Positive Pressure Type Patents (Class 422/242)
  • Patent number: 8075846
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure control system for maintaining the pressure differential between a reactor (1) and a feeder (2) connected thereto and provided for introducing feed into the reactor (1), characterized in that the pressure control system comprises a pressure up line (5) and a pressure release line (6), each line (5, 6) having a control valve (7, 8), both lines (5, 6) combining into one main line (3) leading to the feeder (2), wherein a filter unit (4) is provided in the main line (3); as well as to a reactor having such a pressure control system and a process utilizing a reactor with the specific pressure control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Jubail Petrochemical Co. “Kemya”
    Inventors: Mushaeb Z. Al-Qahtani, David Laborde, Ahmed Al-Thawadi
  • Patent number: 8066953
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for hydrolyzing biological material for safe disposal thereof without the necessity of incineration or use of disinfectants are described. An alkaline solution having a concentration and an amount effective for hydrolyzing the biological material is brought into contact therewith by means of rotating paddles which both pound the biological material into small pieces and thoroughly mix the alkaline solution with the material under pressure and at elevated temperature. Following the hydrolysis of the biological material, a chosen portion of the water is removed from the alkaline solution and from the liquefied biological material, such that the resulting product solidifies when cooled. The present safe disposal of the biological material does not require incineration thereof, the addition of disinfectants thereto, or the discharge of liquid effluent containing processed biological material into the sewage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Gyver L. Electric, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark R. Muth
  • Patent number: 8038958
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decomposing and recovering an isocyanate compound, which comprises: continuously mixing and dispersing into water at high pressure and high temperature an isocyanate compound having at least one isocyanate group or group derived from an isocyanate group in a molten state or solution state, supplying a liquid mixture containing the isocyanate compound and the water at high pressure and high temperature continuously to a reactor, followed by subjecting the isocyanate compound to a decomposition reaction in the reactor, and recovering a raw material for the isocyanate compound or a derivative thereof; and an apparatus for decomposing and recovering an isocyanate compound, which comprises: a reactor which brings water at high pressure and high temperature into contact with an isocyanate compound having at least one isocyanate group or group derived from an isocyanate group to cause a decomposition reaction, a water supply line which continuously supplies the water at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: Kobe Steel, Ltd., Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Fumihiko Kasuya, Masahiro Yamagata, Shigetoshi Suzuki, Tadashi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20110251440
    Abstract: A method of continually heat-treating a biogenic material in the production of fuels such as ethanol or biogas includes pressurizing the biogenic material with a first pump so as to provide a pressurized suspension. The pressurized suspension is continuously heat-treated at a heat-treatment temperature of from 100° C. to 180° C. in a hydrolysis reactor so as to provide a heat-treated suspension. A temperature of the heat-treated suspension is lowered to below 100° C. The heat-treated suspension is depressurized with a second pump. The first and second pumps are configured to maintain at least one of the pressurized suspension and the heat-treated suspension at a pressure of above 5 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: DEMETRION DEUTSCHLAND AG
    Inventors: Thomas Huegle, Ralf Weigel
  • Patent number: 8017090
    Abstract: Phosphine gas is generated by agitating a reaction mixture of a metal phosphide and water with agitation air in a reaction pot of a phosphine gas generator. The resulting phosphine gas is then diluted with dilution air to produce a fumigant phosphine gas which is directly delivered to a commodity for fumigation. The reaction pot does not have any rotating means such as agitators, rotors, or stirrers. The generator provides on-site generation of phosphine gas in a rapid manner improving the fumigation efficiency for a commodity, such as grain, preferably contained within a storage structures, such as a grain silo. The generator has a built in deactivation system for the unused metal phosphide and phosphine gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: United Phosphorus Ltd.
