And Means Mixing Combustion Fuel With Waste Gas Upstream Of Reaction Site Patents (Class 422/183)
  • Patent number: 9926825
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for purifying an exhaust gas feedstream expelled from an internal combustion engine that is operable at an air/fuel ratio that is lean of stoichiometry is described. The exhaust aftertreatment system includes a plasma reactor disposed upstream of a selective catalytic reactor device. The plasma reactor is electrically connected to a plasma controller. The plasma controller controls the plasma reactor to generate ozone from constituents of the exhaust gas feedstream, and the ozone reacts to oxidize nitrogen oxide contained in the exhaust gas feedstream to form nitrogen dioxide. The nitrogen dioxide reacts with a reductant in the selective catalytic reactor device to form elemental nitrogen and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Cherian A. Idicheria, Kushal Narayanaswamy, Paul M. Najt, Gerald A. Szekely, Jr., Joel G. Toner
  • Patent number: 9556775
    Abstract: A reducing agent supplying device is for a fuel combustion system that includes a NOx purifying device with a reducing catalyst arranged in an exhaust passage to purify NOx contained in exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. The reducing agent supplying device supplies a reducing agent into the exhaust passage at a position upstream of the reducing catalyst. The reducing agent supplying device includes a reforming portion and a reformation suppressing portion. The reforming portion reforms the reducing agent by partially oxidizing the reducing agent. When a temperature of the reducing agent is higher than a first specified temperature that is equal to or higher than an activation temperature of the reducing catalyst, the reformation suppressing portion (i) suppresses the degree of reformation of the reducing agent in comparison with when a temperature of the reducing agent is lower than the first specified temperature, or (ii) stops the reformation of the reducing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masumi Kinugawa, Shigeto Yahata, Yuuki Tarusawa, Yusuke Majima, Mao Hosoda
  • Patent number: 9488082
    Abstract: A reducing agent supplying device includes a reaction container, an ozone generator, an air pump, an ozone-containing air pipe, a compressed air pipe, a switching device, and a switching controller. The reaction container defines a reaction chamber therein in which a reducing agent is reformed. The ozone generator generates ozone from oxygen in air. The air pump supplies air into the ozone generator. An ozone-containing air flows through the ozone-containing air pipe toward the reaction chamber. A portion of a compressed air flows through the compressed air pipe toward the reaction chamber. The switching device switches between an air pump mode, in which the ozone-containing air is supplied into the reaction chamber, and a supercharging mode, in which the compressed air is supplied into the reaction chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeto Yahata, Masumi Kinugawa, Yuuki Tarusawa, Mao Hosoda, Yusuke Majima
  • Patent number: 9371760
    Abstract: A method for operating an exhaust gas treatment device including an electric heater for heating an exhaust gas flow in the exhaust gas treatment device and/or a surface in the exhaust gas treatment device and a feed point for feeding an additive into the exhaust gas treatment device to impinge upon the electric heater, includes supplying additives to the feed point, determining an operational state of the exhaust gas treatment device, in which deposits can impinge upon the electric heater, using at least one state variable, determining a cycle frequency in dependence on the operating state when the operating state lies in a predetermined operating state range, and cyclically activating and deactivating the electric heater using the determined cycle frequency when the determined operating state lies in the predetermined operating state range. A motor vehicle having the exhaust-gas treatment device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: EMITEC Gesellschaft fuer Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Peter Hirth, Peter Bauer, Jan Hodgson
  • Patent number: 8984863
    Abstract: Provided is an ammonia injection device (10) installed at an exhaust gas duct through which an exhaust gas generated in a gas turbine flows, and configured to inject ammonia into the exhaust gas at an upstream side of a denitration catalyst configured to perform denitration processing in a flowing direction of the exhaust gas, the device including a plurality of ammonia injection pipes (11) disposed in parallel each other in a surface which traverses the exhaust gas duct. A plurality of nozzle pipes (12) configured to eject the ammonia from the ammonia injection pipes in an arrangement direction of the plurality of ammonia injection pipes are installed at the ammonia injection pipe in a longitudinal direction of the ammonia injection pipes. Diffuser panels (13) extending toward a downstream side in a flowing direction of the exhaust gas at both sides in a longitudinal direction of the ammonia injection pipes with respect to the nozzle pipes are formed at the nozzle pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Akinori Yukimura, Masafumi Kawai, Yoshiyuki Yamane
