Utilizing Solid Sorbent, Catalyst, Or Reactant Patents (Class 423/247)
  • Patent number: 6077488
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a clean dry air product stream. In accordance with the method and apparatus, a compressed feed air stream is introduced into one adsorption bed to adsorb moisture and carbon dioxide and to produce a first intermediate product stream. Impurities contained within the first intermediate product stream such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and hydrogen are catalytically reacted to produce a second intermediate product stream that contains additional carbon dioxide and moisture produced from the catalytic reaction. The second intermediate product stream is introduced into another adsorption bed that adsorbs the additional moisture and carbon dioxide formed by the catalytic reaction to produce the clean dry air product stream. The present invention can be used alone to serve the need of supplying a clean dry air product stream. Additionally, it can be used as a prepurification unit of an air separation plant designed to produce an ultra-high purity industrial gas product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Jain, James K. Tseng
  • Patent number: 6074621
    Abstract: Carbon monoxide is removed from air prior to cryogenic separation of oxygen and nitrogen. Feed air is compressed and the heat of compression is used without further heating to drive catalytic oxidation of CO to CO.sub.2 over a Pd and/or Pt on alumina catalyst followed by adsorption of water initially present and then either adsorption of hydrogen or oxidation of hydrogen to water and its removal by adsorption, along with carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hsiao-Ling Hsiung, Alexander Schwarz, Timothy Christopher Golden
  • Patent number: 6069288
    Abstract: A process for the separation and removal, of hydrogen, alone or together with carbon monoxide, if present, from a mixture of these gases with reactive unsaturated hydrocarbons, by contacting the mixture with oxygen over a catalyst at conditions sufficient to oxidize the hydrogen to form water while suppressing reaction of the reactive, unsaturated hydrocarbons. The catalyst contains at least one metal or metal oxide from Groups IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, and VIII of the Periodic Table, and the temperature of the reaction may range from about 40.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C., the pressure of the reaction ranges from about 14.7 psig to 1,000 psig, and the flow rate of the entering feed ranges from about 1 GHSV to about 50,000 GHSV. Oxygen amounts less than the stoichiometric amount required to react with the hydrogen, and optionally any carbon monoxide, are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Y. Ou, Stephen N. Vaughn, Lawrence G. Daniel
  • Patent number: 6060032
    Abstract: A process is set forth for the production of a carbon monoxide stream from a feed stream comprising carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen and moisture. The process comprises contacting the feed stream at elevated pressure with a layered adsorbent bed comprising (i) a pretreatment adsorbent in order to adsorb moisture preferentially over methane, nitrogen and carbon dioxide and (ii) a main adsorbent in order to adsorb carbon monoxide preferentially over hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrogen. A key to the present invention is that a carbon-based adsorbent is used as the pretreatment adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Hable, Timothy Christopher Golden, Wilbur Clymer Kratz
  • Patent number: 6057259
    Abstract: Nitrogen oxides are removed from an exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides and oxygen in a proportion larger than its stoichiometric proportion relative to unburned components in the exhaust gas, by (i) disposing an exhaust gas cleaner in a flow path, the exhaust gas cleaner comprising a first catalyst composed of 0.2-20 parts by weight (on a metal basis) of silver or silver oxide supported on a porous inorganic oxide, and a second catalyst composed of 1-50 parts by weight of tungsten and/or vanadium supported on a porous inorganic oxide; (ii) introducing oxygen-containing organic compounds having 2 or more carbon atoms or a fuel containing the oxygen-containing organic compounds into the exhaust gas on the upstream side of the exhaust gas cleaner; and (iii) bringing the exhaust gas into contact with the exhaust gas cleaner at a temperature of 150-650.degree. C., thereby causing a reaction of the nitrogen oxides with the oxygen-containing organic compounds to remove the nitrogen oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken, Agency of Industrial Science Technology
    Inventors: Tatsuo Miyadera, Kiyohide Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6051162
    Abstract: A process for the generation of a protective nitrogen-based atmosphere for the performance of heat treatments of metal articles in three phases, including an initial phase in which a gaseous hydrocarbon feed and an oxidant containing oxygen react on a first catalyst to form a reaction product, a second phase in which the reaction product is added to nitrogen contaminated by the presence of oxygen and a third phase in which the reaction product is conveyed to a second catalyst to form a low-dew point gaseous mixture as a protective atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaak Stefaan Vandensype, Gianluca Porto