    Inventors: Shroff Rajnikant Devidas, Pushpaksen P. Asher
  • Patent number: 8017089
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting supercritical wet oxidation reactions wherein any precipitated solids do not contact the solid side walls of the containment vessel so as to prevent any of these precipitated solids from adhering to or corrode the vessel walls is provided. To do this, a controlled, continuous flow of clean fluid, preferably under supercritical conditions, is introduced to the process so as to form a film-like, clean fluid surface between the physical containment vessel walls and the supercritical wet oxidation reactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Eau-Viron Incorporated
    Inventor: James Titmas
  • Publication number: 20110212003
    Abstract: A reactor and a reactor system for carrying out high temperature and high pressure reactions is disclosed herein. The reactor has an isolatable inner vessel for allowing for heat energy efficient cooling and heating of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: RUBRECO INC.
    Inventors: Brian Harrison, Hurdon A. Hooper
  • Publication number: 20110212000
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing starting materials, combustible substances and fuels from organic substances. Said claimed device comprises a reactor (10) that comprises an introduction device (11) for the organic substances, an evacuation device (12) for the reaction products and a device (13) for feeding reaction energy for the transformation of organic substances into reaction products. The invention is characterised in that the introduction device (11) comprises pneumatic means (24) for the supply of solid material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Uwe Berger, Thomas Willner, Walter Vanselow
  • Publication number: 20110200495
    Abstract: A reaction hydrogen production control mechanism is provided that includes, a solid sodium borohydride mixture, a liquid fuel reactant, at least one liquid delivery medium (LDM), a movable boundary interface (MBI) and a reaction zone, where the MBI is disposed to provide a constant contact between a reacting surface of the solid fuel mixture and the primary LDM to form the reaction zone. A reaction in the reaction zone includes a hydrolysis reaction. The MBI moves according to a spring, gas pressure, or an elastic membrane. Product paths are disposed to transfer reactants from the system. The product paths can include a channel on a surface of the solid fuel mixture, a channel disposed through the solid fuel mixture, a channel disposed about the solid fuel mixture, a contained region disposed about the solid fuel mixture, or a conduit abutting the solid fuel mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel Braithwaite, Wonhyoung Ryu, Courtney Aline Helland, Kei E. Yamamoto, Andrew Philip Peterson, Matthieu Jonemann, Adam Naegeli Rodriguez, Gabriel Jose Parisi-Amon
  • Patent number: 7998428
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane, including: a reaction vessel in which a supply gas containing silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen is supplied to produce a reaction product gas containing trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride; a heating mechanism that heats the interior of the reaction vessel; a storage container that stores the reaction vessel and the heating mechanism; a gas supply internal cylinder that supplies the supply gas in the reaction vessel; a gas discharge external cylinder that is substantially concentrically disposed outside the gas supply internal cylinder, forming a discharge passageway of the reaction product gas between an outer circumferential surface of the gas supply internal cylinder and an inner circumferential surface of the gas discharge external cylinder; and a cooling cylinder that supports the gas discharge external cylinder disposed inside thereof and includes a refrigerant passageway formed therein for circulating a refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Ishii, Hideo Ito, Yuji Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20110194992
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas generating apparatus for providing hydrogen gas to a fuel cell stack is provided. The apparatus includes an expandable reaction chamber containing a solid reactant component and a collapsible receptacle containing a liquid reactant component with a housing. The reaction chamber includes an expandable reactant zone defined by a moveable partition that retains the reactants and reaction products within the reaction chamber. The apparatus also includes a liquid transport control system and a fluid path for transporting the liquid reactant component from the collapsible receptacle to the reactant zone in the reaction chamber, where the liquid and solid reactant components react to generate hydrogen gas. The receptacle collapses with a corresponding expansion of the reaction chamber as liquid reactant component is used, and the reactant zone expands within the reaction chamber in response to pressure from the increasing volume of reaction products on the moveable partition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: EVEREADY BATTERY COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Russell Barton, Guanghong Zheng
  • Publication number: 20110176973