  • Publication number: 20140154139
    Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for a diesel-powered genset includes a Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) injection system, a housing, a Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) section disposed within the housing and a support configured to support the exhaust aftertreatment system. The DEF injection system includes a housing having an inlet region and an outlet region. A stationary upstream mixer increases turbulence of exhaust entering the inlet region. A stationary downstream mixer increases turbulence of exhaust exiting the outlet region. The DEF injection system includes a DEF injector. The SCR section includes a housing having an inlet and outlet, an SCR catalyst mounted in the housing, and a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the DEF injection section housing. A Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) section can be disposed within the housing between the DEF injection section and the SCR section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: Herman Van Niekerk, Farzan Roshdieh, Mark Yragui
  • Patent number: 8478446
    Abstract: A method of configuration of combustion process control. The method includes providing a combustion system having a plurality of burner elements, a plurality of gas injection points and a controller. The gas injection points are configured to provide a support gas. One or more tasks for operation of the combustion system are determined. A plurality of groupings of the gas injection points are determined for each of the one or more tasks. An individual ranking for each of the plurality of groupings is determined in response to the one or more tasks. A composite ranking of injection points in response to the individual rankings and the controller is configured to operate the plurality of gas injection points in response to the composite ranking. A combustion system and a method for operating a combustion system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey William Kloosterman, Mark Daniel D'Agostini, Kevin Boyle Fogash
  • Patent number: 8394179
    Abstract: A method is described for treating a gas stream containing a flammable gas, such as hydrogen or a hydrocarbon gas. The gas stream is conveyed to a liquid ring pump (18), to which a gaseous oxidant and water are supplied. The water and the gas stream are discharged from the pump (18), with the discharged gas stream being subsequently separated from the liquid, and conveyed to a pyrolysis device (42) for pyrolysing the flammable gas and the oxidant. Any particulates and acidic species within the gas stream are retained by the water within the liquid ring pump to inhibit corrosion or blockage of the pyrolysis device (42). A filter or other device (40) may be provided to remove water from the gas stream before it enters the pyrolysis device (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: James Robert Smith, Gary Peter Knight
  • Patent number: 8359832
    Abstract: An engine exhaust aftertreatment system including a mixer disposed in the exhaust stream. The mixer includes a mesh section having a mesh of wires and may include a baffle section having a deflector that redirects a direction of flow of the exhaust stream. The mesh section may not extend across an entire width of an exhaust conduit containing the exhaust stream. The mesh section may also be sized and located to intersect the reductant introduced by the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Yi, Jinhui Sun
  • Patent number: 8337757
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the operating temperature of a catalytic reactor using a closed-loop system that provides for varying the reactor input and other operating parameters in order to maintain the operating temperature of the reactor at or near the initial setpoint temperature for operation of the reactor. In one example, maximum and minimum operating temperatures with a catalytic partial oxidation reactor are controlled, as well as maintaining control over the corresponding minimum required ratio of oxygen atoms to carbon atoms, such that the operating temperature within the reactor is maintained below the material limits but above threshold temperatures for coking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.
    Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Joel M. Desjardins, David Spence, Richard Mastanduno, Dennis E. Walsh, William C. Pfefferle
  • Patent number: 8306665
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Plasco Energy Group Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Douglas Michael Feasby, Alisdair Alan McLean
  • Patent number: 8211525
    Abstract: There is provided a honeycomb structure comprising a plurality of honeycomb segments having porous partition walls separating and forming a plurality of cells and an outer peripheral wall located in the outermost periphery, first cells each open in an end portion on one side and plugged in the other end portion on the other side and second cells each plugged in the end portion on the one side and open in the other end portion on the other side being alternately disposed with the first cells having an area larger than that of the second cells in a cross section perpendicular to the central axial direction, and the outer peripheral wall having protruding portions along an external shape of the first cells and depressed portions along an external shape of the second cells. The honeycomb segments are bonded to each other with a bonding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Yamada, Koji Nagata
  • Patent number: 8192693
    Abstract: Hazardous process gases are heated to auto ignition temperatures by rods and cylinders in a heating chamber. The heated gases and oxygen mix in a combustion chamber, and the gases ignite and combust. Air is introduced to cool the hot combustion products. Particles are separated from the cooled gases. Pure non hazardous gases and air are exhausted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Innovative Engineering Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Samir S. Shiban
  • Patent number: 8153072
    Abstract: A hydrolysis catalyst forming part of an exhaust system for a combustion engine for catalytically converting a uric substance to ammonia which can be used in a downstream SCR catalyst. The hydrolysis catalyst includes an active catalyst element with a central portion and a surrounding peripheral portion, both of which are lined with the same catalyst material. To ensure that injected urea, or other uric substance, which can become crystallized, does not cause blockages in the catalyst, the cross-sectional areas of separate ducts in the peripheral portion are larger than the cross-sectional areas of the separate ducts in the central portion. A method for hydrolysis of a uric substance by use of the catalyst and directing flow through the ducts of the peripheral portion upon blockage of ducts in the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Scania CV AB (Publ)
    Inventor: Thomas Klingberg
  • Patent number: 8101283
    Abstract: A composite is formed by inserting a ceramic powder into a channel of a preform to form a ceramic powder filled preform. The ceramic powder has at least one reactive ceramic powder. The preform is a ceramic, ceramic-metal composite, metal or combination thereof that has walls that define a plurality of channels each channel having an opening at a surface of the preform. The ceramic powder filled preform is infiltrated with a molten metal to form the ceramic-metal body, which has at least one ceramic phase that is a reaction product of the reactive ceramic and molten infiltrated metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Inventors: Aleksander Jozef Pyzik, Robert Alan Newman, Alveda J. Williams, Shaofu Wu
  • Patent number: 8101304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the concentration of noble metals from fluorine-containing components of fuel cells, for example from PEM fuel cell stacks, DMFC fuel cells, catalyst-coated membranes (CCMs), membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), catalyst pastes, etc. The process is based on an optionally multi-step heat treatment process comprising a combustion and/or a melting process. It allows an inexpensive, simple concentration of noble materials. The hydrogen fluoride formed during the heat treatment of fluorine-containing components is bound by an inorganic additive so that no harmful hydrogen fluoride emissions occur. The process can be used for the recovery of noble metals that are present as components in fuel cells, electrolysis cells, batteries, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christian Hagelüken, Bernd Kayser, José-Manuel Romero-Ojeda, Ingo Kleinwächter
  • Patent number: 8071197
    Abstract: An assembled honeycomb structure includes at least two prismatic honeycomb segments. An outer cross section of each of the at least two prismatic honeycomb segments perpendicular to a flow direction in an interior of the assembled honeycomb structure is a quadrangle with included angles of one of: (i) about 60° and about 120°, or (ii) about 60°, about 90° and about 120°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Cleandieselceramics GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Adler, Hans-Juergen Richter, Reinhard Lenk, Uwe Petasch, Claus Holdschuh, Thomas Rahn, Hans-Joerg Rembor
  • Patent number: 7988921
