Liquid Phase High Temperature And Pressure (e.g., "wet Air", Etc.) Patents (Class 210/761)
  • Patent number: 11898308
    Abstract: This specification describes a system and process for treating waste, for example municipal solid waste (MSW) or post-recycling municipal solid waste. The system includes a press and a pulper. The press is adapted to provide a wet fraction of the waste suitable for anaerobic digestion and rejects. The pulper is adapted to receive the rejects and produce pulp. The pulper may be, for example, a drum pulper. In the process, waste is separated into a press into an organic fraction and rejects. The organic fraction is treated by way of anaerobic digestion. The rejects are separated, optionally in a drum pulper, to produce a fraction containing pulp. The pulp can be re-used to make paper or other products. In some case, 70% or more or 80% or more of MSW can be diverted from landfill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Benedek, Yaniv D. Scherson, Hans Frederick Ouellet, Juan Carlos Josse
  • Patent number: 11821287
    Abstract: In a geothermal plant, alternately injecting an acid composition and a caustic composition removes or inhibits scale build-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: SOLENIS TECHNOLOGIES, L.P.
    Inventors: Logan Muller, Paul Hewson, Maria Nydia Lynch, Michael Bluemle, Peter Slijp, William S. Carey
  • Patent number: 11655168
    Abstract: Methods for treating wastewater in conjunction with subterranean operations with a wastewater treatment additive. In some embodiments, the methods include providing wastewater recovered from at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein the wastewater includes water and an organic foulant material, and introducing a wastewater treatment additive that includes an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant into the recovered wastewater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Allen Hurd, Chunli Li
  • Patent number: 11459260
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a system for treating high-salt high-organic wastewater and recovering energy, the system includes a cold wall-type reactor (6), a multi-level cyclone separator (16, 19, and 25), a waste liquid feeding system, an oxidant feeding system and a fuel feeding system; The cold wall-type reactor designed by the disclosure is formed by inner and outer double-housing structures, a cooling medium is fed into a gap between the inner housing and the outer housing of the reactor, the fluid on an inner wall surface of the inner housing of the reactor is cooled below a supercritical temperature of the water by using countercurrent heat exchange, blockage of the inorganic salts is effectively prevented. The disclosure is capable of realizing gradient utilization of the reaction heat of the high-salt high-organic wastewater supercritical water oxidation system, and improving a system energy recovery utilization ratio in the greatest degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignees: Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2. Guangzhou Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Fengming Zhang, Chuangjian Su, Zhiyu Chen, Yaxin Ding, Shunquan Chen
  • Patent number: 11187113
    Abstract: An electric power generating system includes an autoclave coupled to a natural gas source, an oxygen source, and having a pressure reducing outlet valve. A high-pressure pump provides a solution of ammonium hydroxide and ammonium carbonate solution under pressure to the autoclave. An exothermic reaction generates high-pressure steam for electrical power generation. A crystallizer receives ammonium carbonate from the reaction for the formation of crystallized ammonium carbonate fertilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas R Bolles
  • Patent number: 11141706
    Abstract: The present application provides systems and methods for upgrading an oil stream. The system includes a reactor, a phase separator, an expansion device, a cooling unit, and two separation units. The reactor receives the oil stream, ammonia, and supercritical water. The supercritical water upgrades the oil stream, and the ammonia reacts with sulfur initially present in the oil stream to produce ammonia-sulfur compounds. The phase separator receives a mixture stream comprising the upgraded oil stream, supercritical water, and the ammonia-sulfur compounds, and separates out non-dissolved components. The expansion device reduces the pressure of the mixture stream below a water critical pressure. The cooling unit reduces the temperature of the mixture stream. A first separation unit separates the mixture stream it into a hydrocarbon-rich gaseous phase, a water stream containing ammonia-sulfur compounds, and a treated oil stream. A second separation unit separates the ammonia-sulfur compounds from the water stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mourad Younes, Aqil Jamal