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is generated within the gas-generating apparatus and is transported to a fuel cell. The first fuel component is introduced into the second fuel component through a conduit which punctures a septum separating the reaction chamber and the first fuel component reservoir, and the fuel conduit introduces the first fuel component to different portions of the second fuel component to produce hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Kurt Rath
  • Publication number: 20110171118
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for generating hydrogen (5), wherein an input (1) comprising carbon is fed longitudinally through a tube-shaped reaction chamber (Z), together with water steam (2), and is thereby converted by steam reforming, and hydrogen (4) formed during steam reforming is continuously drawn off out of the reaction chamber (Z) through a separating wall (T), said wall being selectively hydrogen-permeable at least in segments, and at a pressure less than the pressure in the reaction chamber (Z) and greater than the ambient pressure, having greater purity than product (5), characterized in that a separating wail (T) is used, the selectively hydrogen-permeability segments thereof being disposed such that a hydrogen partial pressure drop exists over the entire surface of each of such segments between the reaction chamber side and the hydrogen extraction side (W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Karl Heinz Hofmann, Nicole Schoedel, Klaus Klapper, Axel Behrens, Roland Dittmeyer
  • Patent number: 7972573
    Abstract: A reactor suitable for the continuous oxidizing of an organic material in a supercritical water oxidation process, the reactor includes (a) a reactor body with reactor walls; (b) and a threaded reactor upper plug; and (c) a cylindrical liner attached solely to the threaded reactor upper plug, such that, when the threaded reactor upper plug is removed from the reactor, the reactor liner is consequently and simultaneously removed from the reactor as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Parsons Corporation
    Inventors: John Scott, James Osterloh
  • Patent number: 7967879
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cartridge for the generation of hydrogen. The cartridge includes a case, an igniter, and a structural component. The case defines an interior cavity and the igniter is positioned within the cavity. The structural component is also positioned within the cavity and is formed of a particulate embedded in a matrix and the particulate includes a metallic material. An oxidizing agent is positioned within the cavity. The structural component is configured such that the metallic material and the oxidizing agent react together to generate hydrogen after the igniter generates sufficient heat to remove the matrix from the structural component and to initiate the reaction between the metallic material and the oxidizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Hydrogen Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Peter James Lohr, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7955571
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an intermittently opened cracking crude oil apparatus comprising a high pressure container (1), a support post (2) and a gold sleeve (3). A sealed reaction chamber of natural gas (4) is formed between an exterior surface of the support post and an interior surface of the gold sleeve, and a sealed high pressure chamber (5) is formed between an interior surface of the high pressure container and an exterior surface of the gold sleeve. A gas outlet is provided in the support post and communicates the reaction chamber of natural gas, the gas outlet communicating a gas conduit (7), the gas conduit being connected to a natural gas collector (8). A movable valve needle (9) is provided on the gas outlet to control open and close of the gas outlet. A liquid inlet (10) is provided on the high pressure container and communicates the high pressure chamber, the liquid inlet communicating a liquid conduit (11) which communicates a high pressure liquid supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: China Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Earth Chemistry Research Institute
    Inventor: Jinzhong Liu
  • Publication number: 20110110845
    Abstract: An in-line mixing apparatus is especially useful for iodine extraction from brine. Three fluids (brine, an oxidant such as sodium hypochlorite, and an acid such as HCl) are mixed in the apparatus. The apparatus includes an inner tube and an outer tube. Openings are present in the sidewall of the inner tube to connect the interior volume of the inner tube with the annular volume between the inner tube and the outer tube. Fluid is passed into the inner tube and flows through the openings into the annular volume, causing immediate and vigorous mixing and chemical reaction to obtain elemental iodine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: Charles A. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20110020208
    Abstract: A novel method and system of separating carbon dioxide from flue gas is introduced. Instead of relying on large temperature or pressure changes to remove carbon dioxide from a solvent used to absorb it from flue gas, the ion pump method, as disclosed herein, dramatically increases the concentration of dissolved carbonate ion in solution. This increases the overlying vapor pressure of carbon dioxide gas, permitting carbon dioxide to be removed from the downstream side of the ion pump as a pure gas. The ion pumping may be obtained from reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, thermal desalination methods, or an ion pump system having an oscillating flow in synchronization with an induced electric field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier
