Inorganic Hydrator Patents (Class 422/162)
  • Publication number: 20120164032
    Abstract: An exemplary adiabatic calcium looping system includes a first fixed-bed reactor having a fixed sorbent bed holding a calcium-based sorbent, and a second fixed-bed reactor having a fixed sorbent bed holding a calcium-based sorbent. The exemplary system includes valve mechanisms for alternately configuring each of the first and second reactors in a carbonator configuration and a calciner configuration. The first reactor is configured in the carbonator configuration when the second reactor is configured in the calciner configuration, and the first reactor is configured in the calciner configuration when the second reactor is configured in the carbonator configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: WORMSER ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Publication number: 20120160168
    Abstract: A plasma-generation device with electron cyclotron resonance, includes two adjacent sealed vacuum chambers configured to contain plasmas, an injector configured to inject a high-frequency wave into the chambers, a magnetic structure to generate a magnetic field in the chambers including a plurality of parallelepipedal permanent magnets and generating at least two plasmas according to the magnetic field lines, the module of the magnetic field having a magnetic mirror configuration with at least one electron cyclotron resonance area per plasma, the magnetic structure including at least one permanent magnet contributing to the formation of a plasma in each one of the chambers, such that the chambers share the same at least one permanent magnet on the common wall thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Commissariat a l'energie atomique et aux energies alternatives
    Inventors: Marc-Yves Delaunay, Denis Hitz
  • Publication number: 20120164024
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a sterilization method of contaminated areas with biological agents by making use of the acidic ozone water that very effectively kills spores of Bacillus atrophaeus, thereby demonstrating the capability of sterilizing a large surface-area in a very short time and reinstating the contaminated environment as free from toxic biological agents. The effective sterilization of the acidic ozone water is due to synergic benefits derived from the combination of ozone and acidity. The acidic ozone water can also effectively kill other ordinary microbes of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, hence being applicable to agriculture, seafood and livestock industries for the preservation of various products as well as being useful in hospitals or other germ infested areas for disinfections. Particularly, the acidity and ozone in the seawater sterilize microbes effectively, demonstrating a potential for the sterilization of a large amount of seawater in a short time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Han Sup Uhm
  • Publication number: 20120156574
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen using fuel cell off gases, the method feeding hydrocarbon fuel to a sulfur adsorbent to produce a desulfurized fuel and a spent sulfur adsorbent; feeding said desulfurized fuel and water to an adsorption enhanced reformer that comprises of a plurality of reforming chambers or compartments; reforming said desulfurized fuel in the presence of a one or more of a reforming catalyst and one or more of a CO2 adsorbent to produce hydrogen and a spent CO2 adsorbent; feeding said hydrogen to the anode side of the fuel cell; regenerating said spent CO2 adsorbents using the fuel cell cathode off-gases, producing a flow of hydrogen by cycling between said plurality of reforming chambers or compartments in a predetermined timing sequence; and, replacing the spent sulfur adsorbent with a fresh sulfur adsorbent at a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Duraiswamy Kandaswamy, Anand S. Chelappa, Mack Knobbe
  • Publication number: 20120151827
    Abstract: Biomass conversion systems may incorporate integrated heat management to operate more efficiently during biomass conversion. Biomass conversion systems may comprise a first fluid circulation loop comprising a hydrothermal digestion unit, and a first catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; and a second fluid circulation loop comprising a reaction product take-off line in fluid communication with the first fluid circulation loop, a second catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with the reaction product take-off line, and a recycle line establishing fluid communication between the first fluid circulation loop and an outlet of the second catalytic reduction reactor unit, where the first catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one first catalyst and the second catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one second catalyst, each being capable of activating molecular hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Joseph Broun POWELL, Juben Nemchand CHHEDA
  • Publication number: 20120145965
    Abstract: Various processes and apparatus are discussed for an ultra-high heat flux chemical reactor. A thermal receiver and the reactor tubes are aligned to 1) absorb and re-emit radiant energy, 2) highly reflect radiant energy, and 3) any combination of these, to maintain an operational temperature of the enclosed ultra-high heat flux chemical reactor. Particles of biomass are gasified in the presence of a steam carrier gas and methane in a simultaneous steam reformation and steam biomass gasification reaction to produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas using the ultra-high heat flux thermal energy radiated from the inner wall and then into the multiple reactor tubes. The multiple reactor tubes and cavity walls of the receiver transfer energy primarily by radiation absorption and re-radiation, rather than by convection or conduction, to the reactants in the chemical reaction to drive the endothermic chemical reaction flowing in the reactor tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: SUNDROP FUELS, INC.