  • Patent number: 11136252
    Abstract: A horizontal self-balancing supercritical reaction apparatus, comprising a pressure vessel, a high pressure air compression apparatus, and at least one reactor arranged within the pressure vessel. The reactor is internally provided with front and rear pistons, two ends of the reactor are sealed by the reactor front piston and the reactor rear piston, a pressure medium is filled between the reactor front piston and an inner wall of the pressure vessel, the reactor rear piston is connected to a rear piston driving motor by a rear piston push rod, the reactor is provided with a water inlet and a water/air outlet which are controlled by valves, the reactor is internally provided with a heating apparatus, and the high pressure air compression apparatus is connected to the inside of the reactor. The present invention utilises a pressure self-balancing system, which significantly improves the stress characteristics of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Nanjing Since-More Environmental Technology Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dandan Wu
  • Patent number: 10954152
    Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation-flame piloted vortex reactor has a hydrothermal flame produced within the interior of the reactor fed by a fuel including a waste water stream, and has a subcritical wash stream, including water below its critical point, that creates an upward helical flow in the material within the reactor. The hydrothermal flame and upward helical flow produce within the reactor a supercritical core region, a subcritical outer region around the core region, and a transcritical intermediate region between them. The upward helical flow serves to transfer precipitated ionic compounds out of the supercritical core region, through the transcritical intermediate region, and into the subcritical outer region where they re-dissolve. A processed flow, including purified water, is removed from an upper portion of the supercritical core region by an aspirator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Michael C. Hicks, Uday G. Hegde
  • Patent number: 10889793
    Abstract: A fermenter can have at least one hollow fluid conduit disposed at least partially within a vessel. An external circumference of the hollow fluid conduit and an interior circumference of the vessel can define a downward flow path through which a multi-phase mixture including a liquid media and compressed gas substrate bubbles flows. An interior circumference of the hollow fluid conduit can defined an upward flow path which is in fluid communication with the downward flow path. The multi-phase liquid can flow through the upward flow path and exit the fermenter. Cooling may be provided in the hollow fluid conduit or the vessel. One or more backpressor generators can be used to maintain a backpressure on the fermenter. One or more fluid movers can be used to variously create an induced and/or forced flow in the downward and upward flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: CALYSTA, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua A. Silverman, Sol M. Resnick, Drew D. Regitsky
  • Patent number: 10858270
    Abstract: A highly efficient and effective process for destroying organic contaminants in wastewater streams, without the need for supercritical oxidation conditions, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Arkema Inc.
    Inventor: Shashank N. Shah
  • Patent number: 10774470
    Abstract: This specification describes a system and process for treating waste, for example municipal solid waste (MSW) or post-recycling municipal solid waste. The system includes a press and a pulper. The press is adapted to provide a wet fraction of the waste suitable for anaerobic digestion and rejects. The pulper is adapted to receive the rejects and produce pulp. The pulper may be, for example, a drum pulper. In the process, waste is separated into a press into an organic fraction and rejects. The organic fraction is treated by way of anaerobic digestion. The rejects are separated, optionally in a drum pulper, to produce a fraction containing pulp. The pulp can be re-used to make paper or other products. In some case, 70% or more or 80% or more of MSW can be diverted from landfill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ANAERGIA INC.
