Control Element Responsive To A Sensed Operating Condition Patents (Class 422/105)
  • Publication number: 20110150706
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for generating hyperpolarized materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, a flexible fluid path is provided for use in a polarizer system. In a further embodiment, a polarizer system is provided with an electromechanical assembly for controlling the movement of a fluid path, when present, within a sample path of the polarizer system. In a further embodiment, a polarizer system is provided having a sample path entry point at a convenient height for use by a user standing on the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence Elwood Murphy, Emil Markov Georgiev, Erik Paul Kemper, Ryan Jerome Ramos
  • Publication number: 20110150699
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for sterilizing container closures comprises a conduit (2) defining a passage for the closure and having a wall (3) surrounding the passage, spraying means (4) for injecting inside the conduit (2) a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized, drying means for introducing hot air in the conduit (2) and means for heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) operatively coupled thereto. A method for sterilizing container closures transported inside a conduit (2) having a wall (3) defining internally a passage for the closures comprises the steps of injecting inside the conduit (2) a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized, introducing hot air in the conduit (2) for drying the closures and heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) by transferring heat directly to the conduit wall (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SIDEL S.P.A.
    Inventors: Ivano Ceci, Angelo Silvestri
  • Patent number: 7966097
    Abstract: A demand initiated method for regenerating a water softener which operates the softener ion exchange bed over a capacity range in which the resin is most efficiently restored by exposure to brine. The reserve capacity of the softener is adjusted in response to the amount of softening capacity used since the last regeneration, as is the quantity of saturated brine to be used for the next regeneration, which is scheduled when the reserve capacity is exceeded, or the remaining available capacity will not be adequate for expected usage on the next day of the week. The method schedules a regeneration when the amount of exchange capacity of the resin bed used since the last regeneration plus the variation of exchange capacity used on the next day plus the average exchange capacity of the resin bed used on the next day is greater than the selected design exchange capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ecowater Systems LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 7964167
    Abstract: An after-treatment system architecture and method for oxidizing the nitric oxide component of an exhaust stream from a hydrocarbon fueled power source operated with a fuel lean combustion mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chang H Kim, Wei Li, Kevin A Dahlberg
  • Patent number: 7959860
    Abstract: A drape including a sensing device according to the present invention is disposed over a top surface of a thermal treatment system having a basin recessed therein. A portion of the drape is pushed down into the basin to form a drape container for collecting a sterile medium. The thermal treatment system may be of the type that either heats or congeals the sterile medium. The sensing device includes electrodes that are typically disposed through the drape and sealed. The electrodes provide signals indicating the presence of liquid and/or leaks or other conditions within the drape container to the system to facilitate control of system operation. In addition, the sensing device includes a fuse to limit the drape to a single use. The system disables the fuse to indicate prior use and detects tampering to bypass the fuse, thereby preventing use of the drape for subsequent medical procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, Calvin Blankenship, David Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7959994
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vapor or liquid phase reagent dispensing apparatus having a diptube and also a metal seal aligned and in contact with hardened opposing flat surfaces of a top wall member and a protuberance on a side wall member, wherein the hardened opposing flat surfaces of the top wall member and the protuberance have a hardness greater than the hardness of the metal seal. The dispensing apparatus may be used for dispensing of reagents such as precursors for deposition of materials in the manufacture of semiconductor materials and devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald F. Spohn, David Walter Peters
  • Publication number: 20110135550
    Abstract: [Object] To further reduce the concentrations of basic amine compounds remaining in decarbonated flue gas. [Means of Solution] A CO2 recovery system includes an absorber 2 and a regenerator 3. The absorber 2 includes a CO2 absorbing section 21 and at least one water-washing section 22. The CO2 absorbing section 21 allows flue gas 101 to come into contact with a basic amine compound absorbent 103 so that the basic amine compound absorbent 103 absorbs CO2 in the flue gas 101. The at least one water-washing section 22 allows the decarbonated flue gas 101A in which the amount of CO2 has been reduced in the CO2 absorbing section 21 to come into contact with wash water 104A and 104B to reduce the amounts of the basic amine compounds entrained in the decarbonated flue gas 101A. The regenerator 3 releases the CO2 from the basic amine compound absorbent 103 containing CO2 absorbed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicants: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD., THE KANSAI ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Nagayasu, Takashi Kamijo, Takahito Yonekawa, Hiroshi Tanaka, Shinya Kishimoto, Takuya Hirata, Tatsuya Tsujiuchi, Masaru Chiyomaru, Koji Nakayama, Masahiko Tatsumi, Yasuyuki Yagi, Kazuhiko Kaibara
