Patents by Inventor James A. Ritter
James A. Ritter 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).
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Patent number: 11717786Abstract: The current disclosure provides systems and methods for multiple beds undergoing a feed step at the same time with the same feed flow rate and multiple beds undergoing a light reflux step at the same time with the same light reflux flow rate to process a gas stream in a multi-bed, multi-unit vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process using reasonably sized beds.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: University of South CarolinaInventors: James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner, Charles E. Holland
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Publication number: 20210346837Abstract: The current disclosure provides systems and methods for multiple beds undergoing a feed step at the same time with the same feed flow rate and multiple beds undergoing a light reflux step at the same time with the same light reflux flow rate to process a gas stream in a multi-bed, multi-unit vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process using reasonably sized beds.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: University of South CarolinaInventors: James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner, Charles E. Holland
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Patent number: 11148092Abstract: Methods and systems for capture of CO2 from a hydrated gaseous stream are described. Systems can be utilized for direct air capture of CO2 and incorporate a low energy temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) process. A TVSA process can include a multi-step CO2 capture bed regeneration process that includes depressurization of the bed, heating of the bed, venting and purging of the bed, and cooling of the bed. Multiple beds can be cycled between CO2 capture and regeneration, during which captured CO2 is recovered. Off-gas from a CO2 capture bed can be used in regenerating a parallel bed for increased efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: University of South CarolinaInventors: James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner, Charles E. Holland
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Patent number: 11007473Abstract: Methods and systems for removing water vapor from a feed gas prior to further processing the feed gas according to a downstream PSA process are described. The feed gas can include CO2 and/or CO and/or H2 and the PSA process can be used to separate components of the feed gas from one another, for instance, for CO2 capture. Light product off of the PSA process is utilized to regenerate desiccant of a dryer used in the water vapor removal process that is carried out prior to the feed gas entering the PSA process. The water vapor removal process can be heated by providing thermal energy directly to the dryer and/or to a regenerating stream that regenerates the desiccant of the dryer. The thermal energy can be low cost energy—for instance, waste heat off of a system that provides the feed gas.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: University of South CarolinaInventors: James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner
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Publication number: 20200001225Abstract: Methods and systems for capture of CO2 from a hydrated gaseous stream are described. Systems can be utilized for direct air capture of CO2 and incorporate a low energy temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA) process. A TVSA process can include a multi-step CO2 capture bed regeneration process that includes depressurization of the bed, heating of the bed, venting and purging of the bed, and cooling of the bed. Multiple beds can be cycled between CO2 capture and regeneration, during which captured CO2 is recovered. Off-gas from a CO2 capture bed can be used in regenerating a parallel bed for increased efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2019Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner, Charles E. Holland
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Patent number: 10315152Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovering a volatile organic compound (VOC) using pressure swing adsorption carried out with two beds that includes feeding the VOC to the first bed for adsorption and, while the VOC is being adsorbed by the adsorbent material in the first bed, simultaneously extracting the VOC adsorbed by the adsorbent material in the second bed through executing a desorption step by reducing the pressure of the second bed to cause desorption of the VOC in the adsorbent material of the second bed, executing a reflux step by transferring gas to the second bed and removing the transferred gas from the second bed, and executing a repressurization step by increasing pressure of the second bed to a pressure suitable for adsorption of the VOC by the adsorbent material in the second bed.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: DK ENGINEERING CONSULTING LLCInventors: Yuedan Dong, Junming Dong, James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner
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Publication number: 20180363955Abstract: The invention described herein enables a variety of heating, cooling, energy transformation, and energy storage options with a small number or components. Described are Pressure Swing Adsorption and Pressure Swing Desorption cycles, processes, and apparatuses including multiple sorption beds and active energy input by a pump and energy storage as pressure differentials. A preferred embodiment includes two activated carbon sorption beds, water vapor as the adsorbate, control valves, and a compressor or vacuum pump. In operation these components provide a range of heating, cooling, and energy storage options. Operational cycles are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2017Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Ray M. Alden, James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner
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Publication number: 20180353895Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovering a volatile organic compound (VOC) using pressure swing adsorption carried out with two beds that includes feeding the VOC to the first bed for adsorption and, while the VOC is being adsorbed by the adsorbent material in the first bed, simultaneously extracting the VOC adsorbed by the adsorbent material in the second bed through executing a desorption step by reducing the pressure of the second bed to cause desorption of the VOC in the adsorbent material of the second bed, executing a reflux step by transferring gas to the second bed and removing the transferred gas from the second bed, and executing a repressurization step by increasing pressure of the second bed to a pressure suitable for adsorption of the VOC by the adsorbent material in the second bed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2017Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Yuedan DONG, Junming DONG, James A. RITTER, Armin D. EBNER
