Controls Flow Rate Of A Material To Or From A Contact Zone Patents (Class 422/110)
-
Patent number: 8377703Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, device and kit for analysing a sample for determining the presence or amount of an analyte, particularly carbohydrate, more particularly sugar, in the sample using a fabric.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Orion Diagnostica OyInventors: Juhani Luotola, Antti Sunnari, Terho Kololuoma, Mikko Keränen
-
Patent number: 8372207Abstract: A one handed hand washer/scrubber is provided enclosed in a self contained, counter placeable housing having an entry orifice at one side for insertion of a user's hand. A sensor monitors the entry orifice for detection of a user's hand accessing a washing cavity within the housing. Two scrubbing web assemblies are housed within the washing cavity, each having a proximal stepper motor placed near the entry orifice, opposite a second stepper motor spaced distally therefrom. Each stepper motor attaches to and supports a sanitizer, disinfectant, soap or cleanser soaked web draped between, and are used to dispense a new section of web for each subsequent use and to reciprocate a working section of web front to back (or back and forth) during use. A series of foam rollers align the rear of the working section of web. The rollers are spring urged to allow for intimate contact of the web against the variable contours of a users hand.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2010Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Inventor: Julie Shields
-
Patent number: 8367004Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided that utilize microreactor technology to achieve desired mixing and interaction at a micro and/or molecular level between and among feed stream constituents. Feed streams are fed to an intensifier pump at individually controlled rates, e.g., based on operation of individually controlled feed pumps. The time during which first and second feed streams are combined/mixed prior to introduction to the microreactor is generally minimized, thereby avoiding potential reactions and other constituent interactions prior to micro- and/or nano-scale interactions within the microreactor. Various microreactor designs/geometries may be employed, e.g., “Z” type single or multi-slot geometries and “Y” type single or multi-slot geometries. Various applications benefit from the disclosure, including emulsion, crystallization, encapsulation and reaction processes.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2012Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Microfluidics International CorporationInventors: Thomai Panagiotou, Steven Vincent Mesite, Robert John Fisher
-
Publication number: 20130028793Abstract: An ozone generator includes a housing with a plurality of openings and containing an ultraviolet lamp and a blower. A control is remotely connected to the housing for turning the generator on and off. The ultraviolet lamp emits ultraviolet radiation. The blower moves air into contact with radiation from the ultraviolet lamp. A modular arrangement of the invention includes components for assembling an ozone generator. The arrangement includes a first generator component and a second generator component connected by a hose. Another embodiment of a modular arrangement includes a generator and a blower connected by a hose. A method for operating an ozone generator includes placing an ozone generator in an unoccupied, enclosed space; placing. a controller that is connected to the generator outside of the enclosed space; and turning on the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventor: Housh Khoshbin
-
Patent number: 8362351Abstract: According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a TEG module, in particular for a power source (10), comprising a space (14) at least partially delimited by walls (16), at least one thermoelectric generator (20) for the conversion of heat into electricity, in which at least one electrically insulated wall part is in thermally conducting contact with a first side (52) of the thermo-electric generator (20), and the second side (54) is in heat-exchanging connection with an electrically insulated discharge element (12) for discharging heat used by the thermoelectric generator, as well as electrical conductors connected to the first and second side respectively (52, 54) for the conduction of generated electricity, with thermally conducting pressure means for applying pressure to the said second side being provided between the second side (54) and the discharge element (12), the said means comprises a thermally conducting flexible container (50), which is filled with a pressure medium in a state of over-pressType: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Stork Fokker AESP B.V.Inventors: Franklin Hagg, Bouke Fokkes Tuinstra
-
Patent number: 8354074Abstract: A test module for biochemical processing and analysis, the test module having an outer casing dimensioned for hand-held portability, the outer casing having a receptacle for receiving biochemical liquid, and, a reagent reservoir containing a reagent for addition to the biochemical liquid for use in chemical analysis of the biochemical liquid, wherein, the reagent reservoir has a volume less than 1000,000,000 cubic microns.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Geneasys Pty LtdInventors: Kia Silverbrook, Mehdi Azimi