  • Patent number: 6048509
    Abstract: A method is provided for removing water, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide out of a gas, such as air, by passing the gas through a packed column so that the gas sequentially contacts a catalyst consisting of platinum or palladium and at least one member selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, chromium, tin, lead and cerium wherein the catalyst is supported on alumina containing substantially no pores having pore diameters of 110 Angstroms or less under conditions which oxidize the carbon monoxide in the gas into carbon dioxide; an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of silica gel, activated alumina, zeolite and combinations thereof under conditions in which water is adsorbed and removed from the gas and an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of calcium ion exchanged A zeolite; calcium ion exchanged X zeolite; sodium ion exchanged X zeolite and mixtures thereof under conditions which carbon dioxide is adsorbed and removed from the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Kawai, Morimitsu Nakamura, Nobuhiro Okamura
  • Patent number: 6048508
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for simultaneously obtaining pure carbon monoxide and pure hydrogen in a steam reformer plant for hydrogen or ammonia generation, having a primary reformer, a secondary reformer and downstream thereof, a CO conversion stage. A part gas stream of the synthesis gas stream, which is discharged from the secondary reformer having a CO content of between 2 and 20 mol. % and is at a temperature of from 200 to 500.degree. C. and a pressure between 15 and 50 bar, is removed between the secondary reformer and the CO conversion stage. The part gas stream is then is cooled to a temperature below 100.degree. C., thereby condensing out the major part of the steam contained in the gas stream. The remaining raw synthesis gas stream is then guided by way of a multistage gas separation plant in which the gas components H.sub.2, residual steam, CH.sub.4, CO.sub.2 and optionally N.sub.2 are separated, either individually or together, from the CO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Ulrich Dummersdorf, Hans-Joachim Muller, Dieter Grenner, Gerhard Moormann
  • Patent number: 6033638
    Abstract: A method for adsorbing and oxidizing VOC's in the same bed, thus reducing the size of or even eliminating the need for a catalytic or thermal oxidation unit at the end of the system. In this system, a catalyst is intimately interspersed with the adsorbent material. The catalyst oxidizes VOC's released during desorption when it reaches the `light off temperature,` that is, the catalyst temperature necessary for oxidation to begin. As VOC's are desorbed, they are combusted by the catalyst in the same bed and also by their combustion, heat the bed to aid in the desorption of VOC's elsewhere in the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventors: Larry E. Campbell, Michele W. Sanders
  • Patent number: 6030591
    Abstract: A process for recovery of fluorocompound gas from an effluent gas stream containing the fluorocompound gas and other gas components, in which at least one of the other gas components is removed, e.g., by oxidation or contacting of the effluent stream with a dry material such as an adsorbent or scrubber medium, to yield a first effluent gas mixture containing the fluorocompound gas. The fluorocompound gas is removed from the first effluent gas mixture and recovered as a concentrated fluorocompound gas, by a process such as cryogenic processing, membrane separation, and/or adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: ATMI Ecosys Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, H. Eric Fisher, W. Karl Olander
  • Patent number: 6027703
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a catalyst for gases, especially for exhaust gases of stoichiometrically operated gasoline engines, wherein a catalyst is exposed to a gas stream and pollutants are catalytically converted. To improve the elimination of pollutants in the starting phase, hydrocarbons present in the gas are temporarily stored by the catalyst at temperatures below a response temperature of the catalyst, particularly below 200.degree. C., and preferably below 150.degree. C. The hydrocarbons are then released at temperatures above the response temperature and the pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, are catalytically converted with reducing agents, such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and mixtures thereof. The catalyst is a spinel, such as (MgCu)Al.sub.2 O.sub.4, which may also include a catalytically active species, such as WO.sub.3, V.sub.2 O.sub.5 and TiO.sub.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Martin Hartweg, Rolf-Dirc Roitzheim, Andrea Seibold, Leonhard Walz, Thomas Fetzer, Bernd Morsbach
  • Patent number: 5997831
