Patents by Inventor Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
Vasudeo S. Gavaskar 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: 10166507Abstract: The invention relates to processes for reducing emissions of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to moderate pollution to the environment and achieve regulatory compliance in a cost-effective manner. In embodiments described below, the invention deals with reducing HCl and does not require a sorbent but utilizes an aqueous composition we term a copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). In one general case, the CBCR can be a member selected from the group consisting of compositions defined by the formula Cu(NH3)x(carbonate or lower carboxylate)y, wherein the lower carboxylate is selected from the group consisting of formate, acetate and propionate, x is an integer from 0 to 4, y is an integer from 0 to 2, and x+y is equal to or greater than 1.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: Fuel Tech, Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Patent number: 9802154Abstract: Dry processes, apparatus, compositions and systems are provided for reducing emissions of sulfur oxides, and sulfur dioxide in particular, and/or HCl and/or Hg in a process employing a combination of a lime-based sorbent, in particular hydrated lime and/or dolomitic hydrated lime, and a sorbent doping agent administered to achieve coverage of a three-dimensional cross section of a passage carrying SOx and/or HCl and/or Hg-containing gases with a short but effective residence time at a temperature effective to provide significant sulfur dioxide and/or HCl and/or Hg reductions with high rates of reaction and sorbent utilization. The once-through, dry process can advantageously introduce the sorbent and sorbent doping agent dry or preferably as a slurry to enable uniform treatment. Preferred sorbent doping agents include water-soluble or water-dispersible copper and/or iron compositions which can be heated to an active form in situ by the flue gases being treated.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Patent number: 9718025Abstract: The description relates to reducing hydrochloric acid in cement kilns. In one aspect, an aqueous copper-based chloride remediator is introduced into contact with combustion gases from a cement kiln. Injection is made into a defined introduction zone under conditions effective for HCl emissions control wherein the temperature is within the range of from 300° F. to 800° F., preferably from 550° F. to 750° F. The resulting gases are discharged from the defined zone following sufficient reaction time to reduce the HCl concentration in the gases.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Publication number: 20160263521Abstract: The invention relates to processes for reducing emissions of hydrochloric acid (HCl) to moderate pollution to the environment and achieve regulatory compliance in a cost-effective manner. In embodiments described below, the invention deals with reducing HCl and does not require a sorbent but utilizes an aqueous composition we term a copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). In one general case, the CBCR can be a member selected from the group consisting of compositions defined by the formula Cu(NH3)x(carbonate or lower carboxylate)y, wherein the lower carboxylate is selected from the group consisting of formate, acetate and propionate, x is an integer from 0 to 4, y is an integer from 0 to 2, and x+y is equal to or greater than 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2016Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Ash compositions recovered from coal combustion gases having reduced emissions of HCI and/or mercury
Patent number: 9399597Abstract: The description relates to production of fly ash with properties suitable for use in Portland cement. The fly ash compositions will contain coal ash, water-insoluble copper compositions and metallic mercury adsorbed onto ash particles. In one aspect, the coal ash composition will have a total mercury content of from 0.1 to 2.0 ppm and the water-soluble mercury is less than 20% of the total mercury content. The process entails combusting coal to produce hot combustion gases containing fly ash, CO2, chlorine, and mercury, cooling the combustion gases and introducing into the combustion gases at a temperature of less than 1000° F., preferably within the range of from about 250° to about 900° F., a copper-based chloride remediator (CBCR), and collecting the fly ash which comprises insoluble copper compositions and water insoluble mercury compositions.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar -
Patent number: 9393518Abstract: HCl and sulfur oxides are reduced by treating combustion gases with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-based chloride remediator (CBCR). The process is preferably implemented by identifying locations within a combustor for feeding the CBCR, determining the physical form and injection parameters for the CBCR and injecting the CBCR under conditions effective to reduce HCl and/or sulfur oxides. Effective temperatures for introducing the CBCRs can be from about 250° to 900° F. for HCl and up to about 2200° F. for sulfur oxides. Preferred CBCRs include copper and an ammonia moiety. One composition is copper diammonium diacetate, empirical formula of C2H7CuNO2. CBCR compositions are not sorbents and chemically convert HCl from a gaseous to a solid form.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Patent number: 9289721Abstract: The operation of wet scrubbers, especially those based on calcium carbonate, is improved by reducing the quantities of soluble chlorides in the combustion gases fed to the scrubbers. HCl in the combustion gases is converted to a solid copper chloride and removed before the chloride reaches the scrubber. Combustion gases are treated with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). Effective temperatures for introducing the CBCRs are preferably within the range of from about 250° to 900° F. Among the more preferred CBCRs are copper compositions including copper, an organic moiety and/or an ammonia moiety.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: FUEL TECH, INC.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Publication number: 20160016113Abstract: The description relates to reducing hydrochloric acid in cement kilns. In one aspect, an aqueous copper-based chloride remediator is introduced into contact with combustion gases from a cement kiln. Injection is made into a defined introduction zone under conditions effective for HCl emissions control wherein the temperature is within the range of from 300° F. to 800° F., preferably from 550° F. to 750° F. The resulting d gases are discharged from the defined zone following sufficient reaction time to reduce the HCl concentration in the gases.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: FUEL TECH, INC.