Patents by Inventor Qunhui Zhou

Qunhui Zhou 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: 20240058787
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to reactive media containing a brominated sorbent that can adsorb environmental pollutants, including mercury, and can prevent or limit the loss of the absorbed pollutant in the presence of a mobile media. Systems, devices and processes that utilize this adsorption and retention in the presence of a flowing media are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Qunhui ZHOU, Kim Seyhe PINGREE, Jon E MILLER, Sascha J WELZ
  • Publication number: 20220274089
    Abstract: This invention provides processes for reducing the environmental availability of one or more environmental pollutants in solids, liquids, and combinations of solids and liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Qunhui Zhou, Se H. Kim, Jon E. Miller, Sascha J. Welz
  • Publication number: 20220274145
    Abstract: This invention provides processes for reducing the environmental availability of one or more environmental pollutants in solids, liquids, and combinations of solids and liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Qunhui Zhou, Se H. Kim, Jon E. Miller, Sascha J. Welz, Zhongxin Ge
  • Publication number: 20210146335
    Abstract: This invention provides processes for reducing the environmental availability of one or more environmental pollutants in solids, liquids, and combinations of solids and liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Qunhui Zhou, Gregory H. Lambeth, Jon Eric Miller, Timothy Allen Frost, Sascha Joerg Welz, Se Hye Kim
  • Patent number: 9573115
    Abstract: Disclosed are sorbents having superior water leachability performance characteristics especially when used as sorbents in semi-dry (CDS), high moisture (SDA), and fully wet SO2 scrubbers. Also disclosed are methods for the production of such performance-enhanced sorbents, and methods for the use of such sorbents in the removal of mercury and possibly one or more other heavy metals or other contaminants from various gaseous streams. The sorbents are carbonaceous substrates treated with a bromine-containing compound, especially gaseous bromine, and with at least one organic compound that contains at least one olefinic double bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Qunhui Zhou, Seyed Behrooz Ghorishi, John C. Parks, William S. Pickrell, Christopher J. Nalepa
  • Patent number: 9358523
    Abstract: Thermally-activated cellulosic-based carbon is rendered more thermally stable by exposure to a halogen and/or a halogen-containing compound. Such treated cellulosic-based carbon is suitable for use in mitigating the content of hazardous substances in flue gases, especially flue gases having a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 420° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan P. O'Dwyer, Qunhui Zhou, Gregory H. Lambeth, Yinzhi Zhang, Christopher J. Nalepa
  • Publication number: 20160001261
    Abstract: Disclosed are sorbents having superior water leachability performance characteristics especially when used as sorbents in semi-dry (CDS), high moisture (SDA), and fully wet SO2 scrubbers. Also disclosed are methods for the production of such performance-enhanced sorbents, and methods for the use of such sorbents in the removal of mercury and possibly one or more other heavy metals or other contaminants from various gaseous streams. The sorbents are carbonaceous substrates treated with a bromine-containing compound, especially gaseous bromine, and with at least one organic compound that contains at least one olefinic double bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Qunhui Zhou, Seyed Behrooz Ghorishi, John C. Parks, William S. Pickrell, Christopher J. Nalepa
  • Patent number: 9101907
    Abstract: Compositions, and processes utilizing such compositions, are provided for reducing mercury emissions from combustion gases. Such compositions comprise a wood-derived or coconut shell-derived activated carbon and/or a bromide-containing inorganic salt such as an ammonium bromide or calcium bromide salt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nalepa, Qunhui Zhou
  • Patent number: 9089834
    Abstract: Activated cellulosic-based carbon is rendered more thermally stable by exposure to water or aqueous acid, and optionally, to a halogen and/or a halogen-containing compound. Such treated cellulosic-based carbon has enhanced thermal properties and is suitable for use in mitigating the content of hazardous substances in flue gases, especially flue gases having a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 420° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nalepa, Gregory H. Lambeth, Qunhui Zhou, Jonathan P. O'Dwyer
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150031531
    Abstract: Thermally-activated cellulosic-based carbon is rendered more thermally stable by exposure to a halogen and/or a halogen-containing compound. Such treated cellulosic-based carbon is suitable for use in mitigating the content of hazardous substances in flue gases, especially flue gases having a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 420° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Jonathan P. O'Dwyer, Qunhui Zhou, Gregory H. Lambeth, Yinzhi Zhang, Christopher J. Nalepa
  • Patent number: 8900346
