Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Dunne

Stephen R. Dunne 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: 8936727
    Abstract: The systems and processes disclosed herein relate generally to multi bed temperature controlled adsorption for use in the recovery of sorbates that are removed from process streams by adsorption. Multi bed temperature controlled adsorber systems can include three or more temperature controlled adosrbers that operate in parallel. Each temperature controlled adsorber through a series of steps including an adsorption step, a first bed to bed interchange, a regeneration step, and a second bed to bed interchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 8323747
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for applying a coating on a heat exchanger or a temperature controlled adsorber surface. This coating comprises a zeolite, an organic solvent, an organic siloxane resin that constitutes a binder and a plasticizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, Pamela J. Dunne, legal representative, Alexander M. Bershitsky, Mariola J. Proszowski
  • Patent number: 8226746
    Abstract: Systems and processes are provided that relate to the recovery of sorbates in processes utilizing temperature controlled adsorption. Sorbate recovery can include providing a temperature controlled adsorber that is undergoing a regeneration cycle after undergoing an adsorption cycle. The temperature controlled adsorber can have one or more adsorption flow passages and one or more heat transfer flow passages. The one or more adsorption flow passages can contain an adsorptive material coating with a sorbate adsorbed thereto. A heating fluid can be provided to the one or more heat transfer flow passages of the temperature controlled adsorber. A regeneration stream can be provided to the one or more adsorption flow passages of the temperature controlled adsorber. The adsorptive material coating can be regenerated by removing the sorbate from the temperature controlled adsorber to produce a regeneration effluent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 8227648
    Abstract: Systems and processes for dehydration of a process stream in the production of motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE) can include temperature controlled adsorption of water in the process stream, and heat pumping to transfer heat from the process stream to a heat sink using one or more stages of heat pumping. One stage of heat pumping can be achieved during the regeneration process of a temperature controlled adsorber by desorbing the adsorbed water at a thermal condition enabling useful heat recovery. Another stage of heat pumping can be achieved during the adsorption process of a temperature controlled adsorber by transferring the heat of water adsorption to a heat sink. The heat sink with respect to each stage of heat pumping can be a solids separation unit, such as a beer column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, Stephen R. Dunne
  • Publication number: 20110319673
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for applying a coating on a heat exchanger or a temperature controlled adsorber surface. This coating comprises a zeolite, an organic solvent, an organic siloxane resin that constitutes a binder and a plasticizing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, Pamela J. Dunne, Alexander M. Bershitsky, Mariola J. Proszowski
  • Publication number: 20110290111
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for treating a natural gas stream comprising sending a natural gas stream to at least one membrane unit to produce a permeate stream containing a higher concentration of carbon dioxide and a retentate stream containing a lower concentration of carbon dioxide. Then the retentate stream is sent to an adsorbent bed to remove carbon dioxide and other impurities to produce a natural gas product stream. The regeneration gas stream is sent through the molecular sieve adsorbent bed to desorb the carbon dioxide. In one process flow scheme, the regeneration stream is combined with the permeate stream from the membrane unit. Then the combined stream is sent to an absorbent column to remove carbon dioxide from the permeate stream to produce a second natural gas product stream. In the alternative flow scheme, a second membrane unit is used to improve efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, Pamela J. Dunne, Lubo Zhou, Peter K. Coughlin
  • Patent number: 8067646
    Abstract: Systems and processes for dehydration of a process stream in the production of motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE) can include temperature controlled adsorption of water in the process stream, and heat pumping of the associated heat of adsorption. The process can include providing a process stream (110) including ethanol and water to a first temperature controlled adsorber (102) where water is removed by adsorption to produce an MFGE product stream (114) and an associated heat of adsorption. A cooling fluid can be provided to the first temperature controlled adsorber (102) to remove heat of adsorption and produce a heated cooling fluid (120). Heat from the heated cooling fluid can be provided to a heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, Stephen R. Dunne
  • Patent number: 7795479
    Abstract: Systems and processes for dehydration of a process stream in the production of motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE) can include temperature controlled adsorption of water in the process stream, and heat pumping of the associated heat of adsorption. The process includes providing a process stream including ethanol and water to a first temperature controlled adsorber where water is removed by adsorption to produce a MFGE product stream and an associated heat of adsorption. A cooling fluid is provided to the first temperature controlled adsorber to remove heat of adsorption and produce a heated cooling fluid. Heat from the heated cooling fluid is provided to a heat sink. A multiple step regeneration cycle is provided that allows for increased recovery of MFGE product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, Stephen R. Dunne
  • Publication number: 20100224565
    Abstract: The systems and processes disclosed herein relate generally to multi bed temperature controlled adsorption for use in the recovery of sorbates that are removed from process streams by adsorption. Multi bed temperature controlled adsorber systems can include three or more temperature controlled adosrbers that operate in parallel. Each temperature controlled adsorber through a series of steps including an adsorption step, a first bed to bed interchange, a regeneration step, and a second bed to bed interchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, David A. Wegerer
  • Publication number: 20100150812