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Patent number: 9175231Abstract: A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorous acid, phosphinic acid, and a combination thereof; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product. Methods for suppressing isomerization of olefin metathesis products produced in a metathesis reaction, and methods of producing fuel compositions are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Patent number: 9139493Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. The isomerization suppression agent is phosphorous acid, a phosphorous acid ester, phosphinic acid, a phosphinic acid ester or combinations thereof. Methods of refining natural oils are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Elevance Renewable Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Publication number: 20150110698Abstract: Dry processes, apparatus, compositions and systems are provided for reducing emissions of sulfur oxides, and sulfur dioxide in particular, and/or HCl and/or Hg in a process employing a combination of a lime-based sorbent, in particular hydrated lime and/or dolomitic hydrated lime, and a sorbent doping agent administered to achieve coverage of a three-dimensional cross section of a passage carrying SOx and/or HCl and/or Hg-containing gases with a short but effective residence time at a temperature effective to provide significant sulfur dioxide and/or HCl and/or Hg reductions with high rates of reaction and sorbent utilization. The once-through, dry process can advantageously introduce the sorbent and sorbent doping agent dry or preferably as a slurry to enable uniform treatment. Preferred sorbent doping agents include water-soluble or water-dispersible copper and/or iron compositions which can be heated to an active form in situ by the flue gases being treated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: Fuel Tech, Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Ash Compositions Recovered from Coal Combustion Gases Having Reduced Emissions of HCl and/or Mercury
Publication number: 20140360409Abstract: The description relates to production of fly ash with properties suitable for use in Portland cement. The fly ash compositions will contain coal ash, water-insoluble copper compositions and metallic mercury adsorbed onto ash particles. In one aspect, the coal ash composition will have a total mercury content of from 0.1 to 2.0 ppm and the water-soluble mercury is less than 20% of the total mercury content. The process entails combusting coal to produce hot combustion gases containing fly ash, CO2, chlorine, and mercury, cooling the combustion gases and introducing into the combustion gases at a temperature of less than 1000° F., preferably within the range of from about 250° to about 900° F., a copper-based chloride remediator (CBCR), and collecting the fly ash which comprises insoluble copper compositions and water insoluble mercury compositions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar -
Publication number: 20140314651Abstract: The description relates to improving the operation of wet scrubbers, especially those based on calcium carbonate, by reducing the quantities of soluble chlorides in the combustion gases fed to the scrubbers. By converting gaseous HCl in the combustion gases to a solid copper chloride and removing it before the chloride reaches the scrubber, the reactivity of the scrubbing slurry will be better maintained. Combustion gases are treated with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). The process is preferably implemented by identifying locations within a combustor for feeding the CBCR, determining the physical form and injection parameters for the CBCR and injecting the CBCR under conditions effective to reduce HCl and/or sulfur oxides. Effective temperatures for introducing the CBCRs are preferably within the range of from about 250° to 900° F. Among the more preferred CBCRs are copper compositions including copper, an organic moiety and/or an ammonia moiety.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Fuel Tech, Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Publication number: 20140314650Abstract: The description relates to reducing emissions of HCl and sulfur oxides by treating combustion gases with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-based chloride remediator (CBCR). The process is preferably implemented by identifying locations within a combustor for feeding the CBCR, determining the physical form and injection parameters for the CBCR and injecting the CBCR under conditions effective to reduce HCl and/or sulfur oxides. Effective temperatures for introducing the copper-based chloride remediators are preferably within the range of from about 250° to 900° F. where the objective is to reduce HCl, while temperatures up to about 2200° F. can be employed where the objective is to reduce sulfur oxides. Among the more preferred CBCRs are copper compositions including copper and an ammonia moiety. One composition of this type that was tested was copper diammonium diacetate, which has an empirical formula of C2H7CuNO2.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Publication number: 20140241970Abstract: The description relates to improving the operation of wet scrubbers, especially those based on calcium carbonate, by reducing the quantities of soluble chlorides in the combustion gases fed to the scrubbers. By converting gaseous HCl in the combustion gases to a solid copper chloride and removing it before the chloride reaches the scrubber, the reactivity of the scrubbing slurry will be better maintained. Combustion gases are treated with an aqueous copper compound referred to as copper-bearing chloride remediator (CBCR). The process is preferably implemented by identifying locations within a combustor for feeding the CBCR, determining the physical form and injection parameters for the CBCR and injecting the CBCR under conditions effective to reduce HCl and/or sulfur oxides. Effective temperatures for introducing the CBCRs are preferably within the range of from about 250° to 900° F. Among the more preferred CBCRs are copper compositions including copper, an organic moiety and/or an ammonia moiety.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Fuel Tech, Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Smyrniotis, Kent W. Schulz, Emelito P. Rivera, Ian Saratovsky, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Publication number: 20130165706Abstract: A method for suppressing isomerization of an olefin metathesis product produced in a metathesis reaction includes adding an isomerization suppression agent to a mixture that includes the olefin metathesis product and residual metathesis catalyst from the metathesis reaction under conditions that are sufficient to passivate at least a portion of the residual metathesis catalyst. The isomerization suppression agent is phosphorous acid, a phosphorous acid ester, phosphinic acid, a phosphinic acid ester or combinations thereof. Methods of refining natural oils are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar
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Publication number: 20120197031Abstract: A method of refining a natural oil includes: (a) providing a feedstock that includes a natural oil; (b) reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst to form a metathesized product that includes olefins and esters; (c) passivating residual metathesis catalyst with an agent selected from the group consisting of phosphorous acid, phosphinic acid, and a combination thereof; (d) separating the olefins in the metathesized product from the esters in the metathesized product; and (e) transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product and/or hydrogenating the olefins to form a fully or partially saturated hydrogenated product. Methods for suppressing isomerization of olefin metathesis products produced in a metathesis reaction, and methods of producing fuel compositions are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Bruce E. Firth, Sharon E. Kirk, Vasudeo S. Gavaskar