Controls Heat Transfer Patents (Class 422/109)
  • Publication number: 20110003981
    Abstract: A method of producing a radioactive-fluorine-labeled compound has a step of heating in a reaction vessel a mixture containing [18F] fluoride ions, a phase transfer catalyst, potassium ions, and water to evaporate water from the mixture (S10), and in the above step has a step of measuring a temperature of an outlet tube for discharging evaporated water during the heating of the reaction vessel (S12), and the evaporation process is finished at a timing determined based on the result of temperature measurement in the step (S12) of measuring the temperature (S16). Consequently, the amount of water present in the mixture can be controlled to an appropriate range and a stable yield can be achieved in the method of producing a radioactive-fluorine-labeled organic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: NIHON MEDI-PHYSICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Hirano, Taku Ito, Sento Ino
  • Publication number: 20100313869
    Abstract: The micro-flow hetero catalytic structure is developed in a complex catalytic reaction system electronically controlled that can handle simultaneously many reactants in the proper operation domain. A distributed electronic processing system based on anticipated parameters and controls the entire system optimal regime. The method of obtaining the optimal response from the catalysts is that of maintaining the thermodynamic operation parameters at right values by a set of heat exchangers, fans, valves and actuators in closed loops and processor control having the safety embedded. The applications are covering chemical synthesis, heating, air and gas cleaning, fuels and alcohol reforming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Claudiu Iulian Muntele, Liviu Popa-Simil
  • 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: 20100290957
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system includes an exhaust passage, an oxidation catalyst, a selective catalytic reduction catalyst, a urea water supply device, a first heating mechanism and a controller. The exhaust gas discharged from an internal combustion engine flows through the exhaust passage. The oxidation catalyst for oxidizing nitrogen monoxide contained in the exhaust gas to nitrogen dioxide is disposed in the exhaust passage. The selective catalytic reduction catalyst is disposed downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The urea water supply device supplies urea water into the exhaust passage at the upstream of the selective catalytic reduction catalyst. The first heating mechanism heats the oxidation catalyst. The controller controls the first heating mechanism to adjust the temperature of the oxidation catalyst such that molar ratio between nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide in the exhaust gas flowing into the selective catalytic reduction catalyst become one to one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Koji Yoshida, Yoshifumi Kato
  • Publication number: 20100285377
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes: a reformer (102) configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction using a raw material; a combustor (104) configured to heat the reformer; an air supplying device (106) configured to supply combustion air to the combustor; a first heat exchanger (108) configured to recover heat from a flue gas discharged from the combustor; a first heat medium passage (110) through which a first heat medium flows, the first heat medium receiving the heat recovered from the flue gas in the first heat exchanger; a first pump (112) configured to cause the first heat medium in the first heat medium passage to flow; a heat accumulator (140) configured to store the heat recovered by the first heat medium; and a controller (114) configured to cause the first pump to operate in a cooling step that is a step of cooling down at least the reformer by supplying the air from the air supplying device to the combustor in a state where the combustor is not carrying out combustion during
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshio Tamura, Kiyoshi Taguchi, Yoshikazu Tanaka, Shigeki Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20100266458
    Abstract: Provided is a construction machine, which can suppress a rise in the temperature of a liquid reducing agent in a liquid reducing agent tank. The construction machine is provided, within an engine compartment 6, with plural heat exchangers including an oil cooler 27, a cooling fan 32 arranged opposite these heat exchangers to produce a cooling airflow for promoting heat dissipation from these heat exchanger, and a liquid reducing agent tank 40 for storing a liquid reducing agent to be supplied to an NOx reduction catalyst. The liquid reducing agent tank 40 is arranged upstream of the plural heat exchangers as viewed in a flowing direction of the cooling airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seiichiro Takeshita, Osamu Watanabe, Kunihiko Ikeda, Toshihiro Abe
  • Patent number: 7811524