    Abstract: Method of catalytically activating the surface of a heat exchange device while retaining the heat exchange properties of the device and heat exchange devices obtained thereby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph C. Dettling, Jeffrey B. Hoke
  • Patent number: 5997829
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sheet-form environment purifying material comprising particles of metal and/or metal oxide consisting essentially of at least one member being selected from the group consisting of manganese, copper, zinc, iron, vanadium, nickel, titanium, palladium, platinum, manganese oxide, copper oxide, zinc oxide, iron oxide, vanadium oxide, nickel oxide, titanium oxide, palladium oxide, and platinum oxide, adsorbent particles consisting essentially of at least one member selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, zeolite, silica gel, sepiolite, activated alumina and activated clay, thermoplastic resin particles being selected from ultrahigh-molecular weight polyethylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyamide acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins, polyimide, polyvinyl chloride, cellulose acetate, polysulfone, polystyrene phthalate and polypropylene, and an air-permeable sheet of fibrous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Hitachi Chemical Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshika Sekine, Kenji Tonoki, Tatsuya Uchida, Yasuo Miyadera, Hiroyuki Kawada, Takayuki Senda
  • Patent number: 5993762
    Abstract: A reaction comprising the oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, eg in vehicle exhausts, employs a catalyst composed of metal oxide, eg. ceria, particles among which are uniformly incorporated noble metal particles, the particles having such a high interaction that, without hydrogen reduction pre-treatment, the catalyst exhibits the formation of anionic vacancies on the metal oxide surface at a temperature lower than does the corresponding catalyst prepared by impregnation. The catalyst employed is preferably prepared by co-precipitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Raj R. Rajaram, John W. Hayes, Graham P. Ansell, Helen A. Hatcher
  • Patent number: 5993517
    Abstract: High purity carbon monoxide is separated from a gas stream containing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen and possibly other impurities by a two-stage pressure swing adsorption process carried out in a series of adsorption vessels containing adsorbent which adsorbs carbon monoxide more readily than other components of the gas stream. The first adsorption vessel in the series is cocurrently purged with nonadsorbed product stream from the second vessel and the purge effluent from the first stage adsorption vessels is reintroduced into the first adsorption vessels as feed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Boc Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Yudong Chen, Akhilesh Kapoor, Ramakrishnan Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 5993760
    Abstract: A process for removing parts-per-million quantities of unwanted species such as oxygen, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water from a cryogenically produced nitrogen gas stream using an oxygen removal step prior to a nickel-based catalytic adsorption step in order to eliminate the need for hydrogen regeneration in either step. Ultrapure nitrogen heated to less than 500.degree. C. is used to purge and hold the beds used for unwanted species removal, eliminating the need for hydrogen regeneration thus reducing the regeneration cycle time and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Hsiao-Ling Hsiung, John Bruce Wallace, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5985231
    Abstract: A process is provided for the catalytic conversion of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide by feeding a gaseous flow containing carbon monoxide and water droplets into a reactor containing a catalyst and reacting the carbon monoxide with steam in the reactor to obtain carbon dioxide. The flow rate of the gaseous flow containing carbon monoxide and water droplets is accelerated upstream of the catalyst via passage through a venturi-type element so that the water droplets are split into smaller water droplets which either migrate toward the center of the gaseous flow or become evaporated into steam, thereby minimizing pressure drops across the catalyst and minimizing damage to the catalyst due to the impact of the water droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Ammonia Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Gianfranco Bedetti
  • Patent number: 5968468
    Abstract: An apparatus is described for the removal of impurity gases such as O.sub.2, CH.sub.4, CO, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 from impure inert gases such as rare gases and N.sub.2. The apparatus comprises an impure inert gas inlet, a housing containing first and second gas sorbing materials and a purified gas outlet. The first gas sorbing material may be a Zr--V--Fe getter alloy if the gas to be purified is a rare gas, whereas it may be a Zr--Fe alloy if the gas to be purified is N.sub.2. The second gas sorbing material is a Zr--Al alloy which ensures that the purified inert gas has an extremely low level of hydrogen. A process for the removal of impurity gases from inert gases and ensuring an extremely low level of hydrogen in the purified gas is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Succi, Valerio Furlan