  • Publication number: 20110123880
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes: a first tube (21), a first end of which is closed by a first lid plate (13); a combustor (6); a combustion gas passage (11); a second tube (22), a first end of which is closed by a second lid plate (14) having a hydrogen-containing gas flowing port (5) at a center thereof; a reformer (26) including a reforming catalyst layer (4); and a third tube (28), a first end of which is closed by a third lid plate (15), wherein: a plurality of hydrogen-containing gas rotational passages are formed in at least one of a second space (41) formed between the first lid plate (13) and a second lid plate (14) and a third space (42) formed between the second lid plate (14) and the third lid plate (15), so as to be arranged in a circumferential direction of the first tube (21); each of the rotational passages includes an entrance communicated with a first space (61) and an exit communicated with a fourth space (20) formed between the second tube (22) and the third tube (28); and a center of the ent
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd
    Inventors: Yuji Mukai, Akira Maenishi
  • Patent number: 7943101
    Abstract: A canopy is removably secured to the container body, is respectively fitted with: a base of a water level indicator for detecting a remaining amount of liquid reducing agent; a base of a densitometer for detecting a concentration of a liquid reducing agent; and a heat exchanger which surrounds detection portions respectively suspended from the bases of the water level indicator and the densitometer, and through which is circulated engine coolant, to perform heat exchange with the liquid reducing agent, and a supply port and a return port for the liquid reducing agent are respectively formed in the canopy. The water level indicator, the densitometer, the heat exchanger, and the supply port and the return port for the liquid reducing agent are formed integrally with the canopy, so that the water level indicator and the densitometer can be dismounted together with the canopy at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Osaku, Toshio Kondou, Kiyoshi Fukuda
  • Publication number: 20110111509
    Abstract: Closed-loop control of a hydrocarbon process is provided by an analyzer including an instrument configured for measuring a property of the liquid mixture, and having responsivities to concentrations of one of the components, independent of concentrations of others of the components. A temperature detector generates temperature data for the liquid mixture, and a processor captures data generated by the temperature detector and the instrument, and uses the data in combination with a model of responsivities to various concentrations of the components at various temperatures, to determine a temperature compensated concentration of the components while the liquid mixture flows continuously through the analyzer. A process control module including a process model of the hydrocarbon process, is coupled to the analyzer and is couplable to the hydrocarbon process, to receive the temperature compensated concentration and to generate at least one output configured to affect operation of the hydrocarbon process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: W. Marcus Trygstad, Russell Jackson, Bruce A. Keen
  • Publication number: 20110110820
    Abstract: A method of sanitizing hard and soft goods comprising placing the goods within an a sealable enclosure; sealing the enclosure; producing ozone within the sealed enclosure; circulating the ozone within the sealed enclosure to sanitize the goods; adjusting the environment within the enclosure to optimize the sanitizing properties of and reduce the potential for the ozone to leak to the surrounding environment; removing the ozone to a prescribed safe concentration level; and maintaining the seal of the enclosure until the ozone concentration reaches the prescribed safe concentration level. The enclosure includes an open side; a sealing door for sealing the sealable enclosure; a locking mechanism; a circulation device, a fresh air heater; a vacuum pump, an ozone generator; an ozone destructor, wherein the ozone generator and ozone destructor are disposed within the sealable enclosure; and a humidification device to adjust the relative humidity inside the sealed enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Walter B. MANN
  • Publication number: 20110110815
    Abstract: Methods and systems for programmed dispensation of consumable compositions are provided. A method for sterilizing a beverage container may comprise: (a) detecting a sterilization status of a beverage container; and (b) controlling functionality of a controllable device according to the sterilization status. A system for sterilizing a beverage container may comprise: (a) means for detecting a sterilization status of a beverage container; and (b) means for controlling functionality of a controllable device according to the sterilization status. A method for sterilizing a beverage container may comprise: (a) detecting an identity of a consumable composition; and (b) controlling a sterilization of at least a portion of a beverage container according to the identity of the consumable composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Eric C. Leuthardt, Robert W. Lord, Clarence T. Tegreene, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110104043