-
Patent number: 8349264Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing catalyst, such as chromium catalysts, are provided. The valence of at least a portion of the catalyst sent to an activator is changed from Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The catalyst is prepared or activated continuously using a fluidization bed catalyst activator.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LPInventors: Elizabeth A. Benham, Max P. McDaniel, Ted H. Cymbaluk, Charles K. Newsome, Charles R. Nease, H. Kenneth Staffin, Thomas R. Parr
-
Patent number: 8343429Abstract: In a target supply unit of an extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus for generating extreme ultraviolet light by applying a laser beam to a target material to turn the target material into plasma, clogging of a target nozzle for supplying the target material to a laser beam application point is suppressed. The target supply unit includes: a target container for accommodating the target material; a target nozzle for injecting the target material supplied from the target container; and a reducing gas supply unit for supplying a reducing gas into the target container. Instead of using the reducing gas, a carbon-based material having a reduction action may be provided within the target container for causing reduction reaction.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.Inventors: Takayuki Yabu, Takanobu Ishihara, Masaki Nakano
-
Patent number: 8340827Abstract: A method for establishing a mass flow controller (MFC) control scheme, which is configured for reducing a time scale for gas delivery into a processing chamber, for a recipe is provided. The method includes identifying a set of delayed gas species utilized during execution of the recipe with a set of delivery time slower than a target delivery time scale. The method also includes establishing an initial overshoot strength and an initial overshoot duration for each gas specie of the set of delayed gas species. The method further includes establishing MFC control scheme by adjusting an MFC hardware for each gas specie during the execution of the recipe. Adjusting the MFC hardware includes applying the initial overshoot strength for the initial overshoot duration to determine if the MFC control scheme provides for each gas specie a pressure profile within a target accuracy of an equilibrium pressure for the processing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Lam Research CorporationInventors: Gunsu Yun, Iqbal A. Shareef, Kurt Jorgensen, Robert Charatan
-
Patent number: 8329125Abstract: Recirculation of treated flue gas either independently or as a substitute for ambient air at specific points of ingress in a flue gas treatment system is provided to stabilize approach temperature and related parameters such as reagent consumption and pollution admission rate preventing both the accumulation of particulate matter and excessive corrosion associated with ambient air ingress. This recirculation provides a desired turbulence within remote regions of the flue gas treatment system to reduce the amount of particulate matter that may otherwise settle and accumulate in the absorber vessel or other areas of the system thereby causing particulate matter to be conveyed to the particulate removal device.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Primex Process Specialists, Inc.Inventor: Stewart Nicholson
-
Patent number: 8318100Abstract: Reactor vessels with pressure and heat transfer features for producing hydrogen-based fuels and structural elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative reactor system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first reaction zone and a heat path positioned to direct heat into the first reaction zone, a reactant source coupled to the first reaction zone, and a first actuator coupled to cyclically pressurize the first reaction zone. The system can further include a second reaction zone in fluid communication with the first, a valve coupled between the first and second reaction zones to control a flow rate therebetween, and a second actuator coupled in fluid communication with the second reaction zone to cyclically pressurize the second reaction zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLCInventor: Roy Edward McAlister
-
Patent number: 8313701Abstract: A device and method for continuously controlling the flow rate of an aqueous chemical drawn into a flowing fluid stock includes a metering assembly drawing the aqueous chemical into the inlet of a metering assembly through a flow rate sensor and then through a metering device and into the flowing fluid stock. The flow sensor is monitored and an electronic controller can adjusts the flow rate of the aqueous chemical through the metering device in response to monitoring the flow rate sensor. An electronic controller can also change the direction of the flow of the aqueous chemical into the flowing fluid stock through one ejector to another ejector in response to monitoring at the metering assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Inventor: Brian S. Whitmore, Sr.