    Inventors: Wayne W. Simmons, Christopher Perkins, Zoran Jovanic, Courtland M. Hilton, Peter Pop, Bryan J. Schramm, John T. Turner
  • Publication number: 20120141893
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to increasing heat transfer in a steam reformer. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer including an outer wall and an inner wall which includes a step extending outward toward the outer wall and downward toward a bottom of the steam reformer at a position between a top of the steam reformer and the bottom of the steam reformer. The steam reformer further includes a reaction chamber disposed between the outer wall and the inner wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: CLEAREDGE POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Sonnichsen, Bob Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20120141894
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to temperature distribution in a reaction chamber of a steam reformer. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer, comprising a central chamber through which feed gas flows, a reaction chamber surrounding the central chamber and having an inner wall and an outer wall, and a recuperative heat exchanger disposed between the inner wall of the reaction chamber and the central chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: CLEAREDGE POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Sonnichsen, Bob Sorensen
  • Publication number: 20120142522
    Abstract: A carbonaceous feedstock to alcohol conversion process in which carbon dioxide is removed from the syngas stream issuing from a feedstock reformer, to yield a carbon dioxide depleted syngas stream including hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane. This carbon dioxide depleted syngas stream is then passed through a Fischer-Tropsch reactor ultimately yielding a mixed alcohol product which is preferably largely ethanol. The removed carbon dioxide stream is passed through a methane reformer along with methane, which is produced in or has passed through a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, to yield primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The carbon monoxide and hydrogen stream from the methane reformer are passed through the alcohol reactor. Also disclosed are a unique catalyst, a method for controlling the content of the syngas formed in the feedstock reformer, and a feedstock handling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Pearson Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley R. PEARSON
  • Publication number: 20120136172
    Abstract: A modular system and method for producing urea from stranded natural gas includes removal of foreign particulate matter to obtain a substantially homogeneous gas. The gas is processed by controlling the quality of the stranded natural gas to maintain a substantially homogenous mixture The resultant gas stream is further cleaned and compressed to a high pressure of about 3,000 psi. The resultant ammonia stream is processed in a bypass recycling loop system at 30% conversion rate at a high pressure of about 6,000 to 7,000 psi. The equipment associated with each of the process steps may be skid mounted for portability and/or contained within the footprint of a standard 48-foot flatbed trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Terry R. Collins, James L. Simonton, Mario G. Beruvides, Jessie Lozada
  • Publication number: 20120134888
    Abstract: A system for the production of synthesis gas, the system including a mixing apparatus configured for combining steam with at least one carbonaceous material to produce a reformer feedstock; and a reformer comprising a cylindrical vessel containing a plurality of coiled tubes, wherein each of the plurality of coiled tubes has a vertical height in the range of from about 40 feet 12.2 m) to about 100 feet (30.5 m) and a coil length that is at least four times the vertical height; at least one burner configured to combust a fuel and provide heat to maintain the reformer at a reformer temperature; at least one outlet for reformer product comprising synthesis gas; and at least one outlet for flue gas produced via combustion of fuel in the burners. A suitable mixing apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: RENTECH, INC.
