Ammonia Patents (Class 423/237)
  • Patent number: 6725647
    Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas treatment unit for an internal combustion engine. A first catalyst unit produces ammonia from corresponding constituents in a rich exhaust gas composition. A second catalyst unit that is located downstream of the first catalyst unit temporarily stores the ammonia produced by the first catalyst unit in the presence of a rich exhaust gas composition. In the presence of a lean exhaust gas composition, the nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas are subjected to a reduction reaction using the temporarily stored ammonia as reducing agent. The exhaust gas treatment unit also contains a third catalyst unit that is located between the other two catalyst units, and oxidizes the nitrogen oxides present in the exhaust gas at lean exhaust gas conditions to a such an extent that 25 to 75 vol. % of the nitrogen oxides entering the second catalyst unit consist of nitrogen dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Umicore AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marcus Pfeifer, Barry Van Setten, Jurgen Gieshoff, Paul Spurk, Egbert Lox, Thomas Kreuzer
  • Publication number: 20040076565
    Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3—SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3—SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap—enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3—SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Haren S. Gandhi, John Vito Cavataio, Robert Henry Hammerle, Yisun Cheng
  • Patent number: 6716405
    Abstract: A process for removing unreacted ammonia from an effluent of a catalyst bed used in a hydrocarbon ammoxidation reaction is provided. The process includes a step of providing a fluidized bed reactor. The reactor includes the catalyst bed for reacting ammonia and hydrocarbons therein. The reactor also includes a dilute phase of the catalyst bed disposed above the catalyst bed. The reactor further includes a set of internals disposed at least partially within the dilute phase of the catalyst bed. The reactor additionally includes an inlet of a first-stage cyclone separator disposed above the set of internals. The process also includes a step of removing the unreacted ammonia from the effluent of the catalyst bed by passing the effluent through the set of internals. The ammonia and hydrocarbons present in the effluent contact the dilute phase of the catalyst bed and react therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignees: China Petro-Chemical Corporation, Shanghai Research Institute of Petrochemical Technology, SINOPEC
    Inventors: Xin Chen, Linghua Wu
  • Patent number: 6713031
    Abstract: A structured catalyst for selective reduction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia using an ammonia-supplying compound. The catalyst is preferably used for exhaust gas treatment of diesel vehicles powered by diesel motors. The catalyst is characterized by the fact that it contains a reduction catalyst for selective reduction of nitrogen oxides with ammonia and a hydrolysis catalyst for the hydrolysis of urea, where the hydrolysis catalyst is applied in the form of a coating onto the reduction catalyst. By this arrangement of the two catalytic functions in one catalyst the exhaust gas system can be made very compactly and space saving. Moreover, advantageous synergistic effects result from the direct contact of the hydrolysis catalyst and the reduction catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: DMC2 Degussa Metal Catalysts Cerdec AG
    Inventors: Michael Harris, Jürgen Leyrer, Yvonne Demel, Egbert Lox, Thomas Kreuzer
  • Patent number: 6706093
    Abstract: A method which reduces iron contamination of a system which receives ammonia from an ammonia recovery process by one or more of the following techniques: a) Physically separating iron oxide, iron containing colloidal particles, and liquid droplets from the gas stream; b) Preventing AC from depositing on piping via elimination of condensation, thereby preventing corrosion of the piping; or c) Installing piping and equipment that is not susceptible to corrosive attack by AC, thereby eliminating the source of iron contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventors: Abraham Benderly, Michael Stanley DeCourcy, Ronald Eugene Myers
  • Publication number: 20040022709
    Abstract: A method for removing ammonia from a gas comprising HCN, ammonia and water, by first contacting the gas with aqueous ammonium phosphate to remove ammonia from the gas, and then passing the resulting ammonium phosphate solution through an clectrolyzer to convert oxalates and formates into hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventor: Tae Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 6682709
