Patents by Inventor Gary T. Rochelle

Gary T. Rochelle has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8388855
    Abstract: Novel solvents and methods of use for the removal of CO2 from flue gas, natural gas, hydrogen gas, synthesis gas, and other process and waste gas streams are provided. The solvent contains an alkali salt such as potassium carbonate and a polyamine such as piperazine (PZ) where the polyamine concentration is at least 1.5 equivalents/Kg H2O and the alkali salt concentration is at least 0.5 equivalents/Kg H2O. The preferred alkali salt/polyamine ratio is from approximately 1:2 to 2:1, and no additional alcohol is required for solubilizing the PZ. This chemical solvent and method of use provides efficient and effective removal of CO2 from gaseous streams and other sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, John Cullinane
  • Publication number: 20120043501
    Abstract: Novel solvents and methods of use for the removal of CO2 from flue gas, natural gas, hydrogen gas, synthesis gas, and other process and waste gas streams are provided. The solvent contains an alkali salt such as potassium carbonate and a polyamine such as piperazine (PZ) where the polyamine concentration is at least 1.5 equivalents/Kg H2O and the alkali salt concentration is at least 0.5 equivalents/Kg H2O. The preferred alkali salt/polyamine ratio is from approximately 1:2 to 2:1, and no additional alcohol is required for solubilizing the PZ. This chemical solvent and method of use provides efficient and effective removal of CO2 from gaseous streams and other sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, John Cullinane
  • Patent number: 8070856
    Abstract: Novel solvents and methods of use for the removal of CO2 from flue gas, natural gas, hydrogen gas, synthesis gas, and other process and waste gas streams are provided. The solvent contains an alkali salt such as potassium carbonate and a polyamine such as piperazine (PZ) where the polyamine concentration is at least 1.5 equivalents/Kg H2O and the alkali salt concentration is at least 0.5 equivalents/Kg H2O. The preferred alkali salt/polyamine ratio is from approximately 1:2 to 2:1, and no additional alcohol is required for solubilizng the PZ. This chemical solvent and method of use provides efficient and effective removal of CO2 from gaseous streams and other sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, John Cullinane
  • Patent number: 7901487
    Abstract: An acid gas such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a mixture thereof is removed from gaseous streams using aqueous absorption and stripping processes. By replacing the conventional stripper used to regenerate the aqueous solvent and capture the acid gas with a multipressure stripper (51) that combines acid gas compression with stripping, less energy is consumed. The multipressure stripper is a multistage flash (52, 55, 59) in which the total vapor flow from each stage is compressed and fed to the bottom of the previous flash stage at a higher pressure. In this process, the heat in the water content of the vapor exiting each stage is utilized at a higher pressure in the previous stage. The described stripping process generates the acid gas at a higher pressure without operating the stripper at a higher temperature, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Gary T. Rochelle
  • Patent number: 7901488
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide and other acid gases are removed from gaseous streams using aqueous absorption and stripping processes. By replacing the conventional stripper used to regenerate the aqueous solvent and capture the acid gas with a matrix stripping configuration, less energy is consumed. The matrix stripping configuration uses two or more reboiled strippers at different pressures. The rich feed from the absorption equipment is split among the strippers, and partially regenerated solvent from the highest pressure stripper flows to the middle of sequentially lower pressure strippers in a “matrix” pattern. By selecting certain parameters of the matrix stripping configuration such that the total energy required by the strippers to achieve a desired percentage of acid gas removal from the gaseous stream is minimized, further energy savings can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, Babatunde A. Oyenekan
  • Publication number: 20080127831
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide and other acid gases are removed from gaseous streams using aqueous absorption and stripping processes. By replacing the conventional stripper used to regenerate the aqueous solvent and capture the acid gas with a matrix stripping configuration, less energy is consumed. The matrix stripping configuration uses two or more reboiled strippers at different pressures. The rich feed from the absorption equipment is split among the strippers, and partially regenerated solvent from the highest pressure stripper flows to the middle of sequentially lower pressure strippers in a “matrix” pattern. By selecting certain parameters of the matrix stripping configuration such that the total energy required by the strippers to achieve a desired percentage of acid gas removal from the gaseous stream is minimized, further energy savings can be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, Babatunde A. Oyenekan