    Inventors: Randy BLEVINS, Joshua B. Pearson, Harold A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20120128578
    Abstract: A system and process are provided for extracting a substance from a molecular combination. The process comprises heating the molecular combination to dissociate the molecular combination into cations and anions, moving the cations and anions through a magnetic field to separate cations and anions, and isolating cations from anions with a barrier. The system comprises a non-conductive conduit for guiding an ionized particle stream, a magnetic field source for creating a magnetic field through which the ionized particle stream moves, and a barrier located in the conduit. The ionized particle stream has a velocity relative to the conduit, and the magnetic field source is oriented relative to the velocity of the ionized particle stream so that cations are separated from anions as the ionized particle stream moves through the magnetic field. The barrier is oriented in the conduit so that cations are isolated from anions after separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy O. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20120126177
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for catalytic primary reformation of hydrocarbons with steam at elevated pressure by means of a split tube reactor and a firing chamber. In the split tube system which can use a catalyst material, hydrocarbons to be reformed are converted by water steam to synthesis gas. The split tube system is heated by a plurality of firing facilities between the split tubes which include a plurality of burners arranged in series, the burners generating mainly downwardly directed flames. The relevant firing facilities are supplied with fuel and air, with the air being withdrawn from the relevant feeders. The flue gas thus evolving passes through the firing chamber from top to bottom and enters in the lower area of the firing chamber into horizontally arranged ceramic flue gas tunnels extending in parallel to each other and perpendicular to the vertical split tubes and being allocated to one firing facility each. The flue gas enters through apertures in the lateral walls of the flue gas tunnels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: THYSSENKRUPP UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver Meissner, Thilo Von Trotha
  • Publication number: 20120126178
    Abstract: A method for converting carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, with simultaneous removal of one or more products, is described. The method includes the following steps: in a first reactor, carbon monoxide from the gas phase is bound in a first solvent and converted into formate, in a third reactor, formate is decomposed and resultant hydrogen H2 is removed, and in a second reactor a solid which is a hydrogen-carbonate salt or a carbonate salt is removed. The thermal decomposition of the solid and the expulsion of the carbon dioxide are carried out in an additional fourth reactor, optionally in a second solvent. Further presented is an apparatus for converting carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, including a fourth reactor which thermally decomposes solids formed in the course of the reaction, and gives off carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Manfred Baldauf, Carsten Graeber, Marc Hanebuth, Gerhard Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20120129064
    Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen from natural gas, said process comprises the steps of: (i) providing an autothermal heat exchanger packed-bed membrane reformer (APBMR) comprising: (a) an elongated external gas oxidation compartment comprising an inlet, an outlet and packed oxidation catalyst particles, said inlet and outlet being located each at one extremity of said external gas oxidation compartment; (b) an elongated internal gas steam-reforming compartment comprising an inlet, an outlet and packed steam-reforming catalyst particles, said inlet and outlet being located each at one extremity of said internal gas steam-reforming compartment; (c) one or more hydrogen-separating membrane(s) positioned in said steam-reforming compartment substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said steam-reforming compartment; (d) one insulation layer surrounding said external compartment; and, optionally, (e) one or more elongated internal gas oxidation compartment(s) positioned in said steamreforming compartment su
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: TECHNION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LTD.
    Inventors: David Stanislav A. Simakov, Moshe Sheintuch
  • Publication number: 20120119151
    Abstract: A process for carrying out a carbon monoxide shift reaction is provided. In the implementation of the carbon monoxide shift reaction, including the conversion of carbon monoxide and water into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, this conversion takes place in the liquid phase and involves separation of the product gases carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen, where as a first solvent dry methanol is used, for the absorption of carbon monoxide with simultaneous formation of a methyl formate, as a second solvent, in the area of release of the product gases, water is used, for avoiding hydrogen losses in a carbon dioxide area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Manfred Baldauf, Carsten Graeber, Marc Hanebuth, Gerhard Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20120123000
