Of Temperature Or Pressure Patents (Class 203/2)
  • Patent number: 11549715
    Abstract: Methods and related systems of detecting a temperature deviation in a heat exchanger coil of a climate control system. The method includes determining an enthalpy of the indoor space. The method includes detecting a coil temperature of the heat exchanger. The method includes detecting a coil temperature deviation based on the enthalpy and the detected coil temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Edward Thrift, Christopher Blake Smith, Dominique Ashley Schaefer Pipps
  • Patent number: 11255603
    Abstract: A method of designing, constructing, and operating a hydrocarbon gas treatment plant is disclosed. A target hydrocarbon production range for a hydrocarbon gas meeting a required product specification is established. A cryogenic distillation column is designed and constructed with a vapor capacity to meet the target hydrocarbon production range. A variable feed refrigeration system is incorporated to cool an inlet feed of the hydrocarbon gas. The variable feed refrigeration system is designed to handle the target hydrocarbon production range and a wide range of contaminant concentrations in the inlet feed. A variable bottoms heating system is incorporated to handle heating duties associated with the wide range of contaminant concentrations in the inlet feed. A variable bottoms pumping system is incorporated to handle liquid flows associated with the wide range of contaminant concentrations in the inlet feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jaime A. Valencia, Robert D. Denton, David W. Maher
  • Patent number: 11235260
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a concentration of a first component of a rectification column for separating a binary mixture of the first component with a second component on the basis of temperature measurements, wherein a control path defined by temperature sensors (T3, T2, T6) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the column is linearized with the aid of an estimated temperature profile, wherein a real temperature profile T*(h), determined by means of the temperature sensors, is approximated by a function T(h) in dependence on a column height h, wherein the column id divided into two sections along the column height h and the function T(h) is defined section by section on the basis, in each case, of a logistical function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: COVESTRO DEUTSCHLAND AG
    Inventors: Mathias Schweigert, Achim Küpper
  • Patent number: 11192800
    Abstract: A vapor compression distillation assembly for distilling influent liquid, the vapor compression distillation assembly comprising a housing defining an interior and having an inlet for influent liquid, an evaporator and a condenser provided within the housing interior, an outlet for distillate, and at least one compressor fluidly coupled with the housing interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Rodney M. Welch
  • Patent number: 10995050
    Abstract: A process for purification of a crude product stream recovered from the production of an unsaturated carboxylic acid by an aldolization reaction is disclosed. The product stream comprises the unsaturated carboxylic acid, aldehyde, saturated carboxylic acid, water, non-condensable vapours and optionally heavy by-products. The process comprises: providing the crude product stream in the vapour phase to a first separation column operated at a temperature and pressure to form an intermediate product stream comprising product unsaturated carboxylic acid, a portion of the water from the feed stream, a portion of the saturated carboxylic acid and heavy by-products where present; and passing the intermediate product stream to a second separation column operated at a temperature and pressure such that the unsaturated carboxylic acid product is separated and recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Robert Gallen, Michael William Marshall Tuck
  • Patent number: 10857478
    Abstract: A stacked type falling film evaporator includes a first evaporator, a second evaporator, a first vapor recovering device, a second vapor recovering device and a vapor recompressor. The first evaporator and the second evaporator respectively have evaporation tubes of a length of 5 m to 10 m, and are stacked in such a manner that wastewater passes through the first evaporator and the second evaporator in order. The first vapor recovering device collects vapor generated from the wastewater in the first evaporator and supplies the collected vapor to the second evaporator. The second vapor recovering device collects vapor generated from the wastewater in the second evaporator and supplies the collected vapor to the first evaporator. The vapor recompressor compresses the vapor collected in the second vapor recovering device before the vapor is supplied to the first evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sang Moon Kim, Youngjun Ro, Gun Myung Lee, Jae Seung Choi
  • Patent number: 10815172