  • Publication number: 20110008219
    Abstract: A lubricating base oil manufacturing plant comprising a means for hydroisomerization dewaxing a wax at a specified hydrogen to feed ratio and a means for hydrofinishing the hydroisomerized wax to produce one or more base oils having a viscosity index greater than 28×Ln(Kinematic Viscosity at 100° C., in cSt)+95, and a ratio of wt % molecules with monocycloparaffinic functionality to wt % molecules with multicycloparaffinic functionality greater than 15.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: John M. Rosenbaum, Nancy J. Bertrand, Scott Deskin, Kamala Krishna, Stephen J. Miller, Susan M. Abernathy
  • Publication number: 20100310443
    Abstract: There is described an apparatus, a tubular laminar flow, plug flow reactor, for making silylamines and particularly trisilylamine (TSA) in high yields from ammonia gas and a monohalosilane gas. The apparatus can be a tubular flow reactor comprising a first portion of the reactor defining a gas entry zone, a second portion of the reactor defining a reaction zone and a third portion of the reactor defining a separation zone, the reaction zone providing a reactant contacting region. Trisilylamine can be recovered in the separation zone in a cold trap collection vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Gary D. Miller
  • Publication number: 20100287825
    Abstract: A process for treating organic matter to convert it into a product comprises the step of contacting the organic matter with supercritical liquid whereby it reacts to form the product. The liquid may be heated by an external heating medium, or may be heated internally of the process by co-feeding an oxidising agent with the liquid. This agent can be in an amount that is predetermined to control the extent to which the reaction mixture is heated. The heat can be supplied to provide sufficient activation energy for the process reaction to occur with sufficient speed and for the liquid to attain sufficient characteristics to cause the reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: Leonard James Humphreys
  • Patent number: 7829040
    Abstract: A vessel assembly is disclosed for high pressure high temperature chemistry. The vessel assembly includes a cylindrical vessel and a cylindrical vessel seal cover. The vessel and the seal cover have respective surfaces that, when engaged, define a circumferential interior passage between the vessel and the seal cover. A pressure release opening in the seal cover is in fluid communication with the circumferential passage. A retaining ring surrounds the vessel and the seal cover at the position where the vessel and the seal cover meet to maintain an outer circumferential engagement between the seal cover and the vessel when pressure forces gases in the vessel to flow into the circumferential passage and then outwardly from the pressure release opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: CEM Corporation
    Inventors: Wyatt Hargett, Jr., David Barclay
  • Patent number: 7807113
    Abstract: The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: William Allen Rogers, Paul William Neagle, Michael Alan Marchiando, Christopher Paul Weil, Robert Dwayne Litt, Ronald Chester Pasadyn, G. Bradley Smith, Charles Robert Miele, Thomas Peter Forte, Jimmy Glen Pelham
  • Publication number: 20100247426
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods combine reactant materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. The reactant materials can sodium silicide or sodium silica gel. The hydrogen generation devices are used in fuels cells and other industrial applications. One system combines cooling, pumping, water storage, and other devices to sense and control reactions between reactant materials and aqueous solutions to generate hydrogen. Multiple inlets of varied placement geometries deliver aqueous solution to the reaction. The reactant materials and aqueous solution are churned to control the state of the reaction. The aqueous solution can be recycled and returned to the reaction. One system operates over a range of temperatures and pressures and includes a hydrogen separator, a heat removal mechanism, and state of reaction control devices. The systems, devices, and methods of generating hydrogen provide thermally stable solids, near-instant reaction with the aqueous solutions, and a non-toxic liquid by-product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: SiGNa Chemistry, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Wallace, John M. Melack, Michael Lefenfeld
  • Patent number: 7799292
    Abstract: A baric electromagnetic thermal system for manufacturing disaccharide sweetener compounds is provided and permits baric and thermal processing, at low temperatures, to effect the retrocycloaddition, chemoselective promiscuous ligation, and cycloaddition reactions. A method for selecting base and adjunct components for the manufacture of a disaccharide sweetener compound having an equivalent functionality as a natural sweetener and/or derivative thereof as required for a specific food processing application is presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Quantum Food Design, LLC.