    Inventors: Andrew Benedek, Yaniv D. Scherson, Hans Frederick Ouellet, Juan Carlos Josse
  • Patent number: 10774471
    Abstract: A method of recycling a by-product generated in a papermaking process including, pulverizing a by-product produced in a papermaking process to prepare a pulverized product, burning the pulverized product to prepare a burned product, hydrating the burned product to prepare a hydrate; and manufacturing paper from the hydrate and a paper slurry is provided, which allows reuse of by-products generated in conventional papermaking processes such as lime mud and lime kiln CaO, which is environmentally friendly as well as cost-effective, and also the level of whiteness of the by-products such as lime mud and lime kiln CaO generated in a papermaking process can be improved to that of a high-grade raw material, making it possible to also improve the whiteness of paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Korea Institute Of Geoscience And Mineral Resource
    Inventor: Ji-Whan Ahn
  • Patent number: 10125088
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying raw dinitrotoluenes resulting from dinitration of toluene in the presence of a nitric acid/sulfuric acid/nitrating acid mixture, and a device or plant for performing the method, and a corresponding production plant for producing dinitrotoluene, characterized in that (a) the raw dinitrotoluenes are first subjected to a wash with at least one washing medium after separation of the nitrating acid mixture, followed by a separation of the washing medium; and that (b) subsequently the washed dinitrotoluenes resulting from method step (a) are subjected to stripping (stripping gas treatment) with at least one gas (stripping gas).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Josef Meissner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Pöhlmann, Heinrich Hermann, Mirko Händel, Jürgen Gebauer, Tim Bergmann
  • Patent number: 10059891
    Abstract: A method for upgrading a petroleum feedstock using a supercritical water petroleum upgrading system includes introducing the petroleum feedstock, water and an auxiliary feedstock. The method includes operating the system to combine the petroleum feedstock and the water to form a mixed petroleum feedstock and introducing separately and simultaneously into a lower portion of an upflowing supercritical water reactor. The auxiliary feedstock is introduced such that a portion of a fluid contained within the upflowing reactor located proximate to the bottom does not lack fluid momentum. An embodiment of the method includes operating the supercritical water petroleum upgrading system such that the upflowing reactor product fluid is introduced into an upper portion of a downflowing supercritical water reactor. The supercritical water petroleum upgrading system includes the upflowing supercritical water reactor and optionally a downflowing supercritical water reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ki-Hyouk Choi, Joo-Hyeong Lee, Mohammad S. Garhoush, Ali H. Alshareef
  • Patent number: 9403708
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal hydrolysis of organic matter, wherein a heating element (2) and a cooling element (4) are provisioned to heat up or cool down the organic matter. Heat exchangers are provisioned as heating element (2) and cooling element (4) which exchange heat between the organic matter and a medium. The organic matter and the medium are separate relative to each other within the heat exchangers. A throttle (9) and a decompression tank (10) are provisioned between the heating element (2) and the cooling element (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Eliquo Stulz GmbH
    Inventor: Marianne Buchmuller
  • Patent number: 9169131
    Abstract: A process for removing organic compounds from a brine solution permits processing of that solution in a chlor-alkali electrochemical cell. A brine solution containing a mixture of nonvolatile organic compounds is introduced into a tank with a selected volume of acid and is heated to boiling. Nonvolatile organic compounds in the solution are decomposed such that they become volatile compounds, which are removed by distillation from the tank or by additional subsequent steam distillation. The resulting brine solution has a final total organic compound (TOC) level sufficiently low to render its suitable for use in a membrane, diaphragm or other type of chlor-alkali electrochemical cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Trinity Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Keith Warbington, Jason Yarborough
  • Patent number: 9169147
    Abstract: A lime stabilization system for treatment of sewage sludge, and method is provided in which dewatered sludge and lime are provided to a mixer. Lime and sludge are mixed to raise the pH during which volatiles are driven off with or without supplemental heat. A forced air draft prevents steam from backing up into the lime supply. The sludge goes to a discharge station via a transfer apparatus, and air containing any dust, odors, steam or ammonia is cleaned via a scrubber. The system is computer-controlled via gravimetric load cells and/or volumetric means. The system includes computer controlled means for dissolving scale resulting from exposure of surfaces to lime, using acid, water or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: RDP Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Christy, Michael Quici, Stephen H. Yost
  • Patent number: 8968574
    Abstract: A method and device for the wet oxidation treatment of liquid waste laden with mineral matter in suspension. The device comprises a reactor including a treatment column, first and second heat exchangers placed upstream and downstream, respectively, of the reactor. The solution to be treated, laden with mineral matter to which an oxidizing gas has been added, is injected into the reactor for treatment after being preheated in the first heat exchanger. When the solution exits the reactor, the hot treated mixture is divided into two hot stream fragments. The first hot treated mixture stream fragment, the flow rate of which is kept constant by a diaphragm column, is used for controlling the temperature of the first heat exchanger and then discharged after being used in the first heat exchanger. The second hot treated mixture stream fragment is directly cooled and discharged when the second hot treated mixture stream fragment leaves the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Granit Technologies S.A.
