Including Solid, Extended Surface, Fluid Contact Reaction Means; E.g., Inert Raschig Rings, Particulate Absorbent, Particulate Or Monolithic Catalyst, Etc. Patents (Class 422/211)
  • Publication number: 20100130648
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparation of methacrylic acid, comprising the steps: a) providing a feed composition comprising a main compound selected from isobutylene and tert-butyl alcohol and at least one co-compound selected from the group consisting of methanol, dimethyl ether and formaldehyde; b) subjecting the feed composition provided in step a) with at least a first part of said at least one co-compound to a catalytic reaction zone and obtaining an oxidation phase comprising methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Evonik Roehm GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Balduf
  • Patent number: 7722827
    Abstract: A fast light off flow-through ceramic substrate is provided that is particularly adapted for use as a catalytic converter. The substrate is formed from a body of ceramic material having axially opposing inlet and outlet ends for receiving and expelling the flow of automotive exhaust gas, respectively. The body contains a network of walls coated with a catalyst that define axially-oriented flow-through cell channels. The average thermal mass (ATM1) of a first axial region of the walls adjacent to the inlet end is at least 20% less than the average thermal mass (ATMTOT) of all of the walls. The lower average thermal mass of the walls in the first region advantageously shortens the light off time for the catalyst within the substrate to effectively neutralize automotive pollutants. The reduction of the average thermal mass in only the first axial region of the walls advantageously maintains the strength of the resulting body of ceramic material, and further increases the cool down time of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Fischer, Xiaodong Robert Fu, Keith Leonard House, Thomas Dale Ketcham, David Ward Lambert
  • Patent number: 7722831
    Abstract: A micro component steam reformer system for producing hydrogen-enriched gas to power a fuel cell adapted for scalable power requirements wherein fluid flow is configured in a circuit whereby, in serially interconnected fluid flow modules, a vaporized hydrocarbon is mixed with fuel cell off gas having a hydrogen component and combusted to heat vaporizers and a steam reformer, vaporized hydrocarbons and water vapor are introduced as a feed stock into the steam reformer to produce a syn-gas, which is cooled and purified, and the resulting principally hydrogen gas is introduced into a hydrogen fuel cell having an interconnection within the circuit in which off gas from the fuel cell is processed to provide hydrogen and water for use in the system cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventors: James Seaba, Christopher J. Brooks
  • Patent number: 7722833
    Abstract: A microchannel reactor is described which has at least one process microchannel and at least one heat exchange zone. The microchannel reactor may be used for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Shari Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Patent number: 7722844
    Abstract: An exhaust smoke denitrating apparatus in which using an NH3 injection unit, compressed air is fed from blower to ejector for extracting of exhaust gas from HRSG1, and with thus obtained mixed gas, NH3-containing gas is produced from NH3 water by NH3 water evaporator, the NH3-containing gas injected through NH3-containing gas injection nozzle of the HRSG1 disposed on a front stream side of denitration catalyst layer. As any high-temperature exhaust gas is cooled and diluted by compressed air, there is no danger of oxidation of NH3 during the stage of evaporation of NH3 water. The moisture level of exhaust gas can be lowered, thereby enabling inhibition of any drain generation in exhaust gas extraction piping. Air warming within NH3 water evaporation system can be carried out at an early stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Babcock-Hitachi Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryosuke Nakagawa, Tetsurou Hikino
  • Patent number: 7722834
    Abstract: The invention relates to a recombiner system (1) for catalytically recombining hydrogen that is produced in energy accumulators or energy converters. The aim of the invention is to provide a recombiner system (1) which can optionally be used for energy accumulator or energy converter systems having different operating conditions and that helps to counteract functional defects. For this purpose, the recombiner system (1) is formed by individual recombiner elements (2) that can be combined with each other in a modular fashion, said recombiner elements (2) comprising at least one respective catalyst (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Hoppecke Technologies GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Bernhard Riegel, Jean Ruch, Eduardo Cattaneo
  • Patent number: 7718146
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in radial flow reactors is presented. The apparatus includes a plate of sufficient thickness to impart strength in supporting a solid particle bed, and is milled to have narrow slots allowing the flow of fluid through the plate, while preventing the passage of catalyst through the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Naunheimer, Paul A. Sechrist, Michael A. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20100120949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for production of at least one C4 oxidation product, comprising the steps: a) providing a feed composition comprising at least two feed compounds selected from tert-butyl alcohol, methyl tert-butyl ether and isobutylene; b) subjecting the feed composition to a catalytic reaction zone comprising at least one oxidation stage and obtaining a reaction phase comprising the C4 oxidation product, to a C4 oxidation product obtainable therefrom, to an apparatus for production of at least one C4 oxidation product, a process carried out in the apparatus, to a methacrylic acid, to a polymer comprising methacrylic acid and process for production thereof, to methyl methacrylate and a process for production thereof, to a methacrylate ester and a process for production thereof, to a polymer comprising at least one of methacrylic acid, methyl methacrylate and a methacrylate ester and a process for production thereof, to a composition comprising at least one of methacrylic acid, methyl methac