    Abstract: Gas-phase methods and systems for reducing NOx emissions and other contaminants in exhaust gases, and industrial processes using the same, are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, hydrocarbon(s) autoignite and autothermally heat an exhaust gas from an industrial process so that NH3, HNCO or a combination thereof are effective for selectively reducing NOx autocatalytically. Preferably, the reduction of NOx is initiated/driven by the autoignition of hydrocarbon(s) in the exhaust gas. Within the temperature range of about 900-1600° F., the introduced hydrocarbon(s) autoignite spontaneously under fuel-lean conditions of about 2-18% O2 in the exhaust gas. Once ignited, the reactions proceed autocatalytically, heating the exhaust gas autothermally. Under some conditions, a blue chemiluminescence may be visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Noxtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. Sudduth, Ralph J. Slone, Vishwesh Palekar, Madhu Ramavajala
  • Publication number: 20030215377
    Abstract: Apparatus, materials, and methods for removing ammonia from fluids using metal hydroxides (e.g. zinc hydroxide) and metal loaded media (e.g. zinc loaded ion exchange resins); the metal hydroxides and metal loaded media may be regenerated with a weak acid (pKa between 3 and 7). Alternatively, ammonia is removed from fluids by using H2SO4 and ZnSO4 and metal loaded media; the metal loaded media may be regenerated with H2SO4 and ZnSO4; the ammonia containing H2SO4 and ZnSO4 may be concentrated as necessary to form (NH4)2SO4.ZnSO4.6H2O (ammonium zinc sulfate hexahydrate) crystals. These crystals are removed from the mother liquor and heated to temperatures exceeding 200° C. releasing NH3 and H2O vapor upon the decomposition of the crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Scott J. Blonigen, Alex G. Fassbender, Robert D. Litt, Bruce F. Monzyk, Richelle L. Neff
  • Patent number: 6645447
    Abstract: A gas contaminant is filtered using fibers having internal cavities containing a chemically reactive oxidizing agent, an acid or base, a coordinating agent, a complexing agent, or a deliquescing agent. Where the contaminant is basic, the reagent is preferably an oxidizing agent. Where the contaminant is acidic, the reagent is preferably basic, and more preferably comprises a group 1 or group 2 metal cation. The reagent may also advantageously comprise a phosphate, chitosan, hypochlorite, borate, carbonate, hydroxide, or oxide. Where the contaminant is neutral, the reagent is preferably an oxidizing agent, complexing agent, coordinating agent, or deliquescing agent. The reagent is preferably impregnated into an adsorptive solid, including, for example, carbon powder, zeolite, aluminum oxide, or silica. The fibers are preferably multilobal, and most preferably either trilobal or quadrilobal. It is also preferred that the fibers contain a plurality of T shaped lobes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Rohrbach, Dan Bause, Peter Unger
  • Publication number: 20030202927
    Abstract: A process is described that removes by oxidation the excess ammonia (NH3) gas from flue gases that have been subjected to selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by ammonia injection. Methods for the removal of residual ammonia from flue gases prior to deposition on fly ash are discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Rafic Y. Minkara, William A. Farone
  • Patent number: 6623715
    Abstract: An ultra-efficient multilobal cross-sectioned fiber filter for chemical contaminant filtering applications is described. An absorptive chemically reactive reagent, preferably an acid or base and in liquid or an adsorptive chemically reactive reagent (an acid or base) in solid form, is disposed within longitudinal slots in each length of fiber. The reagent may be used alone or in conjunction with solid adsorptive particles which may also be utilized with the reagents in the longitudinal slots within the fibers. Reagents within the fibers remain exposed to a base-contaminated airstream passing through the filter. Base contaminants in the airstream, chemicals such as ammonium and amines (as well as particles), react with the acid reagent within the longitudinal slots of the fibers. As the contaminant and reagent react, the ammonium or amine becomes irreversibly absorbed (or adsorbed if reagent is a solid acid) to the liquid acid reagent and multilobal fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc
    Inventors: Neil H. Hendricks, Jeff Miller, Ron P. Rohrbach, Dan E. Bause, Peter D. Unger, Adel G. Tannous, Randy R. LeClaire, William E. McGeever
  • Patent number: 6620393
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of unused ammonia (“ammonia slip”) in instances where ammonia is provided to SNCR and/or SCR processes for reducing NOx pollution in flue gas produced by a fossil fuel burning facility. Such a facility incorporates a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (i.e. an air preheater and/or a gas to gas preheater) for absorbing heat from the gas flow on one side of the heat exchanger, and releasing such absorbed heat to heat the gas flow on the other side of the heat exchanger. The invention herein includes absorbent/desorbent media carried by at least some of the elements of the heat exchanger. The media is active to adsorb at least a portion of the ammonia slip after NOx is treated, and before the gas flow is exhausted to the environment, and to desorb essentially an equilibrium portion of such adsorbed ammonia into gas flow upstream from the providing of ammonia for the SNCR/SCR process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Publication number: 20030164309