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is the (50) continuous flow system for the synthesis of nanoparticles which consist of the (1a) feeding unit connected to the flow path, at least one (2) first reactor unit possessing the (13) heatable reactor-zone, the (3) second reactor unit which follows (2) in the same cascade; the (5) mixing unit and the (1b) second feeding unit between (2) and (3) reactor units, the (9) and (10) feeding pumps connected to the raw material source and/or (22) control unit which is capable of controlling at least one (18) pressure controller and/or controlling the temperature of at least one (13) heatable reactor-zone; each (13) heatable reactor-zone is followed by (14) cooling unit in the cascade. In addition, the subject of this invention is a process for the synthesis of nanoparticles, preferably metal-containing nanoparticles, and nanoparticles of biologically active organic molecules wherein the process is accomplished in the device according to FIG. 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Nangenex Nanotechnology Incorporated
    Inventors: Krisztián Niesz, Attila Wootsch, Maxime Groualle, Zsolt Ötvös, Ferenc Darvas
  • Publication number: 20110104793
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (7) for applying electromagnetic energy to a reactive medium, with said device being designed to be connected to an electromagnetic radiation generator using a means of transmission (4) of said radiation, with the device being remarkable in that it includes at least one loss transmission line (70) that features an interface that transfers electromagnetic energy towards the reactive medium, with said transfer interface being arranged so as to assure, throughout the length of the said line, a pre-determined distribution cross-section for the density of the electromagnetic energy delivered to said medium by said line. The invention also relates to a device for processing, by electromagnetic radiation, of a reactive medium including such an application device. The present invention can be applied to the sector of devices for thermal treatment of a reactive medium, specifically by microwave or high-frequency radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Andre Grange, Jean-Marie Jacomino, Andrien Grandemenge
  • Publication number: 20110095208
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials (10), comprising a closed enclosure (8) and a system (12, 16) for securing said closed enclosure, said system comprising catalytic means (12) for recombining hydrogen and oxygen into water, placed in said closed enclosure. According to the invention, the system for securing said closed enclosure further comprises a device (16) for the controlled release of oxygen in said closed enclosure (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: TN INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Pascale Abadie, Hervé Issard, Valentin Rohr
  • Patent number: 7931870
    Abstract: A controller for a reformer that: changes the supply quantity of at least either one of combustible gas and combustion oxidizing gas supplied to a combustion section; detects a change which is caused in the combustion state of the combustion section as a result of a change of the supply quantity; and checks the combustion state which arose at the combustion section before the change based on the previously detected detection result. Thus, a gone-out state of the combustion section can be reliably judged with a low cost device, and the combustion state of the combustion section in the reformer of a fuel cell system can be adjusted to an optimum combustion state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Takada, Norihiko Toyonaga
  • Patent number: 7927477
    Abstract: A precision flow controller is capable of providing a flow rate less than 100 microliters/minute and varying the flow rate in a prescribed manner that is both predictable and reproducible where the accuracy and precision of the flowrate is less than 5% of the flow rate. A plurality of variable pressure fluid supplies pump fluid through a single outlet. Flowmeters measure the flow rates and a controller compares the flow rates to desired flowrates and, if necessary, adjusts the plurality of variable pressure fluid supplies so that the variable pressure fluid supplies pump fluid at the desired flow rate. The variable pressure fluid supplies can be pneumatically driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: AB Sciex LLC
    Inventors: Phillip H. Paul, Jason E. Rehm, Don W. Arnold
  • Publication number: 20110082324
    Abstract: The present invention relates to method for reaction control of an exothermic reaction, comprising the steps: i) carrying out an exothermic reaction in a reactor to produce product, ii) measuring temperature and/or pressure in the reactor, and iii) introducing inert product already produced previously in the exothermic reaction from a storage container into the reactor, if temperature and/or pressure exceed(s) critical value(s). as well as an apparatus for carrying out an exothermic reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Anton Wellenhofer, Wolfgang Muller, Anina Wohl
  • Publication number: 20110078948