    Abstract: An assembly for producing at least one synthetic hydrocarbon from at least one inflowing stream of carbon monoxide and one inflowing stream of carbon dioxide is provided. The assembly includes an electrolyzer provided for producing a first stream of hydrogen, a first conversion unit provided for producing an intermediate stream of carbon monoxide from at least one portion of the inflowing stream of carbon dioxide and hydrogen, a reactor for synthesizing said synthetic hydrocarbon; a second conversion unit provided for producing a second stream of hydrogen from carbon monoxide and water, the second hydrogen stream being directed towards the synthesis reactor; a guide assembly provided for selectively distributing the inflowing stream of carbon monoxide between the second conversion unit and the synthesis reactor, and for selectively distributing the first hydrogen stream between the first conversion unit and the synthesis reactor; a control unit provided for controlling the guide assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: AREVA
    Inventor: Michel Lecompte
  • Publication number: 20120116063
    Abstract: A method comprising: (a) providing a lignocellulosic substrate; (b) contacting said lignocellulosic substrate with an extractant comprising a water-soluble organic solvent to form an extracted substrate and a miscella; (c) removing miscella from said extracted substrate; and (d) hydrolyzing said extracted substrate using a chemically catalyzed process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: HCL CleanTech Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Jansen, Aharon Eyal, Philippe Lavielle
  • Publication number: 20120097620
    Abstract: A apparatus for treating ballast water with acrolein which is to be connected to a main ballast water line of a ballast water unit, comprises a reactor device to which acrolein derivate and water is to be fed for generating an aqueous acrolein solution, a branch line which is connected to the main ballast water line for branching off a partial ballast water stream, and a mixing device which is connected to the branch line and an acrolein solution supply line from the reactor device and is designed for diluting the aqueous acrolein solution from the reactor device, and a feed device for supplying the aqueous acrolein solution from the mixing unit to the main ballast water line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Holger Blum
  • Publication number: 20120097521
    Abstract: Nanostructured arrays having a metal catalyst (e.g., cobalt) are irradiated with light to initiate the an artificial photosynthetic reaction resulting in the formation of carbon-containing molecules, for example, long chained hydrocarbons or amino acids. A nanostructure having one or more structural elements having a high aspect ratio can formed over a substrate and are placed in contact with water and a carbon-containing source (e.g., carbon dioxide, bicarbonate, methane). When the nanostructure is exposed to light, the water and the carbon-containing source can react to form a molecule having at least two carbon atoms chained together. Structural elements may include a number of metal layers arranged in a patterned configuration so that, upon light irradiation, a greater amount of light energy is concentrated in close proximity to the region where the reaction is catalyzed than for the case without the patterned configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Mengyan Shen, Cong Wang
  • Publication number: 20120087836
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to an alcohol. The method involves contacting a stream of flue gas comprising the CO2 from a combustion process with water mist to create a mixture of liquid carbonic acid (H2CO3) and wastewater. The method further involves extracting the liquid H2CO3 from the mixture and pressurizing the liquid H2CO3 to generate pressurized liquid H2CO3. The method further involves combining the pressurized liquid H2CO3 with a first liquid reagent in a first hydrolysis chamber creating the alcohol from combining the pressurized liquid H2CO3 with the first liquid reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Eco Power Solutions (USA) Corp.
    Inventor: Wayne S. Littleford
  • Patent number: 8153088
    Abstract: A method to prevent build-up of limestone in a slaker that is used for batchwise slaking of burnt lime is described, in which lime slurry is produced with a greater degree of fineness and prolonged sedimentation time, where for immediate cleansing of the slaker before next slaking, after said calibration of the load cell aggregate, a number of valves are opened for given time periods for addition of flushing water to respective nozzles, in that flushing water is supplied sequentially via each valve to associated nozzle(s), until a predetermined amount of flushing water is reached in the slaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Poju R. Stephansen AS
    Inventor: Poju R. Stephansen
  • Publication number: 20120076697
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to increasing radiative heat transfer in a steam reformer from an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner to an interior reactor via angled fins coupled to the exterior shell. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a steam reformer, comprising an exterior shell which includes a diffusion burner and angled fins, the angled fins extending away from an inner surface of the exterior shell and downward toward the diffusion burner. The steam reformer further comprises an interior reactor positioned at least partly within the exterior shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CLEAREDGE POWER, INC.