    Abstract: A method and device for removing, deodorizing and purifying odor, smoke and harmful substances from exhaust gas or flue gas employs a water solution containing hypohalogen acid such as hypochlorous acid soda, an alkaline electrolyte such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide and a saline electrolyte such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bromide or potassium bromide which is electrolyzed to produce an electrolytic water solution which is fed to a deodorizing tower and brought into contact with exhaust gas or flue gas to remove odor, smoke and harmful substances in the exhaust gas or flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Applicant: OMEGA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakamura, Kunihiko Fukuzuka, Jingo Nakazawa
  • Publication number: 20030161772
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for treating an effluent containing ammonia in which method and apparatus N2O concentration in the gas at the outlet of a catalyst tower does not rise to a high level even when the NH3 concentration in the effluent was reduced and the amount of hazardous substances formed is small; in the method and apparatus, an NH3-containing effluent A and a carrier gas (steam C and combustion gas F) are contacted in stripping tower 7 to transfer the NH3 from the NH3-containing effluent to a gas phase, the gas containing the generated NH3 is heated with pre-heater 19 and then contacted with catalyst layer 13 placed in catalyst tower 12 to decompose the NH3 into nitrogen and water; and at that time, the oxygen concentration in the gas to be introduced into catalyst tower 12 and the N2O concentration in the gas discharged from catalyst tower 12 are determined by measuring instruments 21 and 22, respectively, and the oxygen concentration in the gas to be introduced into catalyst tower 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kikkawa, Yasuyoshi Kato, Naomi Imada, Takanori Nakamoto, Shigehito Takamoto
  • Publication number: 20030147795
    Abstract: A method for removing ammonia from fly ash employs water mist (a water fog) or a flowing warm humid air stream to rid the fly ash of ammonia. Ozone alone or with other co-oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide are also used to rid fly ash of ammonia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Applicant: BROWN UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Arun K. Mehta, Robert H. Hurt, Yuming Gao, Xu Chen, Eric M. Suuberg
  • Publication number: 20030143141
    Abstract: An apparatus and a process are described for reducing the content of NOx and N2O in process gases and waste gases. The apparatus encompasses at least one catalyst bed comprising a catalyst which is substantially composed of one or more iron-loaded zeolites, and two reaction zones, where the first zone (reaction zone I) serves for decomposing N2O and in the second zone (reaction zone II) NOx is reduced, and, located between the first and second zone, there is an apparatus for the introduction of NH3 gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Meinhard Schwefer, Erich Szonn
  • Publication number: 20030068264
    Abstract: Gas flow is controlled to a feed gas consuming device depending on whether a contaminant gas is present. In one embodiment, hydrogen gas flow from a hydrogen gas generator to a hydrogen consuming device, such as a fuel cell, gas chromatograph or a flame ionization detector, is terminated when there is chemical contaminant breakthrough in the hydrogen gas flow. The apparatus relates to the use of a sensor for detecting a predetermined concentration of a chemical contaminant such as ammonia. In one embodiment the apparatus terminates the gas flow when a concentration of ammonia in the gas flow corresponds to a breakthrough (e.g., approximately in the range of 2.0% or greater). The apparatus prevents the ammonia-contaminated hydrogen from disabling such a hydrogen consuming device that would have otherwise received the contaminated gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Schmidt, Franklin Earl Lynch, John S. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 6534030
    Abstract: A process for producing ammonium thiosulfate by contacting a feed gas containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia with an aqueous absorbing stream containing ammonium sulfite and ammonium bisulfite to form an ammonium thiosulfate-containing solution; the absorption being controlled by monitoring the oxidation reduction potential of the absorbing stream and varying the feed rates in response to the oxidation reduction potential measurements. An ammonium bisulfide-containing aqueous stream is contacted with and absorbs sulfur dioxide to form an aqueous stream containing the ammonium sulfite and ammonium bisulfite reagents. This sulfite/bisulfite-containing stream is combined with the ammonium thiosulfate-containing solution in a vessel to produce a combined solution. A portion of the combined solution is recycled back to contact the feed gas and ammonium thiosulfate is recovered from the remaining portion of the combined solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: El Paso Merchant Energy Petroleum Company
    Inventors: Mark C. Anderson, Sidney P. White, Ronald E. Shafer
  • Patent number: 6531104
