Patents by Inventor Ramsay Chang
Ramsay Chang 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).
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Patent number: 10391473Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer-protected sorbent that is at least partially covered by, or in contact with, a polymer that acts to protect or shield the sorbent from the surrounding environment, such as a liquid or gas stream within which the sorbent is being used. The sorbent is a sorbent material made of sorbent particles and can be used to remove certain chemical species, such as trace level toxic species, from a given liquid or gas, such as a liquid or gas stream in an industrial process, such as wet flue gas desulfurization process or a wastewater treatment process.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Joseph A. Swisher, Timothy G. Ebner, Kevin M. Fisher
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Publication number: 20170136444Abstract: The invention in its various embodiments is directed to methods and equipment for generating an activated sorbent from a sorbent precursor with the addition of certain chemicals that enhance the effectiveness of the activated sorbent. The invention in its various embodiments is also directed to the methods and equipment for generating some of the chemicals that are added to the raw carbonaceous material or activated sorbent to enhance its effectiveness. The invention in its various embodiments is also directed to methods and equipment for generating certain chemicals that can be added to a gas stream to convert a given gaseous pollutant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Yongqi Lu, Massoud Rostam-Abadi
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Patent number: 9555368Abstract: The invention in its various embodiments is directed to methods and equipment for generating an activated sorbent from a sorbent precursor with the addition of certain chemicals that enhance the effectiveness of the activated sorbent. The invention in its various embodiments is also directed to the methods and equipment for generating some of the chemicals that are added to the raw carbonaceous material or activated sorbent to enhance its effectiveness. The invention in its various embodiments is also directed to methods and equipment for generating certain chemicals that can be added to a gas stream to convert a given gaseous pollutant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Yongqi Lu, Massoud Rostam-Abadi
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Patent number: 9302218Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and equipment for generating an activated sorbent from a sorbent precursor with the addition of certain chemicals that enhance the effectiveness of the activated sorbent. The invention is also directed to the methods and equipment for generating some of the chemicals that are added to the raw carbonaceous material or activated sorbent to enhance its effectiveness. The invention is also directed to methods and equipment for generating certain chemicals that can be added to a gas stream to convert a given gaseous pollutant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream. The invention is also directed to methods and equipment for adding an activated sorbent and various chemicals for a gas stream having one or more gaseous pollutants.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventors: Ramsay Chang, Yongqi Lu, Massoud Rostam-Abadi
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Patent number: 9144766Abstract: A method of capturing and sequestering a gas species from a fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing an apparatus having a vessel adapted to be pressurized and a hollow fiber membrane contained in the vessel and having a sorbent embedded therein. The method further includes the steps of subjecting the hollow fiber membrane to a flow of flue gas, removing one or more gas species from the flue gas with the hollow fiber membrane, and regenerating the sorbent contained in the hollow fiber membrane.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Adam Berger, Abhoyjit Bhown
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Patent number: 8999278Abstract: The invention provides various methods for removing gas phase pollutants by calcining limestone or dolomite using flash calcination to produce a high surface area lime or hydrated lime and directly adding the lime or hydrated lime to a gas stream containing gas phase pollutants. In other methods, the production of an activated sorbent, such as activated carbon, is combined with the production of the high surface area lime or hydrated lime and directly added to a gas stream containing gas phase pollutants. The combination of lime or hydrated lime and an activated sorbent enhances the removal of gas phase pollutants such as those from a coal-fired boiler flue gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2010Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of IllinoisInventors: Ramsay Chang, Yongqi Lu, Massoud Rostam-Abadi
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Publication number: 20150059572Abstract: A method of capturing and sequestering a gas species from a fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing an apparatus having a vessel adapted to be pressurized and a hollow fiber membrane contained in the vessel and having a sorbent embedded therein. The method further includes the steps of subjecting the hollow fiber membrane to a flow of flue gas, removing one or more gas species from the flue gas with the hollow fiber membrane, and regenerating the sorbent contained in the hollow fiber membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Adam Berger, Abhoyjit Bhown
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Patent number: 8911536Abstract: An apparatus for capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a polymer matrix embedded with a sorbent suitable for removing CO2 from the flue gas and a spacer mated with the polymer matrix. The spacer is adapted to create channels between adjacent portions of the polymer matrix such that the flue gas flows through the channels and comes in contact with the sorbent. Further, an apparatus for the capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded with an adsorbent or other suitable material for removing CO2 from the flue gas. The adsorbent particles may be embedded into a wall of the membrane.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2013Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Adam Berger, Abhoyjit Bhown
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Publication number: 20130255488Abstract: An apparatus for capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a polymer matrix embedded with a sorbent suitable for removing CO2 from the flue gas and a spacer mated with the polymer matrix. The spacer is adapted to create channels between adjacent portions of the polymer matrix such that the flue gas flows through the channels and comes in contact with the sorbent. Further, an apparatus for the capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded with an adsorbent or other suitable material for removing CO2 from the flue gas. The adsorbent particles may be embedded into a wall of the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Adam Berger, Abhoyjit Bhown
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Publication number: 20130095019Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and equipment for generating an activated sorbent from a sorbent precursor with the addition of certain chemicals that enhance the effectiveness of the activated sorbent. The invention is also directed to the methods and equipment for generating some of the chemicals that are added to the raw carbonaceous material or activated sorbent to enhance its effectiveness. The invention is also directed to methods and equipment for generating certain chemicals that can be added to a gas stream to convert a given gaseous pollutant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream. The invention is also directed to methods and equipment for adding an activated sorbent and various chemicals for a gas stream having one or more gaseous pollutants.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Yongqi Lu, Massoud Rostam-Abadi
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Publication number: 20120247330Abstract: An apparatus for capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a polymer matrix embedded with a sorbent suitable for removing CO2 from the flue gas and a spacer mated with the polymer matrix. The spacer is adapted to create channels between adjacent portions of the polymer matrix such that the flue gas flows through the channels and comes in contact with the sorbent. Further, an apparatus for the capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded with an adsorbent or other suitable material for removing CO2 from the flue gas. The adsorbent particles may be embedded into a wall of the membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Adam Berger, Abhoyjit Bhown
