Patents by Inventor James D. Colley

James D. Colley 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: 5770164
    Abstract: An efficient and cost-effective flue gas desulfurization apparatus for removing sulfur dioxide from waste gases is provided. The apparatus employs a substantially solids-free clear liquor scrubbing liquid and an, organic acid additive capable of maintaining a process pH of 4.5 to 6.0 under inhibited oxidation conditions in the absorber to accomplish sulfur dioxide removal while avoiding scale formation and encrustation. Calcium sulfite relative saturation is controlled to a desired low optimum level by maintaining the circulating calcium ion concentration at a corresponding, optimum low level. A smaller thickener unit area is required to produced calcium sulfite crystals with optimum settling and dewatering characteristics. A reactor system that promotes the formation of small, efficiently dewatered calcium sulfite solids is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Robert E. Moser, David R. Owens, James H. Wilhelm, James D. Colley, Oliver W. Hargrove, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5558848
    Abstract: An efficient and cost-effective flue gas desulfurization process for removing sulfur dioxide from waste gases is provided. The process employs a substantially solids-free clear liquor scrubbing liquid and an organic acid additive capable of maintaining a process pH of 4.5 to 6.0 under inhibited oxidation conditions in the absorber to accomplish sulfur dioxide removal while avoiding scale formation and encrustation. Calcium sulfite relative saturation is controlled to a desired low optimum level by maintaining the circulating calcium ion concentration at a corresponding optimum low level. A smaller thickener unit area is required to produce calcium sulfite crystals with optimum settling and dewatering characteristics. A reactor system that promotes the formation of small, efficiently dewatered calcium sulfite solids is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Inventors: Robert E. Moser, David R. Owens, James H. Wilhelm, James D. Colley, Oliver W. Hargrove, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5486342
    Abstract: A flue gas desulfurization process and system employing a clear scrubbing liquor and an organic acid buffer conducted under forced oxidation conditions to produce a usable gypsum by-product without scrubber scaling and abrasion is provided. Calcium ion concentration and chloride concentration are suppressed to improve limestone utilization, reduce the consumption of organic acids and improve crystal growth. The FGD system includes a limestone reactor for precipitating gypsum separate from the scrubber system which allows the recovery of pure carbon dioxide and a clarifier/softener tank which allows the production of gypsum-free clear scrubbing liquor and a drier gypsum filter cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
    Inventors: Robert E. Moser, David R. Owens, James H. Wilhelm, Miriam Stohs, James D. Colley, Oliver W. Hargrove, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4990315
    Abstract: In the desulfurization of flue gas utilizing limestone as absorbent in a double loop system, in which the flue gas is introduced into a quenching zone for contact with a first slurry of the limestone, and thereafter passes to an absorbing zone for further contact with a second limestone slurry, the two slurries being supplied from a mixing zone into which water and limestone are charged, and in which air is introduced into the quenching zone to convert the calcium sulfite present in it to gypsum, air is also supplied to the mixing zone to convert calcium sulfite in it to gypsum, and limestone is directly added to the quenching zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1991
    Assignee: Tampa Electric Company
    Inventor: James D. Colley
  • Patent number: 4876076
    Abstract: In the desulfurization of flue gas utilizing limestone as absorbent in a double loop system, in which the flue gas is introduced into a quenching zone for contact with a first slurry of the limestone, and thereafter passes to an absorbing zone for further contact with a second limestone slurry, the two slurries being supplied from a mixing zone into which water and limestone are charged, and in which air is introduced into the quenching zone to convert the calcium sulfite present in it to gypsum, air is also supplied to the mixing zone to convert calcium sulfite in it to gypsum, and limestone is directly added to the quenching zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Tampa Electric Company
    Inventor: James D. Colley