I2 or Br2, relative to the quantity of Pd catalyst is used The C—C coupling reaction is preferably carried out in the presence of a support material. The C—C coupling reaction may be for example a Heck reaction, a Suzuki reaction or a cross-coupling reaction.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: July 26, 2005Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.Inventors: Floris Jacobus Parlevliet, Johannes Gerardus Vries De, Andreas Hendrikus Maria Vries De
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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
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Patent number: 6919059Abstract: Oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is employed to support combustion in furnaces (16) and (26) of part of the hydrogen sulphide content of a first feed gas stream. Sulphur vapour is extracted in condenser (32) from the resulting gas mixture so as to form a sulphur vapour depleted gas stream. The sulphur vapour depleted gas stream is passed into a catalytic reduction reactor (40) in which all the residual sulphur dioxide is reduced to hydrogen sulphide. This reduced gas mixture has water vapour extracted therefrom in a quench tower (52). The resulting water vapour depleted gas stream flows to a Claus plant for treatment typically together with a second feed gas steam comprising hydrogen sulphide. Employing both furnaces (16) and (26) makes it possible to obtain effective conversions to sulphur of the hydrogen sulphide in the feed gas without having the recycle any of the water vapour depleted gas.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: The BOC Group plcInventors: Richard William Watson, Stephen Rhys Graville
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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
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Patent number: 6916756Abstract: A process for regenerating a dehydrogenation catalyst comprises the steps (a)-(f): (a) flushing with inert gas at a pressure of from 0.5 to 2.0 bar and a gas hourly velocity of from 1000 to 50 000 h?1; (b) passing an oxygen-containing gas mixture comprising an inert gas through the catalyst at a pressure of from 2 to 20 bar and a gas hourly velocity of from 1000 to 50 000 h?1 for from 0.25 to 24 hours while increasing the oxygen concentration stepwise or continuously from an initial value of from 0.01 to 1% by volume of O2 to a final value of from 10 to 25% by volume of O2; (c) optionally passing an oxygen-containing gas mixture comprising an inert gas through the catalyst at a pressure of from 0.5 to 20 bar and a gas hourly velocity of from 10 to 500 h?1 for from 0.25 to 100 h, with the oxygen concentration being from 10 to 25% by volume of O2; (d) optionally changing the pressure repeatedly, rapidly and in opposite directions by a factor of from 2 to 20 within the range from 0.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2001Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: BASF AGInventors: Goetz-Peter Schindler, Werner Magin, Klaus Harth
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Patent number: 6915941Abstract: A method for locally applying solder to a set of preselected conductor areas on a printed circuit board without causing thermal damage to adjacent sensitive surface mounted devices and connectors. Before solder is applied, molten solder within a solder reservoir is pumped upwardly through a set of solder wave nozzles so as to clean and preheat the nozzles. The preselected conductor areas on the board are then aligned with the nozzles. At this time, the board is maintained at a height slightly above the nozzles to the extent that the molten solder is prevented from escaping from between the board and the nozzles. A relatively low wave of solder is produced through the nozzles to cause the low wave of solder to contact and preheat the preselected conductor areas on the board. A relatively high wave of solder is then produced through the nozzles to locally solder the preselected conductor areas on the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignees: Senju Metal Industry Co., Ltd., KTT Co., Ltd.Inventors: Akira Takaguchi, Masaki Wata, Chikara Numata
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Patent number: 6911190Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for treating contaminated gas. A contaminated gas containing volatile organic compounds is continuously introduced into a reactor to allow the gas to contact a metal oxide catalyst and an oxidant for a period of time. The concentration of the volatile organic compounds can be thus reduced. The treated gas is then continuously emitted from the reactor. The concentration of the organic compounds of the emitted gas and/or the concentration of the oxidant are continuously monitored, and the oxidant feeding amount is controlled according to the monitored concentration. By means of the process of the present invention, volatile organic compound-containing waste gas with high humidity can be effectively treated, and the utility rate of the oxidant can be increased.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2003Date of Patent: June 28, 2005Assignee: Industrial Technology Research InstituteInventors: Shu-Sung Lin, Ching-Chih Lai
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Patent number: 6908571Abstract: Soot formation is suppressed in the preparation of hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide rich gas by arranging on at least a surface of an upper portion of a reactor a catalytic material which is active in steam reforming hydrocarbons, introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock and an oxygen-containing atmosphere into the upper portion of the reactor, partially oxidising the feedstock with oxygen in the upper portion of the reactor, and contacting a part of the partially oxidized feedstock with the reforming catalyst in the reactor upper portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/SInventors: Ivar Ivarsen Primdahl, Thomas Sandahl Christensen
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Patent number: 6907891Abstract: A radioactive substance decontamination method and apparatus which decontaminates a metal member contaminated by radioactive substance in a short period of time. This apparatus has (1) multiple reducing decontamination tanks having different radiation control values; (2) a carrier for immersing the metal member into the multiple reducing decontamination tanks and a washing tank; (3) a tube for transferring into the second reducing decontamination tank the reducing decontamination agent in the first reducing decontamination tank; (4) a reducing agent decomposer for decomposing a component contained in the reducing decontamination agent of the reducing decontamination tank where the radiation control value is the highest out of the reducing decontamination tanks connected by the tube; and (5) a washing tank for washing the reducing decontamination agent deposited on the decontaminated metal member.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazumi Anazawa, Motoaki Sakashita, Makoto Nagase
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Patent number: 6908881Abstract: The invention is directed to a catalyst having activity under the irradiation of a visible light, the catalyst being an oxide semiconductor such as an anatase type titanium dioxide, having stable oxygen defects. A method for producing a catalyst having activity under the irradiation of a visible light which comprises treating an oxide semiconductor with hydrogen plasma or with a plasma of a rare gas element, comprising performing the treatment in a state substantially free from the intrusion of air into the treatment system is also provided. An article comprising a base material having the catalyst above provided on the surface thereof and a method for decomposing a substance, comprising bringing an object to be decomposed into contact with the catalyst above under the irradiation of a light containing at least a visible radiation are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1999Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Ecodevice Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinichi Sugihara