    Abstract: A method and system for treating coal with hydrogen fluoride to remove fly ash and thereafter regenerating substantially all of the hydrogen fluoride used during the process (thereby significantly reducing the amount of HF on site). An exemplary method includes the steps of charging at least one reaction vessel with coal containing fly ash; feeding hydrogen fluoride into the reaction vessel to form a first reaction mixture of soluble reaction products, insoluble fluoride compounds and initially clean coal; separating out the first soluble and insoluble reaction products; feeding nitric acid into the same reaction vessel to react with any remaining fly ash components and separating out those second reaction products; and regenerating substantially all of the hydrogen fluoride used in the first fluoride reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Chandrashekhar Ganpatrao Sonwane, Sam David Draper, Eric Stephen Kaufman, Michael David Newkirk
  • Publication number: 20110076189
    Abstract: A sterilization system includes a plurality of vaporizers that are controlled by a network of interconnected controllers. The network includes a plurality of control units with each control unit controlling an associated vaporizer to adjust independently the rate at which the associated vaporizer injects vaporized sterilant into the different regions of an enclosure. The network also includes a master control unit configured to control each control unit over the network to coordinate the aggregate injection of sterilant vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Iain F. McVey, Aaron L. Hill
  • Publication number: 20110073525
    Abstract: Material delivery systems and methods are disclosed. Material delivery system includes delivery vessel, metering device, dispense mechanism, and mixer. The delivery vessel is configured to dispense material to a unit and metering device provides a metric indicative of the dispensed material to the unit. The dispense mechanism is configured to couple the delivery vessel to the unit. The mixer is coupled to the delivery vessel and configured to sufficiently mix the material with an activating agent. The method includes dispensing metered material from a dispense mechanism of a delivery vessel coupled to a mixer, wherein a metric is indicative of the dispensed material to the unit; sufficiently mixing the metered material with an activating agent in the mixer to activate the material, the mixer coupled to the unit; and delivering the activated material to the unit via the mixer. Systems and method also include providing material to plurality of units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Martin Evans
  • Patent number: 7917252
    Abstract: A post-control electric power amount curve generating portion generates plural pieces of running control information indicating a changeable running method for each device and plural post-control electric power amount curves indicating an amount of main electric power. A post-control hot water storage amount curve generating portion generates post-control hot water storage amount curves each indicating an accumulated amount of hot water generated in a case where the fuel cell generates electric power based on the plural post-control electric power amount curves. A hot water storage completion determining portion determines whether the accumulated amounts exceed a specific heat capacity. A reduction amount calculating portion calculates plural energy cost reduction amounts produced before and after the change using the post-control hot water storage amount curves determined as not exceeding the specific heat capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneko Imagawa, Shigeaki Matsubayashi
  • Patent number: 7917250
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods to mitigate the pressure disturbance associated with the injection of low-pressure analyte samples into a high-pressure HPLC fluid stream to enhance chromatographic performance related to retention time and reproducibility. The injection event is coordinated with active pressure control of a binary solvent delivery system to virtually eliminate the customary pressure drop when the low-pressure loop is brought on line. Consistent timing with the injection event of the mechanical position of the delivery pump pistons, and the start and subsequent gradient delivery generates reproducible results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Waters Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley P. Pensak, Jr., John Heden, Steven J. Ciavarini, John Lamoureux, Miguel Soares
  • Publication number: 20110067742
    Abstract: Some embodiments provide a waste heat recovery apparatus including an exhaust tube having a cylindrical outer shell configured to contain a flow of exhaust fluid; a first heat exchanger extending through a first region of the exhaust tube, the first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cylindrical outer shell; a second region of the exhaust tube extending through the exhaust tube, the second region having a low exhaust fluid pressure drop; an exhaust valve operatively disposed within the second region and configured to allow exhaust fluid to flow through the second region only when a flow rate of the exhaust fluid becomes great enough to result in back pressure beyond an allowable limit; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in thermal communication with an outer surface of the outer shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Lon E. Bell, Douglas T. Crane, John LaGrandeur, David van Heerden
  • Publication number: 20110064606