    Inventor: Boris Correa
  • Patent number: 8932467
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic material by thermal hydrolysis, in particular with a view to producing bioethenol, wherein the material is first admixed with water and is then passed to a reactor, in which the soaked material is subjected to a high temperature and a high pressure to such an extent that is it accessible for a subsequent treatment with enzymes, following which the treated material is separated into liquid part and a solid part, where the solid component is subsequently used for the production of bioethenol and enzymation and fermentation. Exclusively steam is used in the method and the corresponding system for heating, stirring and transport, as e.g. the transport through the various elements of the system is provided by a pressure difference between the compartments of the elements. The material (32) is discharged to an economizer (4), in which a separator (5) separates the material into a solid part and a liquid part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Haarslev A/S
    Inventors: Peder Fosbol, Palle Hansen
  • Patent number: 8926842
    Abstract: A water treatment system using a high pressure advanced oxidation process with unreacted ozone reusing is disclosed, which are able to increase a decomposition speed of a pollutant by reusing a high pressure advanced oxidation process which uses an ozone and photocatalyst and a photo-oxidation reaction of a ultraviolet ray. The capacity of the expensive ozone generator can be reduced as compared to the conventional advanced oxidation process which uses a large capacity ozone generator in which almost ozone is discharged into the air. In addition, it is possible to decrease the load of the off-gas ozone removing apparatus for removing the off-gas ozone which is discharged into the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Inventor: Jong Seob Shim
  • Publication number: 20140251924
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the treatment of caustic wastewater. Specifically, systems and methods are provided for combining refinery spent caustic and ethylene spent caustic solutions and treating the combined spent caustic mixture using a wet air oxidation process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Chad L. Felch, Bruce L. Brandenburg, Richard W. Lehmann, Timothy Schleusner
  • Patent number: 8801932
    Abstract: A process for treating wastewater containing nitro-hydroxy-aromatic compounds using oxidative sub-critical conditions. The wastewater to be treated is adjusted to contain excess hydroxide equivalent to greater than three moles of free hydroxide per mole of total nitro-hydroxy-aromatic compounds, and a sub-stoichiometric amount of an oxidant is supplied to the wastewater. The nitro-hydroxy-aromatic compounds may include nitro-phenol salts or nitro-cresol salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Noram International Limited
    Inventor: Michael Gattrell
  • Patent number: 8790585
    Abstract: A countercurrent tank type supercritical water reactor with a sacrificial lining, comprising a cylinder body and a catalyst tank arranged inside, the upper part of the cylinder body is connected with a top cover, and the lower part of the cylinder body is connected with a spherical head, the inner side of the cylinder body, the inner side of the spherical head and the inner side of the top cover constitute the inner wall of the reactor, wherein the inner wall of the reactor is provided with a high temperature resistance and thermal insulation coating layer, the inner wall of the high temperature resistance and thermal insulation coating layer is provided with a sealing coating layer, and the inner wall of the sealing coating layer is provided with the sacrificial lining. The reactor is of a countercurrent tank type, which can prevent the reactor blockage caused by salt deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Xi'an Jiaotong University
    Inventors: Shuzhong Wang, Yanmeng Gong, Honghe Ma, Donghai Xu, Jie Zhang, Lu Zhou
  • Patent number: 8734648
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the treatment of caustic wastewater. Specifically, systems and methods are provided for combining refinery spent caustic and ethylene spent caustic solutions and treating the combined spent caustic mixture using a wet air oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan J. Kumfer, Chad L. Felch, Bruce L. Brandenburg, Richard W. Lehmann
  • Patent number: 8637718
    Abstract: A method and system of converting biomass to biochar in a hydrothermal carbonization apparatus wherein subcritical water at a temperature of 230-350° C. and 500-3000 psi is reacted with the biomass to form biochar, biocrude and gases. The method and system include recycling the biocrude back to the hydrothermal carbonization apparatus which improves biochar yield and provides water for the biomass reaction to occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Auburn University
    Inventors: Ram B. Gupta, Sandeep Kumar, Lingzhao Kong
  • Patent number: 8574442