    Abstract: A hexagonal-cell honeycomb catalyzer is for purifying an exhaust gas. The catalyzer comprising a support that has a plurality of cells and a purification layer that has an HC absorption layer and a three-way catalyst layer. The HC absorption layer is formed on the honeycomb-formed surface of each wall of the support. The three-way catalyst layer is formed on the surface of the HC absorption layer. Provided that the HC absorption layer has a thickness a1 and the three-way catalyst layer has a thickness b1 at a thin portion of the purification layer of which thickness is minimum and the HC absorption layer has a thickness a2 and the three-way catalyst layer has a thickness b2 at a thick portion of the purification layer of which thickness is maximum, a ratio of a1/b1 and a ratio of a2/b2 are both within a range of 1/20 to 5/1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Cataler Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Murata, Yoshiyasu Andoh, Shingo Nakata, Tomoaki Nakano, Akimasa Hirai, Kenichi Taki, Yuji Yabuzaki
  • Patent number: 7963104
    Abstract: An emission control system capable of remediating an exhaust from an internal combustion engine and having an exhaust passage, an oxidation catalyst, a reducing agent and a source of the reducing agent cooperating with an aperture in the exhaust passage. The aperture is disposed downstream of the oxidation catalyst. The system also includes a mixer arranged within the exhaust passage downstream of the aperture. The mixer includes a plurality of mixing elements. The mixer also includes a coating capable of hydrolyzing the reducing agent. At least a portion of the mixing elements which have a thermal conductivity greater than 8 W/m/° K. The system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst disposed downstream from the mixer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James W. Girard, Rachel Alison Snow, Emil G. Serban, Giovanni Cavataio, Christine Kay Lambert
  • Patent number: 7871587
    Abstract: A small scale, but effective, reactive chemical containment system includes apparatus and methods for reaction of process gases exhausted from reaction furnaces with a reactant gas in a non-combustible manner to produce and contain particulate or powder byproducts, thereby removing the process gas from the exhaust gas flow. The apparatus provides process gas inlet, treatment reactive gas diffusion, process gas and treatment reactive gas pre-mixing, primary containment, secondary containment, and outlet zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Youfan Gu, Paul Dozoretz
  • Patent number: 7854792
    Abstract: Aspects include a valve comprising a flowing liquid, operable to control a flow of gas through a port. Certain aspects include reaction chambers operable to react gases, and in some aspects gases are substantially contained within an envelope comprised of a flowing liquid. Certain embodiments control gas entrance into a chamber with a valve comprised of a flowing liquid controlling gas flow through a port. Various gas scrubbing systems are described, including systems comprising reaction chambers operable to react gases that yield substantial amounts of solid reaction products. Methods for controlling gas flow are disclosed. Systems and methods include sequential steps of wet-scrubbing, reacting and further wet-scrubbing a gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Airgard, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Johnsgard
  • Patent number: 7814746
    Abstract: An exhaust device for a diesel engine supplies liquid fuel (6) from a supply source (5) of the liquid fuel (6) to a gas generator (3) which converts the liquid fuel (6) to flammable gas (7) and from which a flammable-gas supply passage (8) is conducted, the flammable-gas supply passage (8) having a flammable-gas outlet (9) communicated with an exhaust-gas route (1) upstream of a diesel-particulate-filter (2), the flammable gas (7) flowed out of the flammable-gas outlet (9) being burnt in exhaust gas (10) to generate combustion heat which can burn fine particles of the exhaust gas (10) remaining at the filter (2). In this exhaust device for a diesel engine, a case (11) for containing the filter (2) accommodates at least part of the gas generator (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Aketa, Shuichi Yamada, Toshio Nakahira, Masahiko Sugimoto, Katsushi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7784276
    Abstract: It is intended to efficiently remove particulate substances, such as NOx and soot, without poisoning by Sox, etc. from dilute-combustion effecting internal combustion engines, combustion equipment, etc. There is provided an exhaust gas purifier to be installed in exhaust passage (2) of internal combustion engine (1) or the like, comprising, disposed in the exhaust passage (2), NOx adsorbent (4) capable of temporarily adsorbing nitrogen oxides even in an atmosphere of excess air and capable of desorbing the adsorbed nitrogen oxides upon temperature rise or in a reducing atmosphere, adsorbed substance desorbing means (3) arranged on an exhaust upstream side as compared with the NOx adsorbent (4) and capable of heating the exhaust or converting it to a reducing atmosphere, and combustion device (5) arranged on an exhaust downstream side as compared with the NOx adsorbent (4) and composed of fuel nozzle (6) and igniter (7). In normal operation, the NOx adsorbent (4) adsorbs NOx contained in exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Taisuke Ono
  • Patent number: 7780922