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: Evonik Roehm GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Balduf
  • Publication number: 20100119423
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing carbon monoxide from a hydrogenous gas stream by reacting the carbon monoxide with hydrogen to give methane and water in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst. In this process, the catalyst is present in the form of a thin-layer catalyst on a support material. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Mathias Haake, Stefan Kotrel, Michael Karcher, Rudi Blümmel
  • Publication number: 20100119424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a heterogeneous catalyst suitable for catalyzing Heck, Suzuki-Miyaura Sonogashira coupling and Buchwald-Hartwig reactions, comprising the steps of: a) providing a macroporous carrier, said macroporous carrier consisting of a core and a plurality of ion exchange groups covalently bonded to the surface of said core, where at least 90% of the ions bound to said carrier are formate ions; b) swelling said carrier in a polar solvent; c) providing a palladium (II) salt; d) suspending said carrier in an organic solvent thereby obtaining a suspension; e) adding said palladium salt to said suspension and allowing the resulting mixture to react at a temperature within the range of 0 70° C. until said carrier has turned black; f) washing said carrier in water; g) drying said carrier under vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Fredrik Almqvist, Basudeb Basu
  • Publication number: 20100119422
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube filter. The filter including a filter housing; and chemically active carbon nanotubes within the filter housing, the chemically active carbon nanotubes comprising a chemically active layer formed on carbon nanotubes or comprising chemically reactive groups on sidewalls of the carbon nanotubes; and media containing the chemically active carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Holmes, Mark C. Hakey, David V. Horak, James G. Ryan
  • Patent number: 7714180
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering product from reactor effluent of a reactor for a hydrocarbon feedstream is disclosed. An indigenous C4 stream is used as lean oil in a demethanizer, which facilitates significant cost and operational savings. C4 bottoms from a downstream depropanizer is used as lean oil recycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: David J Duhon, John E Asplin
  • Patent number: 7713500
    Abstract: A process for the oxidative leaching of sulphide mineral species, the method characterized by the method steps of: leaching a slurry containing the mineral species in one or more reaction vessels; circulating a stream of leach liquor to a flash cooler; flashing the liquor in the flash cooler at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure so as to dissipate heat; and recirculating the liquor to the or each reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Western Minerals Technology Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Gary Donald Johnson
  • Patent number: 7713497
    Abstract: A natural gas liquid plant includes a separator (103) that receives a cooled low pressure feed gas (4), wherein the separator (103) is coupled to an absorber (108) and a demethanizer (110). Refrigeration duty of the absorber (108) and demethanizer (110) are provided at least in part by expansion of a liquid portion of the cooled low pressure feed gas (4) and an expansion of a liquid absorber bottom product (19), wherein ethane recovery is at least 85 mol % and propane recovery is at least 99 mol %. Contemplated configurations are especially advantageous as upgrades to existing plants with low pressure feed gas where high ethane recovery is desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Publication number: 20100111785
    Abstract: Improved methods and related apparatus are disclosed for efficiently recovering the heat of condensation from overhead vapor produced during separation of various components of dehydrogenation reaction effluent, particularly in ethylbenzene-to-styrene operations, by the use of at least a compressor to facilitate azeotropic vaporization of an ethylbenzene and water mixture within a preferred range of pressure/temperature conditions so as to minimize undesired polymerization reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Slawomir A. Oleksy, Vincent A. Welch, Leslie F. Whittle
  • Patent number: 7708956
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from a naphtha stream and for simultaneously removing sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from two streams is described. A separator vessel having a top, a bottom, a primary feed inlet and a co-feed inlet is disposed vertically above the primary feed inlet. The separator vessel further includes a catalyst bed disposed between the co-feed inlet and the top. A primary feed stream comprising sulfur hydrocarbon compounds is delivered through the effluent inlet and a vaporized co-feed stream that also comprises sulfur hydrocarbon compounds is delivered through the co-feed inlet. Vaporized sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from the primary feed stream with the vaporized co-feed stream pass upwardly through the desulfurization catalyst bed. Sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from both primary feed and co-feed stream are at least partially converted to hydrogen sulfide and non-sulfur containing hydrocarbons in the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Richard K. Hoehn, Giles R. Maddox, David A. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7708957
    Abstract: A chemical processing apparatus that utilizes a ceramic media sintered at a lower temperature than the apparatus' maximum exposure temperature is described. The media's physical and chemical properties may contribute to its thermal stability when exposed to temperatures that exceed the media's sintering temperature by at least 50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics Inc.
