Patents by Inventor Kent W. Schulz

Kent W. Schulz 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: 10197272
    Abstract: The description relates to a process for reducing acid plume from stacks from coal-fired combustors operating at varying loads, which have typically been treated by back-end calcium carbonate (limestone) which has not been able to effectively control visible acid plume as power is ramped up from low load. According to the process, as high sulfur and high iron coals are burned in a combustor, magnesium hydroxide slurry is introduced into hot combustion gases in or near the combustion zone. And, during ramp up to high load from a period of operation at low load, additional magnesium hydroxide is introduced into an intermediate-temperature zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Ian Saratovsky, Scott K. Bohlen, Chrisopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera
  • Patent number: 10166507
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes for reducing emissions of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to moderate pollution to the environment and achieve regulatory compliance in a cost-effective manner. In embodiments described below, the invention deals with reducing HCl and does not require a sorbent but utilizes an aqueous composition we term a copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). In one general case, the CBCR can be a member selected from the group consisting of compositions defined by the formula Cu(NH3)x(carbonate or lower carboxylate)y, wherein the lower carboxylate is selected from the group consisting of formate, acetate and propionate, x is an integer from 0 to 4, y is an integer from 0 to 2, and x+y is equal to or greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Patent number: 9802154
    Abstract: Dry processes, apparatus, compositions and systems are provided for reducing emissions of sulfur oxides, and sulfur dioxide in particular, and/or HCl and/or Hg in a process employing a combination of a lime-based sorbent, in particular hydrated lime and/or dolomitic hydrated lime, and a sorbent doping agent administered to achieve coverage of a three-dimensional cross section of a passage carrying SOx and/or HCl and/or Hg-containing gases with a short but effective residence time at a temperature effective to provide significant sulfur dioxide and/or HCl and/or Hg reductions with high rates of reaction and sorbent utilization. The once-through, dry process can advantageously introduce the sorbent and sorbent doping agent dry or preferably as a slurry to enable uniform treatment. Preferred sorbent doping agents include water-soluble or water-dispersible copper and/or iron compositions which can be heated to an active form in situ by the flue gases being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Patent number: 9718025
    Abstract: The description relates to reducing hydrochloric acid in cement kilns. In one aspect, an aqueous copper-based chloride remediator is introduced into contact with combustion gases from a cement kiln. Injection is made into a defined introduction zone under conditions effective for HCl emissions control wherein the temperature is within the range of from 300° F. to 800° F., preferably from 550° F. to 750° F. The resulting gases are discharged from the defined zone following sufficient reaction time to reduce the HCl concentration in the gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Publication number: 20170089572
    Abstract: The description relates to a process for reducing acid plume from stacks from coal-fired combustors operating at varying loads, which have typically been treated by back-end calcium carbonate (limestone) which has not been able to effectively control visible acid plume as power is ramped up from low load. According to the process, as high sulfur and high iron coals are burned in a combustor, magnesium hydroxide slurry is introduced into hot combustion gases in or near the combustion zone. And, during ramp up to high load from a period of operation at low load, additional magnesium hydroxide is introduced into an intermediate-temperature zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Saratovsky, Scott K. Bohlen, Chrisopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera
  • Publication number: 20160263521
    Abstract: The invention relates to processes for reducing emissions of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to moderate pollution to the environment and achieve regulatory compliance in a cost-effective manner. In embodiments described below, the invention deals with reducing HCl and does not require a sorbent but utilizes an aqueous composition we term a copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). In one general case, the CBCR can be a member selected from the group consisting of compositions defined by the formula Cu(NH3)x(carbonate or lower carboxylate)y, wherein the lower carboxylate is selected from the group consisting of formate, acetate and propionate, x is an integer from 0 to 4, y is an integer from 0 to 2, and x+y is equal to or greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Patent number: 9399597
    Abstract: The description relates to production of fly ash with properties suitable for use in Portland cement. The fly ash compositions will contain coal ash, water-insoluble copper compositions and metallic mercury adsorbed onto ash particles. In one aspect, the coal ash composition will have a total mercury content of from 0.1 to 2.0 ppm and the water-soluble mercury is less than 20% of the total mercury content. The process entails combusting coal to produce hot combustion gases containing fly ash, CO2, chlorine, and mercury, cooling the combustion gases and introducing into the combustion gases at a temperature of less than 1000° F., preferably within the range of from about 250° to about 900° F., a copper-based chloride remediator (CBCR), and collecting the fly ash which comprises insoluble copper compositions and water insoluble mercury compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Patent number: 9393518
