Patents by Inventor Markus Duss

Markus Duss 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: 20240116022
    Abstract: A structured packing element for a column for at least one of mass transfer and heat exchange between a heavy fluid phase and a light fluid phase. The structured packing element comprises at least two layers of a grid comprising openings that are surrounded and separated from each other by separating elements. At least two of the layers are arranged in a longitudinal direction parallel and in touching contact with each other such that an open space extending from one end to an opposite end of the layers is provided between the layers such that at least one of the heavy fluid phase and the light fluid phase may flow therethrough. An average width of at least 50% of the separating elements between adjacent openings is at least 15 times a layer material thickness and is between 70% and 125% of an average hydraulic diameter of the adjacent openings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Marc WEHRLI, Ilja AUSNER, Florian KEHRER, Markus DUSS
  • Patent number: 10434438
    Abstract: A fluid contact tray (10) for a fractionation column (1), in particular a vapor-liquid contact tray suitable for the use in an offshore fractionation column, comprises: ?a tray deck (12) comprising an active mass transfer surface (20) suitable for contacting two fluids (l, g) of different densities, wherein the active mass transfer surface (20) comprises one or more orifices (18) for the passage of a fluid/gas (g), and wherein at least two at least partially radially extending separation walls (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) and/or at least one separation weir (42) are arranged on the active mass transfer surface (20), which divides the active mass transfer surface (20) into at least two sections (24-1, 24-2, 24-3, 24-4), ?an annular channel (26) suitable for collecting fluids/liquids (l), which is arranged at the peripheral area of the active mass transfer surface (20) and at least partially embraces the mass transfer surface (20), ?a central downcomer (34) for collecting and discharging a fluid/liquid (l) from the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Stephen Shields, Senthil Krishnamoorthy, Markus Duss
  • Publication number: 20170348609
    Abstract: A fluid contact tray (10) for a fractionation column (1), in particular a vapor-liquid contact tray suitable for the use in an offshore fractionation column, comprises: •a tray deck (12) comprising an active mass transfer surface (20) suitable for contacting two fluids (l, g) of different densities, wherein the active mass transfer surface (20) comprises one or more orifices (18) for the passage of a fluid/gas (g), and wherein at least two at least partially radially extending separation walls (22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4) and/or at least one separation weir (42) are arranged on the active mass transfer surface (20), which divides the active mass transfer surface (20) into at least two sections (24-1, 24-2, 24-3, 24-4), •an annular channel (26) suitable for collecting fluids/liquids (l), which is arranged at the peripheral area of the active mass transfer surface (20) and at least partially embraces the mass transfer surface (20), •a central downcomer (34) for collecting and discharging a fluid/liquid (l) from the
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Sulzer Chemtech Ag
    Inventors: Stephen Shields, Senthil Krishnamoorthy, Markus Duss
  • Patent number: 8944417
    Abstract: A packing layer for a structured packing which has corrugations forming open channels. Each channel includes first and second corrugation peaks bounding a first corrugation valley with each corrugation peak having an apex and the corrugation valley having a valley bottom. A spacer element is mounted on and extends along the apex of at least one corrugation peak. The spacer element has an edge which has a larger normal spacing from the valley bottom than, the spacing of the apex of the corrugation peak from the valley bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Ilja Ausner, Markus Duss
  • Publication number: 20140322115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of performing a carbon dioxide absorption with reduced risk of aerosol formation from a carbon dioxide containing stream in an absorption apparatus having a specific sequence of sections and wherein the method comprises specific steps. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of a structured packing as part of a carbon dioxide absorption section in an apparatus for the absorption of carbon dioxide, characterized in that the use is in reducing the risk of aerosol formation in a top region of the carbon dioxide-absorption section. Yet another aspect of the invention is a use of an absorption apparatus comprising a specific sequence of sections, wherein the use is for avoiding a super-saturation of a solvent and water and a risk of aerosol formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Markus Duss
  • Patent number: 8794602