    Abstract: A flue gas mixture containing sulfur oxides is scrubbed in a countercurrent spray tower absorber with a spray of ammonium sulfate liquor and the scrubbed gas stream containing ammonia aerosols, sulfur trioxide aerosols and ammonia slip is passed to a wet electrostatic precipitator for the removal of the aerosols and slip. The ammonium sulfate liquor in the absorber system is passed into a separate reaction tank where ammonia and air are injected. The ammonia and sulfur oxides react in the separate reaction tank to form ammonium sulfite which is oxidized to the sulfate by the air. The gases and vapors from the separate reaction tank are separately scrubbed and the gases then returned to the absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom (Schweiz) AG
    Inventors: Donald C. Borio, David J. Muraskin, Phillip C. Rader, Mark A. Walters
  • Patent number: 6517801
    Abstract: A feed gas stream containing hydrogen sulphide is subjected in a furnace 6 to reactions in which part of the hydrogen sulphide is burned to form sulphur dioxide, and is which the sulphur dioxide reacts with residual hydrogen sulphide to form sulphur vapor. The sulphur vapor is condensed from the gas stream exiting the furnace 6 in a sulphur condenser 16. Residual sulphur dioxide is reduced back to hydrogen sulphide by hydrogen in a reactor 22. Water vapor is removed from the reduced gas in a quench tower 28 to form a water vapor-depleted gas stream. One part of the water vapor-depleted gas stream is sent to an adsorber vessel 30 in which hydrogen sulphide is absorbed in an absorbent. The resulting hydrogen sulphide-depleted gas stream is vented from the vessel 30 as a purge stream. Another part of the water vapor-depleted gas stream and a hydrogen sulphide-rich gas formed by desorbing hydrogen sulphide from the absorbent in a vessel 38 are returned as recycle streams to the furnace 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Richard William Watson, Stephen Rhys Graville, Vijay Ramanand Balse
  • Patent number: 6517793
    Abstract: A method of reducing NOX compounds in the odor gases of a recovery boiler. In the method, ammonia in the odor gases is separated before the odor gases are combusted, the ammonia being then introduced into a recovery boiler at the pulp mill or in a separate catalyzer, where the ammonia reacts with nitrogen oxide forming water and molecular nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping Oy
    Inventors: Ari Tamminen, Seppo Tuominiemi, Risto Hämäläinen
  • Patent number: 6506357
    Abstract: Sulphur is recovered from a first gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide and at least 50% by volume of ammonia and from a second gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide but essentially no ammonia, the first gas stream, the second gas stream, and combustion supporting gas comprising at least one stream of essentially pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air are fed to a single combustion zone or a plurality of combustion zones in parallel with each other without premixing of first gas stream or the second gas stream with oxygen or air, and creating in the or each combustion zone at least one region in which thermal cracking of ammonia takes place, and taking from the reactor an effluent gas stream including sulphur vapor, sulphur dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide, but essentially no residual ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Richard William Watson, Stephen Rhys Graville
  • Patent number: 6488905
    Abstract: A gas stream containing at least 50% by volume of ammonia but eventually no hydrogen sulphide is burned in a reaction region which is supplied with oxygen and oxygen-enriched air. Both combustion and thermal cracking of ammonia takes place in the reaction region. The rate of supplying oxygen moleculars to the reaction region is from 75 to 98% of the stoichiometric rate required for full combustion of all combustible fluids supplied to the reaction region. Under these conditions essentially no ammonia remains in the effluent gas but formation of oxides of nitrogen can be minimised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Stephen Rhys Graville
  • Patent number: 6479026
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of denitrating exhaust gas, which can control the NOx removal efficiency of exhaust gas at 90% or higher while suppressing the release of unreacted ammonia to 0.1 ppm or less. The method carries out denitration of exhaust gas for removing nitrogen oxides with catalytic reduction by introducing a nitrogen-oxide-containing gas into a catalyst-filled reaction chamber and adding ammonia as reducing agent in an excessive amount to the same chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Iida, Shigeru Nojima, Yoshiaki Obayashi, Atsushi Morii
  • Publication number: 20020159937
    Abstract: Oxygen is removed from natural gas by contacting oxygen-containing natural gas with nitric oxide under conditions sufficient to produce nitrogen dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY
    Inventors: David V. Duchane, William R. Parrish, Douglas W. Hausler
  • Patent number: 6471926