    Abstract: A multi-tubular reaction apparatus, a control system, and a method are provided for controlling temperature change of a heat medium in the reaction apparatus, and quickly adjusting fluctuation in temperature, to thereby properly control a reaction. In particular, the apparatus and system apply to a catalytic gas-phase oxidation reaction such as in producing (meth)acrylic acid or the like. The reaction apparatus includes a multi-tubular reactor having a plurality of reaction tubes in a shell in which a heat medium circulates, and a heat medium cooling apparatus outside the reactor. The reaction apparatus includes a process for primarily cooling the heat medium taken out outside the shell, a process for secondarily cooling a part of the primarily cooled heat medium, and a line for enabling the secondarily cooled heat medium and the primarily cooled heat medium, which is not secondarily cooled, to circulate in the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kanamaru, Shuhei Yada, Kimikatsu Jinno
  • Publication number: 20100237291
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven chemical plant that may include a solar thermal receiver having a cavity with an inner wall, where the solar thermal receiver is aligned to absorb concentrated solar energy from one or more of 1) an array of heliostats, 2) solar concentrating dishes, and 3) any combination of the two. Some embodiments may include a solar-driven chemical reactor having multiple reactor tubes located inside the cavity of solar thermal receiver, wherein a chemical reaction driven by radiant heat occurs in the multiple reactor tubes, and wherein particles of biomass are gasified in the presence of a steam (H2O) carrier gas and methane (CH4) in a simultaneous steam reformation and steam biomass gasification reaction to produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas using the solar thermal energy from the absorbed concentrated solar energy in the multiple reactor tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: SUNDROP FUELS, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne Simmons, Christopher Perkins, Zoran Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 7794666
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of one or more reaction vessels in a bio-chemical analyzer comprises a heat-exchange block, preferably made of cast aluminum or the like, and a thermoelectric device for heating or cooling the block to within a desired temperature range. The heat-transfer block cradles one or more reaction vessels in a thermal energy-transferring relationship, and further supports, in a thermal energy-transferring relationship, one or more fluid conduits serving to transmit a liquid or gas to the interior of the reaction vessels. Preferably, the heat-transfer block is cast from aluminum, and the fluid conduits are disposed inside the casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Li, Rongchang Xin, Wing S. Pang, Dobson M. Okawa
  • Publication number: 20100221152
    Abstract: Inexpensive heating fuel is used to generate heat required for completion of reformation of raw material to be reformed such as hydrocarbon gas, heavy oil or oil refining pitch so that the raw material may be reformed economically and stably. A reformer has a raw material feeder that feeds a predetermined amount of raw material to be reformed to a fluidized-bed reforming furnace; a fuel feeder feeds heating fuel to a fluidized-bed combustion furnace; and a controller regulates the fuel to be fed to the combustion furnace so as to impart heat to the circulating particles in the combustion furnace such that the raw material fed to the reforming furnace can be completely reformed in the reforming furnace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Suda, Tetsuya Hirata, Toshiro Fujimori, Hideto Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7771664
    Abstract: A reaction system in which a heat transfer fluid is carried through a process fluid in a conduit and the heat transfer surface area between the conduit and the process fluid can be varied according to the heat generated or absorbed by the reaction as determined by the temperature change in the heat transfer fluid across the reaction and the mass flow of the heat transfer fluid through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Ashe, David Charles Morris
  • Publication number: 20100196199
    Abstract: A method and system for treating biosolid material having pathogens, the method including: introducing dried biosolid material into a pathogen treatment vessel; monitoring an actual temperature of the dried biosolid material in the treatment vessel; determining a desired residence time of the biosolid material in the treatment vessel; determining a desired minimum temperature of the dried biosolid material in the treatment vessel, wherein the minimum temperature is based on the desired determined residence time of the biosolid material in the treatment vessel; passing the dried biosolid material through the treatment vessel such that the actual residence time of the biosolid material in the treatment vessel is at least as long as the determined residence time; applying heat from a hot fluid to the dried biosolid material in the treatment vessel, if the actual temperature of the biosolid material is lower than the minimum temperature, and reducing pathogens in the biosolid material by maintaining the biosolid
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: ANDRITZ SEPARATION INC.
