Patents by Inventor Meinhard Schwefer

Meinhard Schwefer 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: 11820653
    Abstract: A system suitable for oxidizing ammonia with oxygen in the presence of catalysts is described. The system includes a reactor equipped with at least one supply line for a reactant gas mixture and at least one discharge line for a process gas; a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal oxide that is not an oxide of a platinum metal; and a device for adjusting a molar ratio of oxygen to ammonia of less than or equal to 1.75 mol/mol in the reactant gas mixture by mixing an oxygen-containing gas stream having an O2 content of <20% by volume with a chosen amount of ammonia. The oxygen-containing gas stream is produced by a device for: diluting an air stream with a gas stream comprising less than 20% by volume oxygen; or depleting oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas mixture, preferably from air; or by a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Klaus Ruthardt, Alberto Cremona, Edoardo Vogna
  • Patent number: 10899617
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for treatment of process gas formed during nitric acid production by catalytic oxidation of NH3. The apparatus includes a reactor, a first catalyst bed for N2O decomposition, an absorption tower to react the NOx formed with an absorption medium downstream of the first catalyst bed, a device for adding NH3 added to tailgas entering the second catalyst bed, and a second catalyst bed for NOx reduction and further decrease in N2O in the tailgas exiting the absorption tower. The second catalyst bed contains at least one iron-loaded zeolite catalyst. N2O removal in the first catalyst bed is limited such that the process gas exiting the first catalyst bed exhibits a N2O content of >100 ppmv and a molar N2O/NOx ratio of >0.25. Treated gas exiting the second catalyst bed has a NOx concentration of <40 ppmv and a N2O concentration of <200 ppmv.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Jürgen Fuchs, Klaus Ruthardt, Michael Groves
  • Publication number: 20190359486
    Abstract: A system suitable for oxidizing ammonia with oxygen in the presence of catalysts is described. The system includes a reactor equipped with at least one supply line for a reactant gas mixture and at least one discharge line for a process gas; a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal oxide that is not an oxide of a platinum metal; and a device for adjusting a molar ratio of oxygen to ammonia of less than or equal to 1.75 mol/mol in the reactant gas mixture by mixing an oxygen-containing gas stream having an O2 content of <20% by volume with a chosen amount of ammonia. The oxygen-containing gas stream is produced by a device for: diluting an air stream with a gas stream comprising less than 20% by volume oxygen; or depleting oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas mixture, preferably from air; or by a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: MEINHARD SCHWEFER, ROLF SIEFERT, KLAUS RUTHARDT, ALBERTO CREMONA, EDOARDO VOGNA
  • Patent number: 10414654
    Abstract: A system suitable for oxidizing ammonia with oxygen in the presence of catalysts is described. The system includes a reactor equipped with at least one supply line for a reactant gas mixture and at least one discharge line for a process gas; a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal oxide that is not an oxide of a platinum metal; and a device for adjusting a molar ratio of oxygen to ammonia of less than or equal to 1.75 mol/mol in the reactant gas mixture by mixing an oxygen-containing gas stream having an O2 content of <20% by volume with a chosen amount of ammonia. The oxygen-containing gas stream is produced by a device for: diluting an air stream with a gas stream comprising less than 20% by volume oxygen; or depleting oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas mixture, preferably from air; or by a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Klaus Ruthardt, Alberto Cremona, Edoardo Vogna
  • Publication number: 20180264408
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for carrying out a process for removing N2O and NOx from offgases by catalytic decomposition of N2O by means of iron-containing zeolite catalysts and catalytic reduction of the NOx by means of reducing agents, the deNOx stage connected downstream of the deN2O stage being operated at inlet temperatures of T<=400° C., and the inlet gas for the deN2O stage comprising water and having a selected N2O/NOx ratio, and the operating parameters of temperature, pressure and space velocity of the deN2O stage being selected so as to result in an N2O degradation of 80 to 98%. Under these conditions, a degree of NOx oxidation of 30-70% is established at the outlet of the deN2O stage, which is defined as the ratio of the molar amounts of NO2 to the total molar amount of NOx. The result of this is that the downstream deNOx stage can be operated under optimal conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Meinhard SCHWEFER, Michael GROVES, Christian PERBANDT, Rolf SIEFERT