    Abstract: A method for utilizing ultra-thin catalytic monoliths, internal molding and high concentrations of reactive catalytic species to exploit the unique high surface area of Aerogels in order to achieve catalytic selectivity of the desired gas phase heterogeneous reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Matthew T. Sander
  • Publication number: 20020128148
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the decontamination of fluid ammonia are described. Liquid or gaseous ammonia is purified of contaminants by passage through an adsorbent bed, the contaminants accumulating in the bed. A portion of the purified ammonia discharged from the bed is decomposed to hydrogen and nitrogen. The hydrogen is used to regenerate an adsorbent bed which has accumulated sufficient contaminants to reduce its ability to further decontaminate incoming ammonia satisfactorily. Preferably there are a plurality of interconnected adsorbent beds, with some being operated for ammonia decontamination while others are being regenerated, with their operations being reversed as needed to maintain a continual production of decontaminated ammonia from the plurality of beds. Computers or other controllers can be used to control such bed operations and interchanges. Internal production of hydrogen makes the system self-contained and no addition of hydrogen is needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel Alvarez, Jeffrey J. Spiegelman
  • Publication number: 20020054844
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment unit for the selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides under lean exhaust gas conditions which contains at least one catalyst with catalytically active components for selective catalytic reduction (SCR components). The exhaust gas treatment unit is characterised in that the catalyst also contains, in addition to SCR components, at least one storage component for nitrogen oxides (NOx components).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventors: Marcus Pfeifer, Paul Spurk, Jurgen Gieshoff, Yvonne Demel, Egbert Lox, Thomas Kreuzer
  • Publication number: 20020044902
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for purifying flue gases before they are released into the atmosphere of their nitrogen oxides N2O and NOx by reaction with ammonia by causing them to circulate at temperatures between 200 and 600° C. on a catalyst based on beta-zeolite loaded with iron. The invention is particularly useful for treating tail gases from factories producing nitric acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Gerard Delahay, Mathias Mauvezin, Bernard Neveu, Genevieve Neveu, Bernard M. Coq
  • Publication number: 20020044900
    Abstract: A column for purifying gases by a dry method contains a horizontal plate fitted at a position above a bed of a purifying agent and below a gas inlet, and an upstanding pipe passing through the center of the horizontal plate for guiding harmful gases from the gas inlet to below the horizontal plate, and inner wall surface of the column, upper surface of the horizontal plate and outer wall surface of the pipe form a space defining a collector for the powdered material. Thus there is provided a purifying means which facilitates the purification of harmful gases discharged from e.g. a semiconductor manufacturing process and containing powdered material without accompanying blocking of a purification apparatus, and, thereby, make the operation for the purification and maintenance of the facilities easy, while allowing a purifying agent to exhibit its purifying ability thoroughly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Applicant: Japan Pionics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kenji Otsuka, Takashi Shimada, Tomohisa Ikeda, Norihiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20020028171
    Abstract: This invention relates to the autothermal decomposition of ammonia to produce high purity hydrogen. This invention also relates to a fuel cell system wherein hydrogen that is produced from the autothermic decomposition of ammonia is used as fuel to a fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Duane A. Goetsch, Steve J. Schmit
  • Patent number: 6352680
    Abstract: Sulfur vapor is formed by partial oxidation of hydrogen sulphide. A burner is operated so as to establish a flame in a furnace in or into which the burner fires. There is supplied to the flame from the first region of the mouth of the burner at least one flow of a first combustible gas comprising hydrogen sulfide. At least one second flow of a first oxidizing gas is caused to issue from the mouth of the burner and mix in the flame with the first combustible gas. There is supplied to the flame from a second region of the mouth of the burner surrounding and spaced from the said first region at least one third flow of a second combustible gas comprising hydrogen sulfide. At least one fourth flow of a second oxidizing gas is caused to issue from a region or regions of the mouth of the burner surrounded by said second region and mix in the flame with the second combustible gas. At least one fifth, outermost flow of a third oxidizing gas is caused to mix in the flame with the second combustible gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: Richard William Watson, Stephen Rhys Graville, John Allen Wainford
  • Publication number: 20020021995