    Inventors: Armin Vonplon, Eric Liechti
  • Publication number: 20100198407
    Abstract: A Claus plant with multiple parallel thermal stages that provide a combined effluent to downstream catalytic stages includes a controller that allows independent and individual control for each of the thermal stages as a function of measured chemical composition of the thermal stage effluents and catalytic stage effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: FLUOR TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vincent Wai Wong, Thomas King Chow, John Gebur
  • Patent number: 7767156
    Abstract: A system for the control of the contents of a reactor which employs a control element of variable area containing flowing heat transfer fluid. The area available for the for the control of the contents of the reactor is controlled is changed by opening and closing a bank of conduits in a cascade and the conduits are opened and closed according to a temperature measurement device in the medium whose temperature is to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Ashe Morris Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Ashe, David Charles Morris
  • Publication number: 20100150807
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing Ca—P biomaterial by purification method of dialysis and separation is provided. The apparatus comprises a synthesis reactor(1), a purification module for dialysis and separation(2), a pure water tank(4), a product collection tank(5), a waste water tank(6), a chemical cleaning solution tank(7), two cleaning solution collection tanks(8-1, 8-2), a product transferring pump(9), a pure water transferring pump(10), a chemical cleaning solution transferring pump(11), a flow meter, a pressure meter, and pipelines connecting the above devices. The product and pure water form cross flow in the purification module for dialysis and separation via two passages for dialysis and purification. The chemical cleaning solution is supplied to the purification module for dialysis and separation via two pipelines for cleaning. The apparatus does not introduce any impurity into prepared Ca—P biomaterial, and phase change does not occur during purification process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Shengmin Zhang, Zhiye Chou
  • Patent number: 7736602
    Abstract: A reaction chamber enables a reaction between received elemental mercury gas and an oxidizing agent gas. The reaction chamber includes a porous (or permeable) medium through which to pass the elemental mercury gas and the oxidizing agent gas. Passing of the elemental mercury gas and the oxidizing agent gas through the porous medium supports a number of useful functions. For example, the porous medium enhances mixing of the elemental mercury gas with the oxidizing agent gas to enhance a reaction. Also, the porous medium increases an amount of surface area in a reaction chamber on which reactions (e.g., heterogeneous surface reactions) can take place between the elemental mercury gas and the oxidizing agent gas to form oxidized mercury gas. Accordingly, the reaction chamber configured to include a porous medium enhances a conversion of elemental mercury gas into oxidized mercury gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter Kita, Jeffrey Socha, Bryan A. Marcotte
  • Patent number: 7739217
    Abstract: One exemplary method for message suppression comprises: providing first and second rules, each having one or more preconditions and a conclusion, wherein the first rule also has a suppressed-by attribute and at least one of the second preconditions is suppressing; evaluating the one or more first and second preconditions; identifying the first rule as true or false; displaying the message of the second rule if all of the second preconditions are met; identifying the first rule as suppressed if the second rule is named in the suppressed-by attribute; and inhibiting the message display of the suppressed rule or routing the message to second display. The system can comprise: a database containing knowledge of the production unit; a user interface, and at least one precondition, a suppressed by attribute, and one or more rules each having a conclusion and at least one suppressing precondition; an inference engine; and a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Bohumil Vaclav Kral, David Jack Sandell
  • Publication number: 20100143231
    Abstract: Provided are a novel method and novel apparatus for manufacturing a silicon ingot that make it possible to reduce manufacturing steps and also reduce required electric power. A method for manufacturing a silicon ingot, including the step of heating and melting, in a crucible, an element which can undergo eutectic reaction with silicon and has a lower eutectic point than the melting point of silicon when made into silicon alloy, and a metallic silicon, thereby generating an alloy melt, and the step of using the eutectic reaction for the alloy melt to subject the silicon to low-temperature solidification refinement, and further producing the silicon ingot from the alloy melt by a pulling method is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: MNK-SOG Silicon, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nishio, Teruo Kuroda, Kazuki Morita