    Inventor: Gregory C. Robbins
  • Publication number: 20100233049
    Abstract: A method which enhances a disinfection process by obtaining an additive effect from energy and byproducts of the decomposition process. Also disclosed are contact lens disinfecting systems, wherein the systems are configured to create the desirable elevated pressure, oxygen saturation and sustained peroxide concentration conditions within a contact lens holding and reaction chamber, in order to enhance disinfection by additive effect. The systems are configured to provide that an elevated pressure is maintained in the reaction chamber before venting occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: ATRION MEDICAL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Rowland W. Kanner
  • Publication number: 20100227241
    Abstract: A pressure regulating valve comprises a first pressure deformation part (120) receiving the pressure on the fuel demand side and deformable and a second pressure deformation part (130) so installed as to face the first pressure deformation part (120), receiving a predetermined pressure, and deformable. A first flow passage (140), a second flow passage (150), and a communication passage (160) allowing the first and second flow passages (140, 150) to communicate with each other are formed in the space between the first and second pressure deformation parts (120, 130). The pressure regulating valve further comprises a valve member (170) having a valve element (172) which has a connection part (171) extending through the communication passage (160) and connecting the first pressure deformation part (120) to the second pressure deformation part (130), installed in the connection part (171), and closing the communication passage (160) when moved to the second pressure deformation part (130) side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Takafumi Sarata, Norimasa Yanase, Toru Ozaki, Tsuneaki Tamachi, Kazutaka Yuzurihara, Fumiharu Iwasaki, Noboru Ishisone
  • Publication number: 20100203605
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for fractionating a lignocellulose-based biomass are provided. The method includes providing a lignocellulose-based biomass, extracting lignin from the biomass by adding a first solvent capable of dissolving the lignin, extracting xylose by adding a second solvent capable of dissolving hemicellulose to the biomass treated with the first solvent, and extracting the cellulose remaining in the biomass. In this method, a continuous process can be performed instead of a low efficiency batch-type process and components of the biomass can be obtained at high yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Woo Kim, Jae Chan Park, Hwa Young Cho, Jun Seok Kim
  • Patent number: 7754165
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in parallel reaction of materials. The apparatus includes a base having a plurality of reaction wells, each of the reaction wells having a closed lower end and open upper end for receiving reactant materials. A cover is configured for sealing engagement with the base to form a housing enclosing the plurality of reaction wells and defining a common pressure chamber in communication with the reaction wells. The apparatus further includes an inlet port in communication with the pressure chamber for supplying pressurized fluid to the chamber to pressurize the reaction wells. The housing is configured to sustain a pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Symyx Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Van Erden, Howard Turner, David M. Lowe
  • Publication number: 20100159604
    Abstract: The first method for iterative solution-phase biomolecule synthesis is described. The method requires only 3 or fewer equivalents of building block at each coupling cycle, and incorporates a FSPE step at the end of each coupling/deprotection sequence to eliminate most byproducts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Nicola Lucia Pohl, Gisun Park
  • Publication number: 20100151338
    Abstract: A solution vessel 4 freely changeable in volume is provided inside a reaction chamber 2. As a reactant solution 11 stored in the solution vessel 4 is supplied to a workpiece 3 placed in the reaction chamber 2, the volume of the solution vessel 4 is decreased, and the capacity of the reaction chamber 2 is increased. Thus, a region where hydrogen is generated is increased within a small space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Takafumi Sarata, Norimasa Yanase, Toru Ozaki, Tsuneaki Tamachi, Kazutaka Yuzurihara, Fumiharu Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20100150795