  • Patent number: 5968214
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus for vehicles includes an ozone generator, diffusing plate, and activated charcoal filter, which are disposed sequentially from the upstream side of air flow in an air cleaning duct. The activated charcoal filter contains acid treated activated charcoal and alkali treated activated charcoal. Thus, in the air cleaning apparatus for vehicles, the ozone generator oxidizes ammonia and acetaldehyde and then absorbs and removes the products by acid activated charcoal and alkali activated charcoal. As a result, ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid which are bad odor components of cigarette smoke can be removed sufficiently and effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignees: Komatsu Ltd., Zexel Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Nagata, Shigetomo Noda, Shinichi Hara, Toshio Harada, Tadakazu Ono, Tsutomu Kimura, Teruaki Yamaguchi, Toshinori Sugiki
  • Patent number: 5942200
    Abstract: A method for removing carbon oxides from a hydrogen stream containing more than 0.1 ppmv of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or a mixture thereof, by charging the hydrogen with a hydrocarbonaceous stream containing a minor amount of aromatics to an aromatics saturation zone; saturating at least a portion of the aromatics and methanating at least a major portion of the carbon oxide to produce a reduced aromatics content hydrocarbonaceous stream and a reduced carbon oxide content hydrogen stream; and recovering the reduced aromatics content hydrocarbonaceous stream and the reduced carbon oxide content hydrogen stream. The hydrogen may optionally be dried or further purified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Andrew P. Voss, Michael J. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 5928618
    Abstract: Methods for catalyzing the low temperature, oxidative destruction of organic matter, particularly the incomplete combustion products of carbon-containing fuels such as fossil fuels. The methods and systems utilize a catalytically reactive media that is suspended by moving air within a reaction chamber and that is maintained at a temperature sufficient to cause the suspended media particles, typically silica sand, silica gel, or alumina, to become catalytically reactive in the presence of moisture. Typically, the reaction chamber is maintained at a temperature in a range from about 200.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C. Moisture may be provided by the organic matter, although additional moisture may be introduced into the reaction chamber in order to maintain reactivity of the media particles. The apparatus can be adapted to be used in combination with diesel engines or other internal combustion engines and industrial burners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Thomas C. Maganas
    Inventors: Thomas C. Maganas, Alan L. Harrington
  • Patent number: 5919425
    Abstract: Homogeneous catalytic regenerative heat transfer packing material is made by impregnating ceramic packing material with a solution of a catalyst precursor and then fixing the precursor into catalyst form. The catalyzed packing material is suitable for use in a process for the regenerative catalytic oxidation of waste gases, in particular, gases that include volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Pascaline H. Nguyen, James M. Chen, Bulent O. Yavuz, Howard J. Furbeck
  • Patent number: 5915951
    Abstract: Processes for the catalytic combustion of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, or mixtures thereof (processes with one or more catalytic stages) and processes of abating the pollution produced by the exhaust gases of vehicles that run on natural gas using a non-selective oxidation catalyst. The non-selective oxidation catalyst comprises a monolithic substrate, a porous support with a refractory inorganic oxide base and an active phase that consists of cerium, zirconium, iron, and at least one metal that is selected from the group that is formed by palladium and platinum is described; with the porous support content being between 200 and 400 g per liter of catalyst; with the cerium content being between 0.3 and 20% by weight relative to the porous support; with the zirconium content being between 0.3 and 20% by weight relative to the porous support; with the iron content being between 0.01 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Patrick Euzen, Eric Tocque, Stephane Rebours, Gil Mabilon
  • Patent number: 5907076
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the separation and removal of hydrogen, alone or together with carbon monoxide, from a mixture of these gases with olefinic hydrocarbons by contacting the mixture with oxygen over a catalyst at conditions sufficient to oxidize the hydrogen to form water while suppressing reaction of the reactive, unsaturated hydrocarbons. The catalyst contains at least one metal or metal oxide from Groups Ib, IIb, IIIa, IVa and Va of the Periodic Table, and the temperature of the reaction may range from about 40.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. and a pressure of about 14.7 psig to 1,000 psig, and the flow rate of the entering feed ranges from about 1 GHSV to about 50,000 GHSV. The process can be conducted using one, two or three reaction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Di-Yi Ou, Stephen Neil Vaughn, Lawrence Gilbert Daniel