  • Publication number: 20100143186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispensing device for at least one air treatment agent comprising at least one airborne agent detector operable to detect airborne agents in the air; receiving means for receiving at least one source of air treatment agent; and control means for releasing an amount of at least one air treatment agent from a source thereof received in the receiving means when a current airborne agent level detected by the airborne agent detector deviates from a background airborne agent level detected by the airborne agent detector by more than a predetermined amount, wherein the background airborne agent level is calculated by the device. The present invention also relates to a method of dispensing at least one air treatment agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: Reckitt Benckiser (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Elias Belmonte, Wu Jin, Matthew Copeman, Steve Walsh
  • Patent number: 7727482
    Abstract: Method for controlling the reaction temperature in a catalytic bed (24) of a reactor (1) in which a chemical reaction takes place in pseudo-isothermal conditions by means of at least one heat exchanger (12), crossed by a respective operating fluid, immersed in the catalytic bed (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Methanol Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Enrico Rizzi, Mirco Tarozzo
  • Publication number: 20100129264
    Abstract: A process of producing magnetite with a high purity of greater than 90% magnetite, more typically greater than 98% magnetite, by reducing powdered hematite into magnetite under maximum temperatures of about 700 to 1300° C. against a counter-current of or concurrent with methane or natural gas in a heating device. The amount of methane used to reduce the hematite may be about 0.18 and 1.8 standard cubic feet of methane per pound of hematite. A product of high purity methane produced from the process is also provided, where the magnetite is below 1 ?M in diameter and has a magnetic saturation greater than 90.0 emu/g. Corresponding apparatus using an improved feeder system for powdered hematite is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: PITTSBURGH IRON OXIDES, LLC
    Inventors: Dale L. Nickels, Michael E. Sawayda, Thomas E. Weyand
  • Patent number: 7713471
    Abstract: An electrical device for performing a particular function includes a system circuit for performing the function, and a dedicated power supply for providing power to the circuit. Both the system circuit and the power supply are hermetically sealed within a housing. The device within the housing is intended to be sterilized using high temperature, reaching a sterilization temperature. According to the invention, the device includes a thermal switch which is electrically connected between the system circuit and the power supply. The thermal switch is switchable between an open position wherein the system circuit is electrically isolated from the power supply and receives no power therefrom and a closed position wherein the system circuit is electrically connected to the power supply and receives power therefrom. The thermal switch switches from its closed position to its open position in response to the temperature within the housing rising to a predetermined switch-open temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Codman Neuro Sciences Sarl
    Inventors: Benito Valencia Avila, Alec Ginggen
  • Patent number: 7691334
    Abstract: A temperature control apparatus for a microchemical chip having at least one chemical reactor includes a temperature regulator, and a controller. The temperature regulator can advantageously be configured to allow the microchemical chip to be mounted thereon. The temperature regulator can advantageously be configured to be thermally engaged with the at least one chemical reactor so as to control the temperature of the at least one chemical reactor. The controller can advantageously be removably connected to the temperature regulator. The controller can advantageously be configured to control the temperature regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Onoue
  • Patent number: 7687704
    Abstract: A thermoelectric generator that reduces the size of an entire exhaust apparatus for an internal combustion engine, while ensuring the amount of electric power generated by a thermoelectric generation element and the purging effect of a catalyst device. The thermoelectric generator includes a catalyst device, arranged in the exhaust passage, for purging exhaust. A thermoelectric generation element, which is arranged on the catalyst device, converts thermal energy of the exhaust passing through the exhaust passage to electric energy. The thermoelectric generation element is arranged at a downstream portion of the catalyst device with respect to the flow of the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Shimoji, Kouichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7687035