-
Publication number: 20120282144Abstract: The present invention relates generally to polyolefin production and to reducing volatile organic content (VOC) associated with the polyolefin. Techniques include the construction and implementation of a purge column model to calculate or estimate the VOC content in the polyolefin exiting the purge column. The techniques facilitate the design and operation of the polyolefin manufacturing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Applicant: CHEVRON PHILLIPS CHEMICAL COMPANY LPInventor: Timothy O. Odi
-
Patent number: 8306665Abstract: The present invention provides a control system for the conversion of carbonaceous feedstock into a gas. In particular, the control system is designed to be configurable for use in controlling one or more processes implemented in, and/or by, a gasification system for the conversion of such feedstock into a gas, which may be used for one or more downstream applications. Gasification processes controllable by different embodiments of the disclosed control system may include in various combinations, a converter, a residue conditioner, a recuperator and/or heat exchanger system, one or more gas conditioners, a gas homogenization system and one or more downstream applications. The control system operatively controls various local, regional and/or global processes related to the overall gasification process, and thereby adjusts various control parameters thereof adapted to affect these processes for a selected result.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Plasco Energy Group Inc.Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Douglas Michael Feasby, Alisdair Alan McLean
-
Patent number: 8298305Abstract: A hydrogen manufacturing system for performing offgas flow control includes: a vaporizer (1) for heating a material mixture containing a hydrocarbon material; a reforming reactor (2) for generating hydrogen-containing reformed gas by reforming reactions of the material; a PSA separator (5) for repeating a cycle of adsorption and desorption, where in the adsorption PSA separation is performed with an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbent to adsorb unnecessary components in the reformed gas and extract hydrogen-enriched gas out of the tower, and in the desorption the offgas containing the unnecessary components from the adsorbent and remaining hydrogen is discharged from the tower; and a buffer tank (6) for holding the offgas before supplying to the vaporizer. The offgas flow supply from the tank (6) to the vaporizer is changed continuously over time when the cycle time is changed according to load change on the separator (5).Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshihiko Sumida, Masanori Miyake, Hidenori Minami, Yoshinori Ueda
-
Patent number: 8292977Abstract: The invention has its object to arbitrarily adjust an amount of particles to be circulated without changing a flow rate of a gasification agent to thereby enhance gasification efficiency in a fluidized bed gasification furnace. The fluidized bed gasification furnace 107 comprises first and second chambers 113 and 114 in communication with each other in a fluidized bed 105. The hot particles 102 separated in the separator 104 and raw material M are introduced into the first chamber 113. The particles 102 introduced from the first chamber 113 through interior in the fluidized bed 105 to the second chamber 114 are supplied in an overflow manner to the fluidized bed combustion furnace 100.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: IHI CorporationInventors: Toshiyuki Suda, Yoshiaki Matsuzawa, Toshiro Fujimori
-
Patent number: 8281796Abstract: A system for feeding a slurry catalyst composition including: a primary slurry feed system comprising a primary slurry flow meter and a primary catalyst injection device, wherein the primary slurry flow meter measures a primary slurry catalyst composition flow rate to the primary catalyst injection device; and a secondary slurry feed system comprising a secondary slurry flow meter, a secondary carrier liquid, a secondary carrier liquid control device, and a secondary catalyst injection device, wherein the secondary slurry flow meter measures a secondary slurry catalyst composition flow rate to the secondary catalyst injection device, wherein the secondary carrier liquid control device controls a process parameter of the secondary slurry feed system based a ratio of the primary slurry catalyst composition flow rate to the secondary slurry catalyst composition flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventor: Timothy R. Lynn
-
Publication number: 20120251395Abstract: An ozone gas output flow rate management unit configured to receive a plurality of ozone gas outputs from a plurality of ozone generation units and capable of performing an ozone gas output flow rate control for selectively outputting one or a combination of two or more of the plurality of ozone gas outputs to any of a plurality of ozone treatment apparatuses by performing an opening/closing operation of a plurality of ozone gas control valves provided in the ozone gas output flow rate management unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2010Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems CorporationInventors: Noriyuki Nakamura, Yujiro Okihara, Tetsuya Saitsu, Hatsuo Yotsumoto, Yoichiro Tabata, Nobuyuki Itoh
-