  • Patent number: 5401481
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved processes for treating acid gases to remove acid gas components therefrom. Processes in accordance with the present invention include preparing a calcium silicate hydrate sorbent in the form of a semi-dry, free-flowing powder, and treating the gas with the powdery sorbent, such as by injecting the sorbent into a stream of the gas. The powdery sorbents may be prepared by slurrying/drying or pressure hydration techniques. Examples disclosed herein demonstrate the utility of these processes in achieving improved acid gas-absorbing capabilities in both lab-scale and pilot plant studies. Additionally, disclosure is provided which illustrates preferred plant design configurations for employing the present processes using conventional dry sorbent injection equipment. Retrofit application to existing plants is also addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, Claus Jorgensen, John C. S. Chang, Theodore G. Brna, Charles B. Sedman, Wojciech Jozewicz
  • Patent number: 5270015
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, Claus Jorgensen, John C. S. Chang, Theodore G. Brna, Charles B. Sedman, Wojciech Jozewicz
  • Patent number: 5100643
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved processes for treating acid gases to remove acid gas components therefrom. Processes in accordance with the present invention include preparing a calcium silicate hydrate sorbent in the form of a semi-dry, free-flowing powder, and treating the gas with the powdery sorbent, such as by injecting the sorbent into a stream of the gas. The powdery sorbents may be prepared by slurrying/drying or pressure hydration techniques. Examples disclosed herein demonstrate the utility of these processes in achieving improved acid gas-absorbing capabilities in both lab-scale and pilot plant studies. Additionally, disclosure is provided which illustrates preferred plant design configurations for employing the present processes using conventional dry sorbent injection equipment. Retrofit application to existing plants is also addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Theodore G. Brna, Charles B. Sedman, John C. S. Chang, Claus Jorgensen, Gary T. Rochelle
  • Patent number: 5047221
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved processes for treating hot sulfur-containing flue gas to remove sulfur therefrom. Processes in accordance with the present invention include preparing an aqueous slurry composed of a calcium alkali source and a source of reactive silica and/or alumina, heating the slurry to above-ambient temperature for a period of time in order to facilitate the formation of sulfur-absorbing calcium silicates or aluminates, and treating the gas with the heat-treated slurry compounds. Examples disclosed herein demonstrate the utility of these processes in achieving improved sulfur-absorbing capabilities. Additionally, disclosure is provided which illustrates preferred configurations for employing the present processes both as a dry sorbent injection and for use in conjunction with a spray dryer and/or bagfilter. Retrofit application to existing systems is also addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Wojciech Jozewicz, John C. S. Chang, Charles B. Sedman, Theodore G. Brna, Gary T. Rochelle
  • Patent number: 5047222
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved processes for treating hot sulfur-containing flue gas to remove sulfur therefrom. Processes in accordance with the present invention include preparing an aqueous slurry composed of a calcium alkali source and a source of reactive silica and/or alumina, heating the slurry to above-ambient temperatures for a period of time in order to facilitate the formation of sulfur-absorbing calcium silicates or aluminates, and treating the gas with the heat-treated slurry components. Examples disclosed herein demonstrate the utility of these processes in achieving improved sulfur-absorbing capabilities. Additionally, disclosure is provided which illustrates preferred configurations for employing the present processes both as a dry sorbent injection and for use in conjunction with a spray dryer and/or bagfilter. Retrofit application to existing systems is also addressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, John C. S. Chang
  • Patent number: 4931264
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to iThe government may own certain rights in the present invention pursuant to EPA Cooperative Agreement CR 81-1531.This is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 928,337, filed Nov. 7, 1986, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,521.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, Wojciech Jozewicz
  • Patent number: 4804521
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved processes for treating hot sulfur-containing flue gas to remove sulfur therefrom. Processes in accordaThe government may own certain rights in the present invention pursuant to EPA Cooperative Agreement CR 81-1531.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Gary T. Rochelle, Wojciech Jozewicz