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for decomposing NH3. A fluid containing NH3 is passed in contact with a tubular membrane that is a homogeneous mixture of a ceramic and a first metal, with the ceramic being selected from one or more of a cerate having the formula of M′Ce1-x M″3-&dgr;, zirconates having the formula M′Zr1-xM″O3-&dgr;, stannates having the formula M′Sn1-xM′O3-&dgr;, where M′ is a group IIA metal, M″ is a dopant metal of one or more of Ca, Y, Yb, In, Nd, Gd or mixtures thereof and &dgr; is a variable depending on the concentration of dopant and is in the range of from 0.001 to 0.5, the first metal is a group VIII or group IB element selected from the group consisting of Pt, Ag, Pd, Fe, Co, Cr, Mn, V, Ni, Au, Cu, Rh, Ru and mixtures thereof. The tubular membrane has a catalytic metal on the side thereof in contact with the fluid containing NH3 which is effective to cause NH3 to decompose to N2 and H2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventors: Uthamalingam Balachandran, Arun C. Bose
  • Patent number: 6348178
    Abstract: Gas-phase methods and systems for reducing NOx emissions and other contaminants in exhaust gases, and industrial processes using the same, are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, hydrocarbon(s) autoignite and autothermally heat an exhaust gas from an industrial process so that NH3, HNCO or a combination thereof are effective for selectively reducing NOx autocatalytically. Preferably, the reduction of NOx is initiated/driven by the autoignition of hydrocarbon(s) in the exhaust gas. Within the temperature range of about 900-1600° F., the introduced hydrocarbon(s) autoignite spontaneously under fuel-lean conditions of about 2-18% O2 in the exhaust gas. Once ignited, the reactions proceed autocatalytically, beating the exhaust gas autothermally. Under some conditions, a blue chemiluminescence may be visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Noxtech, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce C. Sudduth, Ralph J. Slone, Vishwesh Palekar, Madhu Ramavajjala
  • Patent number: 6331281
    Abstract: There are disclosed a process for cleaning ammonia-containing exhaust gas which comprises bringing the exhaust gas into contact with an ammonia decomposition catalyst (e.g. nickel, ruthenium) under heating to decompose most of the ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen, subsequently bringing the resultant mixed gas into contact with an ammonia adsorbent (e.g. synthetic zeolite) for adsorbing undecomposed ammonia, and then heating regenerating the adsorbent, while bringing reproduced exhaust gas containing the ammonia desorbed from the adsorbent into contact under heating, with the ammonia decomposition catalyst or another ammonia decomposition catalyst; and an apparatus for carrying out the process. It is made possible by the process and apparatus to efficiently and completely clean ammonia-containing exhaust gas exhausted from a semiconductor manufacturing process and the like without generating useless byproduct and dispensing with secondary treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Japan Pionics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Suehachi Teru, Yasusada Miyano, Noboru Akita, Kenji Otsuka, Takashi Shimada
  • Publication number: 20010041157
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of unused ammonia (“ammonia slip”) in instances where ammonia is provided to SNCR and/or SCR processes for reducing NOx pollution in flue gas produced by a fossil fuel burning facility. Such a facility incorporates a rotary regenerative heat exchanger (i.e. an air preheater and/or a gas to gas preheater) for absorbing heat from the gas flow on one side of the heat exchanger, and releasing such absorbed heat to heat the gas flow on the other side of the heat exchanger. The invention herein includes absorbent/desorbent media carried by at least some of the elements of the heat exchanger. The media is active to adsorb at least a portion of the ammonia slip before the gas flow is exhausted to the environment, and to desorb essentially an equilibrium portion of such adsorbed ammonia into gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventor: Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Publication number: 20010033816
    Abstract: Apparatus, materials, and methods for removing ammonia from fluids using metal hydroxides (e.g. zinc hydroxide) and metal loaded media (e.g. zinc loaded ion exchange resins); the metal hydroxides and metal loaded media may be regenerated with a weak acid (pKa between 3 and 7). Alternatively, ammonia is removed from fluids by using H2SO4 and ZnSO4 and metal loaded media; the metal loaded media may be regenerated with H2SO4 and ZnSO4; the ammonia containing H2SO4 and ZnSO4 may be concentrated as necessary to form (NH4)2SO4.ZnSO4.6H2O (ammonium zinc sulfate hexahydrate) crystals. These crystals are removed from the mother liquor and heated to temperatures exceeding 200° C. releasing NH3 and H2O vapor upon the decomposition of the crystals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Scott J. Blonigen, Alexander G. Fassbender, Robert D. Litt, Bruce F. Monzyk, Richelle Neff
  • Publication number: 20010031236