    Abstract: Disclosed is a 1,3-butadiene separation and recovery method which can reduce the amount of 1,3-butadiene polymer produced when 1,3-butadiene is separated and recovered from a mixed fluid containing 1,3-butadiene. The method includes an extractive distillation step of performing extractive distillation of the mixed fluid to obtain a fraction containing crude 1,3-butadiene, and a dividing wall distillation step of performing dividing wall distillation of the fraction containing crude 1,3-butadiene to obtain a fraction containing an impurity having a higher boiling point than 1,3-butadiene, a fraction containing an impurity having a lower boiling point than 1,3-butadiene, and a fraction containing high-purity 1,3-butadiene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ZEON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masanobu Kanauchi, Seiji Futamura, Kenichi Otsubo
  • Patent number: 10787612
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and modular devices for processing hydrocarbon feedstocks. In particular, the methods and modular devices disclosed herein provide for increasing the amounts of light fractions obtainable from a hydrocarbon feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: NexCrude Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald F. Swiss, Robert P W Miller, Ross Alan Falconer
  • Patent number: 10781381
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for hydrocracking a distillate stream and provides for separation into product cuts without a separate debutanizer column, a naphtha splitter column or a sponge absorber column. The product cuts include a C3-C5 LPG stream and a heavy naphtha stream which can be useful as a reforming feed stream. Additionally, as few as two heaters that rely on external utilities may be required for reboiling fractionator column bottoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David A. Wegerer, Hari S. Bajpai, Gautam Pandey
  • Patent number: 10640941
    Abstract: A water conserving, secure and environment protective device includes a stationary base, a reflux column connected with the stationary base and a floating mechanism assembly sleeved on the reflux column. The reflux column defining a plurality of reflux holes to reflux an external water source. A water absorption mechanism assembly includes a plurality of supporting frames, a water pump arranged on an upper portion of the supporting frames, and a plurality of water suction pipes communicated with the water pump to suck the external water source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Inventor: Zhijun Wang
  • Patent number: 10641757
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to determine total hydrocarbons from fluid-carrying fluids and solids from a geological formation during downhole operations. Gas extraction at a well site occurs through a gas extractor at a set pressure, detected temperature, detected density, and controlled volume rate. The quantities of various components of interest are determined from samples of fluid influent and effluent from the wellbore by solving a system of equations of state using a group contribution equilibrium model. Knowing approximate chemical compositions of the liquid fluid and solid phases before contamination with formation materials, with the detection of the gas phase and description of the solid phase from the geological formation, allows for determination of total detectable hydrocarbons from geological formations at the surface, and their concentrations to be expressed as mole or mass fraction for materials coming from a wellbore while downhole operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Mathew Dennis Rowe
  • Patent number: 10451344
    Abstract: Contemplated plants for flexible ethane recovery and rejection by allowing to switch the top reflux to the demethanizer from residue gas to the deethanizer overhead product and by controlling the flow ratio of feed gas to two different feed gas exchangers. Moreover, the pressure of the demethanizer is adjusted relative to the deethanizer pressure for control of the ethane recovery and rejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Patent number: 10005027
    Abstract: A system for carbon dioxide capture from a gas mixture comprises an absorber that receives a lean solvent system stream (containing a chemical solvent, physical-solvent additive, and water) from the stripper, a stripper that receives the rich solvent stream from the absorber and produces the product carbon dioxide and the lean solvent through the use of a reboiler in fluid communication with a lower portion of the stripper, a condenser in fluid communication with a vapor outlet of the stripper, a cross-exchanger in fluid communication with a rich solvent system outlet from the absorber and a rich solvent system inlet on the stripper, and a splitter. The splitter is configured to separate the rich solvent system stream into a first portion and a second portion, where the first portion directly passes to the stripper and the second portion passes through the cross-exchanger prior to passing to the stripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporaticn
    Inventors: Paul M. Mathias, Satish Reddy
  • Patent number: 9718709