    Abstract: A method for treating effluent containing dissolved or suspended solids includes directing the effluent containing dissolved or suspended solids to a reactor and oxidizing at least a portion of the dissolved or suspended solids in the reactor with an oxidizing agent. Oxidation is carried out at a temperature ranging between approximately 20° C. and approximately 350° C. and at a pressure ranging between approximately 1 bar and approximately 160 bar. A gaseous phase and a liquid phase form within the reactor during oxidation. The method includes separating the gaseous phase from the liquid phase and heating the effluent in the reactor with the heat produced from the oxidation of the dissolved or suspended solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Support
    Inventors: Merzark Belkhodja, Didier Cretenot
  • Patent number: 8512573
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for treating by itself an organic waste material which can treat the waste material with steam having a high temperature and a high pressure and which can separate and recover the waste material and a liquid material given by performing the treatment continuously by a simple operation. An apparatus (10) for treating an organic waste material characterized in that it comprises a sealed vessel (12) having a closed space (S1) for holding an organic waste material therein, a steam jet means (14) provided in the sealed vessel (12) for providing a steam jet having such temperature and pressure that the waste material can be carbonized, a discharge port (16) arranged at the bottom of the sealed vessel (12) and having an opening/closing mechanism, and a separating and recovering means (18) for separating the waste material and a liquid material given after the treatment only by direct discharge operation from the discharge port (16) and recovering the waste material and the liquid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: G-8 International Trading Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kousaku Mabuchi
  • Patent number: 8409303
    Abstract: In the processes for treating municipal sewage and storm water containing biosolids to discharge standards, biosolids, even after dewatering, contain typically about 80% water bound in the dead cells of the biosolids, which gives biosolids a negative heating value. It can be incinerated only at the expense of purchased fuel. Biosolids are heated to a temperature at which their cell structure is destroyed and, preferably, at which carbon dioxide is split off to lower the oxygen content of the biosolids. The resulting char is not hydrophilic, and it can be efficiently dewatered and/or dried and is a viable renewable fuel. This renewable fuel can be supplemented by also charging conventional biomass (yard and crop waste, etc.) in the same or in parallel facilities. Similarly, non-renewable hydrophilic fuels can be so processed in conjunction with the processing of biosolids to further augment the energy supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: SGC Advisors, LLC
    Inventors: Norman L. Dickinson, Kevin M. Bolin, Edward Overstreet, Brian Dooley
  • Patent number: 8323512
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for continuous sub-critical water decomposition treatment for material to be processed containing solid matter are provided, which are capable of controlling decomposition reaction of the material to be processed and suitable for large-scale operations. The method and the apparatus are also capable of minimizing equipment costs and selectively producing desired useful substances at high yield rates. Material to be processed is grinded in advance into particles, which are mixed with water to prepare slurry. The slurry is sent to a compressing device (1) through a pipe and is compressed. Next, the compressed slurry is sent to a heating device 2 and heated, and is brought into a sub-critical state. The slurry in a sub-critical condition is introduced through an inlet (8) into a bottom part of a reactor (3). In the reactor (3) a fixed bed, a fluidized bed, and a sub-critical water dissolution part are formed in that order from the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Osaka Prefecture University Public Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8173024
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting supercritical wet oxidation reactions wherein any precipitated solids do not contact the solid side walls of the containment vessel so as to prevent any of these precipitated solids from adhering to or corrode the vessel walls is provided. To do this, a controlled, continuous flow of clean fluid, preferably under supercritical conditions, is introduced to the process so as to form a film-like, clean fluid surface between the physical containment vessel walls and the supercritical wet oxidation reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Eau-Viron Incorporated
    Inventor: James Titmas
  • Publication number: 20120085711
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the treatment of a used waste alkali, in which the used waste alkali is oxidized at a superatmospheric pressure in the range from 60 bar to 200 bar. The pressure of the used waste alkali L is increased and then heated by indirect heat exchange. The heated used waste alkali is conveyed into a separator, wherein vaporized aqueous phase is separated from the used waste alkali. The resultant liquid phase is brought to the desired reaction pressure and introduced into an oxidation reactor. In the oxidation reactor, the used waste alkali is oxidized. In a first reaction, thiosulphates are formed from the sulphides. In a second reaction, the thiosulphates are converted into more stable sulphates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans-Jorg Zander, Holger Schmigalle, Timo Rathsack
