Patents by Inventor Ian R. McGregor

Ian R. McGregor 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: 9931582
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for use with flue gas having a moisture content M. The flue gas is introduced to strong brine adapted to exothermically absorb moisture. Simultaneously, heat is withdrawn. This produces heat, water-enriched brine and a gas having a moisture concentration less than M. The strong brine can be recovered by distillation from enriched brine to produce water. The brine temperature throughout absorption can remain within 2° F. of a temperature T in the range 220° F.-300° F. The heat withdrawal can be associated with gas-liquid phase change of a working fluid. The terminus of the heat flow can be associated with gas-liquid phase change of the working fluid. The working fluid can: as liquid, flow only by gravity, convection or wicking; and, as gas, flow only by diffusion or convection. The heat flow can drive a boiler producing steam. M can be greater than 15 wt. % water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Drystill Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Furlong, Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Patent number: 9868076
    Abstract: In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components therefrom, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This transfer can be associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid gate. In this case, the heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state. In the liquid state, the working thud flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Drystill Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Publication number: 20160279560
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for use with flue gas having a moisture content M. The flue gas is introduced to strong brine adapted to exothermically absorb moisture. Simultaneously, heat is withdrawn. This produces heat, water-enriched brine and a gas having a moisture concentration less than M. The strong brine can be recovered by distillation from enriched brine to produce water. The brine temperature throughout absorption can remain within 2° F. of a temperature T in the range 220° F.-300° F. The heat withdrawal can be associated with gas-liquid phase change of a working fluid. The terminus of the heat flow can be associated with gas-liquid phase change of the working fluid. The working fluid can: as liquid, flow only by gravity, convection or wicking; and, as gas, flow only by diffusion or convection. The heat flow can drive a boiler producing steam. M can be greater than 15 wt. % water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Steve Furlong, Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Publication number: 20160256796
    Abstract: In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components therefrom, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This transfer can be associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid gate. In this ease, the heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state, in the liquid state, the working thud flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Patent number: 9360252
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for use with flue gas having a moisture content M. The flue gas is introduced to strong brine adapted to exothermically absorb moisture. Simultaneously, heat is withdrawn. This produces heat, water-enriched brine and a gas having a moisture concentration less than M. The strong brine can be recovered by distillation from enriched brine to produce water. The brine temperature throughout absorption can remain within 2° F. of a temperature T in the range 220° F.-300° F. The heat withdrawal can be associated with gas-liquid phase change of a working fluid. The terminus of the heat flow can be associated with gas-liquid phase change of the working fluid. The working fluid can: as liquid, flow only by gravity, convection or wicking; and, as gas, flow only by diffusion or convection. The heat flow can drive a boiler producing steam. M can be greater than 15 wt. % water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Drystill Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Furlong, Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Patent number: 9345987
    Abstract: In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components therefrom, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This transfer can be associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid state. In this case, the heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state. In the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Drystill Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Patent number: 8757599
    Abstract: In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components from the vapor, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This heat transfer is associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid state. The heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state. In the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Drystill Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Publication number: 20140150493
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for use with flue gas having a moisture content M. The flue gas is introduced to strong brine adapted to exothermically absorb moisture. Simultaneously, heat is withdrawn. This produces heat, water-enriched brine and a gas having a moisture concentration less than M. The strong brine can be recovered by distillation from enriched brine to produce water. The brine temperature throughout absorption can remain within 2° F. of a temperature T in the range 220° F.-300° F. The heat withdrawal can be associated with gas-liquid phase change of a working fluid. The terminus of the heat flow can be associated with gas-liquid phase change of the working fluid. The working fluid can: as liquid, flow only by gravity, convection or wicking; and, as gas, flow only by diffusion or convection. The heat flow can drive a boiler producing steam. M can be greater than 15 wt. % water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Drystill Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Furlong, Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Publication number: 20140073044
    Abstract: In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components therefrom, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This transfer can be associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid state. In this case, the heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state. In the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Drystill Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Patent number: 8608841
    Abstract: In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components therefrom, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This transfer can be associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid state. In this case, the heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state. In the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Drystill Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Publication number: 20120267079
    Abstract: In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components from the vapor, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This heat transfer is associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid state. The heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state. In the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Drystill Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Publication number: 20110117633
    Abstract: In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components therefrom, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This transfer can be associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid state. In this case, the heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state. In the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, Christopher H. Belchers
  • Patent number: 6306307
    Abstract: Pervaporation or vapor permeation apparatus and method having a separator module located in an unpressurized tank. The module has a plurality of stacked, disk-like separator elements mounted on a central, axial permeate removal tube. The separator elements have a central permeate transport plate, a pervaporation membrane enveloping the permeate transport plate and annular sealing rings located between adjacent membranes, so that fluid has to pass through the membranes to enter the permeate removal tube. A vacuum applied to the permeate removal tube draws permeate through the pervaporation membranes and permeate transport plates into the permeate removal tube. The permeate can be condensed right in the permeate removal tube by direct contact condensation using chilled liquid permeate, however an external condenser can be used. Jets of solution or bubbles of permeate vapor passing between the separator elements reduce or prevent concentration polarization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Fielding Chemical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, John G. Wilson, Alia A. Hamza, Mark E. Nye
  • Patent number: 4708775
    Abstract: Volatile matter especially solvents is recovered from waste material using a hot granular material such as sand, as a heat carrier to drive off the solvents, and as a carrier for the non-volatile resin content of the waste; the resins are thermally decomposed in reactions which provide heat to maintain the granular material hot and the granular material is continuously circulated; the exhaust gases from the thermal decomposition of the resins can be used as a source of heat outside the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Anachemia Solvents Limited
    Inventors: Ian R. McGregor, D. Keith Jackson, Walter F. M. Brown, Kenneth Burrell