    Abstract: A reaction apparatus includes: a chemical reaction unit for causing a reaction of a reactant by being set to a predetermined temperature and by being supplied with the reactant, a heat insulation package for housing the chemical reaction unit therein, an abnormality detector for detecting at least one of a temperature abnormality of the chemical reaction unit and the heat insulation package, and a cooling unit for flowing a cooling fluid to the chemical reaction unit to stop the reaction according to a detection result by the abnormality detector. In the reaction apparatus, the leakage of heat inside the reaction apparatus to outside is prevented when abnormality occurs to the chemical reaction unit and the heat insulation package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihito Terada, Tadao Yamamoto, Naotomo Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7641877
    Abstract: A method for enlarging the particle diameters of sulfuric acid mists in waste gas and collecting the sulfuric acid mists in high efficiency is provided. A process for disposing waste gas containing sulfur oxides that introduces the waste gas in dry type electrostatic precipitator to remove dusts and then introduces the waste gas in a wet desulfurization apparatus to carry out desulfurization, wherein the waste gas temperature of a smoke channel at a more upstream side than the wet desulfurization apparatus is measured, the flow channel length is variable based on the measurement value of the waste gas temperature, the waste gas is flown to a flow channel means that is adjusted at a channel length capable of cooling the waste gas to the dew point of acid by heat release and then, the waste gas is introduced into the wet desulfurization apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, LTD.
    Inventors: Sachio Maekawa, Shinichi Kawabata, Keigo Orita
  • Patent number: 7638101
    Abstract: This invention relates to regeneration of coked catalyst by combustion so that the catalyst can be reused in a hydrocarbon conversion reaction. The completion of coke burn is generally measured with a combination of temperature or change in oxygen concentration. Dropping outlet temperatures require time to wait for increases in inlet temperature to correspondingly move down the regenerator. Faster response times might be expected from increasing oxygen concentration, but a small increase in concentration can lead to a significant increase in peak burn temperature which negatively impacts catalyst life. Controlled peak burning is difficult over the entire bed by merely controlling inlet and outlet oxygen concentrations. The invention accordingly combines a measured lag time for temperature travel with an inlet temperature ramping step to ensure complete coke combustion with high oxygen efficiency, thus providing a rapid regeneration that permits more time for operation at desired reaction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leon Yuan, James L. Bixby, Kyle P. Austin, Brian D. Nabozny
  • Patent number: 7633038
    Abstract: Provided are a heated exhaust pipeline, a related plurality of heating elements attached to an exhaust pipeline, and a method of controlling the plurality of heating elements. Individual heating elements are characterized by a temperature indicator and/or an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyun-Su Seol
  • Patent number: 7632461
    Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide. The reagents are preferably held in a reagent dispensing strip similar to a “blister pack”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Lee Angros
  • Patent number: 7622077
    Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide. The reagents are preferably held in a reagent dispensing strip similar to a “blister pack”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Lee Angros
  • Publication number: 20090280050
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for making a multi-crystalline silicon ingot by directional solidification comprising two or more moveable heat shields located beneath the crucible, the heat shields being opened in a controlled manner to remove heat and produce a high quality silicon ingot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Kramadhati V. Ravi, Hans J. Walitzki
  • Patent number: 7611674
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the carrying out of chemical or biological reactions with a reaction vessel receiving element for receiving a microtiter plate with several reaction vessels, wherein the reaction vessel receiving element has several recesses arranged in a regular pattern to receive the respective reaction vessels, a heating device for heating the reaction vessel receiving element, and a cooling device for cooling the reaction vessel receiving element. The invention is characterised by the fact that the reaction vessel receiving element is divided into several segments. The individual segments are thermally decoupled from one another, and each segment is assigned a heating device which may be actuated independently of the others. By means of the segmentation of the reaction vessel receiving element, it is possible for zones to be set and held at different temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Biosystems, LLC