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and a method for exothermic treatment of feed material to provide an ash. The apparatus includes a housing extending about a central axis and having first and second ends, and a central mixing zone adjacent the first end. A material intake carries the feed material into the housing and gas enters through a first gas inlet at the first end through guides to create an inner vortex extending axially about said axis and the gas then follows an outer vortex which also extends axially but in the opposite direction from that of the inner vortex. However the inner and outer vortices rotate in the same direction. A gas outlet is positioned to receive spent gas from the housing and an ash outlet is positioned remotely from the mixing zone to receive the ash. If preferred, the position of the ash outlet may be incorporated into the gas outlet. A control system is provided to limit the temperature in the feed material in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Mortimer Technology Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Christopher E. Dodson
  • Patent number: 7763214
    Abstract: A reforming device includes a reforming part that subjects a hydrocarbon-based raw material to be reformed to a reforming reaction to form a reducing agent to be supplied to a reducing catalyst for reducing nitrogen oxide selectively. The reforming part has a reforming reaction region through which the raw material to be reformed passes and is reacted with supplied hydrogen atoms supplied so as to be reformed to the reducing agent. For example, a hydrogen permeable membrane having a first surface and a second surface may be provided in the reforming part to permeate hydrogen atoms from the first surface to the second surface and to produce the hydrogen atoms on the second surface. The reforming device can be suitably used for an exhaust gas control system for cleaning exhaust gas, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Katsunori Iwase, Tetsuo Toyama, Shigeru Ooyanagi, Yoshiaki Nishijima, Masahiro Okajima
  • Patent number: 7718141
    Abstract: An automatic VOC concentration control apparatus is capable of adjusting the concentration of VOC in a catalytic device under a predetermined value. The automatic VOC concentration control apparatus includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port for introducing and discharging VOC vapor, respectively, one or more cooling tubes for cooling the VOC vapor introduced through the inlet port, and one or more porous members for holding droplets of VOC liquid thereon as the VOC vapor is condensed into liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Woong-jae Chang
  • Patent number: 7704473
    Abstract: A purification method excellent in removing particulates or the like from exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, in particular, a diesel engine or the like. The purification method uses an exhaust gas purification apparatus including an oxidation zone installed with an oxidation catalyst supporting both platinum and palladium, and a filtering zone installed with a particulate filter, along exhaust gas flow at the exhaust gas passage of an internal combustion engine. Hydrocarbon-based liquid is supplied to the inflow side of the exhaust gas of the oxidation zone at the time when 2 to 10 g of particulates per 1 liter of the particulate filter are caught, to raise temperature of the exhaust gas up to equal to or higher than 550° C. by the oxidation catalyst so as to make the residue of the particulate filter combusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignees: ICT Co., Ltd., International Catalyst Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Masanori Ikeda, Atsushi Fukumoto
  • Publication number: 20090308730
    Abstract: Hollow cathode source pollution abatement systems for the remediation of chemical and microbiological pollutants are disclosed. The systems comprise a plasma generator having a hollow cathode source (HCS) for generating plasma to break down pollutant chemicals and microorganisms into simpler byproducts. The byproducts are trapped on an inner surface of the HCS. The systems allow for elimination of pollutant chemicals and microorganisms from air or gas streams as well as from the surfaces of articles. Methods of operating such systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: S. Ismat Shah, Anshu Pradhan
  • Publication number: 20090060803
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for processing biomass into usable products, wherein such methods and systems involve an integration into conventional refineries and/or conventional refinery processes. Such methods and systems provide for an enhanced ability to utilize biofuels efficiently, and they can, at least in some embodiments, be used in hybrid refineries alongside conventional refinery processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Schinski
  • Patent number: 7494633
    Abstract: Apparatus is described for treating an effluent fluid stream from a semiconductor manufacturing process tool. The apparatus comprises a combustion chamber, means for heating the combustion chamber, and a nozzle for injecting the effluent stream into the combustion chamber. The apparatus is configured to enable a fuel and an oxidant to be selectively injected into the effluent stream as required to optimise the combustion conditions for a particular effluent stream. In one to embodiment, a lance projecting into the nozzle selectively injects an oxidant into the effluent stream, and a sleeve surrounding the nozzle selectively injects a fuel into the effluent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Gareth David Stanton, Andrew James Seeley, James Robert Smith
  • Patent number: 7393509
    Abstract: The present invention provides a honeycomb structure 1 comprising partition walls 2 so as to form a plurality of cells 3 extending from one end face 42 to the other end face 44, and a plug portion 4 plugging the cell 3 at the end face 42 and/or 44. In the honeycomb structure 1, the plug portion 4 has a hollow and convex shape, and at least a part of the plug portion 4 is protruding from the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7377102