    Inventor: John Stewart Reid
  • Publication number: 20100104486
    Abstract: A microfluidic device, comprising wall structures formed of a consolidated frit material positioned between and joined to two or more spaced apart substrates formed of a second material with the wall structures defining one or more fluidic passages between the substrates, has at least one passage with a height in a direction generally perpendicular to the substrates of greater than one millimeter, preferably greater than 1.1 mm, or than 1.2 mm, or than as much as 1.5 mm or more, and may have a non three-dimensionally tortuous portion of the at least one passage, in which the wall structures have an undulating shape such that no length of wall structure greater than 3 centimeters or greater than 2 centimeters, or greater than 1 centimeter, or even no length at all, is without a radius of curvature. A device may also include the undulations without the height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Steven F. Hoysan, Olivier Lobet, Pierre Woehl
  • Patent number: 7704464
    Abstract: Hydrocarbon processing devices and systems are constructed to modify the combustion characteristics of hydrocarbon fuels and emissions for the purpose of emissions reduction and to increase the overall performance characteristics of the engine. According to one exemplary embodiment, a catalytic device for processing a fluid containing hydrocarbons includes a reactive body formed of a plurality of metallic materials arranged in a layered structure. The plurality of metallic materials is formed of at least two different materials. The body has an inner core member having a first density and another region, that is formed along a longitudinal length of the rolled layered structure, has a second density which is less than the first density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: 0783963 BC Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Stephenson
  • Patent number: 7700053
    Abstract: A reforming device includes a reforming portion generating reformed gas from a mixed gas, in which fuel and steam are mixed and including a reforming portion loop-back channel provided at the reforming portion so as to extend along an axis line thereof, a combusting portion provided at an inner circumference of the reforming portion in order to generate combustion gas, a combustion gas channel including a loop-back channel within which the combustion gas flows, an evaporating portion generating steam by heating water and supply steam to the reforming portion; and a carbon monoxide reducing portion provided at an outer circumferential wall of the evaporating portion in order to reduce a level of carbon monoxide in the reformed gas that has been exhaled by the reforming portion, and in order to supply such reformed gas to a fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Koichi Kuwaba
  • Patent number: 7700512
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide selective oxidizing catalyst includes a carrier of ferrierite or ZSM-5 that supports a metal component of platinum (Pt) alone or platinum and at least one type of transition metal. Alternatively, a carbon monoxide selective oxidizing catalyst includes a carrier whose maximum pore diameter ranges from 0.55 to 0.65 nanometers (nm) that supports a metal component of platinum (Pt) alone or platinum and at least one type of transition metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Saeko Kurachi
  • Patent number: 7700518
    Abstract: The present invention includes Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, reactions using Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, methods of making Fischer-Tropsch catalysts, processes of hydrogenating carbon monoxide, and fuels made using these processes. The invention provides the ability to hydrogenate carbon monoxide with low contact times, good conversion rates and low methane selectivities. In a preferred method, the catalyst is made using a metal foam support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Yong Wang, David P. Vanderwiel, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yufei Gao, Eddie G. Baker
  • Patent number: 7700055
    Abstract: A hydrogen combustion system comprising: an external cylinder 1 constituting the exterior of a double tube construction; an internal cylinder 2 formed by a porous metal plate constituting the interior of said double tube construction; hydrogen combustion catalyst 4 supported with precious metals on spherical ceramic support surface, formed in pellet state, being packed in said internal cylinder 2; an insert pipe 3 formed by porous metal plate inserted in the center of said internal cylinder 2; pre-heating heaters 5 installed between said insert pipe 3 and said internal cylinder 2 to preheat said hydrogen combustion catalyst 4 to ambient atmosphere of over catalytic reaction temperatures; a hydrogen introducing port 8 connecting to said insert pipe 3; an air introducing port 9 provided at the bottom of said external cylinder 1 in the area between said external cylinder 1 and said internal cylinder 2, wherein air for hydrogen combustion is introduced by the drift effect resulting from the differential pressure
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Chlorine Engineers Corp., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Manabe, Masaaki Kato, Kazumasa Mochizuki, Masakazu Mimura