    Abstract: A sterilization process challenge device comprising a solid body comprised of walls which define a space, wherein the space can fully contain a sterilization indicator and a volume of gas of at least 5 cubic centimeters and not more than 1000 cubic centimeters; a flow restrictor associated with the solid body such that any flow of the gas out of the space and any flow of a sterilant into the space is restricted; wherein the sterilization indicator indicates whether or not it has been contacted by the sterilant for a time and at a temperature sufficient to sterilize an article; and wherein the walls of the solid body are impervious to the sterilant and have a thickness of at least 0.3 centimeter, methods of using the device and a kit including the device are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: William E. Foltz, Steven S. Kirckof, Lawrence D. Fosler, Joshua M. Schmitz, Barry W. Roboie, Chad M. Herrlein
  • Patent number: 7906090
    Abstract: A mercury reduction system according to the present embodiment is a mercury reduction system that reduces NOx and Hg in flue gas discharged from a boiler, and includes an NH4Cl solution spraying unit that sprays an NH4Cl solution into a flue of the boiler in a liquid state, a mixed gas spraying unit that is provided downstream of the NH4Cl solution spraying unit and sprays mixed gas containing NH3 gas and HCl gas into the flue, a reduction denitration apparatus that includes a denitration catalyst reducing NOx in the flue gas with NH3 and oxidizing Hg in the presence of HCl, and a wet desulfurization apparatus that reduces Hg oxidized in the reduction denitration apparatus with a limestone-gypsum slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ukai, Moritoshi Murakami, Susumu Okino, Tatsuto Nagayasu, Seiji Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20110058999
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, described herein is an exhaust gas after-treatment system that is coupleable in exhaust gas stream receiving communication with an internal combustion engine. The exhaust gas after-treatment system includes a low temperature SCR catalyst configured to reduce NOx in exhaust gas having a temperature below a temperature threshold. The system also includes a normal-to-high temperature SCR catalyst configured to reduce NOx in exhaust gas having a temperature above the temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS IP, INC
    Inventors: Padmanabha Reddy Ettireddy, Matthew Henrichsen
  • Patent number: 7901645
    Abstract: A mercury reduction system according to the present embodiment is a mercury reduction system that reduces NOx and Hg in flue gas discharged from a boiler, and includes a chemical supplying unit that mixes an NH4Cl solution, an NH3 solution, and an HCl solution in liquid states, and supplies a mixed solution into a flue provided downstream of the boiler, a reduction denitration apparatus that includes a denitration catalyst reducing NOx in the flue gas with NH3 and oxidizing Hg in the presence of HCl, and a wet desulfurization apparatus that reduces Hg oxidized in the reduction denitration apparatus with limestone-gypsum slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ukai, Moritoshi Murakami, Susumu Okino, Tatsuto Nagayasu, Seiji Kagawa
  • Publication number: 20110052480
    Abstract: Chlorine dioxide generation systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, an optical analyzer may be positioned along a reactant feed line to measure a reactant concentration. A controller may adjust a flow rate of the reactant in response to information provided by the optical analyzer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Edward Max Martens, Glenn Wesley Holden
  • Publication number: 20110047984
    Abstract: An exhaust system, may include an exhaust line through which exhaust gas passes, a nitrogen oxide purification catalyst that is mounted on the exhaust line to reduce nitrogen oxide of the exhaust gas, an injector that is mounted at an upstream side of the nitrogen oxide purification catalyst to additionally inject fuel such that nitrogen oxide that is trapped in the nitrogen oxide purification catalyst is detached to be reduced thereby, and a control portion that varies an injection pattern of the injector if it is determined that a purification rate of the nitrogen oxide purification catalyst is higher than a first predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicants: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Ha Lee, Jin Woo Park, Jun Sung Park
  • Publication number: 20110054692
    Abstract: A reformer having improved performance and stability and a reformer control method, the reformer including a reforming reaction unit, a first sensor, a heat source unit, a second sensor, and a flow control unit. The reforming reaction unit converts a first fuel into a reformate. The first sensor senses a first temperature of the reformate generated from the reforming reaction unit. The heat source unit heats the reforming reaction unit with a combustion heat of a second fuel. The second sensor senses a second temperature at a fuel inlet of the heat source unit. The flow control unit controls a temperature of the reformate by regulating a flow of an oxidizer supplied to the heat source unit based on the first temperature, and controls a temperature of the heat source unit by regulating a flow of the second fuel supplied to the heat source unit based on the second temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventor: Woo-Cheol Shin
  • Publication number: 20110041517