    Abstract: HCl and sulfur oxides are reduced by treating combustion gases with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-based chloride remediator (CBCR). The process is preferably implemented by identifying locations within a combustor for feeding the CBCR, determining the physical form and injection parameters for the CBCR and injecting the CBCR under conditions effective to reduce HCl and/or sulfur oxides. Effective temperatures for introducing the CBCRs can be from about 250° to 900° F. for HCl and up to about 2200° F. for sulfur oxides. Preferred CBCRs include copper and an ammonia moiety. One composition is copper diammonium diacetate, empirical formula of C2H7CuNO2. CBCR compositions are not sorbents and chemically convert HCl from a gaseous to a solid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Patent number: 9289721
    Abstract: The operation of wet scrubbers, especially those based on calcium carbonate, is improved by reducing the quantities of soluble chlorides in the combustion gases fed to the scrubbers. HCl in the combustion gases is converted to a solid copper chloride and removed before the chloride reaches the scrubber. Combustion gases are treated with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). Effective temperatures for introducing the CBCRs are preferably within the range of from about 250° to 900° F. Among the more preferred CBCRs are copper compositions including copper, an organic moiety and/or an ammonia moiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Publication number: 20160016113
    Abstract: The description relates to reducing hydrochloric acid in cement kilns. In one aspect, an aqueous copper-based chloride remediator is introduced into contact with combustion gases from a cement kiln. Injection is made into a defined introduction zone under conditions effective for HCl emissions control wherein the temperature is within the range of from 300° F. to 800° F., preferably from 550° F. to 750° F. The resulting d gases are discharged from the defined zone following sufficient reaction time to reduce the HCl concentration in the gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: FUEL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Publication number: 20150110698
    Abstract: Dry processes, apparatus, compositions and systems are provided for reducing emissions of sulfur oxides, and sulfur dioxide in particular, and/or HCl and/or Hg in a process employing a combination of a lime-based sorbent, in particular hydrated lime and/or dolomitic hydrated lime, and a sorbent doping agent administered to achieve coverage of a three-dimensional cross section of a passage carrying SOx and/or HCl and/or Hg-containing gases with a short but effective residence time at a temperature effective to provide significant sulfur dioxide and/or HCl and/or Hg reductions with high rates of reaction and sorbent utilization. The once-through, dry process can advantageously introduce the sorbent and sorbent doping agent dry or preferably as a slurry to enable uniform treatment. Preferred sorbent doping agents include water-soluble or water-dispersible copper and/or iron compositions which can be heated to an active form in situ by the flue gases being treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Patent number: 8992868
    Abstract: Dry processes, apparatus, compositions and systems are provided for reducing emissions of mercury and optionally sulfur oxides and/or HCl. In an embodiment the copper-based mercury remediation composition comprises a copper ammonium complex having an empirical formula of C2H7CuNO2 or any of the other materials described, which include compositions defined by the formula Cu(NH3)x(lower carboxylate)y, wherein the lower carboxylate is selected from the group consisting of formate, acetate and propionate, x is an integer from 0 to 4, y is an integer from 0 to 2, and x+y is equal to or greater than 1. Sulfur oxides and/or HCl can be additionally reduced by introduction of dolomite hydrate sorbent, and additional mercury remediation chemicals as manganese oxides can be employed. The treated gas stream is treated with a particulate removal device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Mingming Fang, Ian Saratovsky
  • Patent number: 8916120
    Abstract: Dry processes, apparatus, compositions and systems are provided for reducing emissions of sulfur oxides, and sulfur dioxide in particular, and/or HCl in a process employing a combination of a dolomite hydrate sorbent and a sorbent doping agent administered to achieve coverage of a three-dimensional cross section of a passage carrying SOx and/or HCl —containing gases with a short but effective residence time at a temperature effective to provide significant sulfur dioxide and/or HCl reductions with high rates of reaction and sorbent utilization. The once-through, dry process can advantageously introduce the sorbent and sorbent doping agent dry or preferably as a slurry to enable uniform treatment. Preferred sorbent doping agents include water-soluble or water-dispersible copper and/or iron compositions which can be heated to an active form in situ by the flue gases being treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Mingming Fang, Ian Saratovsky
  • Publication number: 20140360409
    Abstract: The description relates to production of fly ash with properties suitable for use in Portland cement. The fly ash compositions will contain coal ash, water-insoluble copper compositions and metallic mercury adsorbed onto ash particles. In one aspect, the coal ash composition will have a total mercury content of from 0.1 to 2.0 ppm and the water-soluble mercury is less than 20% of the total mercury content. The process entails combusting coal to produce hot combustion gases containing fly ash, CO2, chlorine, and mercury, cooling the combustion gases and introducing into the combustion gases at a temperature of less than 1000° F., preferably within the range of from about 250° to about 900° F., a copper-based chloride remediator (CBCR), and collecting the fly ash which comprises insoluble copper compositions and water insoluble mercury compositions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Publication number: 20140314651