    Inventors: Bob Sorensen, Craig E. Evans, Brian Sonnichsen
  • Publication number: 20120071702
    Abstract: A pump system and controller for a chemical reactor for converting water and carbon dioxide into a fuel gas is provided. Carbon dioxide gas bubbles are created and introduced into pumped water and delivered to a regenerative turbine pump where bubbles are collapsed to produce an ionized gas and ionized liquid mixture containing hydrogen, hydroxyl radicals and hydroxide, which subsequently react with the carbon dioxide gas present in the bubble, reducing it to carbon monoxide, with further reactions yielding methane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventor: James Charles BUTLER
  • Publication number: 20120070878
    Abstract: A micro fluidic apparatus includes (i) a first conduit; (ii) a second conduit; and (iii) a first interconnected microporous network in communication with the first and second conduits and configured to allow diffusion of gas between the first and second conduits. The microporous network comprises poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and prevents flow of aqueous fluid between the first and second conduits through the microporous network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Katherine A. Fink, Vasiliy Nikolaevich Goral, Hui Su, Po Ki Yuen
  • Publication number: 20120060418
    Abstract: A catalyst system including at least one metal and an oxide support, said oxide support including at least one of Al2O3, MnxOy, MgO, ZrO2, and La2O3, or any mixtures thereof; said catalyst being suitable for catalyzing at least one reaction under supercritical water conditions is disclosed. Additionally, a system for producing a high-pressure product gas under super-critical water conditions is provided. The system includes a pressure reactor accommodating a feed mixture of water and organic matter; a solar radiation concentrating system heating the pressure reactor and elevating the temperature and the pressure of the mixture to about the water critical temperature point and pressure point or higher. The reactor is configured and operable to enable a supercritical water process of the mixture to occur therein for conversion of the organic matter and producing a high-pressure product fuel gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicants: Ramot At Tel-Aviv University Ltd., Yeda Research and Development Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Epstein, Abraham Kribus, Alexander Berman
  • Patent number: 8118893
    Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a reaction chamber having a first reactant, a reservoir having an optional second reactant, and a self-regulated flow control device. The self-regulated flow control device stops the flow of reactant from the reservoir to the reaction chamber when the pressure of the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined level. Methods of operating the gas-generated apparatus and the self-regulated flow control device, including the cycling of a shut-off valve of the gas-generated apparatus and the cycling of the self-regulated flow control device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Societe Bic
    Inventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Paul Adams, Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks, Anthony Sgroi, Jr., Constance R. Stepan
  • Publication number: 20120039430
    Abstract: The present invention includes a system and method of producing consumable fuels generally including a thermal input device, a gasifier, a heat pump, and a product gas heat recovery device. Optionally, the system and method of the present invention includes a nuclear steam supply device as a thermal input. Optionally, the nuclear steam supply device includes a sodium fast reactor having a core outlet temperature of less than about 650° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Cal R. ABEL
  • Publication number: 20120031232
    Abstract: Combined microwave heating and plasma/electric arc heating is utilized in several processes and apparatus which involve co-production of pig iron and high quality syngas, biomass to liquid fuel production, coal to liquid fuel production, co-gasification of biomass and coal, municipal solid waste treatment, waste-to-energy (agriculture waste, ASR and PEF), EAF dust and BOF sludge treatment to recover zinc and iron, hazardous bottom ash vitrification, and bromine, chlorine and sulfur removal/recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Xiaodi Huang, Jiann-Yang Hwang
  • Publication number: 20120025140
    Abstract: A method for the production of synthesis gas from gaseous hydrocarbons includes the use of allothermal steam reforming with catalysts. In order to produce the synthesis gas efficiently without exhaust gas in a compact apparatus, energy is at least partly supplied by electrical energy, that the energy is supplied by electrically heated contact surfaces and that the energy is supplied by contact surfaces within a fixed bed of catalyst pellets and/or within a fluidised bed at least partly consisting of catalyst particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Tetzlaff
  • Publication number: 20120021503