  • Publication number: 20110309035
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting supercritical wet oxidation reactions wherein any precipitated solids do not contact the solid side walls of the containment vessel so as to prevent any of these precipitated solids from adhering to or corrode the vessel walls is provided. To do this, a controlled, continuous flow of clean fluid, preferably under supercritical conditions, is introduced to the process so as to form a film-like, clean fluid surface between the physical containment vessel walls and the supercritical wet oxidation reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: James TITMAS
  • Publication number: 20110174744
    Abstract: A reactor for supercritical water oxidation includes an essentially vertical reactor section and an essentially non-vertical reactor section. The vertical reactor section has a cross-sectional area which is substantially larger than the cross-sectional area of the non-vertical reactor section. The vertical reactor section has an inlet in an upper portion thereof for receiving a flow containing organic material and water, and an outlet in a lower portion thereof for outputting the flow. Both the vertical and the non-vertical reactor sections are configured to oxidize organic material in the flow through supercritical water oxidation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Lars Stenmark, Anders Gidner, Kim Carlsson, Gert Wass
  • Patent number: 7955508
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are supercritical fluid biomass conversion machines, systems, and methods for converting a wide range of biomass materials into a plurality of reaction products including fermentable sugars and various aromatic substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Xtrudx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Allan, Thomas E. Loop, James D. Flynn
  • Patent number: 7951988
    Abstract: An improved oxidization process may be used to oxidize a wide variety of feedstocks. Oxidation takes place in a reactor where the feedstock is mixed with an oxidizing acid, such as nitric acid. The reaction mixture may also include a secondary oxidizing acid such as sulfuric acid as well as water and/or dissolved and mechanically mixed oxygen gas. The reactor may be maintained at an elevated pressure such as at least approximately 2070 kPa or desirably at least approximately 2800 kPa. The temperature of the reaction mixture may be maintained at no more than 210° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Earth Renewal Group, LLC
    Inventors: George G. Foster, Frederick P. Kesler, Malcolm Draper
  • Patent number: 7915474
    Abstract: An improved oxidization process may be used to oxidize a wide variety of feedstocks. Oxidation takes place in a reactor where the feedstock is mixed with an oxidizing acid, such as nitric acid. The reaction mixture may also include a secondary oxidizing acid such as sulfuric acid as well as water and/or dissolved and mechanically mixed oxygen gas. The reactor may be maintained at an elevated pressure such as at least approximately 2070 kPa or desirably at least approximately 2800 kPa. The temperature of the reaction mixture may be maintained at no more than 210° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Earth Renewal Group, LLC
    Inventors: George G. Foster, Frederick P. Kesler, Malcolm Draper
  • Patent number: 7909895
    Abstract: In the processes for treating municipal sewage and storm water containing biosolids to discharge standards, biosolids, even after dewatering, contain typically about 80% water bound in the dead cells of the biosolids, which gives biosolids a negative heating value. It can be incinerated only at the expense of purchased fuel. Biosolids are heated to a temperature at which their cell structure is destroyed and, preferably, at which carbon dioxide is split off to lower the oxygen content of the biosolids. The resulting char is not hydrophilic, and it can be efficiently dewatered and/or dried and is a viable renewable fuel. This renewable fuel can be supplemented by also charging conventional biomass (yard and crop waste, etc.) in the same or in parallel facilities. Similarly, non-renewable hydrophilic fuels can be so processed in conjunction with the processing of biosolids to further augment the energy supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: EnerTech Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Norman L. Dickinson, Kevin M. Bolin, Edward Overstreet, Brian Dooley
  • Patent number: 7736519
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing an aqueous effluent (E) containing in solution at least one type of metal (M) nitrite or nitrate whose oxide is stable in an aqueous medium consisting (I) in introducing cations NH4+ in aqueous solution, generally in the form of an aqueous ammonia solution, into the aqueous effluent and, subsequently (II) in processing the obtainable medium at a temperature ranging from 100 to 700° C. and a pressure of 1-50 MPa (i.e. from 10 to 500 bar), thereby converting the metal (M) nitrite or nitrate into metal (M) oxide, nitrogen and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherge Scientifique (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: François Cansell, Marie Gaudre, Jean-Michel Tauzia