    Abstract: Portions of a feed liquid are passed through respective condensers and liquid-liquid heat exchangers. The feed liquid is then heated and injected into a first feed-liquid containment chamber, where vapor from the feed is passed through a first gas-permeable membrane and directed into a first condenser, where the vapor is cooled by the feed liquid passing through the first condenser and condenses as it cools to produce a first liquid permeate. The first liquid permeate is passed through the first liquid-liquid heat exchanger where the first liquid permeate is cooled by the feed liquid passing therethrough. After the vapor is removed from the feed liquid in the first feed-liquid containment chamber, the remaining feed liquid from the first feed-liquid containment chamber is injected into a second feed-liquid containment chamber, where the process is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Edward K. Summers, John H. Lienhard, V
  • Patent number: 9527008
    Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the operation of fractionation columns to avoid column flooding is described. The apparatus uses mass flow meters to measure the mass flow rates of the receiver vapor, and the stripper hydrocarbon liquid stream or the stripper reflux and the stripper net overhead liquid. The water from the receiver can be measured with either a volumetric flow meter or a mass flow meter. The apparatus also includes at least one computer in communication with a molecular weight analyzer or specific gravity analyzer; an overhead vapor line pressure gauge; an overhead vapor line temperature gauge; a hydrocarbon liquid outlet line temperature gauge; the stripper hydrocarbon stream mass flow meter, or the stripper reflux hydrocarbon liquid mass flow meter and the stripper net overhead hydrocarbon liquid mass flow meter; the vapor mass flow meter; and the water flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoehn, James W. Harris, Amit Goyal, Xin X. Zhu
  • Patent number: 9186598
    Abstract: A novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: David F. Bednarek, Jason A. Demers, Timothy P. Duggan, James L. Jackson, Scott A. Leonard, David W. McGill
  • Patent number: 9163865
    Abstract: A refrigeration cycle device 100 where a combustible refrigerant circulates includes a bypass pipe 5 that is connected so that part of the refrigerant that flows through a circulation pipe extending from a condenser 2 to a flow control valve 3 bypasses the flow control valve 3 and an evaporator 4; a bypass flow control valve 6 that controls the amount of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass pipe 5; a heat exchanger 7 that allows heat exchange between the refrigerant that flows through the bypass pipe 5 after flowing out of the bypass flow control valve 6 and the refrigerant that flows through the circulation pipe after flowing out of the condenser 2; and a subcooling degree sensor T73 that detects the subcooling degree of the refrigerant at the inlet of the flow control valve 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Wakamoto, Fumitake Unezaki, Takeshi Kuramochi, Hitoshi Iijima
  • Patent number: 9017522
    Abstract: A process to separate a multi-component hydrocarbon stream which includes ethylene and other components with at least some of the components being present in a number of phases, is provided. The process includes in a first flash stage, flashing the multi-component hydrocarbon stream, from an elevated pressure and temperature to a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a), producing a first ethylene-containing vapor stream at a pressure in the range of 10-18 bar(a) and a multi-phase stream which includes some ethylene. In a second flash stage, the multi-phase stream is flashed to a pressure of less than 6 bar(a), producing a second vapor stream at a pressure of less than 6 bar(a) and a bottoms stream. The first ethylene-containing vapor stream is removed from the first flash stage, the second vapor stream is removed from the second flash stage and the bottoms stream is removed from the second flash stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Sasol Technolgy (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Johannes Jochemus Gildenhuys, Andrew Kenneth Stone, William Francis Revelt
  • Patent number: 8992737
    Abstract: A trihalosilane refining device and a trihalosilane refining method are provided. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Joon Ho Shin, Jong Ku Lee, Sung Kyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20150083576
    Abstract: A processes is for purifying an amine compound from a feed solvent which includes an amine salt of the amine compound. The process includes heating the feed solvent in a single stage evaporator of a reclaimer at a reduced operating pressure by feeding the evaporator with a constant amount of thermal energy; and evaporating the amine compound to purity the amine compound from the feed solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: HTC Purenergy Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed A. Aboudheir, Walid H. Elmoudir
  • Publication number: 20150075965
    Abstract: A water amount controlling method according to the present disclosure includes: opening a discharge valve that discharges a liquid from a water tank if an impurity concentration is higher than or equal to a first reference value, and opening a sluice gate that introduces the liquid to the water tank a predetermined period after opening the discharge valve, the first reference value being lower than a saturation concentration; throttling the discharge valve and the sluice gate if the impurity concentration is higher than or equal to a second reference value and the temperature is lower than or equal to a third reference value, the second reference value being lower than the first reference value; and closing the discharge valve if the impurity concentration is lower than the second reference value, and closing the sluice gate a predetermined period after closing the discharge valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Morio TOMIYAMA, Hisaaki GYOTEN, Norihisa MINO, Akira TAOMOTO, Atsushi ONO, Stephen William JOHN