    Abstract: A biomass hydrothermal decomposition apparatus that feeds a solid biomass material 11 from one side of an apparatus body 42, feeds hot water 15 from the other side, to hydrothermally decompose the biomass material 11 while bringing the biomass material 11 into counter contact with the hot water 15, dissolves hot-water soluble fractions in hot water, discharges the hot water to outside from the one side of the apparatus body 42 as a hot-water effluent 16, and discharges a biomass solid (a hot water insoluble) 17 to outside from the other side. The biomass hydrothermal decomposition apparatus includes an effective reaction region A formed from the other side to the one side of the apparatus body 42, in which a feeding temperature of the hot water 15 (for example, 200° C.) is maintained for a predetermined period of time to cause hydrothermal decomposition, and a temperature drop region B in which a temperature is rapidly dropped to a temperature (for example, 140° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Genta, Ryosuke Uehara, Hideo Suzuki, Seiichi Terakura
  • Publication number: 20120020873
    Abstract: Method of producing hydrogen from methanol comprising providing a feed mixture of methanol and water at high pressure, delivering the feed mixture to a reactor chamber (5) equipped with an internal heat exchanger, wherein said feed mixture is heated by heat exchange with an outgoing reformed mixture from the reactor chamber, and wherein said outgoing reformed mixture is simultaneously cooled by said feed mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: AQUARDEN TECHNOLOGIES APS
    Inventor: Zhuoyan Cai
  • Publication number: 20120014852
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for carbon dioxide separation. The system includes a conducting membrane having two phases. The first phase is a solid oxide porous substrate. The second phase is molten carbonate. The second phase is positioned within the solid oxide porous substrate of the first phase. The system also includes a H2 and CO2 gas input stream separated from a CH4 gas input stream by the conducting membrane. The CO2 is removed from the H2 and CO2 gas input stream as it contacts the membrane resulting in a H2 gas output stream from the H2 and CO2 gas input stream and a CO and H2 gas output stream from the CH4 gas input stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Kevin Huang
  • Publication number: 20120009096
    Abstract: This is an apparatus invented to generate hydrogen gas safely using the reaction of metallic sodium and water. Metallic sodium is cut into thin slices using a guillotine-type cutter and fed into the feed opening in the upper part of a pipe inserted in the water layer in a sealed water tank. Dropping in the metallic sodium causes the metallic sodium to settle and through contact with the water generate hydrogen gas. The lower end of the feed pipe is adjoined with adhesive to an opening in the water ejection pipe of the water jet pump in such a manner that the pipe and pump form one unit. The metallic sodium released in the tank is immediately forced from the tap water jet pump into the water layer, reacts with the water, and generates the hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is kept in a storage tank. The storage tank is equipped with a sensor that gauges the pressure and when the pressure reaches a certain point within the tank it stops the action of the cutter and the supply of metallic sodium is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicants: SABURO KAMATA, MASAHIDE ICHIKAWA
    Inventor: Masahide Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20120009119
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating hydrogen. The method may include introducing water bubbles into a bottom region of a vessel containing molten aluminum allowing the water bubbles to rise within the molten aluminum, expanding as they rise. The method may further include collecting hydrogen, generated in a reaction between the water bubbles and the molten aluminum, from the vessel. Also disclosed is an apparatus for generating hydrogen that may include a vessel having an internal chamber for containing molten aluminum, at least one water inlet positioned at a bottom region of the vessel, at least one hydrogen outlet positioned at a top region of the vessel to and a heating element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventor: Genady Gideon YAMPOLSKY
  • Publication number: 20120004460
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing methacrylic acid by reacting methacrylamide with water, wherein said reaction is performed continuously in a tube reactor and a pressure differential exists in the flow direction of the reaction mixture inside said tube reactor. Furthermore, the present invention discloses a facility for carrying out the method according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Evonik Roehm GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Gropp, Stefanie Sohnemann, Guido Protzmann, Thomas Mertz
  • Publication number: 20110314736
    Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment chain for thermochemically converting a wet biomass feed (1) by gasification, which comprises a device (4) for gasifying the feed (3), and a reactor (9) for steam conversion of the CO, which includes water supply means (10), for delivering a syngas (17) having a defined H2/CO ratio, a drying chamber (2) into which the wet feed (1) is injected prior to its subsequent treatment in the gasification device (4), this drying chamber (2) being supplied with a hot gas (15) withdrawn downstream from the gasification device (4) and recycled by pressurizing means (13) into the drying chamber (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Total Raffinage Marketing
    Inventor: Pierre Crespin
  • Publication number: 20110318660