  • Publication number: 20100092353
    Abstract: A hydrogen separation membrane comprising a palladium alloy that includes at least palladium, an added metal A, and an added metal B, the added metal A and the added metal B being two different metals other than palladium, each of the added metal A and the added metal B forming a complete solid solution with palladium, and the added metal A and the added metal B having a triple point in an equilibrium diagram and not forming an intermetallic compound. The hydrogen separation membrane exhibits excellent hydrogen permeability and durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi NODA
  • Publication number: 20100092347
    Abstract: A method of use for a high shear device incorporated into a process or system for the production of acetaldehyde from ethylene as a reactor device is shown to be capable of decreasing mass transfer limitations, by forming a feed stream emulsion, and thereby enhancing the acetaldehyde production process in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: HRD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Abbas Hassan, Ebrahim Bagherzadeh, Rayford G. Anthony, Gregory G. Borsinger, Aziz Hassan
  • Publication number: 20100093877
    Abstract: A novel catalytic reactor suitable for use in chemical and petrochemical processes. The reactor is of a pillow panel that has superior heat transfer properties. This invention also relates to a chemical process, such as a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process performed with use of the novel pillow panel reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Rafael Espinoza
  • Patent number: 7695694
    Abstract: A catalytic reactor comprises a plurality of fluid-impermeable plates defining side-by-side flow channels between them. Tight fitting within each flow channel is a sheet of corrugated material whose surfaces are coated with catalytic material. At each end of the flow channels there may be headers for supply gas mixtures to the flow channels, the headers communicating with adjacent channels being separate. The reactor enables different gas mixtures to be supplied to adjacent channels, which may be at different pressures, and the corresponding chemical reactions are also different. Where one of the reactions is endothermic while the other reaction is exothermic, heat is transferred through the wall of the tube separating the adjacent channels, from the exothermic reaction to the endothermic reaction. The provision of side=by-side flow channels provides for structural strength and for enhanced heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: CompactGTL PLC
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Bowe, John William Stairmand, Ian Frederick Zimmerman, Jason Andrew Maude
  • Patent number: 7695695
    Abstract: A shell-and-tube reactor or heat exchanger comprises first tubes, through the inside of which a first object for heat transfer with a heat transfer medium is passed, some of the first tubes being provided in a zone in which a flow of the heat transfer medium (parallel flow) parallel to the axis of the tubes is present; and a second tube, through the inside of which the first object is not passed, the second tube being provided in said zone such that it is parallel to the axis of the first tubes. A method for producing an oxide comprises using said shell-and-tube reactor or heat exchanger, and causing a catalytic vapor-phase oxidation reaction in first tubes, through the inside of which the first object for heat transfer with the heat transfer medium is passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Baek Shin, Sang Phil Han, Ye Hoon Im, Young Bae Kim, Jung Hoon Chang, Sang Oeb Na, Won Am Lee
  • Patent number: 7695693
    Abstract: A thin type reformer for a fuel cell is provided, and includes a substrate, fuel filling portion, reformer portion, CO remover, and cover. The substrate forms a passage within. The fuel filling portion fills the passage with fuel. The reformer portion forms a passage to one side of the fuel filling portion in the substrate, and the CO remover forms a passage at an opposite side of the fuel filling portion in the substrate. The cover covers the top of the substrate and seals the passages. The fuel filling portion partitions the reformer portion's heat absorbing reaction and the CO remover's heat radiating reaction and induces a reforming reaction. The reacting efficiencies of the reformer portion and the CO remover substantially increase. Because a compact air supplying pump can be used due to an inner pressure reduction in the CO remover, the entire device can be miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won Jae Hwang, Sang Jin Kim
  • Publication number: 20100086459
    Abstract: An impurity removing apparatus is simple in structure for removing impurities from a rare gas and enable to make the rare gas reusable. The impurity removing apparatus includes a first treatment device 21 for removing fluorine and fluorine compound which are mixed with a rare gas discharged from an excimer laser oscillation apparatus 10, a second treatment device 23 for removing oxygen generated by the first treatment device, and a circulation device 25 for circulating the rare gas discharged from the excimer laser oscillation apparatus 10 and returning the rare gas to the excimer laser oscillation apparatus 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ikeda, Takashi Kyotani, Yasuhiko Suzuki, Masaaki Osato