  • Patent number: 5902561
    Abstract: A two-stage process method for removal of impurities such carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, hydrogen, and methane from inert gases at ambient temperature (0.degree.-60.degree. C.). In the first stage the inert gas is contacted with a nickel catalyst, and in the second stage the inert gas is passed over a getter alloy. Purified gas exiting the second stage of the purifier contains less than one part per billion (ppb) levels of the impurities. The nickel catalyst and getter alloy are initially activated at elevated temperature. The catalyst and getter may be reactivated by heating and purging, and hydrogen previously removed from impure gas can be used in the reactivation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: D.D.I. Limited
    Inventors: Giovanni Carrea, Brian D. Warrick
  • Patent number: 5895636
    Abstract: Methods and chemical compositions for treating a gas stream comprising non-halogenated and halogenated organic compounds while suppressing halogenation of the non-halogenated organic compounds with the oxidation products of the halogenated organic compounds in the gas stream are disclosed. The gas stream in the presence of oxygen is contacted with the catalyst compositions of the invention to oxidize the non-halogenated and the halogenated compounds to form water, carbon dioxide, and halogen molecules (Cl.sub.2, Br.sub.2, etc.) and/or halogen acids such as HCl, HBr, etc. An advantage of the present compositions and methods is that halogenation or of the treated emissions is suppressed over a process operating temperature range 400 to 550.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Pascaline H. Nguyen, James M. Chen, Chung-Zong Wan, Shau-Lin Frank Chen, Zhicheng Hu
  • Patent number: 5882616
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to supported perovskites of the formula XYO.sub.3 where X is lanthanum, cerium or yttrium and Y is a transition metal such as copper, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel supported on a support such as alumina, silica, magnesium aluminate, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide and mixtures thereof. In the case where X is lanthanum, some of the lanthanum ions may be replaced resulting in a perovskite of the formula La.sub.1-x A.sub.x YO.sub.3 wherein x is about 0.75 or less and A is silver or magnesium and Y is manganese or iron. Their use for low temperature oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particularly oxygen-containing VOCs. The support may be stabilized by having an intermediate metal oxide layer on the surface of the support wherein the metal of the intermediate metal oxide may be iron, magnesium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, zinc, titanium, copper, chromium, lanthanum, barium, calcium, strontium or silver. The catalysts contain platinum or palladium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Scott Ziebarth, Cristian Libanati, Mohit Uberoi
  • Patent number: 5849256
    Abstract: A method for oxidizing carbon monoxide in a waste gas stream that also contains sulfur dioxide is carried out by contacting the waste gas stream under oxidizing conditions with an oxidation catalyst which is effective for promoting the oxidation of carbon monoxide but produces less sulfur trioxide from the sulfur dioxide. The catalyst according to the invention contains platinum dispersed on a refractory inorganic oxide support material with a So.sub.3 -inhibiting quantity of a bismuth compound, such as Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3. The atomic molar ratio of bismuth to platinum is in the range of from about 0.1:1 to 6:1, e.g., 0.5:1 to 3:1, e.g., 1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Deeba, Barry K. Speronello
  • Patent number: 5841804
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for regeneration and reuse of He--N.sub.2 --CO.sub.2 mixed gas for carbon dioxide gas laser. The laser gas after use is contacted with a noble metal catalyst (for example, Pt--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) at a temperature of 200.degree.-300.degree. C. to react CO and O.sub.2 formed by laser discharge so as to form CO.sub.2. A suitable quantity of moisture in the contained laser gas causes steam-reforming reaction of H.sub.2 O and CO, and reaction of H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 following thereto, and continuous operation over a long period is thus possible. Poisoning of the catalyst by NO.sub.x is suppressed at this relatively high temperature of reaction. Activity of the catalyst, when decreased, may be recovered by reactivation by passing a reactivating gas consisting of carbon monoxide, oxygen and helium through the catalyst bed at a temperature of 400.degree. to 500.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: JGC Corporation
    Inventors: Masami Toshikuni, Setsuo Shibata
  • Patent number: 5823761