    Abstract: A reforming method of a metallurgical furnace generated exhaust gas includes reforming a high temperature exhaust gas discharged from a metallurgical furnace by adding a reducing agent to the gas, wherein addition of the reducing agent is initiated when an oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is 1 vol % or less, and a reforming reaction is completed when a temperature of the exhaust gas is 800° C. or higher, and an apparatus thereof. The reducing agent is blown from a reducing agent blowing nozzle having a double pipe structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Takagi, Hitoshi Saima, Yasuhiro Mogi, Yasuo Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7892508
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine exhaust gas purification apparatus purifies exhaust gas using a NOx storage-reduction catalyst unit and a NOx selective reduction catalyst unit. The NOx selective reduction catalyst unit is provided downstream of the NOx storage-reduction catalyst unit in an exhaust gas passage. An urea injecting mechanism, for example an injection valve, injects urea into the exhaust gas passage. An urea injection controller prohibits urea injection from the urea injecting mechanism if at least one of the temperatures of the NOx storage-reduction catalyst unit and the NOx selective reduction catalyst unit is equal to or lower than a reference temperature. As such, production of cyanic acid is minimized, and therefore leaks of cyanic acid from the NOx storage-reduction catalyst unit and/or the NOx selective reduction catalyst unit can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Katoh
  • Publication number: 20110036706
    Abstract: Approaches for producing fuel from a carbon-containing feedstock are described. Feedstock is introduced into a substantially microwave-transparent reaction chamber. A microwave source emits microwaves which are directed through the microwave-transparent wall of the reaction chamber to impinge on the feedstock within the reaction chamber. The microwave source may be rotated relative to the reaction chamber. The feedstock is subjected to microwaves until the desired reaction occurs to produce a fuel. A catalyst can be mixed with the feedstock to enhance the reaction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Douglas Van Thorre, Michael Catto, Sherman Aaron
  • Publication number: 20110040048
    Abstract: A system and method for olefin polymerization is provided. The method includes polymerizing one or more olefins within a reactor having one or more injection tubes in fluid communication therewith, at least one of the one or more injection tubes having two or more concentric flow paths; flowing a catalyst through a first flow concentric path of the injection tube into the reactor; flowing one or more monomers through a second concentric flow path of the injection tube into the reactor; measuring rate of heat removal within the reactor; and adjusting the one or more monomers flow through the injection tube in response to the rate of heat removal in the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Kersten A. Terry, Mark W. Blood, John H. Oskam, Timothy R. Lynn, Bruce J. Savatsky, Mark B. Davis
  • Publication number: 20110033342
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator comprising a plurality of a fuel pellets (10) containing a hydrogen-generating compound such as ammonia borane, a case serving as a pressure-resistant container for containing the fuel pellets, and a controller for controlling hydrogen generation from the fuel pellets. This hydrogen generator generates hydrogen from the hydrogen-generating compound by a chemical reaction. The periphery of the fuel pellet is surrounded by a member including a thin plate of metal aluminum such as aluminum foil (18) on its surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Toshio Horiguchi, Michael Miller, John Tilston
  • Publication number: 20110020183
    Abstract: The apparatus for producing synthetic fuel comprises a loading unit (2, 3, 4) suitable to receive solid waste to treat, a tank (6) for loading liquid waste and some dosing containers (7, 8, 9) for loading suitable additives. A recycling calibrator unit (10) is suitable to be fed with the waste materials, with the additives and with a diluent oil having the function of diluting the waste materials, forming a fluid mixture. A reaction turbine (11), connected to the sizing unit (10), is suitable to cause the conversion of the kinetic energy into heat energy, in order to allow the development of the process of depolymerization/molecular rearrangement/breakage and reunion of chemical bonds in catalytic way. A duct (28) outlet connected to the reaction turbine (11), injects the fluid mixture in a cyclone separator (13), suitable to allow the separation through gravity of the liquids and solids from the steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Viliam Storchi, Giuseppe Zanoni, Franco Dalla Vecchia
  • Publication number: 20110011728
    Abstract: The system and method for conversion of molecular weights of fluids includes an elongate metallic pipe. A fluid is caused to flow through the pipe. A center electrode is mounted within the pipe coaxially with the pipe axis and the flow direction, the electrode being insulated from the pipe wall. The center electrode and the pipe wall are connected to the terminals of a voltage source to create an electric field extending radially between the center electrode and the pipe wall. A source of gamma radiation positioned either within the center electrode or external to the pipe directs gamma rays transverse to the direction of fluid flow. The combined radiation and electric field disrupts chemical bonds, creating ionization zones and resulting in the formation of lower-molecular-weight compounds. Optionally, a magnetic field may be superimposed in the direction of fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: William M. Sackinger, Halim Hamid Redhwi, Abdullah M. Aitani, Mohammad Ashraf Ali