  • Patent number: 10071341
    Abstract: Methods for the combined elimination of both ammonia and lower alkanes and/or hydrogen, which are contained in one or more waste gas streams in an industrial plant, are disclosed herein. The method is effectuated by combined oxidation and reduction according to the reduction-oxidation process, wherein the ammonia and the lower alkanes and/or hydrogen are completely or partially reacted by chemical reaction to form nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water. The waste gas stream containing ammonia and lower alkanes and/or hydrogen is passed over one or more catalysts for the combined oxidation and reduction, and the oxygen content in the waste gas stream is set in such a way that ammonia and the lower alkanes and/or hydrogen are oxidized first in an oxidation zone to form nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water, and the nitrogen oxides resulting therefrom are subsequently reduced in a reduction zone to form elemental nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventors: Ivo Müller, Meinhard Schwefer
  • Patent number: 10022669
    Abstract: A process for removing N2O and NOx from offgases by catalytic decomposition of N2O by means of iron-containing zeolite catalysts and catalytic reduction of the NOx by means of reducing agents, the deNOx stage connected downstream of the deN2O stage being operated at inlet temperatures of T<=400° C., and the inlet gas for the deN2O stage comprising water and having a selected N2O/NOx ratio, and the operating parameters of temperature, pressure and space velocity of the deN2O stage being selected so as to result in an N2O degradation of 80 to 98%. Under these conditions, a degree of NOx oxidation of 30-70% is established at the outlet of the deN2O stage, which is defined as the ratio of the molar amounts of NO2 to the total molar amount of NOx. The result of this is that the downstream deNOx stage can be operated under optimal conditions. Also provided is an apparatus for carrying out the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves, Christian Perbandt, Rolf Siefert
  • Publication number: 20170334722
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for preparing nitric acid by catalytic oxidation of NH3 by means of oxygen and subsequent reaction of the NOx formed with an absorption medium in an absorption tower, which comprises a catalyst bed for N2O decomposition arranged in the process gas downstream of the catalytic NH3 oxidation and upstream of the absorption tower in the flow direction and a catalyst bed for NOx reduction and effecting a further decrease in the amount of N2O arranged in the tailgas downstream of the absorption tower in the flow direction, wherein the amount of N2O removed in the catalyst bed for N2O removal arranged in the process gas is not more than that which results in an N2O content of >100 ppmv and a molar N2O/NOx ratio of >0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Jürgen Fuchs, Klaus Ruthardt, Michael Groves
  • Patent number: 9738521
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for preparing nitric acid by catalytic oxidation of NH3 by means of oxygen and subsequent reaction of the NOx formed with an absorption medium in an absorption tower, which comprises a catalyst bed for N2O decomposition arranged in the process gas downstream of the catalytic NH3 oxidation and upstream of the absorption tower in the flow direction and a catalyst bed for NOx reduction and effecting a further decrease in the amount of N2O arranged in the tailgas downstream of the absorption tower in the flow direction, wherein the amount of N2O removed in the catalyst bed for N2O removal arranged in the process gas is not more than that which results in an N2O content of >100 ppmv and a molar N2O/NOx ratio of >0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Jürgen Fuchs, Klaus Ruthardt, Michael Groves
  • Patent number: 9266081