  • Patent number: 8981133
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for separating propylene oxide for a crude propylene oxide stream, for example an intermediate stream from a PO/TBA process. The crude propylene oxide stream can be passed through an extractive distillation column. The distillation column is operated at a pressure in a range of greater than 25 up to 50 psig, and/or at a temperature in a range of from 70 to 150 degrees Celsius using C8-C20 paraffin as extractive solvent with an overhead distillate water wash drum. The crude propylene oxide stream include from 0.001 to 0.1 wt % methanol, based on the total composition of the crude propylene oxide stream. The systems, methods, and apparatuses can produce a propylene oxide stream having less formaldehyde and acetaldehyde than the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: Lyondell Chemical Technology, L.P., Equistar Chemicals, LP
    Inventors: Xiangmin Li, David W. Leyshon, Te Chang
  • Publication number: 20150068886
    Abstract: One of these distilling apparatus (10) comprises two columns, an evaporation column (14) and a condensation column (16), separated by a partition (18) equipped with rows of slits dividing them into 4 distillation stages. The evaporation column (14) comprises plates with hydrophilic or wettable faces, and the condensation column comprises rectangular hollow-plate (21) heat exchangers (221-6). Cold water ascends in these exchangers and saturated humid hot air descends in the condensation column (16). A perforated sheet (251-4) increases the uniformity of the partial airflows descending between the plates. The water is heated in a boiler (34); the hot water is scattered at the top of the evaporation column and the air cooled in the condensation column is sucked downwards by a fan (34). The air flows in a closed circuit. Performance is maximised, after the top temperature TE2 (45 to 90° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Domen, Stéphane Viannay, Olivier Boisdon, Florian Dimeck
  • Patent number: 8974642
    Abstract: A trihalosilane refining device and a trihalosilane refining method are provided. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Joon Ho Shin, Jong Ku Lee, Sung Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8968521
    Abstract: A trihalosilane refining device and a trihalosilane refining method are provided. The trihalosilane refining device can be useful in obtaining high-purity trihalosilane from a feed containing a trihalosilane while consuming a small amount of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Joon Ho Shin, Jong Ku Lee, Sung Kyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8894822
    Abstract: A rotary evaporator (1) having a cooler (6), wherein temperature sensors (15, 17) are disposed in the inlet (14) and outlet (16) of the coolant into or out of the cooler (6), and a volume flow rate of the coolant through the cooler (6) is determined. The initiation or termination of condensation in the cooler (6) is derived from an increase or decrease in the difference of the temperatures (X) at the temperature sensors (15, 17). The volume of the condensed distillate (10) is determined from the difference in temperatures (X), and a distillation volume control is performed. By regulating the heating power of the heater (11) and/or the pressure in the system, the loading of the cooler (6) is controlled as a function of the difference in temperatures (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ika-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hubert Pinhack, Martin Spath
  • Patent number: 8882967
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for purifying a process water, which can comprise providing a process water comprising a first concentration of a first dissolved gas and a first concentration of a first dissolved ion, filtering the process water to create a filtered process water comprising a second concentration of the first dissolved gas, and evaporating the filtered process water to create a water vapor comprising a second concentration of the first dissolved ion that is less than the first concentration of the first dissolved ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: Dhansukhbhai V. Patel
  • Patent number: 8864950
    Abstract: A process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of providing a crude product stream comprising the acrylate product and an alkylenating agent. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the crude product stream to form an alkylenating agent stream and an intermediate product stream. The alkylenating agent stream comprises at least 1 wt % alkylenating agent and the intermediate product stream comprises acrylate product. The separating is performed in at least one column at an operating pressure ranging from 40 kPa to 80 kPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Celanese International Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Peterson, Josefina Chapman, Jonathan Gallacher