  • Publication number: 20110014088
    Abstract: The present invention is natural gas steam reforming apparatus for generating an output gas mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The apparatus is made from two enclosures. A first enclosure contains a source of water, superheated steam, and channels, located within a lower portion of the first enclosure, which contain a water-gas-shift catalyst for converting CO into CO2 and H2. The heat from hot gas flowing through the channels is released into the first enclosure to boil the water to generate the superheated steam. A second enclosure, contained within an upper portion of the first enclosure, includes a steam inlet for receiving the superheated steam from the first enclosure; a combustion chamber; and a reformation chamber. The combustion chamber is used for combusting a portion of the natural gas to generate additional steam, heat, and a hot gas mixture of CO2, CO, and H2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Robert M Zubrin, Sam G. Michael, Gevorg Sargsyan
  • Publication number: 20110008214
    Abstract: An assembly for purifying the gases and combustion fumes from a heating apparatus, particularly from a closed chimney furnace of the type using a catalyst device (7) in the gas and combustion fume exhaust duct (5). The assembly has an electrically powered rapid acting heater for raising the temperature, in and/or near the catalyst device (7), to initiate a catalytic reaction. A temperature-sensitive sensor or detector (12) is provided in the control circuit (11) of the heater. The assembly is of interest to builders of heating apparatuses using solid fuel, particularly wood.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: FONDIS
    Inventors: Frederic Haas, Fabien Ozil, Valerie Tschamber, Gwenaelle Trouve
  • Publication number: 20110005209
    Abstract: A system includes an injector control module and an SCR optimization module. The injector control module controls an amount of ammonia (NH3) stored in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst to maintain a first storage level. The SCR optimization module determines whether the first storage level maximizes a conversion efficiency of the SCR catalyst at a first temperature and minimizes a probability of NH3 slip when the temperature of the SCR catalyst transitions from the first temperature to a second temperature. The injector control module controls the amount of NH3 stored in the SCR catalyst to maintain a second storage level when the second storage level maximizes the efficiency of the SCR catalyst relative to the first storage level and minimizes the probability of NH3 slip relative to the first storage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Andrew Gady, Anupam Gangopadhyay
  • Patent number: 7867647
    Abstract: In a hydrogen generation device according to the invention, PSR reformers have a heat capacity smaller than that of the other PSR reformers. Therefore, the temperature of the catalyst reaches to a reforming-start temperature more quickly in the PSR reformers than in the other PSR reformers. When the hydrogen generation device is started and the reforming reaction is carried out, the mixture of gasoline vapor and water vapor is selectively and preferentially supplied to the PSR reformers so that the reforming reaction is carried out in the PSR reformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takatoshi Masui, Hiroyuki Mitsui, Hiroshi Aoki, Takashi Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20110002810
    Abstract: An apparatus for disinfecting and/or deodorizing an article comprises a cabinet defining a compartment configured to receive the article. A regenerative dryer is positioned with respect to the compartment and is configured to dehydrate air flowing into an ozone generator. The ozone generator is in communication with the dryer and is positioned with respect to the compartment. The ozone generator is configured to selectively generate ozone. The generated ozone is introduced into the compartment. An ozone conversion device is positioned with respect to the compartment and is configured to selectively convert ozone back to oxygen. A controller is configured to selectively activate the dryer, ozone generator and ozone conversion device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, John K. Besore, Subhash Viswanathan Kollengode, Christopher Durand, Brian Michael Schork, Sarah Lynn Kirchoff
  • Publication number: 20110000269
    Abstract: This invention describes a mobile system for reducing emission of a slurry, such as a liquid manure, where said mobile system is mounted on a mobile unit and comprises a slurry tanker in liquid communication with means for adding/injecting an acid into said slurry, where said slurry tanker and/or means for adding/injecting an acid into said slurry is in communication with distributing means for allowing a reduced emission slurry to be placed on the application site, where said means for adding/injecting an acid into said slurry comprises an acid tank, where said acid tank is arranged as a front tank on said mobile unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Morten Toft
  • Publication number: 20100313962