Patent number: 8268275Abstract: A selective catalytic reduction reactor (8), which comprises at least one catalyst layer (14), is operative for removing NOx from a flow of process gas of a process plant, such as a combustion plant or an incineration plant. A device for controlling the feeding of a reducing agent, such as urea or ammonia, to said at least one catalyst layer (14), which has an attack area (A) facing the flow (P) of process gas, comprises at least one supply nozzle (32) which is operative for supplying reducing agent in at least one supply area (34) which corresponds to a part of the attack area (A), and a moving device (36) which is operative for moving said supply area (34) over the attack area (A).Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: ALSTOM Technology LtdInventor: Mikael Larsson
-
Patent number: 8268238Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 23, 2010Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LPInventors: Douglas E. Bondar, Michael L. Bongiovi
-
Publication number: 20120230875Abstract: After absorbing oxygen together with carbon dioxide in an absorber 103, absorbing liquid 104a is supplied to oxygen collecting units 13 and 14. The oxygen collecting units 13 and 14 include silver to collect the oxygen in the absorbing liquid 104a and eliminate the oxygen from the absorbing liquid 104a. A regenerating unit 15 separates and recovers the oxygen collected in one of the two oxygen collecting units 13 and 14 to regenerate the oxygen collecting unit when the other oxygen collecting unit is supplied with the absorbing liquid 104a. A continuous operation can be achieved by switching and using the two oxygen collecting units 13 and 14.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Takashi Ogawa, Manabu Sakurai, Yukio Ohashi, Hideo Kitamura
-
Publication number: 20120230864Abstract: A method of operating a dispensing device for at least one air treatment agent is described, the dispensing device comprising: a housing having one or more walls to define an interior adapted to receive at least one removable container of air treatment agent at least partially therein; and within said housing the device comprises: an airborne agent detector means operable to detect airborne agents in the air, wherein said means are provided with at least one aperture to the exterior of the device to permit, in use, air from outside of the device to enter said airborne agent detector means; receiving means for receiving said at least one container of air treatment agent; emanation means adapted, in use, to emanate the air treatment agent from the device through one or more exit orifices in the housing; control means in communication with the emanation means and in communication with said airborne agent detector means; the airborne agent detector means comprises one or more metal oxide semiconductor/metal oxideType: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2010Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Reckitt & Colman (Overseas) LimitedInventors: Yuan An, Adrian Blagg, Paul Marrs, Louise Southern, Suzanne Toyne, Chris Witty, Simon Woolley
-
Patent number: 8263031Abstract: A method is provided for purifying exhaust gas from an engine having an exhaust passage with a selective reducing catalyst and an oxidation catalyst upstream of the selective reducing catalyst. The method calculates an amount of NOx that flows into the selective reducing catalyst; sets an amount of an additive agent to be supplied to the selective reducing catalyst based on the calculated amount of NOx; determines a degradation degree of the oxidation catalyst; determines whether a correction to the amount of the additive agent is necessary based on the determined degradation degree of the oxidation catalyst; corrects the amount of the additive agent to be supplied when the correction is necessary; and supplies the additive agent to the selective reducing catalyst in the corrected amount if the amount is determined to be corrected and in the uncorrected amount if the amount is determined not to be corrected.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Hiroaki Gotan, Yoshiaki Tomita, Masashi Naono, Tamiharu Nakamura, Hiroaki Ishida
-
Patent number: 8263273Abstract: A control device 7 obtains a reformed carbon quantity C supplied to a reform reaction flow channel 21 from a supplied fuel quantity Qf and also obtains a reformed water quantity S supplied to the reform reaction flow channel 21 from a generated power quantity W. Further, it obtains a oxygen consumed quantity consumed through power generation in a fuel cell 3 from the generated power quantity W, a supplied oxygen quantity to be supplied to a cathode flow channel 33 from a supplied cathode gas quantity Qc, and a reformed oxygen quantity O to be supplied to the reform reaction flow channel 21 based on a difference between the supplied oxygen quantity and the consumed oxygen quantity. By correcting a reformed carbon quantity C (delivery of a fuel pump 51) in accordance with the reformed oxygen quantity O, each of O/C and S/C is kept in a target value range.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shigeru Ogino, Satoshi Aoyama, Satoshi Shiokawa, Hiroyuki Mitsui, Hiroshi Aoki, Takashi Shimazu
-
Publication number: 20120208099Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for actively controlling the steam-to-carbon ratio in hydrogen-producing fuel processing systems that include a feedstock delivery system. The feedstock delivery system supplies a combined feedstock stream including steam and carbon-containing feedstock to a hydrogen-producing region, which produces a mixed gas stream including hydrogen gas as a majority component therefrom. The systems and methods may include measuring a thermodynamic property of a steam stream, a carbon-containing feedstock stream, and/or the combined feedstock stream and controlling the flow rate and/or pressure of a water stream, the steam stream, and/or the carbon-containing feedstock stream based on a desired steam-to-carbon ratio in the combined feedstock stream and/or a desired flow rate of the mixed gas stream and may include feedforward and/or feedback control strategies.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2011Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: IDATECH, LLCInventors: Zhen Chen, Xun Ouyang