  • Patent number: 7727377
    Abstract: A system 100 is described for the treatment of multiphase residues having unlimited content of water, oil and solids to obtain hydrocarbons and other products, said system comprising multiphase residue feed system 10, inert gas system 20 and reduced pressure system 30, tubular reactor 40 provided with three heating zones Z-1, Z-2 and Z-3 with a temperature gradient and transportation helicoid 42 to displace the residue mass throughout the reaction zones, the hydrocarbon products and water being collected in a system 60 of condensers 61, 62 and 63 linked to a system 70 of bubbling vessels 71, 72 and 73, reactor 40 being operated in the sealed mode and being provided with a multiphase residue inlet 43 and exit 44 of solid product. The solid product is collected in a system 50 comprising upper valve 51 and lower valve 52, and intermediate silo 53 and then directed to post-treatment system 90 for activation aiming at industrial utilization. The process using the system 100 of the invention is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras, Albrecht Equipamentos Industrials LTDA
    Inventors: Arilza de Castilho Pickler, Luis Fernando Piexoto Gallo, Carlos Alberto Dias da Silva, Waldir Albrecht, Christine Albrecht Althoff
  • Patent number: 7713502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recycling fuel cell components containing fluorine-containing and precious metal-containing constituents: in this process, the fluorine-containing constituents are separated off from the precious metal-containing constituents by treatment with a medium present in the supercritical state. Preference is given to using water as supercritical medium. After the fluorine-containing constituents have been separated off, the precious metal-containing residues can be recovered in a recycling process without harmful fluorine or hydrogen fluoride emissions. The fluorine-containing constituents can likewise be recovered. The process is used in the recovery of precious metals and/or fluorine-containing constituents from membrane fuel cells, electrolysis cells, batteries, sensors and other electrochemical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Koehler, Ralf Zuber, Matthias Binder, Volker Baenisch, Marco Lopez
  • Patent number: 7708897
    Abstract: Device, system and method for injecting organic matter into a reaction enclosure (2) of a reactor for treatment using a supercritical water oxidation method. The device comprises a body having an inner volume defining a pressurizing capacity (24) in which a mobile assembly (29) is arranged, e.g. a bellows for dividing the inner volume into two variable volume compartments including a compressing capacity compartment (32) and a hydraulic pressurizing capacity compartment (34). The hydraulic pressurizing capacity compartment is preferably connected to the outlet (15) of an aqueous phase liquid/gas separator (14) which separates the liquid and gaseous phases of the effluent leaving the reaction enclosure (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Commissariat A l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Christophe Joussot-Dubien, Hubert-Alexandre Turc
  • Patent number: 7703285
    Abstract: Systems and method for generating electricity using heat from a SCWO reaction. The system may comprise a pump that pumps the mixture undergoing the SCWO reaction to a pressure above the critical pressure point for the mixture. The pressurized mixture is heated, by a heating system, above the critical temperature point for the mixture. The SCWO reaction occurs in a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is in thermal communication with a vessel that holds water such that the heat from the mixture heats the water into steam. The steam powers a steam turbine, which is connected to an electrical generator to thereby generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Chromalox, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher J Molnar
  • Patent number: 7682514
    Abstract: A method for oxidizing an organic material includes the steps of (a) forming a preoxidation mixture comprising the organic material and water, and (b) causing the preoxidation mixture to react with a liquid oxidizer in a continuous flow reactor supercritical conditions for water, including a pressure of at least 3206 psia and a temperature of at least 705° F., to form a post-oxidation mixture containing condensible material and non-condensible material, wherein substantially all of the organic material has been oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Parsons Corporation
    Inventors: John Scott, James Osterloh
  • Publication number: 20100018933
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting supercritical wet oxidation reactions wherein any precipitated solids do not contact the solid side walls of the containment vessel so as to prevent any of these precipitated solids from adhering to or corrode the vessel walls is provided. To do this, a controlled, continuous flow of clean fluid, preferably under supercritical conditions, is introduced to the process so as to form a film-like, clean fluid surface between the physical containment vessel walls and the supercritical wet oxidation reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: James Titmas
