Patents by Inventor Kara M. Thalls

Kara M. Thalls 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).

  • Reduction of mercury emissions from cement plants
    Patent number: 8961654
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for reducing emissions of mercury from a cement plant comprising at least a kiln (6), a particulate collection device (10), collected particulates, an exhaust gas stream (8b), a heater, and a mercury scrubber, wherein the heater and mercury scrubber are upstream from the kiln. The methods comprise directing the collected particulates through the heater, to form volatilized mercury species from the collected particulates; directing the collected particulates from the heater downstream toward the kiln; and directing the volatilized mercury species to the mercury scrubber. The exhaust gas stream (8c) exits the particulate collection device and is not directed into the heater. Optional steps include injecting a mercury sorbent at one or more points between the kiln and the particulate collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Liu, Jon E. Miller, Zhong Tang, Qunhui Zhou, Yinzhi Zhang, Kara M. Thalls
  • Reduction of Mercury Emissions From Cement Plants
    Publication number: 20130220120
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for reducing emissions of mercury from a cement plant comprising at least a kiln (6), a particulate collection device (10), collected particulates, an exhaust gas stream (8b), a heater, and a mercury scrubber, wherein the heater and mercury scrubber are upstream from the kiln. The methods comprise directing the collected particulates through the heater, to form volatilized mercury species from the collected particulates; directing the collected particulates from the heater downstream toward the kiln; and directing the volatilized mercury species to the mercury scrubber. The exhaust gas stream (8c) exits the particulate collection device and is not directed into the heater. Optional steps include injecting a mercury sorbent at one or more points between the kiln and the particulate collection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Xin Liu, Jon E. Miller, Zhong Tang, Qunhui Zhou, Yinzhi Zhang, Kara M. Thalls