    Abstract: Thermally-activated cellulosic-based carbon is rendered more thermally stable by exposure to a halogen and/or a halogen-containing compound. Such treated cellulosic-based carbon is suitable for use in mitigating the content of hazardous substances in flue gases, especially flue gases having a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 420° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan P. O'Dwyer, Qunhui Zhou, Gregory H. Lambeth, Yinzhi Zhang, Christopher J Nalepa
  • Publication number: 20140140908
    Abstract: Compositions, and processes utilizing such compositions, are provided for reducing mercury emissions from combustion gases. Such compositions comprise a wood- derived or coconut sheil-derived activated carbon and/or a bromide-containing in-organic salt such as an ammonium bromide or cafcium bromide salt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Albermarle Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nalepa, Qunhui Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130272936
    Abstract: This invention provides brominated sorbent compositions which are brominated inorganic sorbents having about 0.5 wt % to about 20 wt % bromine therein, based on the total weight of the brominated inorganic sorbent. Methods for preparing brominated sorbent compositions are also provided, as are methods for reducing mercury emissions employing brominated sorbents. In the methods for preparing the brominated inorganic sorbents, the bromine source is elemental bromine and/or hydrogen bromide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nalepa, Qunhui Zhou, Charles Vadovic, Gregory H. Lambeth
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130165319
    Abstract: Activated cellulosic-based carbon is rendered more thermally stable by exposure to water or aqueous acid, and optionally, to a halogen and/or a halogen-containing compound. Such treated cellulosic-based carbon has enhanced thermal properties and is suitable for use in mitigating the content of hazardous substances in flue gases, especially flue gases having a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 420° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nalepa, Gregory H. Lambeth, Qunhui Zhou, Jonathan P. O'Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20130157845
    Abstract: Activated carbon is rendered more thermally stable by exposure to a non-halogenated additive, and optionally to a halogen and/or a halogen-containing compound. Such treated carbon is suitable for use in mitigating the content of hazardous substances in flue gases, especially flue gases having a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 420° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher J. Nalepa, William S. Pickrell, Gregory H. Lambeth, Qunhui Zhou
  • Patent number: 8420033
    Abstract: Mercury adsorbed from combustion gas by activated carbon can be sequestered in concrete containing air entraining admixtures. The activated carbon may be made by providing a carbon char made from anthracite or low-volatile bituminous coal that was devolatilized and carbonized in an oxygen-depleted environment and activating this char in the presence of steam to provide an activated carbon with an acid blue 80 index of less than about 30 milligrams per gram of carbon. The activated carbon may also be made by providing a carbon char that was devolatilized and carbonized in an oxygen-depleted environment and activating this char in the presence of oxygen to provide an activated carbon. The carbon may be injected into a combustion gas stream containing fly ash and mercury and may then be removed with fly ash from the gas stream. The resulting composition may be used as a partial substitute for cement in air-entrained concretes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Yinzhi Zhang, Qunhui Zhou, Sidney G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8404038
    Abstract: Mercury adsorbed from combustion gas by activated carbon can be sequestered in concrete containing air-entraining admixtures. The activated carbon may be made by providing a carbon char made from coconut shell, wood, or lignite that was activated by a method selected from the group consisting of activating with steam, activating with CO2, activating in an environment containing free oxygen, and combinations thereof to provide an activated carbon with an Acid Blue 80 Index of less than about 30 milligrams per gram of carbon. The activated carbon may be injected into a combustion gas stream containing fly ash and mercury and may then be removed with fly ash from the gas stream. The resulting composition may be used as a partial substitute for cement in air-entrained concretes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Albemrle Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Ray Landreth, Sidney G. Nelson, Jr., Yinzhi Zhang, Qunhui Zhou, Christopher J. Nalepa
  • Publication number: 20120186448
    Abstract: Thermally-activated cellulosic-based carbon is rendered more thermally stable by exposure to a halogen and/or a halogen-containing compound. Such treated cellulosic-based carbon is suitable for use in mitigating the content of hazardous substances in flue gases, especially flue gases having a temperature within the range of from about 100° C. to about 420° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Qunhui Zhou, Yinzhi Zhang, Jonathan P. O'Dwyer, Gregory H. Lambeth, Christopher J. Nalepa