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating mercury (II) sulfide from elemental mercury. Elemental mercury is injected into a heated and sealed reaction vessel containing vaporized sulfur. The elemental mercury reacts with at least a portion of the vaporized sulfur to form the mercury (II) sulfide within the reaction vessel. The formed mercury (II) sulfide is then unloaded from the reaction vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Bethlehem Apparatus Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John Boyle, Bruce Lawrence, Scott Schreffler
  • Publication number: 20100140171
    Abstract: A power source for actuation of a microfluidic device and related devices, methods and systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: James HEATH, Lidong Qin
  • Patent number: 7727294
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thin micro reforming apparatus used in a fuel cell system with decreased back pressure in an evaporator thereof. In the reforming apparatus, a substrate has a flow path therein and a fuel inlet portion for introducing fuel into the flow path of the substrate. An evaporator includes a gas expansion part which gasifies the liquid fuel and a back pressure accommodation part which accommodates back pressure during the gasification to block the influence of the back pressure to the fuel inlet portion. A reformer has a flow path formed downstream of the evaporator, reforming fuel into hydrogen gas via heat absorption reaction. A CO remover has a flow path formed downstream of the reformer, removing CO gas contained in the hydrogen gas via heat generation reaction. A cover is attached to an upper part of the substrate to seal the substrate from the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hyoung Gil, Jae Hyuk Jang, Sung Han Kim
  • Publication number: 20100129157
    Abstract: An apparatus (200, 300, 400) for generating superheated steam capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms associated with an item (230) includes a gas heater (10) for heating a gas, a steam generator coupled to the gas heater (10) and having a reservoir (216, 304) for supplying water, wherein the heater (10) heats the gas such that when water is combined therewith, a mixture of superheated steam and gas capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms is discharged from the apparatus (200, 300, 400). The generation of the steam-gas mixture may be done at one atmosphere of pressure and the mixing may be done prior to expelling the fluid from the apparatus (200, 300, 400). The apparatus (400) may be configured as a hand-held device, A method of treating an item (230) for microorganisms includes generating a superheated steam at approximately one atmosphere of pressure, directing a flow of the steam onto the item (230), and reducing or eliminating microorganisms using the steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: MICROPYRETICS HEATERS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ganta S. Reddy, Ramgopal Vissa, Jainagesh A. Sekhar
  • Patent number: 7722771
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for the continuous processing and solids handling in near-critical and supercritical fluids. The present invention also allows for treatment of the starting material with the near-critical or supercritical fluid. The remaining raffinate is then continuously transferred and may be collected in a barrier fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Thar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lalit Chordia, Jose L. Martinez, Bhishmakumar Desai, Andrew Kegler
  • Patent number: 7708897
    Abstract: Device, system and method for injecting organic matter into a reaction enclosure (2) of a reactor for treatment using a supercritical water oxidation method. The device comprises a body having an inner volume defining a pressurizing capacity (24) in which a mobile assembly (29) is arranged, e.g. a bellows for dividing the inner volume into two variable volume compartments including a compressing capacity compartment (32) and a hydraulic pressurizing capacity compartment (34). The hydraulic pressurizing capacity compartment is preferably connected to the outlet (15) of an aqueous phase liquid/gas separator (14) which separates the liquid and gaseous phases of the effluent leaving the reaction enclosure (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Commissariat A l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Christophe Joussot-Dubien, Hubert-Alexandre Turc
  • Publication number: 20100092348
    Abstract: The vessel of the invention includes a side wall and an end wall, and is characterized in that the end wall is a domed end wall, of thickness EI including an inner layer CI providing corrosion resistance and an outer layer CE of thickness EE at least equal to the thickness EI of the inner layer CI. The inner and outer layers are rigidly joined by a first assembly device. Inner layer CI is formed from a multilayer material including an internal layer CI for providing corrosion resistance and an external layer CIS, the internal CIC and the external CIS layers being rigidly joined by a second assembly device. The invention enables inexpensive manufacture of large vessels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: CARBONE LORRAINE EQUIPEMENTS GENIE CHIMIQUE (SASU)