    Abstract: The description relates to improving the operation of wet scrubbers, especially those based on calcium carbonate, by reducing the quantities of soluble chlorides in the combustion gases fed to the scrubbers. By converting gaseous HCl in the combustion gases to a solid copper chloride and removing it before the chloride reaches the scrubber, the reactivity of the scrubbing slurry will be better maintained. Combustion gases are treated with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). The process is preferably implemented by identifying locations within a combustor for feeding the CBCR, determining the physical form and injection parameters for the CBCR and injecting the CBCR under conditions effective to reduce HCl and/or sulfur oxides. Effective temperatures for introducing the CBCRs are preferably within the range of from about 250° to 900° F. Among the more preferred CBCRs are copper compositions including copper, an organic moiety and/or an ammonia moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Publication number: 20140314650
    Abstract: The description relates to reducing emissions of HCl and sulfur oxides by treating combustion gases with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-based chloride remediator (CBCR). The process is preferably implemented by identifying locations within a combustor for feeding the CBCR, determining the physical form and injection parameters for the CBCR and injecting the CBCR under conditions effective to reduce HCl and/or sulfur oxides. Effective temperatures for introducing the copper-based chloride remediators are preferably within the range of from about 250° to 900° F. where the objective is to reduce HCl, while temperatures up to about 2200° F. can be employed where the objective is to reduce sulfur oxides. Among the more preferred CBCRs are copper compositions including copper and an ammonia moiety. One composition of this type that was tested was copper diammonium diacetate, which has an empirical formula of C2H7CuNO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Publication number: 20140241970
    Abstract: The description relates to improving the operation of wet scrubbers, especially those based on calcium carbonate, by reducing the quantities of soluble chlorides in the combustion gases fed to the scrubbers. By converting gaseous HCl in the combustion gases to a solid copper chloride and removing it before the chloride reaches the scrubber, the reactivity of the scrubbing slurry will be better maintained. Combustion gases are treated with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). The process is preferably implemented by identifying locations within a combustor for feeding the CBCR, determining the physical form and injection parameters for the CBCR and injecting the CBCR under conditions effective to reduce HCl and/or sulfur oxides. Effective temperatures for introducing the CBCRs are preferably within the range of from about 250° to 900° F. Among the more preferred CBCRs are copper compositions including copper, an organic moiety and/or an ammonia moiety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
  • Publication number: 20130294987
    Abstract: Dry processes, apparatus, compositions and systems are provided for reducing emissions of mercury and optionally sulfur oxides and/or HCl. In an embodiment the copper-based mercury remediation composition comprises a copper ammonium complex having an empirical formula of C2H7CuNO2 or any of the other materials described, which include compositions defined by the formula Cu(NH3)x((lower carboxylate)y, wherein the lower carboxylate is selected from the group consisting of formate, acetate and propionate, x is an integer from 0 to 4, y is an integer from 0 to 2, and x+y is equal to or greater than 1. Sulfur oxides and/or HCl can be additionally reduced by introduction of dolomite hydrate sorbent, and additional mercury remediation chemicals as manganese oxides can be employed. The treated gas stream is treated with a particulate removal device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: FUEL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Mingming Fang
  • Publication number: 20110203498
    Abstract: A process that uses targeted in-furnace Injection to feed a fluxing agent of the chemical family of compositions containing boron and/or alkali hydrates to either decrease heat transfer on waterwalls of utility furnaces burning solid fuels to improve steam generation, maintain steam temperature, and/or allow a protective layer of slag to form inside the barrels of cyclones on cyclone boilers burning fuels high in calcium so that the boiler can operate at a wider variety of power settings while allowing proper flow and drainage of slag from the cyclone barrels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Fuel Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz
  • Patent number: 7845292
    Abstract: A slag and corrosion control process is described. The process entails: identifying the location of at least one slagging problem area in a boiler; introducing a slag control chemical comprising magnesium oxide or hydroxide into combustion gases in a location identified as having a slagging problem; identifying the location of at least one corrosion problem area in a boiler; and introducing a corrosion control chemical comprising a sulfate salt, bisulfite salt, sulfuric acid, or sulfur into combustion gases in a location identified as having a corrosion problem. In operation, these slag deposits will be sufficiently friable to be removed by relatively moderate application of physical energy, thus saving time and reducing any damage to the tubes by the cleaning process. The slag deposits are less voluminous and less in weight and are removed quickly. It is an advantage of the invention that slag can be removed with little or no shut down of a boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: J. David Martin, Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, William H. Sun, Scott K. Bohlen, Glenn Brewer