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of decomposing an ammonia gas, including the step of decomposing an ammonia gas, into a nitrogen gas with use of a composite material as a catalyst. The composite material has a carrier made mainly of carbon and at least one kind of an active element which is supported by the carrier and selected from alkaline earth metals and transition metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventor: Yasuo Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 6301879
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purification system for denoxing exhaust gases has a converter containing a substance thermolytically separable into NH3, a feed line connecting the converter with an exhaust gas line for supplying NH3 into the exhaust gas flow therein, a dosing device in the feed line for dosing the NH3 to be introduced into the exhaust gas flow, a heatable cold-start store connected to the feed line between the converter and dosing device for providing the substance during starting of a combustion unit connected to the exhaust gas line, an air feeding device having two air conduits provided with valves wherein one conduit is connected to the feed line between the cold-start store and dosing device and the other conduit is connected to a mixing chamber located in the feed line after the dosing device, and a reservoir container for storing the substance connected to a filling pipe terminating in the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: HJS Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Werner Weisweiler, Georg Huthwohl, Bernd Maurer
  • Patent number: 6299847
    Abstract: An ammonia catalytic abatement apparatus and method having two types of catalytic converters in line, wherein the first catalytic converter preferably including platinum as the catalytic agent converts or reduces the ammonia in an ammonia laden gas stream to N2, H2O and approximately equal stoichiometric proportions of NOx and the remaining unconverted NH3. The second catalytic converter which preferably is a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst then converts substantially all of the NOx+NH3 to N2+H2O vapor. The ammonia laden gas stream is first heated to the reaction temperatures of the catalytic converters which in the disclosed embodiment is about 300° C. The disclosed apparatus further includes a recuperative heat exchanger which preheats the gas prior to the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Durr Environmental
    Inventor: Cary P. Allen
  • Patent number: 6296821
    Abstract: An ultra-efficient multilobal cross-sectioned fiber filter for chemical contaminant filtering applications is described. An absorptive chemically reactive reagent, preferably an acid or base and in liquid or an adsorptive chemically reactive reagent (an acid or base) in solid form, is disposed within longitudinal slots in each length of fiber. The reagent may be used alone or in conjunction with solid adsorptive particles which may also be utilized with the reagents in the longitudinal slots within the fibers. Reagents within the fibers remain exposed to a base-contaminated airstream passing through the filter. Base contaminants in the airstream, chemicals such as ammonium and amines (as well as particles), react with the acid reagent within the longitudinal slots of the fibers. As the contaminant and reagent react, the ammonium or amine becomes irreversibly absorbed (or adsorbed if reagent is a solid acid) to the liquid acid reagent and multilobal fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Allied Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Neil H. Hendricks, Jeff Miller, Ron Paul Rohrbach, Dan E. Bause, Peter Dale Unger, Adel George Tannous, Randy R. LeClaire, William E. McGeever
  • Patent number: 6294097
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for treating waste water containing nitrate ions by subjecting the waste water to decomposition and oxidation to eliminate a harmful gas, the method including the steps of: (a) mixing a waste water containing 10 to 90% by weight nitrate ions in terms of ammonium nitrate with a lower alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms to prepare a mixture, (b) decomposing the mixture at a temperature of 250° C. or higher to generate a decomposition gas, and (c) reacting the decomposition gas with a gas containing oxygen at a temperature of 250° C. or higher to render the decomposition gas harmless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Anan Kasei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiya Ohashi, Yoshimasa Katayama
  • Patent number: 6290066
    Abstract: A method for removing ammonia and ammonia compounds from fly ash and other combustion by-products is provided. The method may be performed with raw or processed fly ash, or it may be performed in conjunction with a wet beneficiation process. The method involves mixing the ammonia-contaminated fly ash with water and then filtering and/or drying the solution to remove the ammonia and water. The method produces fly ash having an ammonia content of less than about 60-80 ppm, which allows the fly ash to be utilized in a number of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Board of Control for Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Jiann-Yang Hwang
  • Patent number: 6282880