-
Patent number: 8236247Abstract: Material withdrawal apparatus, methods, and systems of regulating material inventory in one or more units are provided. A material withdrawal apparatus includes a heat exchanger and transport medium junction configured to provide transport medium to transport the withdrawn material from the unit to the heat exchanger. Another material withdrawal apparatus includes a heat exchanger and shock coolant junction configured to provide shock coolant to the material withdrawn from the unit. Another material withdrawal apparatus includes a heat exchanger, shock coolant junction, and transport medium junction. Another embodiment of a material withdrawal apparatus includes a vessel and shock coolant junction. Another material withdrawal apparatus includes a vessel and transport medium junction. The vessel includes a wall, liner with heat insulating refractory material, fill port, and a discharge port.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Intercat Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Martin Evans, Ronald Butterfield
-
Patent number: 8226913Abstract: Sorbent components containing halogen, calcium, alumina, and silica are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents such as calcium bromide are added to the coal ahead of combustion and other components are added into the flame or downstream of the flame, preferably at minimum temperatures to assure complete formation of the refractory structures that result in various advantages of the methods. When used together, the components reduce emissions of elemental and oxidized mercury; increase the level of Hg, As, Pb, and/or Cl in the coal ash; decrease the levels of leachable heavy metals (such as Hg) in the ash, preferably to levels below the detectable limits; and make a highly cementitious ash product.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: NOx II, Ltd.Inventor: Douglas C. Comrie
-
Patent number: 8226893Abstract: A method operable to remove contaminants from a contaminated fluid stream is provided. The process includes receiving the fluid stream containing contaminants. A first portion of the contaminants are removed from the fluid stream with a first scrubbing vessel. A first base solution reacts with the contaminants such that the contaminants enter a contaminant solution. A remaining portion of the contaminants from the fluid stream is then removed with a at least one additional scrubbing vessel, wherein a second base solution reacts with the contaminants such that part of the remaining portion of the contaminants enter a second solution. Water content is then removed from the fluid stream with a desiccating module, wherein the desiccating module outputs a clean fluid stream.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Inventors: Robert A. McLauchlan, Frederick J. Siegele, Daniel Hage
-
Publication number: 20120184632Abstract: In a synthesis gas methanation process, at least one first fraction of synthesis gas to treat is fed, together with steam, to a shift reactor where a shift reaction occurs; the gas flow produced in the shift reactor is then fed to a first methanation reactor where a methanation reaction occurs and then to further second methanation reactors in series, where further methanation reactions, performed with the addition of fresh synthesis gas which has not been subjected to the shift reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2010Publication date: July 19, 2012Applicant: FOSTER WHEELER ITALIANA S.R.L.Inventors: Luigi Bressan, Maria Sudiro
-
Patent number: 8192687Abstract: Prior to adding detergent or chelant, the conductivity of water in a washing chamber is measured. The maximum concentration of hard water ions that could correspond to the measured conductivity is determined, i.e., it is assumed that all of the conductivity is from calcium and/or magnesium ions in the water even though other ions may in fact be contributing to the measured conductivity. Enough chelating agent is added to the chamber to sequester this maximum concentration of hard water ions and the conductivity is measured again. Using the two conductivity measurements, the actual concentration of hard water ions is determined. A chelant factor based on the actual concentration of hard water ions is then used to determine the amount of chelant to be added for subsequent wash cycles to sequester all of the hard water ions.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Diversey, Inc.Inventors: Wai Yin Cedric Chan, James W. Livingston, Patricia Anne Anderson
-
Patent number: 8187554Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided that utilize microreactor technology to achieve desired mixing and interaction at a micro and/or molecular level between and among feed stream constituents. Feed streams are fed to an intensifier pump at individually controlled rates, e.g., based on operation of individually controlled feed pumps. The time during which first and second feed streams are combined/mixed prior to introduction to the microreactor is generally minimized, thereby avoiding potential reactions and other constituent interactions prior to micro- and/or nano-scale interactions within the microreactor. Various microreactor designs/geometries may be employed, e.g., “Z” type single or multi-slot geometries and “Y” type single or multi-slot geometries. Various applications benefit from the disclosure, including emulsion, crystallization, encapsulation and reaction processes.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Microfluidics International CorporationInventors: Thomai Panagiotou, Steven Vincent Mesite, Robert John Fisher