    Inventors: Wolfgang Heimberg, Thomas Hermann, Matthias Knulle, Markus Schurf, Tilmann Wagner
  • Patent number: 7578976
    Abstract: A chemical reaction chamber system that combines devices such as doped polysilicon for heating, bulk silicon for convective cooling, and thermoelectric (TE) coolers to augment the heating and cooling rates of the reaction chamber or chambers. In addition the system includes non-silicon-based reaction chambers such as any high thermal conductivity material used in combination with a thermoelectric cooling mechanism (i.e., Peltier device). The heat contained in the thermally conductive part of the system can be used/reused to heat the device, thereby conserving energy and expediting the heating/cooling rates. The system combines a micromachined silicon reaction chamber, for example, with an additional module/device for augmented heating/cooling using the Peltier effect. This additional module is particularly useful in extreme environments (very hot or extremely cold) where augmented heating/cooling would be useful to speed up the thermal cycling rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: M. Allen Northrup, Barton V. Beeman, William J. Benett, Dean R. Hadley, Phoebe Landre, Stacy L. Lehew, Peter A. Krulevitch
  • Publication number: 20090180934
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for converting oxygen within air into ozone. The device has a portable housing with an air inlet and an enhanced ozone air outlet. The air inlet has a first diameter and the enhanced ozone air outlet has a second diameter. A lamp housing positioned within the portable housing. The lamp housing has a plurality of UV lamps for emitting UV radiation, and the plurality of UV lamps extend from a first end of the lamp housing to a second end of the lamp housing in a generally parallel configuration. In one aspect, a first UV lamp is positioned adjacent a first side of the lamp housing and the second UV lamp being positioned adjacent a second side of the lamp housing, and the air enters the lamp housing closer to the first side than the first UV lamp is positioned relative to the first side. The ozone generator further has a blower positioned within the portable housing for moving the air into contact with UV radiation from the plurality of UV lamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Housh Khoshbin
  • Publication number: 20090175767
    Abstract: A crystal-growing furnace having a slurry drainage duct structure includes a furnace body, a supporting table, a loading frame, a plurality of eaves elements, and a set of eaves gutters. The supporting table includes a table plate and a plurality of supporting posts. The loading frame includes a lower plate and four side plates, where four elongated eaves boards descend from sides of the lower plate. Four eaves gutters, having V-shaped grooves, are connected with one another and disposed beneath the four eaves elements correspondingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Green Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Shiow-Jeng Lew, Hur-Lon Lin
  • Publication number: 20090169437
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing nano-particles includes a furnace defining a vapor region therein. A precipitation conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end is positioned with respect to the furnace so that the inlet end is open to the vapor region. A quench fluid supply apparatus supplies quench fluid in a gas state and quench fluid in a liquid state. A quench fluid port positioned within the precipitation conduit is fluidically connected to the quench fluid supply apparatus so that an inlet to the quench fluid port receives quench fluid in the gas state and quench fluid in the liquid state. The quench fluid port provides a quench fluid stream to the precipitation conduit to precipitate nano-particles within the precipitation conduit. A product collection apparatus connected to the outlet end of the precipitation conduit collects nano-particles produced within the precipitation conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: CYPRUS AMAX MINERALS COMPANY
    Inventors: Joel A. Taube, Mohamed H. Khan, James A. Cole
  • Publication number: 20090169423
    Abstract: A control system of a surgery autoclave is described, which is capable of establishing a sterilization cycle which includes at least a first evacuation step of a sterilization chamber and of heating of a load and a final drying step. The autoclave includes a device capable of detecting a parameter proportional to the energy used up in a step of the cycle preceding the drying step and the control system establishes at least a reduction of the drying step upon determining that, the parameter of used up energy lies below a preset threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Fabio Ghezzi, Daniele Ongaro, Marco Parolini, Christian Stempf, Walter Crotti