    Abstract: Systems and processes are provided that relate to the recovery of sorbates in processes utilizing temperature controlled adsorption. Sorbate recovery can include providing a temperature controlled adsorber that is undergoing a regeneration cycle after undergoing an adsorption cycle. The temperature controlled adsorber can have one or more adsorption flow passages and one or more heat transfer flow passages. The one or more adsorption flow passages can contain an adsorptive material coating with a sorbate adsorbed thereto. A heating fluid can be provided to the one or more heat transfer flow passages of the temperature controlled adsorber. A regeneration stream can be provided to the one or more adsorption flow passages of the temperature controlled adsorber. The adsorptive material coating can be regenerated by removing the sorbate from the temperature controlled adsorber to produce a regeneration effluent stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, David A. Wegerer
  • Publication number: 20100132254
    Abstract: Systems and processes for dehydration of a process stream in the production of motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE) can include temperature controlled adsorption of water in the process stream, and heat pumping of the associated heat of adsorption. The process can include providing a process stream (110) including ethanol and water to a first temperature controlled adsorber (102) where water is removed by adsorption to produce an MFGE product stream (114) and an associated heat of adsorption. A cooling fluid can be provided to the first temperature controlled adsorber (102) to remove heat of adsorption and produce a heated cooling fluid (120). Heat from the heated cooling fluid can be provided to a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, Stephen R. Dunne
  • Publication number: 20100137657
    Abstract: Systems and processes for dehydration of a process stream in the production of motor fuel grade ethanol (MFGE) can include temperature controlled adsorption of water in the process stream, and heat pumping to transfer heat from the process stream to a heat sink using one or more stages of heat pumping. One stage of heat pumping can be achieved during the regeneration process of a temperature controlled adsorber by desorbing the adsorbed water at a thermal condition enabling useful heat recovery. Another stage of heat pumping can be achieved during the adsorption process of a temperature controlled adsorber by transferring the heat of water adsorption to a heat sink. The heat sink with respect to each stage of heat pumping can be a solids separation unit, such as a beer column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, Stephen R. Dunne
  • Publication number: 20100132548
    Abstract: A process for dehydration of a water rich stream, the process comprising providing a process stream to a first temperature controlled adsorber that is undergoing adsorption, where the first temperature controlled adsorber has one or more adsorption flow passages containing an adsorptive material coating and one or more heat transfer flow passages and producing a dehydrated effluent stream. The process stream is passed through the one or more adsorption flow passages, where water is adsorbed by the adsorptive material coating, and a heat of adsorption is generated. The heat of adsorption is removed by passing a cooling fluid through the one or more heat transfer flow passages. The process stream can be a process stream for producing motor fuel grade ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, David A. Wegerer
  • Patent number: 7326277
    Abstract: The invention comprises a temperature swing adsorption system for providing dry air to an air brake system. More particularly, there is provided a desiccant wheel upstream of the air compressor to dry air prior to its compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Alan P. Cohen, Stephen R. Dunne, Rustam H. Sethna
  • Publication number: 20080023181
    Abstract: An adsorption heat exchanger may comprise a stack of alternating adsorption layers and heat transfer layers. Separator plates may separate the adsorption layers from the heat transfer layers. The adsorption layer may include a first corrugated sheet positioned between and brazed to the adsorption zone facing side of two separator sheets. The first corrugated sheet and the exposed portions of the adsorption zone facing side of the separator sheets may be coated with an adsorptive material. The heat transfer layer may include a second corrugated sheet positioned between and brazed to the heat transfer zone facing side of two separator sheets. The second corrugated sheet may be oriented about 90° to the first corrugated sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: STEPHEN R. DUNNE, ALEXANDER M. BERSHITSKY
  • Patent number: 7166149
    Abstract: Using a high pressure rotary adsorbent wheel, a high value compressed gas feed can be purified by concentrating the impurity such as water, condensing it out, before final purification. Instead of exhausting gas from the system, the effluent can be put back into the feed at a point prior to condensation of the high value gas feed, and therefore the entire feed is purified without any high value gas feed going into a waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, Peter K. Coughlin, Rustam H. Sethna
  • Patent number: 7033421
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for cooling motors that generate heat during operation. The device is more specifically directed to handheld power tools where long operation can lead to overheating of the handheld tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Suzanne E. Smith, Gavin P. Towler, Stephen R. Dunne, Anil R. Oroskar, Kurt M. Vanden Bussche, Lin Li
  • Patent number: 7022229
    Abstract: An apparatus is presented for separating chemicals using adsorption separation methods. The apparatus uses a plurality of adsorption units holding adsorbent, where the adsorption units are serially connected and are moved to shift the relative position of the feeds and drawoffs to the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Gavin P. Towler, Stephen R. Dunne, Robert T. Sprague
  • Patent number: 6973963
    Abstract: This invention provides a compact heat exchanger that has an effective geometry for heat transfer operations regardless of the heat conductivity of the material chosen for the fin materials. It has further been found that the use of adsorbent coated anodized aluminum for fin materials provides for a very efficient heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, Steven A. Bradley
  • Publication number: 20040231828
    Abstract: This invention provides a compact heat exchanger that has an effective geometry for heat transfer operations regardless of the heat conductivity of the material chosen for the fin materials. It has further been found that the use of adsorbent coated anodized aluminum for fin materials provides for a very efficient heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, Steven A. Bradley