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Patent number: 8241398Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing aerosols and, in some cases, vapor phase contaminants, such as mercury, from a gas stream. One method is directed to the removal of additional aerosols from a gas stream from which aerosols have previously been removed by using a screen in combination with a primary aerosol collection device. Another method is directed to the removal of both aerosols and vapor phase contaminants by using a sorbent in combination with a screen. Another method is directed to the removal of vapor phase contaminants by using a catalyst to convert the contaminant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream and optionally injecting a chemical to increase the rate of conversion. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the various methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Mark Simpson Berry, Ramsay Chang
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Patent number: 8029600Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for removing a contaminant, such as a vaporous trace metal contaminant like mercury, from a gas stream. In one embodiment, a primary particulate collection device that removes particulate matter is used. In this embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within the housing of the primary particulate collection device, such as an electrostatic precipitator or a baghouse, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In another embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within a scrubber, such as a wet scrubber, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that can advantageously be retrofit into existing particulate collection equipment. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that in addition to removal of a contaminant additionally remove particulate matter from a gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventor: Ramsay Chang
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Publication number: 20110223082Abstract: The invention in its various embodiments is directed to methods and equipment for generating an activated sorbent from a sorbent precursor with the addition of certain chemicals that enhance the effectiveness of the activated sorbent. The invention in its various embodiments is also directed to the methods and equipment for generating some of the chemicals that are added to the raw carbonaceous material or activated sorbent to enhance its effectiveness. The invention in its various embodiments is also directed to methods and equipment for generating certain chemicals that can be added to a gas stream to convert a given gaseous pollutant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Yongqi Lu, Massoud Rostam-Abadi
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Publication number: 20110223088Abstract: The invention provides various methods for removing gas phase pollutants by calcining limestone or dolomite using flash calcination to produce a high surface area lime or hydrated lime and directly adding the lime or hydrated lime to a gas stream containing gas phase pollutants. In other methods, the production of an activated sorbent, such as activated carbon, is combined with the production of the high surface area lime or hydrated lime and directly added to a gas stream containing gas phase pollutants. The combination of lime or hydrated lime and an activated sorbent enhances the removal of gas phase pollutants such as those from a coal-fired boiler flue gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Yongqi Lu, Massoud Rostam-Abadi
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Publication number: 20110056417Abstract: A combustion apparatus includes: a combustion device operable to produce flue gas having large particulate ash entrained therein; an outlet duct coupled in flow communication with the combustion device so as to receive the flue gas; a screen positioned at least partially in the outlet duct downstream of the combustion device, the screen effective to trap large particulate ash while permitting flow of the flue gas therethrough; and apparatus operable to remove large particulate ash from the screen while at least a portion of the screen remains inside the duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.Inventors: Anthony Facchiano, Ramsay Chang
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Publication number: 20100202945Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing aerosols and, in some cases, vapor phase contaminants, such as mercury, from a gas stream. One method is directed to the removal of additional aerosols from a gas stream from which aerosols have previously been removed by using a screen in combination with a primary aerosol collection device. Another method is directed to the removal of both aerosols and vapor phase contaminants by using a sorbent in combination with a screen. Another method is directed to the removal of vapor phase contaminants by using a catalyst to convert the contaminant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream and optionally injecting a chemical to increase the rate of conversion. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the various methods of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.Inventors: Mark Simpson Berry, Ramsay Chang
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Patent number: 7731781Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing aerosols and, in some cases, vapor phase contaminants, such as mercury, from a gas stream. One method is directed to the removal of additional aerosols from a gas stream from which aerosols have previously been removed by using a screen in combination with a primary aerosol collection device. Another method is directed to the removal of both aerosols and vapor phase contaminants by using a sorbent in combination with a screen. Another method is directed to the removal of vapor phase contaminants by using a catalyst to convert the contaminant to a form that is more easily removed from the gas stream and optionally injecting a chemical to increase the rate of conversion. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the various methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Mark Simpson Berry, Ramsay Chang
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Patent number: 7708803Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing additional aerosols and in some cases additional particulate matter from a gas stream, wherein a certain portion of such aerosols and particulate matter has already been removed using a primary aerosol and particulate collection device. In some embodiments, the invention includes a method for removing additional aerosols from a gas stream, including passing a gas stream having a plurality of aerosols through a gas duct; removing a first portion of the plurality of the aerosols using a primary aerosol collector; passing the gas steam through a screen; collecting at least a second portion of the plurality of aerosols on the screen; and cleaning a portion of the screen outside of the gas duct. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the method of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Mark Simpson Berry, Ramsay Chang
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Publication number: 20090320678Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for removing a contaminant, such as a vaporous trace metal contaminant like mercury, from a gas stream. In one embodiment, a primary particulate collection device that removes particulate matter is used. In this embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within the housing of the primary particulate collection device, such as an electrostatic precipitator or a baghouse, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In another embodiment, a sorbent filter is placed within or after a scrubber, such as a wet scrubber, to adsorb the contaminant of interest. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that can advantageously be retrofit into existing particulate collection equipment. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods and apparatuses that in addition to removal of a contaminant additionally remove particulate matter from a gas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Charles E. Dene, Larry Scot Monroe, Mark Simpson Berry, M. Brandon Looney