  • Patent number: 7531135
    Abstract: In a process and system for recovering sulfur from a process gas stream initially comprising a hydrogen sulfide containing gas and an oxygen containing gas, a control process and system respectively are provided. The sulfur recovery process includes a thermal step having a beginning followed by a catalytic step having an end. The control process includes first analyzing a composition of the process gas stream at a first location between the beginning of the thermal step and the end of the catalytic step, first controlling the oxygen containing gas having regard to that first composition, second analyzing the composition of the process gas stream at a second location downstream of the end of the catalytic step, and second controlling the oxygen containing gas having regard to that second composition. The sulfur recovery system and control system therefor are provided for performing the steps of the sulfur recovery process and control process respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventors: Paul E. d'Haêne, Peter S. Schermann
  • Publication number: 20090101172
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for automatic extraction of gaseous atmospheric contaminants (for example HAPs and PCBs) with toxic properties, which are retained in polyurethane foam filters (PUF) that consists of: An automatic extraction device, which allows extracting chemicals compounds of interest using a sequence of organic solvents where the PUF must be immersed in, by means of a process of extraction based on compression and decompression cycles of the PUF; and A drying device which permits to dry the cleaned PUF, from the previous process, by means of sweeping the solvent with hot gaseous ultra pure N2, eliminating the solvent until achieving the dryness of the PUF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Francisco Cereceda Balic, Gabriel Cereceda Balic, Mario Dorochesi Fernandois
  • Patent number: 7517692
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for causing the temperature of a liquid component retained in an analytical tool (1) to be adjusted to a target temperature, wherein the analytical tool (1) is used for analyzing the sample. According to the present invention, the temperature of the liquid component (10) is raised by heating the liquid component utilizing light energy from a light source (23). The temperature raising of the liquid component may be performed by supplying the light energy directly to the liquid component. Alternatively, the temperature raising of the liquid component may be performed by thermal energy transferred from a temperature raise region adjacent to the liquid component to which the light energy supplied. Preferably, as the light source (23) for raising temperature, use may be made of a laser diode or a light-emitting diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Taguchi, Shigeru Kitamura
  • Publication number: 20090092522
    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: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Jack T. Gregg, Soroush Amidi
  • Patent number: 7504260
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of combustion gases entering a pollution reduction process when such a process is applied to a steam generator burning fossil fuel having at least one heat exchanger. Improved operation of the pollution reduction process is achieved by controlling the temperature of combustion gases entering such a process through changes in the working fluid being heated by the combustion gases. This invention is applicable to all pollution reduction processes as associated with the combustion of fossil fuels, said processes being sensitive to the temperature of the combustion gases, said processes typically include NOX reduction processes, SOX reduction processes, and any pollution reduction process which employs a catalysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Fred D. Lang
  • Publication number: 20090031827
    Abstract: The current invention is a device that is operated by an operation button. The user chooses the required sample and determines its quantity and then presses the button to extract the sample during several seconds in a special pot while another sample is extracted at the same time and put in the same pot to mix the samples then to heat, cool or mixed them together or shaking the sample (vibrate movement) in different speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF KUWAIT
    Inventor: Sadeq Ahmad AL-Qassem
  • Publication number: 20090022625
    Abstract: Provided is a biochemical analyzer in which a microfluidic biochemical assay may be performed. The analyzer includes: a microfluidic device loading space including a microfluidic device supporting unit detachably supporting a microfluidic device including an energy application region in which an energy is applied; an energy source loading space including an energy source applying the energy to the radiation application region; and an isolation wall isolating the microfluidic device loading space and the energy source loading space to prevent heat transfer between the microfluidic device loading space and the energy source loading space and including a window through which the energy can be transmitted. A method of controlling an internal temperature of the biochemical analyzer is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong-gun LEE, Yong-moo Shin, Kui-hyun Kim, Jin-han Chung
