Patents by Inventor John E. Hofmann

John E. Hofmann 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).

  • Publication number: 20090004083
    Abstract: A multi-stage NOx reduction system employs catalysts effective at different temperature ranges and can have reagent injectors associated with each, for use in series or in parallel. A controller directs reagent introduction to one catalyst or the other as temperature and other conditions dictate. Valving can redirect exhaust to particular catalyst zones, if necessary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: James M. Valentine, Jeremy D. Peter-Hoblyn, John E. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6361754
    Abstract: A safe, reliable SCR system for reducing NOx emissions from an internal combustion engine hydrolyzes urea or like reagent under sufficient pressure to assure generation of ammonia, without production of solids that could foul injectors or catalysts. The heat for hydrolysis can be provided by the exhaust or an auxiliary means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Peter-Hoblyn, Eric N. Balles, John E. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 6203770
    Abstract: Urea is pyrolyzed in a chamber designed to facilitate gasification of the urea by pyrolysis with conversion of urea to ammonia and isocyanic acid (HNCO) with water vapor and carbon dioxide. The product gases are introduced into exhaust gases from a lean-burn engine, preferably upstream of a turbocharger. The exhaust gases are then contacted with an SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Peter-Hoblyn, Eric N. Balles, Theodore J. Tarabulski, John E. Hofmann, James M. Valentine
  • Patent number: 5976475
    Abstract: A safe, reliable SCR system for reducing NO.sub.x emissions from a lean-burn internal combustion engine utilizes urea in aqueous solution. Overheating and hydrolysis of the solution are prevented by maintaining the temperature of the urea solution sufficiently low that it is not permitted sufficient time at elevated temperature to hydrolyze the urea to such an extent that solids precipitate. In a preferred embodiment, an injector system similar to those used for fuel injection provides a constant feed to injectors and a return line. The feed and injection can be controlled to provide sufficient urea for NO.sub.x reduction and sufficient cooling capacity for the feed and injection system to avoid hydrolysis and deposits of hydrolysis products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Peter-Hoblyn, Eric N. Balles, John E. Hofmann, Theodore J. Tarabulski
  • Patent number: 5968464
    Abstract: Urea is pyrolyzed in a chamber designed to facilitate gasification of the urea by pyrolysis with conversion of urea to ammonia and isocyanic acid (HNCO) with water vapor and carbon dioxide. The product gases are introduced into exhaust gases from a lean-burn engine, preferably upstream of a turbocharger. The exhaust gases are then contacted with an SCR catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Clean Diesel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Peter-Hoblyn, Eric N. Balles, Theodore J. Tarabulski, John E. Hofmann, James M. Valentine
  • Patent number: 5658547
    Abstract: The removal of SO.sub.x and particulates, and preferably also NO.sub.x, from the combustion gases of a large boiler, is simplified while efficiency is improved. In a primary treatment zone, a slurry comprising an alkaline SO.sub.x -reducing composition and preferably a nitrogen-containing composition effective to reduce NO.sub.x, is introduced into combustion gases at a temperature of from about 900.degree. to about 1300.degree. C. The gases are cooled by initial contact with steam-generating means, and then by contact with an gas-to-gas heat exchanger. Cooled gases are then subjected to a secondary treatment in which they are first humidified and further cooled by introduction of a water spray or aerosol to reduce the temperature to 100.degree. C. or below. Contact between the SO.sub.x -reducing composition and the humidified gases is maintained for a reaction period of at least 2 seconds. Particulate solids are then separated from the gases with a fabric filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Nalco Fuel Tech
    Inventors: Stanislaw Michalak, Joseph R. Comparato, John E. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5543123
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the use of a urea hydrolysate for nitrogen oxides reductions. More particularly, the process involves forming a urea hydrolysate under conditions of low pressure and introducing the hydrolysate into a combustion effluent under conditions effective for the reduction of nitrogen oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Nalco Fuel Tech
    Inventors: John E. Hofmann, Thure Von Harpe, Daniel V. Diep, M. Linda Lin
  • Patent number: 5286467
    Abstract: A process for reducing nitrogen oxides in a combustion effluent is presented. The process involves introducing a nitrogenous treatment agent other than ammonia into the effluent to create a treated effluent having reduced nitrogen oxides concentration such that ammonia is present in the treated effluent; introducing a source of ammonia into the effluent; and contacting the treated effluent with a nitrogen oxides reducing catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Sun, John E. Hofmann, M. Linda Lin
  • Patent number: 5229090
    Abstract: A system for the reduction of nitrogen oxides in the effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel is presented. This system utilizes means for determining the lowest achievable nitrogen oxides concentration with respect to a treatment agent to be introduced into the effluent; means for determining whether the baseline nitrogen oxides concentration at the point of introduction is above the lowest achievable nitrogen oxides concentration; and means for introducing the treatment agent into the effluent under conditions effective to reduce the effluent nitrogen oxides concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Nalco Fuel Tech
    Inventors: John E. Hofmann, William H. Sun
  • Patent number: 5139754
    Abstract: A process for reducing nitrogen oxides in a combusiton effluent is presented. The process involves introducing a nitrogenous treatment agent into the effluent under conditions effective to create a treated effluent having reduced nitrogen oxides concentration such that ammonia is present in the treated effluent; and then contacting the treated effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides in the effluent with a nitrogen oxides reducing catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan K. Luftglass, William H. Sun, John E. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5048432
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is presented for the reduction of nitrous oxide in the effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel. The process comprises raising the temperature of the effluent to a temperature of at least about 1700.degree. F. The apparatus utilized is a heating means which is disposed in a boiler at a location where the effluent is at a temperature of less than about 1700.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Nalco Fuel Tech
    Inventors: John E. Hofmann, William H. Sun
  • Patent number: 4997631
    Abstract: A process is presented for the reduction of nitrogen oxides in the effluent from the combustion of a carbonaceous fuel while reducing the generation of nitrous oxide. The process comprises introducing a treatment agent comprising ammonium carbamate into the effluent in an amount effective to substantially avoid the presence of nitrous oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Hofmann, Barry N. Sprague, William H. Sun
  • Patent number: 4978514
    Abstract: A process for reducing nitrogen oxides in a combustion effluent is presented. The process involves introducing a nitrogenous treatment agent into the effluent under conditions effective to create a treated effluent having reduced nitrogen oxides concentration such that ammonia is present in the treated effluent; and then contacting the treated effluent under conditions effective to reduce the nitrogen oxides in the effluent with a nitrogen oxides reducing catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Hofmann, William H. Sun, Bryan K. Luftglass
  • Patent number: 3936490
    Abstract: Process for reacting organonitriles with hydrocarbon substrates, by contacting with a basic alkali metal catalyst in a solvent selected from the group consisting of trimethyl phosphoramide, hexamethyl phosphoramide, tetramethyl urea and N-methyl-2-pyrollidone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1970
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1976
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: John E. Hofmann, Alan Schriesheim