-
Patent number: 8178070Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Fluor Technologies CorporationInventors: Vincent Wai Wong, Thomas King Chow, John Gebur
-
Patent number: 8158064Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved system for efficiently and accurately performing immunoassays, such as ELISAs. The invention provides an immunoassay assembly which includes a flow-through unit and an aspiration pump. The immunoassay flow-through unit includes an outer seal; at least one bed support; an inner seal; and a packed non-porous bed. The unit is releasably attached to an aspiration pump which enables the controlled flow rate of liquid passing through the packed bed of the flow-through unit. The invention also provides a method of using the immunoassay assembly to identify analytical targets of interest.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Scott P. Fulton, Robert J. Sakowski, William Bowers
-
Patent number: 8153068Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes operating a reactor or providing a reactor after operation, wherein the reactor includes a bottom section, a bed section above the bottom section, a distributor plate between the bottom section and the bed section, an expanded section above the bed section, and an upper section above the bed section, wherein the bed section has a height H measured from the distributor plate to the expanded section; measuring a concentration of particulates in the upper section of the reactor to obtain a first determined level of particulates in the upper section; and discharging at least some of the particulates from the reactor at an upper discharge point located above 0.55H as measured vertically from the distributor plate based on the first determined level. Additional systems and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Larry L. Hjelle
-
Patent number: 8128875Abstract: Systems for controlling hydrogen purity in a power plant system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a hydrogen control system for a generator housing includes: a mass flow control system fluidly connected to the generator housing, the mass flow control system being configured to measure a flow rate of a gas mixture extracted from the generator housing and modify the flow rate of the gas mixture across a range of flow rates; and a vent conduit fluidly connected to the mass flow control system, the vent conduit for receiving a portion of the gas mixture from the mass flow control system and feeding the portion of the gas mixture to an outlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Daniel Antalek, Jeffrey James Andritz, Anthony James George, Hans Milton Knuijt, Abby Marie Magro, Kevin Jon O'Dell, Fotios Raftelis, Steven Paul Scarlata
-
Patent number: 8124696Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes operating a reactor or providing a reactor after operation, wherein the reactor includes a bottom section, a bed section above the bottom section, a distributor plate between the bottom section and the bed section, an expanded section above the bed section, and an upper section above the bed section, wherein the bed section has a height H measured from the distributor plate to the expanded section; measuring a concentration of particulates in the upper section of the reactor to obtain a first determined level of particulates in the upper section; and discharging at least some of the particulates from the reactor at an upper discharge point located above 0.55H as measured vertically from the distributor plate based on the first determined level. Additional systems and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce J. Savatsky, R. Eric Pequeno, Larry L. Hjelle
-
Patent number: 8105534Abstract: A process and system for purifying an impure gas to produce a purified gas in a gas purification system and protecting the system from damage by a) passing a portion of a first gas stream into a reactor vessel, which exits as a second purified gas stream; b) combining a portion of the second purified gas stream with another portion of the first gas stream to form a combined gas stream; and c) passing the combined gas stream into a sensing device to regulate the flow of the first and second gas streams into the reactor vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: John Fredric Billingham, Jerry Michael Mahl
-
Patent number: 8097213Abstract: Material delivery systems, methods of delivering material and methods of calibrating such systems and methods are disclosed. The material delivery system includes a delivery vessel, a load cell, and automated weight calibration device. The delivery vessel has at least an outlet adapted for coupling to an unit. The load cell is configured to provide a metric indicative of an amount of material in the delivery vessel. The automated weight calibration device is configured to impart a known force onto the at least one load cell. A method includes delivering material to a unit and determining how much material is delivered by a change in weight of a delivery vessel, wherein the delivery vessel comprises a load cell; applying a known calibration force to the load cell; and comparing a metric from the load cell of the known calibration with an expected metric.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Intercat Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Al Vierheilig, Brian Dorcheus