  • Patent number: 7611638
    Abstract: In a first treatment step part of at least one difficulty biodegradable or non-biodegradable organic compound is oxidized in polluted water by bringing said polluted water into contact with an ozone containing gas. The effluent is subsequently diluted with an aqueous liquid before a second treatment with ozone is carried out. If the concentration of the organic compound is still not sufficiently low, the treated effluent is diluted again and subjected to a further treatment with ozone. It was found that a more effective ozone treatment was obtained by the dilution or dilutions and that in particular no pH control was needed, so that no formation of additional salts occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Recticel
    Inventors: Alain Neyt, Luc Wouters
  • Publication number: 20090266772
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for the hydrothermal oxidation of water-insoluble organic residues. The plant comprises two independent liquid phase feed lines, namely an aqueous phase (1) and a non-water-soluble phase (9). The supercritical conditions in the entrance to the first reactor (10) enable a homogeneous phase to be obtained, in which there are no solubilization problems, thereby enabling the treatment of industrial residues that cannot be treated with standard systems. The inventive system comprises two reactor sections (14 and 18) such that it is possible to inject streams of hydrogen peroxide (11 and 15) in the connections between sections (13 and 17), in order to potentiate the oxidation reaction. The plant is equipped with a heat exchange system (5) in order to make use of the energy generated during the oxidation process, such that the plant operates in autothermal conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Enrique Martínez de la Ossa Fernández, Enrique Nebot Sanz, Juan Ramon Portela Miguelez, Jezabel Sanchez Oneto
  • Publication number: 20090226351
    Abstract: A supercritical oxidation process, which comprises pressurizing and heating an aqueous system to form a fluid phase under supercritical conditions, feeding an oxidizer into said fluid phase to cause an oxidation reaction therein, directing the resultant fluid reaction phase into a central region of a cooling chamber while providing a coolant in an internal peripheral region of said cooling chamber, said peripheral region being adjacent to the inner surface of the cooling chamber, mixing the fluid reaction phase with said coolant within the cooling chamber, removing the reaction mixture from said cooling chamber and subsequently further reducing the temperature and the pressure of said reaction mixture to obtain a product mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventor: Ariel Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 7582269
    Abstract: A subsurface thermally autogenous reactor and method has downgoing and upgoing flow passages connected at the bottom to form a U-tube and in heat exchange relation to each other. The downgoing and upgoing flow passages each have an upper heat exchange section and a lower reaction section. An air injection system injects air into the downgoing flow passage between the heat exchange and reaction sections. The cross sectional area of the upgoing heat exchange section is greater than the cross sectional area of the downgoing heat exchange section to balance the downgoing and upgoing flow velocities. The downgoing heat exchange section has multiple tubes to increase the heat transfer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Vertical Tube Reactor, LLC
    Inventor: Jay L. McGrew
  • Patent number: 7566403
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for eliminating nitrogenous organic compounds from a salt-containing water which contains more than 0.5% by weight of salt in the form of CaCl2 or NaCl, less than 200 ppm of dissolved carbonic acid or carbonates and more than 50 ppm of nitrogenous organic compounds, by treating the water by wet oxidation at a temperature of below 100° C. with chlorine or a chlorine-containing oxidizing agent and feeding this, preferably after additional oxidation with a gaseous oxidizing agent and/or by adsorption with an adsorbent, to an electrolysis for producing chlorine and/or sodium hydroxide solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: LANXESS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Weiβ, Peter-Roger Nyssen, Horst Bertram, Gunther Stolp, Paul Wagner
  • Publication number: 20080283472
    Abstract: A method for oxidizing an organic material includes the steps of (a) forming a preoxidation mixture comprising the organic material and water, and (b) causing the preoxidation mixture to react with a liquid oxidizer in a continuous flow reactor supercritical conditions for water, including a pressure of at least 3206 psia and a temperature of at least 705° F., to form a post-oxidation mixture containing condensible material and non-condensible material, wherein substantially all of the organic material has been oxidized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: John A. Scott, James D. Osterloh