    Abstract: A device and method for heating exhaust gas from the combustion of fossil fuel upstream of an emissions control device, especially a diesel particulate filter. A conduit receives an exhaust gas flow, and is in fluid communication with the emissions control device for supplying exhaust gas thereto. A flow straightener is disposed in the conduit, and a portion of the exhaust gas flows through the flow straightener. An igniter is disposed in the conduit between the flow straightener and the emissions control device for igniting fuel supplied thereto to produce a flame to heat the exhaust gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: CleanAir Systems
    Inventors: Michael Roach, Michael Tripodi, William Tilton
  • Patent number: 7332142
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an exhaust system and an injection system. The injection system is configured to vaporize a first liquid portion of an agent into at least one bubble so as to inject a second liquid portion of the agent into the exhaust system by use of the at least one bubble for delivery of the agent to an emission abatement device of the exhaust system. An associated method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: EMCON Tehnologies Germany (Augsburg) GmbH
    Inventors: Clive D. Telford, Helmut Venghaus, Lee Watts, Andreas Mayr, Marco Ranalli, Peter Kroner, David Herranz, Gregg Speer, Stefan Schmidt, A. Steven Walleck
  • Patent number: 7273514
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particulate from an internal combustion engine by use of monolithic particulate trap systems having porous walls (2c, 24c). The porous walls (2c, 24c) filter the particulate. The filtered particulate on inner surfaces of the porous walls is periodically removed or regenerated via back flow of previously filtered exhaust gas. The back flow is caused by creating a pressure difference across the porous walls. The back flow of the previously filtered exhaust gas is simultaneously or sequentially coupled with high velocity through flow of exhaust gas in the channels. In addition, the particulate trap system can be an adsorber-catalyst particulate trap system for filtering particulate and reducing NOx via an adsorber-catalyst trap systems to achieve the EPA 2007 standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Valley Holding Company
    Inventors: John M. Bailey, Marianne F. Waldman, legal representative, Donald J. Waldman, deceased
  • Patent number: 7244281
    Abstract: A plasma fuel reformer assembly for producing reformate gas includes a fuel reformer having an air/fuel input assembly, an electrode assembly, and a soot trap positioned downstream of the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a first electrode and a second electrode that is spaced apart from the first electrode. The fuel reformer further includes a reformer controller electrically coupled to the air/fuel input assembly. The reformer controller includes a processing unit electrically connected to a memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel N. Crane, Jr., William Taylor, III
  • Patent number: 7240483
    Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for treating fuel injected exhaust streams. In general, the systems comprise a fuel injector, a pre-combustor, and a fuel combustor. The methods described herein include methods for regenerating a NOx trap or a DPF, and methods for generating a substantially uniform fuel air mixture at a fuel combustor inlet, or a substantially uniform temperature at a fuel combustor outlet. The methods of regenerating a NOx trap typically comprise the steps of injecting fuel into an exhaust stream, passing the stream through a pre-combustor, operating the pre-combustor to at least partially combust the injected fuel, reacting the fuel and exhaust stream mixture within a fuel combustor to generate a reducing gas mixture, and introducing the reducing gas mixture into a NOx trap, whereby the NOx trap is regenerated. Similar methods for regenerating a diesel particulate filter are also described. Control strategies are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Joel M. Cizeron, Ralph A. Dalla Betta
  • Patent number: 7153334
    Abstract: Carbonaceous material is removed from a catalyst within an autothermal reformer by introducing an isolated oxidant stream into the autothermal reformer prior to introduction of hydrocarbon fuel into the reformer. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into the autothermal reformer following removal of the carbonaceous material. A concurrent supply of the hydrocarbon stream and the oxidant stream to the autothermal reformer is maintained such that an exothermic reaction driven by the oxidant stream provides heat to an endothermic reaction driven by water vapor in the hydrocarbon stream. In accordance with 37 CFR 1.72(b), the purpose of this abstract is to enable the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract will not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Suzanne Rose Ellis, Jessica Grace Reinkingh, Jullian Elaine Bailie, David Wails, Michael Ian Petch
  • Patent number: 7122170