  • Patent number: 8771477
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for water purification and desalination. The systems have a preheater, a degasser, multiple evaporation chambers with demisters, heat pipes, and a control system, wherein the control system permits continuous operation of the purification and desalination system without requiring user intervention or cleaning. The systems are capable of recovering hear from each distillation stage, while removing, from a contaminated water sample, a plurality of contaminants including: microbiological contaminants, radiological contaminants, metals, salts, and organics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sylvan Source, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Thiers
  • Patent number: 8741109
    Abstract: A method for purifying a crude acetone raw material containing low molecular weight impurities using two columns is disclosed. Crude acetone raw material is fed into a first column; adding an alkaline reagent and an oxidative agent into the first column to form high molecular weight impurities; removing a top fraction from the first column by distillation to form bottom fraction containing an acetone mixture containing high molecular weight impurities; feeding the bottom fraction containing the acetone mixture obtained to a second rectification column at a charge point on the column; adding an alkaline reagent to the second column above the charge point of the bottom fraction fed; and separating a purified acetone from the high molecular weight impurities and removing the purified acetone as a top fraction by distillation in the second column, wherein the second rectification column is operated at atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Mark Erik Nelson, Andrey Yurievich Sokolov, Ilya Yurievich Krupenko, Valery Yurievich Aristovich
  • Publication number: 20140144767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the vacuum distillation of a liquid, in particular by means of a rotary evaporator, wherein at least one fraction of the liquid is evaporated at a reducing pressure, a vapor temperature correlating with a boiling temperature is determined by means of a temperature sensor and a pressure present at the time of the determination of the vapor temperature and correlating with a boiling pressure is determined and a minimal pressure, which may not be undercut in the distillation, is automatically determined by using the determined vapor temperature and to the determined pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Hans Heidolph GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick N. Jost, Jan Welzien
  • Publication number: 20140083838
    Abstract: Method for removing dissolved gases from water to produce boiler feed water in a catalytic steam reforming process where boiler feed water is heated by indirect heat transfer with a reformate stream and/or a combustion product gas stream and the boiler feed water subsequently flash vaporized to form steam and residual liquid water, where the steam formed by flash vaporization strips the dissolved gases from the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Joel Charles MacMurray, Gary Stuart Roth, Russell Ira Snyder, III, Gerald Michael Loughney
  • Patent number: 8628643
    Abstract: A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
    Inventors: Michael Charles Grady, William D. Parten, Robert W. Sylvester, Joseph J. Zaher
  • Patent number: 8617359
    Abstract: A method for distilling a starting material that includes a liquid Fd to be distilled, uses a gas-tight container system that is resistant to excess and/or negative pressure. The container system includes a condenser for condensing the liquid Fd, which has turned to vapor and whose temperature can be adjusted, to give the condensation product, and a vapor chamber connecting the evaporator and the condenser. The pressure and temperature in the vapor chamber are monitored and controlled so that distillation is always carried out in a range close to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid Fd to be distilled. If the pressure is too high, it is reduced so that especially foreign gas is removed. An installation includes a container for distillation according to method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Markus Lehmann, Markus Braendli
  • Publication number: 20130334027
    Abstract: Processes and systems for improving the quality and yield of distillate columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: George R. Winter, Zvi Mervhav
  • Patent number: 8603300
    Abstract: A method for fractionating a fuel includes heating the fuel and flowing it through hollow superhydrophobic membranes in a membrane module. Vapor from the fuel permeates the hydrophobic membranes and enters a distillate collection chamber, producing distilled fuel and residual fuel. The residual fuel is removed from the module and cooled. The cooled residual fuel is flowed through hollow tubes in the module and the distilled fuel is removed from the distillate collection chamber. Burning the distilled fuel reduces engine emissions. A fuel fractionation system includes a distillate collection chamber, hollow superhydrophobic membranes, hollow tubes and a distillate outlet. The hollow superhydrophobic membranes receive heated fuel and allow vapor from the heated fuel to permeate the membranes and enter the distillate collection chamber. The hollow tubes receive cooled residual fuel and are positioned to allow vapor in the distillate collection chamber to condense on outer surfaces of the hollow tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zidu Ma, Joseph J. Sangiovanni, Zissis A. Dardas, Meredith B. Colket, III