  • Publication number: 20100086814
    Abstract: Disclosed in a catalyst which enables to reduce the carbon monoxide concentration in a product gas to 5 ppm by volume or less when carbon monoxide in a raw material gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide is selectively oxidized. The catalyst comprises a support of an inorganic oxide and ruthenium loaded thereon, and the relative loading depth X(Ru) of ruthenium in the radial direction in a redial cross-section of the catalyst satisfies the requirement defined by the following formula (1) X(Ru)?15??(1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: NIPPON OIL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Iwasa, Takaya Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20100087691
    Abstract: A reactor with swing feeds is provided for oxychlorination. This reactor comprises multiple inlets with controls capable of introducing feed streams sequentially to the reactor. In one configuration, a feed stream comprises a paraffin or olefin hydrocarbon such as methane or ethylene, and a second feed stream comprises oxygen and hydrogen chloride. By segregating these feeds, combustion reactions can be minimized and yields of chlorinated components increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventor: John E. STAUFFER
  • Publication number: 20100087695
    Abstract: Surface-active solid-phase catalyst activity may be substantially improved by creating deliberate repetitive surface-to-surface contact between portions of the active surfaces of catalyst objects. While they are immersed in reactant material such contact between portions of the active surfaces of catalyst objects can substantially activate the surfaces of many heterogeneous catalysts. Examples are given of such action employing a multitude of predetermined shapes, supported catalyst structures, etc. agitated or otherwise brought into contact to produce numerous surface collisions. One embodiment employs a gear pump mechanism with catalytically active-surfaced gear teeth to create the repetitive transient contacting action during pumping of a flow of reactant. The invention is applicable to many other forms for creating transient catalytic surface contacting action. Optionally catalytic output of such systems may be significantly further improved by employing radiant energy or vibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: CCMI Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell A. Cotter
  • Patent number: 7691509
    Abstract: A fuel cell system including: a reformer for generating hydrogen from a fuel containing hydrogen; at least one electricity generator for generating electric energy through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen; a fuel supply unit for supplying the fuel to the reformer; and an oxygen supply unit for supplying oxygen to the reformer and the electricity generator. Here, the reformer includes a plurality of plates stacked to form at least one passage for allowing a material selected from the group consisting of the fuel and a gas to flow therethrough, and at least one catalyst layer formed on entire surfaces of the at least one passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ji-Seong Han, Ho-Jin Kweon, Ju-Yong Kim, Zin Park, Hyun-Jeong Lim
  • Patent number: 7691160
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fuel reformer can comprise: a mixing zone capable of mixing a fuel and an oxidant to form a fuel mixture and a reforming zone disposed downstream of the mixing zone. The reforming zone comprises a primary substrate and a secondary substrate. The primary substrate is disposed upstream of the secondary substrate and has a primary thermal mass that is greater than a secondary thermal mass of the secondary substrate. One embodiment of a method for operating a fuel reformer can comprise: mixing an oxidant and a fuel to form a fuel mixture, combusting the fuel mixture, heating the secondary substrate above its light-off temperature, changing an air to fuel ratio of the fuel mixture to a reforming mixture, producing an exotherm and a reformate at the secondary substrate, heating a primary substrate with the exotherm to above its light-off temperature, and producing a reformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kirwan, Francois Ravenda
  • Patent number: 7687044
    Abstract: A chemical reaction is performed with separation of the product(s) and reactant(s) by pressure swing adsorption (PSA), using an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers cooperating with first and second valve assemblies in a PSA module. The PSA cycle is characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between higher and lower pressures of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the intermediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, entering from compressor stage(s) or exiting into exhauster or expander stages, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing the adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor. The reaction may be performed within a portion of the rotor containing a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Xebec Adsorption Inc.
    Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Denis J. Connor
  • Patent number: 7687042
    Abstract: A reformer of a fuel cell system includes a heat source unit for generating heat, a reforming reaction unit for generating a reforming gas containing hydrogen from a fuel through a fuel reforming reaction using the heat, a carbon monoxide reducing unit connected to a reforming reaction unit to reduce a concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the reforming gas, and a thermal treatment unit disposed outside the reforming reaction unit and the carbon monoxide reducing unit to adjust the thermal energy supplied to the reforming reaction unit and the carbon monoxide reducing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seong-Jin An, Ju-Yong Kim, Ho-Jin Kweon
  • Patent number: 7682579
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for the injection of oxygen in a reformer reactor, for example, for oxydehydrogenation, with an essentially radial throughflow of the gas mixture through a catalytic packing, whereby the incorporation and mixing of the oxygen before entry into the catalyst is significantly improved, in particular for oxydehydrogenation methods. The above is achieved, whereby the oxygen is introduced in pure form, as air, or mixed with inert gas, or with steam, into an annular distribution system (5) and injected out of a number of outlet openings (6) in the annular distribution system, at an angle to the perpendicular, onto the catalyst surface (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Kowoll
  • Patent number: 7682411
    Abstract: A man portable hydrogen source, the source comprising one or more hydrogen generating elements, an ignition control system and a pressure vessel. Each hydrogen generating element comprises a pellet holder provided with one or more recesses and a thermal insulation layer to reduce heat transfer to adjacent hydrogen generating elements; wherein at least one recess contains a pellet of a chemical mixture which on thermal decomposition evolves hydrogen gas; wherein the ignition control system comprises one or more igniters, associated with an individual pellet, and activation means to activate the igniters; and wherein the evolved hydrogen and hydrogen generating elements are contained within the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Qinetiq Limited
    Inventors: Peter Brian Jones, Darren Jonathan Browning, Gary Owens Mepsted, Darren Paul Scattergood
  • Publication number: 20100068128
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reactor (1) and a process for continuously preparing H2S by converting a reactant mixture which comprises essentially gaseous sulfur and hydrogen over a catalyst, comprising a sulfur melt (9) at least in a lower subregion (8) of the reactor (1), into which gaseous hydrogen is introduced. The catalyst is arranged in at least one U-shaped tube (21) which is partly in contact with the sulfur melt (9), the at least one U-shaped tube (21) having at least one entry orifice (23) on a limb (26) above the sulfur melt (9), through which the reactant mixture can enter the U-shaped tube (21) from a reactant region (10) of the reactor (1), having a flow path within the at least one U-shaped tube, along which the reactant mixture can be converted in a reaction region comprising the catalyst (22), and having at least one exit orifice (24) in another limb (27) through which a product can exit into a product region (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Andreas Wölfert, Herald Jachow, Heinz Driess
  • Publication number: 20100068105
    Abstract: A microfluidic structure includes a first layer (1) containing an active fluidic device (4); a second layer (3) containing an interconnect channel (6) for connecting the device (4) to a fluid source and/or outlet and/or another device and an intermediate layer (2) for defining at least one via (5) defining a fluid passage way between the device (4) and the interconnect channel (6) wherein the flow paths through the device (4) and the interconnect channel (6) are generally parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Gordon R. Green
  • Publication number: 20100069609
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for labelling a biologically active vector such as a peptide with reporter moiety such as a radionuclide. The methods comprise reaction of a compound of formula (I) with a compound of formula (II): R*-L2-N3 (II) or, a compound of formula (III) with a compound of formula (IV) wherein: L1, L2, L3, and L4 are each Linker groups; R* is a reporter moiety; in a narrow bore copper vessel. Microfluidic devices for performing the methods of the invention are also claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Erik Arstad
  • Patent number: 7674438
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a monoolefin production system comprising an extraction-hydrogenation zone for extracting a highly unsaturated hydrocarbon from an olefin stream into a polar solvent and, in situ, hydrogenating the highly unsaturated hydrocarbon to a monoolefin. In other embodiments, monoolefin production systems include an extraction-hydrogenation zone for performing the extraction and hydrogenating steps in situ. In alternative embodiments, the hydrogenation zone is disposed downstream from the extraction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP
    Inventors: Tin-Tack Peter Cheung, Marvin M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7674439