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Patent number: 9579598Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system and a PSA process including a PSA cycle schedule are disclosed. The PSA cycle schedule includes an unlimited number of equalization steps, no idle steps, no dead time and a minimum number of three PSA adsorbent beds assisted with two or more equalization tanks. The PSA system, process and cycle schedule include the following sequence of cycle steps: a feed step, two or more down equalization steps either between beds or between a bed and a tank, an optional forced cocurrent depressurization step coupled with a forced intermediary light end pressurization step, a countercurrent depressurization step, a light reflux step, two or more up equalization steps between beds or between a bed and a tank, an optional forced intermediary light end pressurization step coupled with the forced cocurrent depressurization step, and a light product pressurization step.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Apache CorporationInventors: James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner, Jason G. S. Ho
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Publication number: 20160271554Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system and a PSA process including a PSA cycle schedule are disclosed. The PSA cycle schedule includes an unlimited number of equalization steps, no idle steps, no dead time and a minimum number of three PSA adsorbent beds assisted with two or more equalization tanks. The PSA system, process and cycle schedule include the following sequence of cycle steps: a feed step, two or more down equalization steps either between beds or between a bed and a tank, an optional forced cocurrent depressurization step coupled with a forced intermediary light end pressurization step, a countercurrent depressurization step, a light reflux step, two or more up equalization steps between beds or between a bed and a tank, an optional forced intermediary light end pressurization step coupled with the forced cocurrent depressurization step, and a light product pressurization step.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicant: Apache CorporationInventors: James A. RITTER, Armin D. EBNER, Jason G.S. HO
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Patent number: 9016084Abstract: The invention described herein enables a variety of heating, cooling, energy transformation, and energy storage options with a small number or components. Described are Pressure Swing Adsorption and Pressure Swing Desorption cycles, processes, and apparatuses including multiple sorption beds and active energy input by a pump and energy storage as pressure differentials. A preferred embodiment includes two zeolite 13X sorption beds, CO2 adsorbate, solenoid valves, and a compressor pump. In operation these components provide a range of heating, cooling, and energy storage options. Operational cycles are described.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Inventors: Ray M. Alden, James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner
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Publication number: 20120324931Abstract: The invention described herein enables a variety of heating, cooling, energy transformation, and energy storage options with a small number or components. Described are Pressure Swing Adsorption and Pressure Swing Desorption cycles, processes, and apparatuses including multiple sorption beds and active energy input by a pump and energy storage as pressure differentials. A preferred embodiment includes two zeolite 13X sorption beds, CO2 adsorbate, solenoid valves, and a compressor pump. In operation these components provide a range of heating, cooling, and energy storage options. Operational cycles are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Ray M. Alden, James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner
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Patent number: 8153554Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a process for synthesis of a complex hydride material for hydrogen storage is provided. The process includes mixing a borohydride with at least one additive agent and at least one catalyst and heating the mixture at a temperature of less than about 600° C. and a pressure of H2 gas to form a complex hydride material. The complex hydride material comprises MAlxByHz, wherein M is an alkali metal or group IIA metal, Al is the element aluminum, x is any number from 0 to 1, B is the element boron, y is a number from 0 to 13, and z is a number from 4 to 57 with the additive agent and catalyst still being present. The complex hydride material is capable of cyclic dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation and has a hydrogen capacity of at least about 4 weight percent.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: University of South CarolinaInventors: James A. Ritter, Tao Wang, Armin D. Ebner, Charles E. Holland
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Publication number: 20110218099Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, a process for synthesis of a complex hydride material for hydrogen storage is provided. The process includes mixing a borohydride with at least one additive agent and at least one catalyst and heating the mixture at a temperature of less than about 600° C. and a pressure of H2 gas to form a complex hydride material. The complex hydride material comprises MAlxByHz, wherein M is an alkali metal or group IIA metal, Al is the element aluminum, x is any number from 0 to 1, B is the element boron, y is a number from 0 to 13, and z is a number from 4 to 57 with the additive agent and catalyst still being present. The complex hydride material is capable of cyclic dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation and has a hydrogen capacity of at least about 4 weight percent.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2007Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINAInventors: James A. Ritter, Tao Wang, Armin D. Ebner, Charles E. Holland
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Publication number: 20090142258Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a process for cyclic dehydrogenation and rehydrogenation of hydrogen storage materials is provided. The process includes liberating hydrogen from a hydrogen storage material comprising hydrogen atoms chemically bonded to one or more elements to form a dehydrogenated material and contacting the dehydrogenated material with a solvent in the presence of hydrogen gas such that the solvent forms a reversible complex with rehydrogenated product of the dehydrogenated material wherein the dehydrogenated material is rehydrogenated to form a solid material containing hydrogen atoms chemically bonded to one or more elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2006Publication date: June 4, 2009Applicant: University of South CarolinaInventors: James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner, Jun Wang, Tao Wang, Charles E. Holland
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Patent number: 7384574Abstract: A hydrogen storage material having improved hydrogen absorbtion and desorption kinetics is provided by adding graphite to a complex hydride such as a metal-doped alanate, i.e., NaAlH4. The incorporation of graphite into the complex hydride significantly enhances the rate of hydrogen absorbtion and desorption and lowers the desorption temperature needed to release stored hydrogen.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2004Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignees: Westinghouse Savannah River Co., University of South CarolinaInventors: Ragaiy Zidan, James A. Ritter, Armin D. Ebner, Jun Wang, Charles E. Holland