  • Patent number: 8562791
    Abstract: A system and method for decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing contaminated water in to a vessel. The water is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the water to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or water input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated water may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Verno Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Riley, Dana L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130248348
    Abstract: A product output rate for a packed column is optimized by setting a desired product output rate from the distillation column, calculating a fraction of flood point of the distillation column at a reflux ratio, and determining a pressure drop value within the distillation column at the fraction of flood point. The step of determining the pressure drop employs the method of producing a plot of pressure drop as a function of fraction of flood point at any liquid flow rate, or producing a mathematical expression thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Aspen Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Hanley
  • Publication number: 20130240345
    Abstract: A process for producing high-purity liquids, in particular liquid chemicals, by distillation, includes the steps of: providing a liquid to be purified from a storage vessel in a sample container arranged in a sample chamber, heating and evaporating the uppermost layers of the liquid to be purified, condensing the sample vapor produced of the liquid to be purified in a condensation device outside the sample chamber, and collecting the distillate in a collecting container. The collecting container being connectable to the storage vessel via a return line for the non-condensed sample vapor and forming a space that is closed off from the surroundings between the space above the liquid surface of the liquid to be purified in the sample chamber and the storage vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Werner LAUTENSCHLAEGER
  • Patent number: 8506762
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: David F. Bednarek, Jason A. Demers, Timothy P. Duggan, James L. Jackson, Scott A. Leonard, David W. McGill, Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 8486223
    Abstract: A falling film evaporator having a shell pass, multiple tubes parallel to each other, a condensed steam outlet, an inlet for an aqueous solution on the top of the tube pass, an outlet for the aqueous solution at the bottom of the tube pass, a distributing assembly having a plurality of distributing trays arranged vertically from top to bottom in incremental diameters and each having multiple holes, and a plate for collecting the aqueous solution below the distributing assembly. The tubes are straight and installed vertically in the evaporator; inner wall of the tubes is smooth, and the top portion of the tubes is protruded above a horizontal plane of the plate. The evaporator is particularly useful for concentrating an aqueous solution containing thermosensitive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaogen Feng, Nongyue Wang, Xiaohui Mao, Ruibiao Yu, Qianwen Cheng
  • Patent number: 8475632
    Abstract: A method for recycling cutting fluid includes preparing and processing a cutting fluid of silicon including a silicon mixture and a cutting fluid at an anoxic circumstance of 150° C. to 350° C. in a container, to obtain a vaporized cutting fluid and a silicon slurry; and condensing the vaporized cutting fluid to obtain a recycling cutting fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hong Jing Environment Company
    Inventors: Yu-Lung Sun, Yung-Hao Liu, Ming-Zhe Tsai
  • Patent number: 8470137
    Abstract: An assembly for recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution includes a reservoir module connected to a recycler module. The reservoir module includes a mounted reservoir including an interior volume and a removable lid that reduces the interior volume and includes an access port. The recycler module includes a distillation assembly and an air handler assembly. The distillation assembly includes a distiller and a conduit including a condenser and a sight glass. The air handler assembly includes a duct having an intake port, an exhaust port and a source of air flow. The condenser is disposed within the duct and the sight glass is disposed external to the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Tim Rothwell, Greg Merz, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8470136