    Abstract: Described is a process of catalytic combustion with staged fuel injection that comprises: a first injection of fuel and air, the passage of the air-fuel mixture that is formed into a catalytic zone, and a second fuel injection into the flow of output from said catalytic zone; with said process being characterized in that said catalytic zone comprises at least one catalyst that comprises a monolithic substrate, a porous support based on a refractory inorganic oxide, and an active phase that comprises cerium, iron, and optionally zirconium, as well as at least one metal that is selected from the group that is formed by palladium and platinum; the content of porous support is between 100 and 400 g per liter of catalyst; the cerium content is between 0.3 and 20% by weight relative to the porous support; the zirconium content is between 0 and 20% by weight relative to the porous support; with the iron content being between 0.01 and 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Patrick Euzen, Jean-Herve Le Gal, Gerard Martin
  • Patent number: 5804153
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the catalytic reduction of sulfur dioxide, for example in flue gas, by carbon monoxide using lanthanum oxysulfide as the active catalyst. The catalyst is prepared from lanthanum oxide by hydration and sulfidization, the latter step being carried out in the gas stream itself. This method of preparation has more general applicability and can also be used as a method for the preparation of lanthanum, yttrium, gadolinium and lutetium oxysulfides generally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University Of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Ming Fang, Jian Xin Ma, Ngai Ting Lau
  • Patent number: 5795554
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for the catalytic reduction of sulfur dioxide, for example in flue gas, by carbon monoxide using lanthanum oxysulfide as the active catalyst. The catalyst is prepared from lanthanum oxide by hydration and sulfidization, the latter step being carried out in the gas stream itself. This method of preparation has more general applicability and can also be used as a method for the preparation of lanthanum, yttrium, gadolinium and lutetium oxysulfides generally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology
    Inventors: Ming Fang, Jian Xin Ma, Ngai Ting Lau
  • Patent number: 5693302
    Abstract: A process for the substantial removal of at least one of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen impurities contained in a composite gas, according to which:(a) at least one of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen impurities contained in the composite gas are reacted with oxygen, in contact with a catalyst comprising particles of at least one metal chosen from the group consisting of gold and palladium, these particles being supported by titanium dioxide, in order respectively to form carbon dioxide and water;(b) optionally, the carbon dioxide and the water formed are removed from the composite gas;(c) the composite gas, substantially free of its carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen impurities, is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude et L'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Daniel Gary
  • Patent number: 5693299
    Abstract: Cerium/zirconium mixed oxides (optionally including yttrium values), comprising solid solutions thereof, having contents of zirconium of up to 60 atom % and having thermally stable, very high specific surface areas at least greater than 80 m.sup.2 /g, preferably at least 100 m.sup.2 /g and more preferably at least 150 m.sup.2 /g, are well suited as catalysts and/or catalyst supports, notably for the treatment/conversion of vehicular exhaust gases; such Ce.sub.x Zr.sub.1-x O.sub.2 particulates are conveniently prepared by thermally treating an aqueous solution of soluble compounds of cerium and zirconium (and optionally yttrium), e.g. the nitrates thereof, present in the desired stoichiometric amounts, and thence recovering and, if appropriate, calcining the reaction product thus formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Chimie
    Inventors: Thierry Chopin, Olivier Touret
  • Patent number: 5683665
    Abstract: According to the present invention, ceramics which are prepared by calcining a composition comprising raw ceramic materials and a microorganism and/or culture fluid thereof, wherein the microorganisms is capable of producing an antioxidation material. The ceramic of the present invention possesses a variety of activities of, for instance, improving the soil, decomposing sewage or sludge, and deodorizing an unpleasant odor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1997
    Inventor: Teruo Higa
  • Patent number: 5676913
    Abstract: A vehicle, preferably a public transport vehicle, transports an apparatus providing for intake of polluted air, which is purified of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur oxides, unburned matter and particulate, the impurities being collected and disposed of after a working cycle of around 10 hours. The energy consumption is negligible when compared with the volume of air treated. (FIG. 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: BCP S.r.l.