-
Patent number: 8092756Abstract: Catalyst withdrawal apparatuses and methods for regulating catalyst inventory in one or more units are provided. In one embodiment, a catalyst withdrawal apparatus for removing catalyst from a FCC unit includes a vessel coupled to a flow control circuit. Another embodiment of a catalyst withdrawal apparatus includes a vessel, a delivery line, and control valve. The control valve is configured to control the amount of gas to the delivery line and entrained with the catalyst. Another embodiment of catalyst withdrawal apparatus includes a vessel coupled to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a first conduit; a housing confining a coolant volume around a portion of the first conduit; and a sliding seal sealing the housing to the first conduit in manner that allows longitudinal expansion. A fluid catalyst cracking system coupled to a catalyst withdrawal apparatus and method for withdrawing catalyst from a unit are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Intercat Equipment, Inc.Inventors: Martin Evans, Charles Radcliffe
-
Publication number: 20110311399Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing objects, comprising: a sterile conduit (2) having an inlet for introducing non sterile objects and an outlet for extracting sterilized objects; spraying means for introducing a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized inside the conduit (2); sucking means (30; 115) for capturing exhaust fluids exiting from the conduit (2). The apparatus is provided with injecting means (10) for injecting a flow of fluid transversely to the conduit (2) to generate a fluid barrier for isolating said sterile conduit from an exterior non sterile area, said fluid barrier being generated at said inlet of the conduit (2). A method for regulating the distribution of a sterilization fluid inside a sterile conduit for sterilizing objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: December 22, 2011Applicant: SIDEL S.P.A.Inventors: Angelo Silvestri, Fabrice Euzen, Guillaume Rolland
-
Patent number: 8071032Abstract: The invention discloses a method and a system for manufacturing organopolysiloxane. The system comprises N raw material tanks, N gauging tanks, a first reactor, a second reactor and at least one product tanks which are arranged in order from high to low. The manufacturing method comprises the following steps of: firstly, N raw materials are added into the N raw material tanks respectively. Then, a plurality of processing parameters about the organopolysiloxane are inputted to control the N gauging tanks to measure the dosage of the N raw materials according to the processing parameters, which along with a cyclic siloxane monomer are inputted into the first reactor. The first reactor is controlled to carry on ring-opening and re-distribution polymerization equilibrium reaction to the N raw materials and the cyclic siloxane monomer, so as to generate an intermediate product, and transfer the intermediate product into the second reactor.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology Armaments Bureau, Ministry of National DefenseInventors: Tai-Kang Liu, Chi-Fa Hsieh
-
Publication number: 20110293482Abstract: A system for reforming diesel fuel into hydrogen including feeds for water and diesel fuel, a supercritical water (SCW) reactor in fluid communication with the water feed and the diesel fuel, at least one pre-heater in thermal communication with the water feed, the diesel fuel feed that is configured to heat water from the water feed and diesel fuel from the diesel fuel feed to a predetermined temperature equal to or greater than the critical temperature of water before the water and the diesel fuel are mixed, a water-gas shift (WGS) reactor, and a hydrogen capturing system, where the SCW reactor reforms the diesel fuel into a synthesis gas comprising a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and outputs the synthesis gas, the synthesis gas output by the SCW reactor is fed into the WGS reactor which converts the carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and hydrogen and outputs an output gas including a higher percentage of hydrogen to carbon monoxide compared to the synthesis gas, and the hydrogen in the output gaType: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Applicant: DRS SUSTAINMENT SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: John R. Wootton, Sunggyu Lee, Asdrubal Garcia-Ortiz
-
Publication number: 20110293502Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for the synthesis of ammonia from a synthesis gas containing N2 and H2, comprising at least one first reactor. The apparatus comprises a first non-cooled catalyst bed unit, at least one heat exchanger apparatus, and at least two cooled catalyst bed units. Each cooled catalyst bed unit is equipped with a plurality of cooling pipes. The apparatus further comprises a circuit line having at least one feed apparatus and at least one outlet apparatus, wherein the circuit line, starting from the feed apparatus, comprises in consecutive downstream arrangement the plurality of cooling pipes, the first non-cooled catalyst bed unit, the at least one heat exchanger apparatus, and the at least two cooled catalyst bed units up to the outlet apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventors: Gert Ungar, Jürg Dieter Ungar