    Abstract: An assembly for removing contaminants from objects and recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution includes a parts washer assembly including a container for a contaminated solvent solution and a recycling assembly that includes a reservoir module connected to a recycler module. The reservoir module includes a mounted reservoir including an interior volume and a removable lid that reduces the interior volume and includes an access port. The recycler module includes a distillation assembly and an air handler assembly. The distillation assembly includes a distiller and a conduit including a condenser and a sight glass. The air handler assembly includes a duct having an intake port, an exhaust port and a source of air flow. The condenser is disposed within the duct and the sight glass is disposed external to the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Tim Rothwell, Greg Merz, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8470138
    Abstract: A distillation assembly that reduces malodors resulting from a process of recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution that includes a distillation chamber defined by a top wall, a side wall and a bottom wall, a heating element disposed in the distillation chamber including an active portion and an inactive portion. The contaminated solvent solution disposed at a level within the distillation chamber such that the active portion always disposed below the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8449727
    Abstract: A flood point for a packed column is determined by providing a data set of gas pressure drop values as a function of gas flow rate values at several liquid flow rates through a packed column, known flood point value for one liquid flow rate, setting flood point values for higher liquid flow rates at values lower than the known flood point value, and setting flood point values for lower liquid flow rates at values higher than the known flood point value, followed by expressing gas flow rates for liquid flow rates as fractions of the flood point value for each respective liquid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Aspen Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Hanley
  • Patent number: 8440058
    Abstract: Method for concentrating nitrogen isotope to obtain a final product nitrogen, in which the stable nitrogen isotope, 15N, is concentrated, by low-temperature distillation of raw material nitrogen containing trace amounts of oxygen and argon using a plurality of distillation columns in a cascade arrangement. An argon-oxygen mixture is discharged from the bottom of the final column and 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted from a lower intermediate point of the final column. The flow rate of the argon-oxygen mixture discharged from the bottom of the final column is controlled based on the reading of a thermometer installed below the point where the final product 15N-concentrated nitrogen is extracted, thereby providing a stable nitrogen product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kihara
  • Patent number: 8425732
    Abstract: A method of operating an assembly for recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution including a source for the contaminated solvent solution at a level and a recycling assembly including a reservoir module and a recycler module. The reservoir module includes a reservoir and the recycler module includes a controller and a distillation assembly including a distiller having a conduit and a pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve includes a tube. The method includes connecting the conduit to the source below the level; connecting the pressure relief valve tube to the source; pumping solvent into the reservoir, distiller and conduit to an operational level; and selecting a duty cycle of the controller to regulate a rest period after the controller operation of a distillation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8419903
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling, manually or automatically, the composition or quality of one or more products removed from the head, the sump or a lateral removal point of the distillation column having a built-in heat-exchanger. The method is characterized in that, by changing the pressure in the column, in the region of the product removal, the new boiling temperature of the product is determined from the vapor pressure curve of the product at said pressure and the temperature of the distillation removal is adjusted to said new boiling temperature by means of the modified coolant flowing through the heat-exchanger, preferably in the counter direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Bahr
  • Patent number: 8394241
    Abstract: A distillation-type drinking fountain includes a liquid providing unit having a liquid entry; a heat-exchanging tube having a liquid-incoming end, a liquid-outgoing end and a heat-exchanging room; a hot water tank having a body and a heating unit. The body has a heating room communicating with the liquid-outgoing end. A steam pipe has a first end and a second end, with the first end communicating with the heating room. A condensing unit has a condenser tube having one end communicating with the second end. A water-collecting container has a water-storing room communicating with another end of the condenser tube. An energy-saving heating unit includes an energy-saving heat-exchanging tube and a heating device. The energy-saving heat-exchanging tube includes a water-incoming end, a water-outgoing end and an energy-saving heat-exchanging room. An outlet valve communicates with the water-outgoing end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Shanghai Ariba Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Long-Ming Wang