    Abstract: A process and system for producing synthesis gas by a SPOC® enhanced catalytic partial oxidation process is disclosed. Light hydrocarbons in a H2S-containing feed gas are partially oxidized to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide over a catalyst that simultaneously oxidizes the H2S to produce elemental sulfur. A reaction in which H2S is partially oxidized to elemental sulfur and water takes place instead of a secondary reaction in which a portion of the light hydrocarbon feed is combusted to form CO2 and water. An increase in yield and selectivity for CO and H2 products results, and readily recoverable elemental sulfur is also produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramani, Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 7040084
    Abstract: An engine control system in a vehicle including a diesel engine in the vehicle, a diesel fuel tank for supplying fuel to the diesel engine, a gasoline tank in the vehicle, a reformer for providing partial oxidation products from gasoline contained in the gasoline tank, a NOx trap coupled to the exhaust of the diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Frank Ament
  • Patent number: 7021048
    Abstract: A combination emission abatement assembly includes a first emission device such as a NOx trap and a second emission abatement device such as a soot particulate filter. Reformate gas from a fuel reformer is used to selectively regenerate both the NOx trap and the soot particulate filter. A method of operating an emission abatement device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Arvin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Taylor, III, Prasad Tumati, Michael J. Daniel
  • Patent number: 6989045
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particulate from an internal combustion engine by use of monolithic particulate trap systems having porous walls (2c, 24c). The porous walls (2c, 24c) filter the particulate. The filtered particulate on inner surfaces of the porous walls is periodically removed or regenerated via back flow of previously filtered exhaust gas. The back flow is caused by creating a pressure difference across the porous walls. The back flow of the previously filtered exhaust gas is simultaneously or sequentially coupled with high velocity through flow of exhaust gas in the channels. In addition, the particulate trap system can be an adsorber-catalyst particulate trap system for filtering particulate and reducing NOx via an adsorber-catalyst trap systems to achieve the EPA 2007 standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Illinois Valley Holding Co.
    Inventors: John M. Bailey, Donald J. Waldman, Marianne F. Waldman
  • Patent number: 6955793
    Abstract: A reaction vessel which includes internally placed temperature controlling mixing baffles in which liquid is boiled, resulting in an isothermal heat sink. The energy of vaporization is supplied by the reaction vessel contents. The vapor produced by the boiling is directed to channel coils which surround the outside of the reaction vessel wall. The channel coils contact the outside wall of the reaction vessel perpendicularly, and provide mechanical support for the reaction vessel. The mechanical support from the channel coils allows for a decrease in the thickness of the reaction vessel wall and corresponding increased heat transfer efficiency between the channel coil contents and the reaction vessel contents. The entire above described apparatus is enclosed within an evacuated shell to provide additional insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: José P. Arencibia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6863522
    Abstract: A method serves the purpose of introducing fuel and/or thermal energy into a gas stream flowing to a catalytic reactor. The gas stream flows in part through an exterior chamber and in part through an interior chamber, which is at least partially open in the flow direction and to which fuel is supplied. The partial streams are re-united after flowing through the two chambers and are fed to the catalytic reactor. In a starting phase of the still cold catalytic reactor, the fuel is burned in the interior chamber. During conventional normal operating modes of the warm catalytic reactor, the fuel is vaporized in the interior chamber. In a suitable device, the exterior chamber and the interior chamber are designed as two tube elements that are inserted into one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems AG
    Inventors: Stefan Boneberg, Thomas Hoeger, Michael Schonert
  • Patent number: 6812029
    Abstract: In order to prevent a catalyst for an internal combustion engine from decreasing efficiency by deterioration after long time use of the catalyst, the decreased efficiency of the catalyst is determined, and the internal engine is controlled based on results of the determination so as to maintain high efficiency of the catalyst. The catalyst is installed in an exhaust pipe of the engine. Sensors for detecting conditions of exhaust gas both at upstream side and downstream side of the catalyst are provided, respectively. As for the sensor, for example, an oxygen sensor of which output varies stepwise at &lgr;=1, or a sensor of which output varies in proportion to air-fuel ratio can be used. Detected values of the sensors are taken into a control unit, eliminating efficiency and deteriorating degree of the catalyst are estimated by comparison of the detected values, and the engine is controlled so that the eliminating efficiency becomes maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Ohsuga, Mamoru Fujieda, Nobuo Kurihara
  • Patent number: 6745562