    Inventors: Ernest Totino, Emmanuel Kelbert, Thierry Nodari
  • Patent number: 7691337
    Abstract: A container for thermal conditioning of a fluid under pressure, use of the container for thermally conditioning a fluid under pressure, a chemical reactor including the container and a polymerization process using the reactor, and a method of producing the container and the reactor. The container is bounded over at least part of its surface facing the outside by at least one external plate and facing the inside by at least one internal plate, the external plate being thicker than the internal plate, the external plate and the internal plate being joined together in places to define a space between joints for circulation of a heat-transfer fluid and the container including a mechanism to adjust the pressure of the heat-transfer fluid to that of the fluid under pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: SOLVAY (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Bindelle, Philippe Guiche, Manuel De Francisco, Daniel Borremans, Thierry Cartage
  • Patent number: 7682514
    Abstract: A method for oxidizing an organic material includes the steps of (a) forming a preoxidation mixture comprising the organic material and water, and (b) causing the preoxidation mixture to react with a liquid oxidizer in a continuous flow reactor supercritical conditions for water, including a pressure of at least 3206 psia and a temperature of at least 705° F., to form a post-oxidation mixture containing condensible material and non-condensible material, wherein substantially all of the organic material has been oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Parsons Corporation
    Inventors: John Scott, James Osterloh
  • Publication number: 20100065776
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous method and apparatus of functionalizing a carbon nanotube, and more specifically, to a continuous method of functionalizing a carbon nanotube under subcritical water or supercritical water conditions without additional functionalizing processes, comprising: a) continuously feeding the carbon nanotube solution and an oxidizer under a pressure of 50 to 400 atm, respectively or together, and then preheating the mixture of said carbon nanotube solution and said oxidizer; b) functionalizing the carbon nanotube in the preheated said mixture under the subcritical water or the supercritical water condition of to 400 atm; c) cooling down the functionalized product into 0 to 100° C. and depressurizing the functionalized product into 1 to 10 atm; and d) recovering the cooled down and depressurized product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Joo Hee Han, Jin Seo Lee, Seung-Hoe Do, Seong Cheol Hong
  • Publication number: 20100061923
    Abstract: Sodium is reacted with water to form hydrogen, sodium hydroxide and heat, and the sodium hydroxide is reacted with aluminum to produce hydrogen and sodium aluminate, while the violent nature of the reactions is modulated by employing the exothermic heat of the reactions to convert solid sodium to liquid sodium and to convert liquid water to steam. The pressurized hydrogen generated is used to drive one or more power generators which utilize pressure to generate power. The reactions take place in a reaction chamber in which a water reservoir is disposed in open communication with a main reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Alla V.K. Reddy
  • Patent number: 7655191
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a parallel batch reactor generally includes a plurality of reactor vessels and a plurality of valves configured to allow flow into the reactor vessels when a gas is supplied to the reactor at a pressure higher than a pressure within the reactor vessels and restrict flow from the reactor vessels. A method includes inserting chemical components into the reactor vessels, supplying a first gas to the reactor vessels to pressurize the reactor vessels, stopping supply of the first gas, and supplying a second gas to the reactor at a lower pressure than a pressure within the reactor vessels. The second gas passes through the valves and into the reactor vessels when the pressure within the reactor vessels drops below the pressure of the second gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Symyx Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary M. Diamond, Keith A. Hall, Thomas Harding McWaid, Vince Murphy, Michael Myslovaty, James A. W. Shoemaker, Robbie Singh Sidhu, Howard Turner, Eric Dias, Mikhail Spitkovsky