  • Patent number: 7476362
    Abstract: An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. Each treatment step occurs within the same reaction compartment. The reaction conditions of each reaction compartment for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide. The reagents are preferably held in a reagent dispensing strip similar to a “blister pack”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Lee Angros
  • Patent number: 7467513
    Abstract: An exhaust emission control system. A generator has a thermoelectric conversion element for achieving thermoelectric conversion by making use of heat of exhaust gas. An exhaust purifying catalyst disposed in the generator or on the exhaust downstream side of the generator, and a heat conduction varying device make heat conduction from the exhaust gas to the thermoelectric conversion element variable between a high conduction state and a low conduction state. When a temperature of the exhaust purifying catalyst is higher than a predetermined temperature, the heat conduction varying device varies the heat conduction from the exhaust gas to the thermoelectric conversion element into the high conduction state. This permits the system to efficiently re-collect thermal energy from the exhaust gas and convert it into electric energy, without increase in a time to arrival of the exhaust purifying catalyst at an activation temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshitake Sasaki, Kiyohito Murata
  • Patent number: 7465325
    Abstract: A fuel reforming system generates burnt gas by burning fuel and air in a burner (6) during system startup, and the temperatures of a reforming reactor (7) and carbon monoxide oxidizer (40) are raised by supplying the burnt gas to the reforming reactor (7) and carbon monoxide oxidizer (40). The temperature of the burnt gas produced by the burner (6) is increased according to the elapsed time from the beginning of the startup processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Yamaguchi, Masatoshi Iio, Takao Izumi
  • Patent number: 7452390
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling superheating and temperature of a compressed natural gas stream and the addition of a corrision inhibitor composition for transmission through a pipeline that includes: a. dividing a stream of natural gas discharged from a high pressure gas compressor (106) into a first portion (108) and a second portion (202); b. passing the first portion (108) of the gas from the gas compressor to a heat exchanger (112) to heat the gas to a predetermined temperature; c. passing the first portion of gas (111) exiting the heat exchanger to an aftercooler (114); d. passing the second portion (202) of natural gas discharged from the gas compressor (106) to the aftercooler (114) without passing it through the heat exchanger (112), the second portion of gas and the first portion of gas being mixed at the aftercooler inlet and cooled by the aftercooler and discharged from the aftercooler as a cooled gas stream (116) having a temperature no greater than a first temperature; e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hani Al-Khalifa, Donald P. Delevan, Timothy T. Wilson, Abdulrahman Al-Abdullatif
  • Patent number: 7438871
    Abstract: A heat exchange-type reactor includes a reaction chamber (1) having mounted therein a plurality of contact tubes (5) filled with a catalyst material; at least one shield plate (11) mounted within the reaction chamber to partition an inner space of the reaction chamber into at least two separate spaces (1d, 1e); a plurality of conduits (13, 15, 17, 19) having entrance (15a, 17a) and exit (13a, 17a) openings through which a heat transfer medium respectively enters and exits, and being mounted to an outer circumference of the reaction chamber (1) corresponding to the partitioned spaces (1d, 1e); and a heat exchange unit connected to the conduits (13, 15, 17, 19) to perform heat exchange of the heat transfer medium, in which the heat exchange unit includes a single heat exchanger that performs the exchange of heat of the heat transfer medium in accordance with the partitioned spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung-Su Ha, Geon-Yong Kim, Seong-Pil Kang, Boo-Gon Woo
  • Patent number: 7431891
    Abstract: In a device for the temperature control of microcomponents, in particular micro-reactors, which preferably have a plate-shaped design and preferably consist of silicon, at least one microcomponent is pressed against a temperature-control element in a holder. A flat heat-conducting connection exists between the microcomponent and the temperature-control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Greve, Guido Pieper, Gerd Quenzer, Michael Schmelz, Hanns Wurziger, Lothar Spreng, Norbert Schwesinger