    Abstract: An object is to provide a hydrogen generation apparatus in which water can be helically flow down in an evaporator without fail, a method for manufacturing the hydrogen generation apparatus, and a fuel cell system using the hydrogen generation apparatus. The hydrogen generation apparatus includes a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas; an evaporator 8 which includes an inner tube 9 and an outer tube 10, and a deformed hollow helical member 18 helically interposed between the inner tube 9 and the outer tube 10 and which is configured to evaporate the water supplied to the reformer 8; and a heat source 2 configured to evaporate the water. The evaporator 8 is configured such that the water is supplied to a helical flow channel 8A defined by the inner tube 9, the outer tube 10, and the hollow helical member 18 and evaporated by the heat source 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuji Mukai, Akira Maenishi, Kunihiro Ukai
  • Patent number: 8085405
    Abstract: A detecting element used for a detecting device for detecting a target substance in a sample by utilizing plasmon resonance. The detecting element includes a substrate and a plurality of metal members provided on the substrate, the metal member constituting a columnar structure and being oriented in a long axis direction thereof. The detecting element can improve sensitivity of the detecting device for detecting a target substance utilizing plasmon resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Miki Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20110293482
    Abstract: 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 ga
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: DRS SUSTAINMENT SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Wootton, Sunggyu Lee, Asdrubal Garcia-Ortiz
  • Publication number: 20110284476
    Abstract: The output of a flow restricting ozone generator assembly is connected across a check valve to a low pressure port of a venturi nozzle which is connected in series in the water circulating plumbing of a pool or spa. The conveying chamber then stores the water vapors from the water flow through the nozzle which are communicated to the ozone generator to promote the reaction products hydroxyradical OH that is then drawn through the port to mix with the circulating water flow. The check valve at the outlet of the ozone generator is urged to close upon the instance when the flow through the nozzle ceases, terminating the low pressure at its throat and thereby fully confining the reaction products from inadvertent escape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Edward R. Otero
  • Publication number: 20110286891
    Abstract: The system for reducing environmental pollutants according to the present invention comprises: a first water immersion tank for producing strongly alkaline water by receiving a supply of bottom ash, which has been created by and has been accumulated at the bottom of a combustion furnace, and reacting it with water accommodated on its inside; an elimination reaction tank which is provided on a combustion pathway extending from the combustion furnace, and which internally accommodates the strongly alkaline water supplied from the first water immersion tank, and which also eliminates carbon-based compounds contained in exhaust gases which are discharged through the combustion pathway; a sludge-storage tank for receiving and storing sludge which has been produced as a consequence of the elimination reaction within the elimination reaction tank; a first aggregate storage tank for receiving and storing bottom-ash aggregate remaining within the first water immersion tank after the neutralisation which follows as a c
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Yong-Sik Jang, Byung Chan Lee, Kwang Hwan Lee
  • Publication number: 20110284800
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating a gas containing hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO), as a raw material for chemical utilization in, for example, synthesis processes based on export gas from a metallurgical process, are shown. Part of the export gas is subjected to CO conversion with the addition of water vapor, crude synthesis gas with a defined quantity ratio of H2 to CO being formed. Even the water vapor required for CO conversion can be at least partially generated in at least one steam generator in the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventor: Robert Millner
  • Publication number: 20110277380
    Abstract: A process for treating coal in which coal, in the form of particles in an aqueous slurry, is heated under pressure to at least partially release bound water from the coal particles, the bound water being released as liquid water. In one aspect, the coal particles of the slurry are hydraulically milled by means of the slurry water as the slurry pressure is reduced through the milling. In a second aspect, mineral and/or inorganic content is separated from the slurry by a flotation procedure that utilizes bubbling of released gases following reduction of the slurry pressure. Also disclosed is corresponding apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION
    Inventor: Louis Wibberley
  • Publication number: 20110274615