-
Patent number: 8066814Abstract: 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. Any high-temperature silicon slurry leaks from a furnace crucible will be guided by the elongated eaves boards into the V-shaped grooves of the eaves gutters to prevent the silicon slurry from flowing along the periphery of the table plate and down to the supporting posts.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Green Energy Technology Inc.Inventors: Shiow-Jeng Lew, Hur-Lon Lin
-
Patent number: 8048391Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas purifier containing a filtering media having a photocatalytic action, a system for illuminating said media with UV radiation, a time-delay means or a volatile organic compound analyzer, and a means for automatically adjusting the speed of the gas passing through the media or for adjusting the intensity of the UV illumination, said adjusting being carried out as a function of the time determined by the time-delay means or as a function of the content of a volatile organic compound analyzed by the analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Saint-Gobain Quartz S.A.SInventor: Laurent Molins
-
Publication number: 20110262329Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments of an apparatus, a system, and a methods for reducing NOx emissions using ammonia storage on an SCR catalyst. For example, according to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling an SCR system of an internal combustion engine system includes an ammonia storage module and a reductant dosing module. The ammonia storage module determines an ammonia storage surface coverage on an SCR catalyst of the SCR system and an ammonia compensation value based on one of an excess ammonia flow rate entering the SCR catalyst and an excess NOx flow rate entering the SCR catalyst. The reductant dosing module that generates a reductant dosing command based on the ammonia compensation value.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: Cummins Filtration IP, IncInventors: Abdul R. Ofoli, Hasan Mohammed
-
Patent number: 8038957Abstract: A containment vessel having a spiral plate heat exchanger, a central catalyst chamber packed with particulate catalyst, a central heater, a plenum providing conductive flow access for a hydrocarbon-air mixture to and from the containment vessel interior, and essential flow pathways interconnecting the plenum section, heat exchanger, catalyst chamber and central heater. The spiral plate heat exchanger, catalyst chamber, and heater assembly occupy successively smaller annular regions within the containment vessel.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Inventor: James M. Cleary
-
Patent number: 8021446Abstract: Feedstock delivery systems and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and fuel cell systems containing the same. The feedstock delivery systems include a liquid pump that draws at least one liquid feedstock from a supply and delivers at least one feed stream containing the feedstock(s) to a fuel processor, such as to the hydrogen-producing region thereof. The feedstock delivery system further includes a recycle conduit that establishes a fluid flow path for the liquid feedstock(s) from a location downstream of the pump back to a location upstream of the pump. In some embodiments, the feedstock delivery system further includes a flow restrictor associated with the recycle conduit and a pressure-actuated valve that selectively permits the recycled feedstock to bypass the flow restrictor. In some embodiments, the pump is configured to draw a greater flow rate of the feed stream from the supply than is delivered to the fuel processor.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Idatech, LLCInventors: Patton M. Adams, David J. Edlund, Vernon Wade Popham, Mesa Scharf, R. Todd Studebaker
-
Patent number: 8021625Abstract: A device and method for enhancing rapid confirmatory immunological testing (“RCIT”) in chromatography strip-type rapid IVD devices useful in, for example, clinical, point-of-care, laboratory or over-the-counter settings. The device drives a flow fluid, primarily under the force of gravity alone, through a first chamber having a porous dam structure to enhance and substantially complete the first affinity binding reaction between a source of mobilizable labeled binding members and an analyte in the fluid. Flow through the dam causes a delay, mixing and trapping of the typically chemically disuniform initial fluid front so that fluid exiting the dam exhibits a more uniformly high degree of first affinity binding and decreased non-affinity binding.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: DNT Scientific Research, LLCInventors: Naishu Wang, David F. Zhou
-
Publication number: 20110223099Abstract: A hydrogen generator of the present invention includes: a reformer (1) including a reforming catalyst (1A) containing nickel and configured to generate a hydrogen-rich fuel gas by using a raw material and steam; a temperature detector (12) configured to detect a temperature of the reforming catalyst (1A); a purge gas supplying device (7) configured to supply a purge gas to the reformer (1); and a controller (13). When the temperature detected by the temperature detector (12) is a first predetermined temperature or higher, the controller (13) purges the reformer (1) with the purge gas supplied from the purge gas supplying device (7).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Akinari Nakamura, Takayuki Urata, Shigeki Yasuda, Akinori Yukimasa