    Abstract: A method of mass transfer includes the steps of: supplying a first fluid and a second fluid into a mass transfer apparatus, wherein the mass transfer apparatus includes a vessel which has a head region, a base region and a mass transfer region, wherein the first fluid is brought into contact with the second fluid at least in the mass transfer region, wherein the mass transfer region is arranged between the head region and the base region and the mass transfer region includes a structured packing which includes a plurality of neighboring layers of fabric which includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material. The mass transfer apparatus is operated at a fluid load of at most 3 m3/m2/h.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Werner Wicki, Markus Duss, Ilja Ausner
  • Patent number: 8746660
    Abstract: An absorber or desorber contains a layer (10) for a structured packing which has corrugations, wherein a plurality of open channels (12, 14, 16) is formed by the corrugations, wherein the channels include a first corrugation valley (22), a first corrugation peak (32) and a second corrugation peak (42). The first corrugation peak (32) and the second corrugation peak (42) bound the first corrugation valley (22), wherein the first and second corrugation peaks have a first apex (33) and a second apex (43). An indentation (34) extending in the direction of the first apex (33) is formed on the first apex (33) of the first corrugation peak (32). The first corrugation valley (22) has a valley bottom (23), wherein the normal spacing (27) of at least one point of the indentation (34) from the valley bottom (23) of the corrugation valley (22) is smaller than the normal spacing (28) of the first apex (33) from the valley bottom (23) of the corrugation valley (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Solzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Ilja Ausner, Markus Duss, Raymond Plüss
  • Patent number: 8715398
    Abstract: An apparatus for the purification of fluids includes a material exchange apparatus which contains a more volatile fluid and a less volatile fluid. The material exchange apparatus contains a structured packing, with the structured packing containing a first packing layer (10) and a second packing layer (100). The first packing layer (10) and the second packing layer (100) have corrugations, with open channels (12, 14, 16, 112, 114, 116) being formed by the corrugations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Ilja Ausner, Markus Duss
  • Publication number: 20120160102
    Abstract: A method of mass transfer includes the steps of: supplying a first fluid and a second fluid into a mass transfer apparatus, wherein the mass transfer apparatus includes a vessel which has a head region, a base region and a mass transfer region, wherein the first fluid is brought into contact with the second fluid at least in the mass transfer region, wherein the mass transfer region is arranged between the head region and the base region and the mass transfer region includes a structured packing which includes a plurality of neighboring layers of fabric which includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material. The mass transfer apparatus is operated at a fluid load of at most 3 m3/m2/h.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Werner Wicki, Markus Duss, Ilja Ausner
  • Publication number: 20110318244
    Abstract: An apparatus for the purification of fluids includes a material exchange apparatus which contains a more volatile fluid and a less volatile fluid. The material exchange apparatus contains a structured packing, with the structured packing containing a first packing layer (10) and a second packing layer (100). The first packing layer (10) and the second packing layer (100) have corrugations, with open channels (12, 14, 16, 112, 114, 116) being formed by the corrugations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: ILja Ausner, Markus Duss
  • Publication number: 20110309536
    Abstract: An absorber or desorber contains a layer (10) for a structured packing which has corrugations, wherein a plurality of open channels (12, 14, 16) is formed by the corrugations, wherein the channels include a first corrugation valley (22), a first corrugation peak (32) and a second corrugation peak (42). The first corrugation peak (32) and the second corrugation peak (42) bound the first corrugation valley (22), wherein the first and second corrugation peaks have a first apex (33) and a second apex (43). An indentation (34) extending in the direction of the first apex (33) is formed on the first apex (33) of the first corrugation peak (32). The first corrugation valley (22) has a valley bottom (23), wherein the normal spacing (27) of at least one point of the indentation (34) from the valley bottom (23) of the corrugation valley (22) is smaller than the normal spacing (28) of the first apex (33) from the valley bottom (23) of the corrugation valley (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: Ilja Ausner, Markus Duss, Raymond Plüss
  • Publication number: 20100237519
    Abstract: A packing layer for a structured packing which has corrugations forming open channels. Each channel includes first and second corrugation peaks bounding a first corrugation valley with each corrugation peak having an apex and the corrugation valley having a valley bottom. A spacer element is mounted on and extends along the apex of at least one corrugation peak. The spacer element has an edge which has a larger normal spacing from the valley bottom than the spacing of the apex of the corrugation peak from the valley bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Ilja Ausner, Markus Duss