    Abstract: A diverter (60) is provided, which is of low cost and which is effective in more evenly distributing exhaust gasses passing from a small diameter upstream exhaust gas pipe section (42) into a much larger diameter catalytic converter assembly (20). The diverter includes a diverter element (70) and mounting brackets (72). The diverter element has a central hole (82) and has conical walls with an included angle of at least 70°, the conical walls having a plurality of holes (90). The large conical angle (G) of the diverter effectively directs exhaust gases to the periphery of the large diameter catalytic converter but blocks a radially intermediate portion of the catalyst, while the holes in the conical diverter walls allow sufficient exhaust gases to reach the radially intermediate portion of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: KleenAir Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester Berriman, John Zabsky
  • Patent number: 6722124
    Abstract: A catalytic converter assembly comprises a housing having an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet. A first chamber enclosed by the housing receives incoming exhaust gas and a second chamber contains a catalyst bed. Gas flows from the first chamber to the second chamber through an exhaust gas passage. A perforated enclosure surrounds the gas passage within said first chamber to induce a region of turbulence in the exhaust gas flow within the enclosure immediately upstream of the passage; An injector extends into the enclosure for injecting a reducing agent into the region of turbulence so that the reducing agent is rapidly dispersed and mixed within the exhaust gas flow before reaching the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Nelson Burgess Limited
    Inventors: Kenneth Pawson, Robert David Godrich
  • Patent number: 6596054
    Abstract: A method and system for retrofitting an integrated scrubber to provide maximum oxygen content in a controlled decomposition oxidation (CDO) abatement process. The system includes a thermal/wet integrated scrubber, and a compressed air supply for supplying air to an oxygen separation device that separates the air into a nitrogen-enriched component and an oxygen-enriched component. The oxygen separation device utilizes a ceramic, metallic, carbonaceous or polymeric material to separate from the supplied air an oxygen-enriched component for introduction into the integrated scrubber. The integrated scrubber is equipped with a mechanical scraping device for continuous or intermittent removal of combustion deposits formed during the controlled decomposition oxidation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Belynda G. Flippo, Robbert Vermuellen, Daniel O. Clark
  • Patent number: 6527828
    Abstract: A method and system for retrofitting an integrated scrubber to provide maximum oxygen content in a controlled decomposition oxidation (CDO) abatement process including a thermal/wet integrated scrubber, and a compressed air supply for supplying air to an oxygen separation device that separates the air into a nitrogen-enriched component and an oxygen-enriched component. The oxygen separation device includes a module, such as a vessel containing ceramic-materials arranged in an adsorbent bed or coated on a substrate. The present invention uses a ceramic oxide material through which only oxygen can diffuse. The composition of the ceramic oxide adsorbent material is such that a significant number of oxygen vacancies exist in the material. By placing either a voltage potential or a pressure gradient across the membrane, oxygen is selectively diffused in and through the oxide material to separate the air supply into an oxygen component for introduction into the integrated scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Belynda G. Flippo, Keith Karrup, Robbert Vermeulen, Daniel O. Clark
  • Publication number: 20020170433
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for removing soot particles from exhaust gas from produced by a diesel engine. The process uses a particle filter that collects soot particles with the aid of nitrogen dioxide which is generated by catalytic oxidation of nitrogen monoxide contained in the exhaust gas. The process is characterized in that the particle filter is a deep-bed particle filter, having a filtration efficiency for the soot particles. The particle filter is coated with a catalytic coating for oxidizing nitrogen monoxide to nitrogen dioxide and the exhaust gas leaving the particle filter subsequently filtered through a particle filter serving as a soot barrier. The filter can have a filtration efficiency of over 95%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: OMG AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marcus Pfeifer, Harald Krieg, Barry van Setten, Roger Staab, Jurgen Gieshoff, Egbert Lox, Thomas Kreuzer
  • Patent number: 6481200
    Abstract: A catalyst warming apparatus for an internal combustion engine provides an appropriate combustible mixture for heating an exhaust-purifying catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine, without providing a special pre-mixing chamber for mixing fuel and air, by burning the combustible mixture in the exhaust passage upstream of the exhaust-purifying catalyst when the exhaust-purifying catalyst is inactive. Specifically, fuel components and air discharged from the internal combustion engine are mixed into a combustible mixture in a sub exhaust-purifying catalyst disposed in the exhaust passage upstream of a main exhaust-purifying catalyst, and the resultant combustible mixture is burned upstream of the main exhaust-purifying catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Hirota, Toshiaki Tanaka