    Abstract: Improved reactors for catalytic, exothermic gas phase reactions with, as seen in the flow direction of a feed gas, which contains at least one oxidant and at least one component to be oxidized, an entry zone (1), a reaction zone (2) comprising at least one catalyst (4) and an exit zone (3) for the product gas are described. The reactors, at least in the area of the entry zone (1), have means, for example insulating jackets (6) and/or devices for the transport of cooling agents, which decrease the transport of heat produced in the reaction zone (2) into the entry zone (1) and thus decrease the risks of pre-ignition of the feed gas mixture employed or of the course of undesired side reactions in the entry zone (1) and/or wherein the inner walls of the reactor, at least in the area of the entry zone (1), are elaborated from inert material. The feed gas enters into the entry zone (1) as a homogeneous gas mixture with respect to its substance composition via one or more feed lines (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves, Jürgen Fuchs, Rainer Maurer, Rolf Siefert, Bernhard Hündgen
  • Publication number: 20160039674
    Abstract: A system suitable for oxidizing ammonia with oxygen in the presence of catalysts is described. The system includes a reactor equipped with at least one supply line for a reactant gas mixture and at least one discharge line for a process gas; a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal oxide that is not an oxide of a platinum metal; and a device for adjusting a molar ratio of oxygen to ammonia of less than or equal to 1.75 mol/mol in the reactant gas mixture by mixing an oxygen-containing gas stream having an O2 content of <20% by volume with a chosen amount of ammonia. The oxygen-containing gas stream is produced by a device for: diluting an air stream with a gas stream comprising less than 20% by volume oxygen; or depleting oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas mixture, preferably from air; or by a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: MEINHARD SCHWEFER, ROLF SIEFERT, KLAUS RUTHARDT, ALBERTO CREMONA, EDOARDO VOGNA
  • Patent number: 9238196
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and method for lowering the content of NOX and N2O in gases. The device comprises a container having therein two reaction steps connected in series. The first step removes NOX (DeNOX stage) by reducing NOX with a nitrogen-containing reducing agent. Downstream thereof, the second step removes N2O by catalytic decomposition of N2O to N2 and O2 (DeN2O stage). Each step comprises one or more catalyst beds through which flows gas to be purified. The catalyst bed of the DeNOX stage containing zeolites doped with transition metals, including lanthanides. The at least one catalyst bed of the DeN2O-stage contains one or more catalytically active compounds of elements selected from groups 5 to 11 of the Periodic Table, but not iron-doped zeolites. A device for introducing a nitrogen-containing reducing agent into the stream of the NOX and N2O-containing gas is further disposed upstream of the DeNOX stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions AG
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Stefan Pinnow
  • Publication number: 20150343376
    Abstract: Methods for the combined elimination of both ammonia and lower alkanes and/or hydrogen, which are contained in one or more waste gas streams in an industrial plant, are disclosed herein. The method is effectuated by combined oxidation and reduction according to the reduction-oxidation process, wherein the ammonia and the lower alkanes and/or hydrogen are completely or partially reacted by chemical reaction to form nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water. The waste gas stream containing ammonia and lower alkanes and/or hydrogen is passed over one or more catalysts for the combined oxidation and reduction, and the oxygen content in the waste gas stream is set in such a way that ammonia and the lower alkanes and/or hydrogen are oxidized first in an oxidation zone to form nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water, and the nitrogen oxides resulting therefrom are subsequently reduced in a reduction zone to form elemental nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Ivo Müller, Meinhard Schwefer
  • Patent number: 9108175
    Abstract: Improved reactors for catalytic, exothermic gas-phase reactions having, viewed in the flow direction of a feed gas, an inlet zone (1), a reaction zone (2) containing at least one catalyst (4), and an outlet zone (3) for the product gas, are described. The reactors are provided in the inlet zone (1) or in the inlet zone (1) and the reaction zone (2) with an insulating liner (6) and/or apparatuses for the transport of cooling media and/or the interior walls of the reactor in the inlet zone (1) or in the inlet zone (1) and the reaction zone (2) consist of inert material. The insulating liner and/or cooling media reduce heat transport from the reaction zone (2) into the inlet zone (1) and thus reduce the risk of preignition of the feed gas mixture used or occurrence of undesirable secondary reactions in the inlet zone (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves, Jürgen Fuchs, Rainer Maurer, Rolf Siefert, Bernhard Hündgen