    Inventors: Francesco Cirillo, Remo Pimpinelli
  • Patent number: 5670122
    Abstract: A method is provided for preventing the release of air pollutants with combustion flue gases emitted to the atmosphere by the removal of one or more of nitric oxide, sulfur trioxide, light hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and trace amounts of mercury from combustion flue gas streams. The method converts nitric oxide to nitrogen dioxide, sulfur trioxide to sulfur dioxide, removes light hydrocarbons in the form of carbon dioxide, reduces the concentration of carbon monoxide, and removes mercury vapor in the form of mercury oxide, by the addition of hydrogen peroxide or a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and methanol to a combustion flue gas at a temperature in the range from about 650 K (377.degree. C.) to 1100 K (827.degree. C.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Energy and Environmental Research Corporation
    Inventors: Vladimir M. Zamansky, Loc Ho, William Randall Seeker
  • Patent number: 5665321
    Abstract: A method of decreasing the level of NOx, CO and SO.sub.2 emissions in a gas turbine is disclosed. A catalyst absorber, preferably made of alumina/platinum/carbonate salt, is used to oxidize the pollutant oxides and absorb them. The catalyst absorber can then be regenerated and reused. An apparatus for treating the stack gases, and a method of making the catalyst absorber are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Goal Line Environmental Technologies
    Inventors: Larry E. Campbell, Robert Danziger, Eugene D. Guth, Sally Padron
  • Patent number: 5662873
    Abstract: A process for the substantial elimination of at least one of the impurities carbon monoxide and hydrogen contained in a gaseous compound, according to which:(a) at least one of the impurities carbon monoxide and hydrogen contained in the gaseous compound is caused to react with oxygen, in contact with a catalyst comprising particles, on the one hand, (i) of gold, silver or gold and silver, and, on the other hand, (ii) of at least one metal of the platinum family, these particles being supported by a support to form, respectively, carbon dioxide and water;(b) as needed, the carbon dioxide and water are eliminated from the gaseous compound;(c) the gaseous compound is recovered substantially free from its impurities of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Daniel Gary
  • Patent number: 5658542
    Abstract: Nitrogen oxides are efficiently removed from an exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides and an excess amount of oxygen, by (i) disposing an exhaust gas cleaner in a flow path of the exhaust gas, the exhaust gas cleaner comprising a first catalyst comprising 0.2-15 weight % (on a metal basis) of at least one silver salt selected from the group consisting of silver halides, silver sulfate and silver phosphate supported on a porous inorganic oxide on an inlet side and a second catalyst comprising (a) 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken
    Inventors: Kiyohide Yoshida, Gyo Muramatsu, Akira Abe, Naoko Irite
  • Patent number: 5658543
    Abstract: Nitrogen oxides are efficiently removed frown an exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides and an excess amount of oxygen, by (i) disposing an exhaust gas cleaner in a flow path of the exhaust gas, the exhaust gas cleaner comprising a first catalyst comprising 0.2-15 weight % (on a metal basis) of silver or silver oxide supported on a porous inorganic oxide on the inlet side and a second catalyst comprising 0.2-15 weight % (on a metal basis) of silver or silver oxide and 2 weight % or less (on a metal basis) of copper or copper oxide supported on a porous inorganic oxide on the outlet side; (ii) introducing hydrocarbons and/or oxygen-containing organic compounds into the exhaust gas on the upstream side of the exhaust gas cleaner; and (iii) bringing the exhaust gas into contact with the exhaust gas cleaner at a temperature of 200.degree.-600.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken
    Inventors: Kiyohide Yoshida, Gyo Muramatsu, Akira Abe, Naoko Irite
  • Patent number: 5643545