    Abstract: A system for recovery of a sterilant gas mixture from a sterilizer chamber is disclosed. The system includes a gas recovery tank, a sterilizer chamber in gaseous communication with the gas recovery tank and a gas recovery assembly coupled to the gas recovery tank and the sterilizer chamber. The gas recovery assembly is configured to transfer a sterilant gas mixture including at least one sterilant gas between the sterilizer chamber and the gas recovery tank. The system further includes an analyzer assembly coupled to the sterilizer chamber, the analyzer assembly including at least one sterilant gas sensor configured to detect density of the sterilant gas and a control module coupled to the analyzer assembly and to the gas recovery assembly. The control module includes at least one control module configured to determine at least one of a transfer pressure and flammability of the sterilant gas mixture as a function of the density of the sterilant gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Tyco Healthcare Group LP
    Inventors: Douglas E. Bondar, Michael L. Bongiovi
  • Publication number: 20100316532
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel reforming device, which can produce and supply a reformed gas in quick response to a demand for the reformed gas and which is so inexpensive as can be suitably mounted on a vehicle. The fuel reforming device feeds a material to a reforming catalyst and produces the reformed gas under a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. The fuel reforming device comprises a material supply means for supplying the material to the reforming catalyst, a reforming means having the reforming catalyst, for reforming the material supplied from the material supply means, to produce the reformed gas, and a run control means for controlling the run of the fuel reforming device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Go Motohashi, Hitoshi Mikami, Jun Iwamoto, Shinya Ishimaru
  • Publication number: 20100310428
    Abstract: An automatic synthesis device for fluorine-18-ACETATE ([18F]fluoroacetate) consists of a machinery housing that has multiple reactors and multiple raw material containers, and uses multiple control valves between each reactor and container, and operates the control valves through a control system to charge the raw material from each container to each reactor in an automatic and sequential fashion to execute the six procedures: fluorination, azeotropic dewatering, synthesis (reaction with precursors), purification and separation, hydrolysis and neutralization, purification and collection. The operation simply requires adding raw materials to the containers in advance, turning on power, charging reactive gases. In 50 minutes, the process to produce the product will be completed. The operation is really simple and can effectively improve production efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: MING-HSIN LI, HSIN-EII WANG, CHUN-YI WU, WUU-JYH LIN
  • Publication number: 20100310465
    Abstract: A nanodevice has a containment vessel defining a storage chamber therein and defining at least one port to provide access to and from said storage chamber, and a stopper assembly attached to the containment vessel. The stopper assembly has a blocking unit arranged proximate the at least one port and has a structure suitable to substantially prevent material after being loaded into the storage chamber from being released while the blocking unit is arranged in a blocking configuration. The stopper assembly is responsive to the presence of a predetermined stimulus such that the blocking unit is released in the presence of the predetermined stimulus to allow the material to be released from the storage chamber. The predetermined stimulus is a predetermined catalytic activity that is suitable to at least one of cleave, hydrolyze, oxidize, or reduce a portion of the stopper assembly, and the nanodevice has a maximum dimension of about 1 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Jeffrey I. Zink, Jie Lu, Fuyuhiko Tamanoi, Andre Nel, Sarah Angelos, Fraser Stoddart, Qiaolin Chen, Tian Xia, Kaushik Patel, William Dichtel
  • Patent number: 7846397
    Abstract: A wireless temperature sensor for use in monitoring the temperature of a fluid or gas in a mixing vessel. The wireless temperature sensor comprises a temperature probe for contacting the fluid or gas and generating a signal based on the gas/fluid temperature; a temperature reader for receiving the signal generated by the temperature probe and determining therefrom a temperature reading of the fluid or gas; and a radio frequency (RF) transceiver for transmitting the temperature reading determined by the temperature reader to a control apparatus external to the mixing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jack T. Gregg, Soroush Amidi
  • Publication number: 20100303695
    Abstract: Method for the treatment of effluents containing nitrogen in the form of ammonium, according to which: a volume of effluent to be treated in a complete cycle is introduced into the batch reactor in successive volume fractions, each volume fraction being treated during a subcycle: each subcycle comprises a phase of feeding with a volume fraction and, in an alternating manner, two treatment stages, i.e. an aerated first stage, during which complete or partial oxidation of the ammonium so as to give nitrites takes place, followed by a nonaerated second stage, during which the nitrites produced and the ammonium are converted to nitrogen gas. During the aerated first stage, the dissolved oxygen concentration in the batch reactor is maintained between 0.1 mgO2/l and 0.6 mgO2/l; the N—NO2: N—NH4 ratio is adjusted so as to be between 0.9 and 1.5 at the beginning of the nonaerated stage; and the nonaerated phase is carried out by deammonification, without the provision of carbon-based substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Degremont
    Inventor: Adriana Gonzalez Ospina