  • Publication number: 20140363359
    Abstract: A device and a method are described for lowering the content of NOx and N2O in gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Stefan Pinnow
  • Patent number: 8871673
    Abstract: Catalysts for the decomposition of N2O into nitrogen and oxygen in the gas phase, which comprises a porous support composed of polycrystalline or vitreous inorganic material, a cerium oxide functional layer applied thereto and a layer of oxidic cobalt-containing material applied thereto are described. The catalysts can be used, in particular, as secondary or tertiary catalysts in nitric acid plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Frank Seifert, Frank Froehlich, Wolfgang Burckhardt
  • Publication number: 20130336872
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for preparing nitric acid by catalytic oxidation of NH3 by means of oxygen and subsequent reaction of the NOx formed with an absorption medium in an absorption tower, which comprises a catalyst bed for N2O decomposition arranged in the process gas downstream of the catalytic NH3 oxidation and upstream of the absorption tower in the flow direction and a catalyst bed for NOx reduction and effecting a further decrease in the amount of N2O arranged in the tailgas downstream of the absorption tower in the flow direction, wherein the amount of N2O removed in the catalyst bed for N2O removal arranged in the process gas is not more than that which results in an N2O content of >100 ppmv and a molar N2O/NOx ratio of >0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: THYSENKRUPP UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Jürgen Fuchs, Klaus Ruthardt, Michael Groves
  • Publication number: 20130149225
    Abstract: A process for removing N2O and NOx from offgases by catalytic decomposition of N2O by means of iron-containing zeolite catalysts and catalytic reduction of the NOx by means of reducing agents, the deNOx stage connected downstream of the deN2O stage being operated at inlet temperatures of T<=400° C., and the inlet gas for the deN2O stage comprising water and having a selected N2O/NOx ratio, and the operating parameters of temperature, pressure and space velocity of the deN2O stage being selected so as to result in an N2O degradation of 80 to 98%. Under these conditions, a degree of NOx oxidation of 30-70% is established at the outlet of the deN2O stage, which is defined as the ratio of the molar amounts of NO2 to the total molar amount of NOx. The result of this is that the downstream deNOx stage can be operated under optimal conditions. Also provided is an apparatus for carrying out the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves, Christian Perbandt, Rolf Siefert
  • Publication number: 20120034148
    Abstract: Improved reactors for catalytic, exothermic gas phase reactions with, as seen in the flow direction of a feed gas, which contains at least one oxidant and at least one component to be oxidized, an entry zone (1), a reaction zone (2) comprising at least one catalyst (4) and an exit zone (3) for the product gas are described. The reactors, at least in the area of the entry zone (1), have means, for example insulating jackets (6) and/or devices for the transport of cooling agents, which decrease the transport of heat produced in the reaction zone (2) into the entry zone (1) and thus decrease the risks of pre-ignition of the feed gas mixture employed or of the course of undesired side reactions in the entry zone (1) and/or wherein the inner walls of the reactor, at least in the area of the entry zone (1), are elaborated from inert material. The feed gas enters into the entry zone (1) as a homogeneous gas mixture with respect to its substance composition via one or more feed lines (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves, Jürgen Fuchs, Rainer Maurer, Rolf Siefert, Bernhard Hündgen
  • Publication number: 20110301392
    Abstract: A catalyst for the dehydrogenation of alkanes or alkyl substituents of hydrocarbons, is a shaped body having at least one oxide from the elements of the main or secondary group II to IV of the periodic table or of a mixed oxide thereof serving as base material of the shaped body. The catalyst further contains an additional constituent which is an oxide of an element of the main group IV of the periodic table, added during the shaping process. A platinum compound and a compound of an element of the main group IV of the periodic table is used as a surface constituent of the catalyst. The invention further relates to the production of the catalyst and to a method for the dehydrogenation of alkanes using the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Muhammad Iqbal Mian, Max Heinritz-Adrian, Sascha Wenzel, Oliver Noll, Meinhard Schwefer, Helmut Gehrke