Patents by Inventor Michael Groves

Michael Groves 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: 11643327
    Abstract: A process for catalytic oxidation of ammonia gas by way of an oxygen-containing gas in a presence of a noble metal-containing catalyst may be employed to give nitrogen monoxide. A temperature of an ammonia/air mixed gas may be optimized in respect of nitrogen monoxide selectivity of the reaction before contact with the catalyst. Examination of catalytic NH3 oxidation according to 4NH3+5O2?4NO+6H2O revealed that an optimum mode of operation of an NH3 burner in an HNO3 plant is not to be achieved by maintenance of a constant gauze temperature of the catalyst gauze by automatic setting of the NH3:air ratio. Rather, there is an optimum temperature for each process condition that should be set not by changing the NH3:air ratio but instead by altering the temperature of the NH3/air mixed gas before contact with the catalyst gauzes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Jens Mathiak, Michael Groves
  • Publication number: 20210171348
    Abstract: A process for catalytic oxidation of ammonia gas by way of an oxygen-containing gas in a presence of a noble metal-containing catalyst may be employed to give nitrogen monoxide. A temperature of an ammonia/air mixed gas may be optimized in respect of nitrogen monoxide selectivity of the reaction before contact with the catalyst. Examination of catalytic NH3 oxidation according to 4NH3+5O2?4NO+6H2O revealed that an optimum mode of operation of an NH3 burner in an HNO3 plant is not to be achieved by maintenance of a constant gauze temperature of the catalyst gauze by automatic setting of the NH3: air ratio. Rather, there is an optimum temperature for each process condition that should be set not by changing the NH3: air ratio but instead by altering the temperature of the NH3/air mixed gas before contact with the catalyst gauzes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicants: thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Jens MATHIAK, Michael GROVES
  • 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: 20190111387
    Abstract: A process and a plant for decreasing the concentration of NOx nitrogen oxides in the residual gas in the preparation of nitric acid, where the temperature of the residual gas is regulated by means of a temperature regulating apparatus during shutdown and/or start-up of the plant, with the residual gas being conveyed in a circuit and here flowing through the temperature regulating apparatus and the residual gas purification plant so that colorless shutdown and/or start-up of the plant is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicants: thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Klaus RUTHARDT, Michael GROVES, Paul KERN
  • 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: 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
  • 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: 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: 20100166631
    Abstract: Improved reactors for catalytic, exothermic gas-phase reactions, which comprise, viewed in the flow direction of a feed gas, an inlet zone (1), a reaction zone (2) containing at least one catalyst (4) an outlet zone (3) for the product gas, are described. The reactors are provided in the region of the inlet zone (1) or in the region of the inlet zone (1) and the reaction zone (2) with means, for example an insulating liner (6) and/or apparatuses for the transport of cooling media, which 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) and/or the interior walls of the reactor in the region of the inlet zone (1) or in the region of the inlet zone (1) and the reaction zone (2) consist of inert material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves, Jürgen Fuchs, Rainer Maurer, Rolf Siefert, Bernhard Hündgen
  • Patent number: 7744839
    Abstract: The method comprises passing an N2O- and NOx-containing gas over a sequence of two catalyst beds, adding reducing agents for NOx and for N2O between the catalyst beds in such an amount that not only NOx but also a predetermined proportion of N2O is reduced. The reaction conditions are set so that the N2O content of the gas is reduced by not more than 95%, based on the N2O content at the entrance of the first catalyst bed, by decomposition to nitrogen and oxygen in the first catalyst bed and that not only chemical reduction of NOx but also chemical reduction of N2O occurs in the second catalyst bed so that the N2O content of the gas is reduced by at least 50%, based on the N2O content at the entrance of the second catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Michael Groves
  • Patent number: 7462340
    Abstract: The disclosure involves a method for reducing the content of NOx and N2O in gases. The method includes the conduction of a gas containing N2O and NOX over a series of two catalyst beds containing of one or more zeolites charged with iron followed by the: addition of a reduction agent for NOX between the catalyst beds. The first catalyst bed reaction zone is used to degrade the N2O and the catalyst bed second reaction zone reduces the NOX and breaks down at least part of the remaining N2O. The inventive device comprises at least one radially traversed catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Unde GmbH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves, Rolf Siefert, Rainer Maurer
  • Publication number: 20080241034
    Abstract: The method comprises passing an N2O- and NOx-containing gas over a sequence of two catalyst beds, adding reducing agents for NOx and for N2O between the catalyst beds in such an amount that not only NOx but also a predetermined proportion of N2O is reduced. The reaction conditions are set so that the N2O content of the gas is reduced by not more than 95%, based on the N2O content at the entrance of the first catalyst bed, by decomposition to nitrogen and oxygen in the first catalyst bed and that not only chemical reduction of NOx but also chemical reduction of N2O occurs in the second catalyst bed so that the N2O content of the gas is reduced by at least 50%, based on the N2O content at the entrance of the second catalyst bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Rolf Siefert, Michael Groves
  • Patent number: 7393512
    Abstract: A process for reducing the content of NOx and N2O in gases, in particular in process gases and offgases, which comprises the measures: a) addition of at least one nitrogen-containing reducing agent to the NOx- and N2O-containing gas in at least the amount required for complete reduction of the NOx; b) addition of a hydrocarbon, of carbon monoxide, of hydrogen, or of a mixture of one or more of these gases to the NOx- and N2O-containing gas for the reduction of the N2O; and c) introduction of the gas mixture into at least one reaction zone at temperatures of up to 450° C., which contains one or more iron-laden zeolites. The process can be used, in particular, in nitric acid production, for offgases from power stations or for gas turbines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves
  • Publication number: 20060051277
    Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: conduction of the gas containing N2O and NOx over a series of two catalyst beds consisting of one or more zeolites° charged with iron: addition of a reduction agent for NOx between the catalyst beds; setting of a temperature of less than 500° C. in the first and second catalyst bed; setting of a gas pressure of at least 2 bar in the two catalyst beds; and the selection of a space velocity in the first and second catalyst bed that achieves a degradation of the N2O content of the gas in the first catalyst bed by a maximum of up to 90%, in relation to the N2O content at the entrance to the catalyst bed and an additional degradation of the N2O content of the gas in the second catalyst bed by at least 30% in relation to the N2O content at the entrance to the second catalyst bed. The first reaction zone is used to degrade the N2O and the second reaction zone reduces the NOx and breaks down at least part of the remaining N2O.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Applicant: Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves, Rolf Siefert, Rainer Maurer
  • Publication number: 20050244320
    Abstract: A process for reducing the content of NOx and N2O in gases, in particular in process gases and offgases, which comprises the measures: a) addition of at least one nitrogen-containing reducing agent to the NOx- and N2O-containing gas in at least the amount required for complete reduction of the NOx, b) addition of a hydrocarbon, of carbon monoxide, of hydrogen or of a mixture of one or more of these gases to the NOx- and N2O-containing gas for the reduction of the N2O and c) introduction of the gas mixture into at least one reaction zone at temperatures of up to 450° C. which contains one or more iron-laden zeolites, is described. The process can be used, in particular, in nitric acid production, for offgases from power stations or for gas turbines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Michael Groves