    Abstract: A quench zone mixing apparatus that occupies a low vertical height and has an improved mixing efficiency and fluid distribution across the catalyst surface includes a swirl chamber, a rough distribution network, and a distribution apparatus. In the swirl chamber, reactant fluid from a catalyst bed above is thoroughly mixed with a quench fluid by a swirling action. The mixed fluids exit the swirl chamber through an aperture to the rough distribution system where the fluids are radially distributed outward across the vessel to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus includes a plate with a number of bubble caps and associated drip trays that multiply the liquid drip stream from the bubble caps to further symmetrically distribute the fluids across the catalyst surface. Alternatively, deflector baffles may be associated with the bubble caps to provide a wider and more uniform liquid distribution below the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Garry E. Jacobs, Steven W. Stupin, Robert W. Kuskie, Douglas E. Nelson, F. Emmett Bingham
  • Publication number: 20100055030
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a reforming apparatus and the like capable of uniformly mixing water (steam) and a raw material together, of preventing the precipitation of carbon without using a temperature controller, and of efficiently heating the water and the mixture by heating gas. Accordingly, the reforming apparatus has the following configuration. The reforming apparatus includes: a first vaporizer (05) that is cylindrically shaped and includes a first flow passage; a second vaporizer (06) that is cylindrically shaped and includes a second flow passage; a duct (027) that connects an outlet of the first flow passage to an inlet of the second flow passage; a raw-material mixing portion (028) formed at a certain point of the duct. The first vaporizer and the second vaporizer are concentrically disposed. An interstice between the first vaporizer and the second vaporizer serves as a heating-gas flow passage (024).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Naohiko Matsuda, Katsuki Yagi, Keiji Tanizaki, Akira Goto
  • Publication number: 20100044320
    Abstract: A system includes a first source including a first reactant; a second source including a second reactant capable of reacting with the first reactant to form a first product; and a reactor. The reactor includes a first element having a wall connecting a first point and a second point, the wall extending more than 180° around the first point; and a second element movably engaged with the first element to define a reconfigurable reaction chamber capable of being in fluid communication with the first and second reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: TIAX, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. Weber, Mark Marion, Jayanti Sinha, William Barney
  • Publication number: 20100047638
    Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus (100, 100?) for storing and delivering ammonia wherein at least two ammonia storage materials (1a, 2a) capable of reversibly adsorbing or absorbing ammonia having different ammonia vapor pressures are used. Ammonia storage material (2a) having a lower vapor pressure, which is only partially saturated with ammonia or void of ammonia, is brought into fluid communication with ammonia storage material (1a) having a higher ammonia vapor pressure to adsorb or absorb ammonia released from the ammonia storage material (1a) having a higher ammonia vapor pressure when the latter is higher than a pressure threshold. An automotive NOx treatment system (200) comprising such apparatus (100, 100?) is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Amminex A/S
    Inventor: Tue Johannessen
  • Patent number: 7666367
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device equipped with a burner for combusting a fuel/oxidant mixture inside a combustion chamber in which a material (3, 3?, 3?, 3??) is provided that endures a maximum temperature. The inventive device also comprises one or more supply lines (25, 26) for the fuel as well as for the oxidant which are provided for supplying the same into the combustion chamber. The inventive device is characterized in that it is designed for carrying out a combustion with a combustion temperature of the fuel/oxidant mixture that exceeds the maximum temperature. The device is designed in such a way that at least one additional supply line (30) is provided via which an additional gas having, in particular, a low calorific value can be supplied to the combustion chamber. Said additional gas enables the temperature during combustion to be lowered to a value that is less than the maximum temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: SGL Carbon AG
    Inventors: Franz Durst, Jürgen Künzel
  • Patent number: 7666366
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in internal loop reactors. The reactor of the invention is characterized by a plurality of cooling tubes which form the annulus between the riser and the downcomer path of said internal loop reactor. The reactor also provides improvements in hydroformylation reactions using the improved reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Dean Garton, Matthew Findlay, Krishnan Sankaranarayanan, Arie Van Vliet
  • Patent number: 7666236
    Abstract: A hydrogen generator of the invention includes: a reformer for generating a hydrogen-rich gas from a feed gas and water by a reaction using a reforming catalyst body and sending it out from an outlet port; a material feed system for feeding the feed gas to the reformer; a burner for supplying, to the reforming catalyst body, heat generated by mixing a fuel gas with air and burning it; and an air supply system for supplying air to the burner; wherein, when purging an interior of the reformer using the feed gas in shutting down the hydrogen generator, an amount of the air supplied is increased to put out a flame of the burner, and a purge gas sent out from the outlet port by the purging is mixed and diluted with the air in the burner and is discharged outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Tamura, Akira Maenishi, Yuji Mukai, Tomonori Asou, Kunihiro Ukai