Patents by Inventor John P. Ricotta
John P. Ricotta 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: 10989471Abstract: A multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray for a mass transfer column and method for liquid-vapor contacting in a mass transfer column is provided. The multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray has at least four mass transfer decks configured to provide contact between an ascending vapor passing upward through apertures on the tray surface and a traversing liquid on the tray surface. The tray further includes a central downcomers disposed near a central axis of the tray and two or more peripheral downcomers disposed near the edge of the tray and spaced apart from the central axis, wherein at least two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the peripheral downcomers and two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the central downcomer.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2019Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Arya Ayaskanta, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta
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Patent number: 10928129Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Patent number: 10866026Abstract: An annular divided wall column is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall and radially spaced therefrom to define an annulus column region as the space between the first annular column wall and the second annular column wall. An interior core column region is also defined by the interior space of the second annular column wall. The present annular divided wall column further includes a plurality of packing elements, disposed within the interior core column region within the annulus column region having different surface area densities and optionally, also have different geometries.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2020Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Kirk F. Larson, Paul W. Belanger, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Richard D. Lenz
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Patent number: 10866025Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Publication number: 20200290011Abstract: A wiper band assembly suitable for use in packed distillation columns used in an air separation unit is provided. The wiper band assembly includes specially designed metal or metal alloy wiper tabs that are longer and thinner than conventional wiper tabs. The longer and thinner wiper tabs preferably have a thickness between about 0.05 mm and 0.25 mm and a length greater than about 50.0 mm. The physical dimensions and characteristics of the wiper tabs are selected to avoid permanent deformation during the installation process and provides continuous engagement with the interior surface of the packed column wall when the wiper tabs are exposed to pressure differentials typically seen in such packed distillation columns.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Inventors: Paul William Belanger, Kirk F. Larson, Arya Ayaskanta, Mark A. Salay, John P. Ricotta, Jeremy D. Faust, Richard D. Lenz
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Publication number: 20200256616Abstract: An annular divided wall column is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall and radially spaced therefrom to define an annulus column region as the space between the first annular column wall and the second annular column wall. An interior core column region is also defined by the interior space of the second annular column wall. The present annular divided wall column further includes a plurality of packing elements, disposed within the interior core column region within the annulus column region having different surface area densities and optionally, also have different geometries.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2020Publication date: August 13, 2020Inventors: Kirk F. Larson, Paul W. Belanger, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Richard D. Lenz
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Patent number: 10684071Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall and radially spaced therefrom to define an annulus column region as the space between the first annular column wall and the second annular column wall. An interior core column region is also defined by the interior space of the second annular column wall. The present annular divided wall column further includes a plurality of packing elements, plurality of trays or a heat exchange device disposed within the interior core column region; and a plurality of packing elements disposed within the annulus column region.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Kirk F. Larson, Paul W. Belanger, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Richard D. Lenz
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Publication number: 20200149810Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Publication number: 20200149809Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Patent number: 10578355Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Patent number: 10578357Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Patent number: 10578356Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Publication number: 20200011597Abstract: A multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray for a mass transfer column and method for liquid-vapor contacting in a mass transfer column is provided. The multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray has at least four mass transfer decks configured to provide contact between an ascending vapor passing upward through apertures on the tray surface and a traversing liquid on the tray surface. The tray further includes a central downcomers disposed near a central axis of the tray and two or more peripheral downcomers disposed near the edge of the tray and spaced apart from the central axis, wherein at least two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the peripheral downcomers and two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the central downcomer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Arya Ayaskanta, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta
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Patent number: 10458703Abstract: A multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray for a mass transfer column and method for liquid-vapor contacting in a mass transfer column is provided. The multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray has at least four mass transfer decks configured to provide contact between an ascending vapor passing upward through apertures on the tray surface and a traversing liquid on the tray surface. The tray further includes a central downcomers disposed near a central axis of the tray and two or more peripheral downcomers disposed near the edge of the tray and spaced apart from the central axis, wherein at least two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the peripheral downcomers and two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the central downcomer.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Guang X. Chen, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta
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Publication number: 20190063831Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Publication number: 20190063829Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Publication number: 20190063830Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall to define an annulus column region and an interior core column region. The present annular divided wall column further includes structured packing elements disposed within at least the annulus column region as well as a ring-shaped cantilevered collector; and a ring-shaped distributor disposed in the annulus column region above or below the plurality of structured packing elements. The thermal expansion and contraction of the second annular column wall in a radial direction and in an axial direction is independent of the thermal expansion and contraction of the first annular column wall in the radial and axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Kevin J. Saboda, Paul W. Belanger, Richard D. Lenz, Kirk F. Larson, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Jeremy D. Faust
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Publication number: 20190063828Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall and radially spaced therefrom to define an annulus column region as the space between the first annular column wall and the second annular column wall. An interior core column region is also defined by the interior space of the second annular column wall. The present annular divided wall column further includes a plurality of packing elements, plurality of trays or a heat exchange device disposed within the interior core column region; and a plurality of packing elements disposed within the annulus column region.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Kirk F. Larson, Paul W. Belanger, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Richard D. Lenz
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Publication number: 20190063827Abstract: An annular divided wall column for the cryogenic rectification of air or constituents of air is provided. The annular divided wall column includes a first annular column wall and a second annular column wall disposed within the first annular column wall and radially spaced therefrom to define an annulus column region as the space between the first annular column wall and the second annular column wall. An interior core column region is also defined by the interior space of the second annular column wall. The present annular divided wall column further includes a plurality of packing elements, plurality of trays or a heat exchange device disposed within the interior core column region; and a plurality of packing elements disposed within the annulus column region.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Kirk F. Larson, Paul W. Belanger, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta, Guang X. Chen, Richard D. Lenz
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Publication number: 20180292129Abstract: A multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray for a mass transfer column and method for liquid-vapor contacting in a mass transfer column is provided. The multiple pass, parallel flow downcomer tray has at least four mass transfer decks configured to provide contact between an ascending vapor passing upward through apertures on the tray surface and a traversing liquid on the tray surface. The tray further includes a central downcomers disposed near a central axis of the tray and two or more peripheral downcomers disposed near the edge of the tray and spaced apart from the central axis, wherein at least two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the peripheral downcomers and two of the four mass transfer decks are configured to discharge the traversing liquid into the central downcomer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Guang X. Chen, Steven C. Brown, John P. Ricotta