  • Patent number: 7651671
    Abstract: The present invention is for dissolving a metal complex and a low-pressure additive gas in a supercritical fluid and supplying the same continuously to a reaction vessel, aiming to provide a method and an apparatus for adding a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure supercritical fluid continuously, so that a gas which should be handled with care, such as a combustible gas, can be added to a supercritical fluid without compression. The method for continuously adding a low-pressure gas to a supercritical fluid comprises supplying a reactant gas to a supercritical fluid or a subcritical fluid by repeating, in an alternate manner, a step of storing a reactant gas midway through a piping in a low-pressure state and a step of carrying the reactant gas toward a reaction vessel with the supercritical fluid or the subcritical fluid, so that the reactant gas is continuously charged in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: National University Corporation University of Yamanashi
    Inventor: Eiichi Kondoh
  • Publication number: 20090318574
    Abstract: The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: William Allen Rogers, Paul William Neagle, Michael Alan Marchiando, Christopher Paul Weil, Robert Dwayne Litt, Ronald Chester Pasadyn, G. Bradley Smith, Charles Robert Miele, Thomas Peter Forte, Jimmy Glen Pelham
  • Publication number: 20090264695
    Abstract: A system and method for the use of super critical CO2 as a diluent for transport of extracted or processed hydrocarbons. The super critical state CO2 is then co-mingled with the extracted or processed hydrocarbons and transported in the co-mingled state to a delivery point. At the delivery point, the super critical state CO2 is allowed to return to its gaseous state allowing the separation of the hydrocarbons therefrom. The hydrocarbons may be processed and the gaseous CO2 returned to its super critical state for future transport, use in EOR, or geologically sequestered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventor: Michael J. Hirl
  • Patent number: 7585338
    Abstract: Hydrogen is generated in a reactor, of a hydrogen generating apparatus, in which a catalyst is installed and the catalyst and a borohydride fuel are reacted. The hydrogen generating apparatus comprises a rotating disk to which the catalyst is fixed, a motor for rotating the rotating disk, and a fuel injector for flowing out the borohydride fuel against the catalyst. A compound generated from the borohydride is prevented from adhering to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Inventor: Atuhiro Yoshizaki
  • Patent number: 7569195
    Abstract: The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: William Allen Rogers, Paul William Neagle, Michael Alan Marchiando, Christopher Paul Well, Robert Dwayne Litt, Ronald Chester Pasadyn, G. Bradley Smith, Charles Robert Miele, Thomas Peter Forte, Jimmy Glen Pelham
  • Publication number: 20090175780
    Abstract: A system for making low volatile carbonaceous material including a digestion vessel in communication with a carbonaceous material feedstock unit for producing a digested carbonaceous material; an extraction vessel in communication with the digestion vessel, the extraction vessel containing supercritical carbon dioxide fluid for extracting hydrocarbons from the digested carbonaceous material to produce an extract solvent and the low volatile carbonaceous material; and at least one separation vessel in communication with the extraction vessel for separating the extract solvent to a carbon dioxide gas and a stream of extracted hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Carbonxt Group Limited
    Inventors: Randall J. Harris, Damian Wales
  • Patent number: 7556785
    Abstract: Phosphine gas is generated by agitating a reaction mixture of a metal phosphide and water with agitation air in a reaction pot of a phosphine gas generator. The resulting phosphine gas is then diluted with dilution air to produce a fumigant phosphine gas which is directly delivered to a commodity for fumigation. The reaction pot does not have any rotating means such as agitators, rotors, or stirrers. The generator provides on-site generation of phosphine gas in a rapid manner improving the fumigation efficiency for a commodity, such as grain, preferably contained within a storage structures, such as a grain silo. The generator has a built in deactivation system for the unused metal phosphide and phosphine gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: United Phosphorus, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shroff Rajnikant Devidas, Pushpaksen P. Asher