    Abstract: A catalyst has a long life span and efficiently separates hydrogen from water. A first metal element (Ni, Pd, Pt) for cutting the combination of hydrogen and oxygen and a second metal element (Cr, Mo, W, Fe) for helping the function of the first metal element are melted in alkaline metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to make a mixture heated at a temperature above the melting point of the hydroxide to eject fine particles from the liquid surface, bringing steam into contact with the fine particles. Instead of this, a mixture of alkaline metal hydroxide and metal oxide is heated at a temperature above the melting point of the alkaline metal hydroxide to make metal compound in which at least two kinds of metal elements are melted, and fine particles are ejected from the surface of the metal compound to be brought into contact with steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Yasuo Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20110268617
    Abstract: A method of: introducing hydrogen and a feed gas containing at least 50 vol % carbon dioxide into a reactor containing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst; and heating the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to a temperature of at least about 190° C. to produce hydrocarbons in the reactor. An apparatus having: a reaction vessel for containing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, capable of heating gases to at least about 190° C.; a hydrogen delivery system feeding into the reaction vessel; a carbon dioxide delivery system for delivering a feed gas containing at least 50 vol % carbon dioxide feeding into the reaction vessel; and a trap for collecting hydrocarbons generated in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Nick E. Tran, Dennis R. Hardy, Samuel G. Lambrakos, John G. Michopoulos
  • Publication number: 20110263913
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for continuously producing and dehydrating gas hydrates. The apparatus includes a gas source, a water source, a reactor, a spinning wheel, and a centrifugal separator. The gas source and the water source are connected to the reactor. Gas and water are respectively supplied from the gas source and the water source into the reactor and react with each other in the reactor to form gas hydrate slurry. The spinning wheel and the centrifugal separator are provided in the reactor. The spinning wheel supplies the formed gas hydrate slurry to the centrifugal separator. The centrifugal separator dehydrates the gas hydrate slurry. Water removed from the gas hydrate slurry by the dehydration of the centrifugal separator is re-supplied into the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicants: KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, SAMSUNG HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD., SUNG IL CO., LTD. (SIM), DAEWOO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD., HYUNDAI ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ju Dong Lee, Jin Woo Lee, Kyung Chan Kang, Kyeong Nam Park, Mun Keun Ha, Seok Ku Jeon, Hoon Ahn, Ta Kwan Woo
  • Publication number: 20110257276
    Abstract: Higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds or oxygenates are produced from a gas comprising methane in a process comprising the steps of generating synthesis gas (“syngas”) comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen by reaction of a gas comprising methane with steam and/or an oxidant gas comprising oxygen, producing higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds or oxygenates in a syngas conversion process, removing offgas comprising unreacted hydrogen and unreacted carbon monoxide from said syngas conversion process and separating cryogenically unreacted hydrogen from said offgas or from a gas derived therefrom to produce separated hydrogen product that is substantially free of unreacted carbon monoxide and a first cryogenic liquid comprising unreacted carbon monoxide. The unreacted hydrogen is preferably separated from the offgas in a liquid methane wash column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GTLPetrol LLC
    Inventors: Rodney Allam, Andrew Weaver, Vincent White, David B. Byard
  • Publication number: 20110243834
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for separating tritium from radioactive waste materials and the water from nuclear reactors. Some embodiments involve the reaction of tritiated hydrogen gases with water in the presence of a catalyst in a catalytic exchange column, yielding a more concentrated and purified tritiated water product. Some embodiments involve the use of a permeation module, similar in some respects to a gas chromatography column, in which a palladium permeation layer is used to separate tritiated hydrogen gas from a mixture of gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: KURION, INC.
    Inventor: Mark S. DENTON
  • Publication number: 20110245072
    Abstract: A method for continuously preparing a metal oxides catalyst comprises the following steps: dissolving metal materials using nitric acid solution to produce a metal nitrate solution, and also to produce NOx and water vapor; hydrolyzing the metal nitrate solution by introducing pressurized superheated water vapor into the metal nitrate solution to obtain a slurry of the hydrates of metal oxides as well as acidic gas, the main components of the acidic gas are NO2, NO, O2 and water vapor; filtrating and drying the slurry to obtain the hydrates of metal oxides and/or metal oxides; and then utilizing the obtained hydrates of metal oxides and/or metal oxides as raw materials and preparing the metal oxides catalyst by the conventional method for preparing a catalyst. The NOx gas produced can be absorbed to produce nitric acid which can be reused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SYNFUELS CHINA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Yang, Baoshan Wu, Jian Xu, Hongwei Xiang, Yongwang Li