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved ammonium synthesis process. A synthesis gas is separated with a membrane into a hydrogen-rich gas and a hydrogen-depleted gas. The hydrogen rich gas is shifted with steam to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Carbon dioxide is removed from the shifted gas, and remaining carbon oxides are methanized. This gas is admixed with nitrogen and with recycled ammonia synthesis feedstock gas. This ammonia synthesis feedstock gas is then cycled in an ammonia synthesis reactor. A purge gas stream is withdrawn from the ammonia synthesis feedstock gas and is admixed with the hydrogen-depleted gas. The hydrogen-depleted gas and the purge gas are combusted, usually in a combustion turbine, to generate heat or power. Lower purity hydrogen can therefore be used in the synthesis of the ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Wallace, Kay Anderson Johnson
  • Publication number: 20010018035
    Abstract: A gas stream containing at least 50% by volume of ammonia but eventually no hydrogen sulphide is burned in a reaction region which is supplied with oxygen and oxygen-enriched air. Both combustion and thermal cracking of ammonia takes place in the reaction region. The rate of supplying oxygen moleculars to the reaction region is from 75 to 98% of the stoichiometric rate required for full combustion of all combustible fluids supplied to the reaction region. Under these conditions essentially no ammonia remains in the effluent gas but formation of oxides of nitrogen can be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Inventor: Stephen Rhys Graville
  • Patent number: 6264905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the amount of unused ammonia (“ammonia slip”) in instances where ammonia is provided to SNCR and/or SCR processes for reducing NOx pollution in flue gas produced by a fossil fuel burning facility. Such a facility incorporates a regenerative heat exchanger (i.e. an air preheater) for absorbing heat on the flue gas side, and releasing such absorbed heat to heat the incoming combustion air. The invention herein includes absorbent/desorbent media carried by at least some of the heat transfer elements of the heat exchanger. The media is active to adsorb at least a portion of the ammonia slip before the flue gas stream is exhausted to the environment, and to desorb essentially an equilibrium portion of such adsorbed ammonia into the incoming combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Hera, LLC
    Inventor: Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 6190629
    Abstract: A scrubber assembly for removal of water soluble and/or alkaline gases from an exhaust stream uses a scrubber mixture contained within at least one scrubber vessel. Preferably the scrubber mixture include a liquid phase including an aqueous acid solution, and solid phase including a solid organic acid. Preferably, the scrubber mixture includes a solid carboxylic acid having low toxicity and low corrosiveness to system components. In one embodiment, a plurality of scrubber vessels, each containing the scrubber mixture are connected in series. The scrubber assembly may further include an indicator tank containing an indicator mixture. The pH of the scrubber mixture and/or indicator mixture may be monitored, thereby making operation of the system not only simpler and more reliable, but also more efficient. A method for removal of water soluble and/or alkaline gases from an exhaust stream is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: CBL Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn S. Solomon, David J. Miller, Tetsuzo Ueda
  • Patent number: 6176079
    Abstract: A method of cleaning an exhaust gas from a combustion system that is operated alternately in lean and rich conditions includes intermediately storing nitrogen oxides during lean operation; releasing the stored nitrogen oxides, thereby producing ammonia and storing the ammonia during rich operation; releasing the ammonia, thereby reducing nitrogen oxides in a subsequent lean condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Brigitte Konrad, Bernd Krutzsch, Dirk Voigtlaender
  • Patent number: 6136283
    Abstract: Temperature rise during the exothermic reduction of nitrogen oxides contained in a carbon dioxide-rich gas stream to nitrogen by contacting the gas stream with ammonia in a reactor containing a reduction catalyst is controlled by recycling a portion of the gaseous effluent from the reactor to the gas stream prior to its introduction into the reactor, thereby cooling the reactor contents without diluting the carbon dioxide in the effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Sidney Simon Stern
  • Patent number: 6113871
    Abstract: A supported metal oxide catalyst for the decomposition of ammonia and hydrogen cyanide in coke-oven gas is free of noble metals and comprises, based on the total catalyst, from 2 to 5.5% by weight of NiO and from 0.5 to 3.5% by weight of CoO on an MgO support. This catalyst is used in a process for the single-stage catalytic decomposition of ammonia and hydrogen cyanide in coke-oven gas before the latter is fed to a Claus desulfurization plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Harald Schafer, Gunther Matthias