    Abstract: A method and device for treating a gas stream comprising at least one non-halogenated carbonaceous compound and optionally at least one halogenated organic compound. The gas stream, at 100.degree. C. to 650.degree. C. and in the presence of oxygen is contacted with a first catalyst in a first catalyst zone. The first catalyst comprises a first catalytic material deposited on a low acidity support material. In this zone, the non-halogenated compound is selectively reacted to form innocuous materials such as water and carbon monoxide. This can be followed by contacting the gas stream with a second catalyst in a second catalyst zone. The second catalyst comprises a second catalytic material deposited on a high acidity support material. In this zone, the halogenated organic compounds are reacted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Chen, Pascaline Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5626826
    Abstract: Zirconium/cerium mixed oxides (optionally including thermally stabilizing dopant values), comprising solid solutions thereof, having contents of zirconium of up to 99% by weight, and having high specific surface areas, are well suited as catalysts and/or catalyst supports, notably for the treatment/conversion of vehicular exhaust gases; such ZrO.sub.2 /CeO.sub.2 mixed oxides are conveniently prepared by (i) intimately admixing a zirconium sol with a cerium sol, the ratio r of the mean diameter r.sub.l of the particles of the zirconium sol to the diameter r.sub.2 of the particles of the cerium sol being at least 5, (ii) adding a precipitating amount of a base thereto, (iii) recovering the precipitate thus formed, and (iv) calcining the recovered precipitate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc Chimie
    Inventors: Thierry Chopin, Gabriel Vilmin
  • Patent number: 5625116
    Abstract: The carbon monoxide contained in .alpha.-olefins and saturated hydrocarbons, in particular .alpha.-olefins and C.sub.2-4 saturated hydrocarbons, is removed, by contacting such .alpha.-olefins and saturated hydrocarbons, at a temperature ranging from 0.degree. to 150.degree. C., with a catalyst system comprising a mixture and/or the reaction product of:A) one or more oxides of metals selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Ni, Co, Pt, Pd; andB) one or more oxides of metals selected from the group consisting of metals of groups V B, VI B, or VII B of the Periodic Table;thus reducing the content of carbon monoxide to values lower than 0.03 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Montell North America Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Flammini, Giovanni Patroncini
  • Patent number: 5620672
    Abstract: A catalyst composition contains a catalytic material having having an undercoat layer containing a mixture of a fine particulate undercoat refractory metal oxide and a sol such as a silica sol, the undercoat providing good adherence to substrates, such as metal substrates, on which the catalytic material is disposed. An overlayer is coated over the underlayer and contains an overlayer refractory metal oxide, which may be the same as or different from the undercoat refractory metal oxide, and on which is dispersed one or more catalytic metal components, such as palladium and manganese components. The metal substrate may be made of, e.g., aluminum or titanium or alloys thereof, and provides a low pressure drop and lightweight catalyst, making the catalyst especially well adapted for use in aircraft to abate ozone in cabin air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Galligan, Joseph C. Dettling
  • Patent number: 5618505
    Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to a catalyst for promoting oxidation-reduction reactions of the exhaust gases produced by an internal combustion engine wherein the catalyst comprises a first-stage high temperature catalyst and a second-stage lower temperature catalyst. The first-stage catalyst comprises between about 0.1 and 3% by weight tungsten carried on a support material comprising mostly .gamma.-alumina. The second-stage catalyst comprises a base metal catalyst carried on a support material and preferably comprises between 0.1 and 6% by weight copper carried on a support material comprising mostly .gamma.-alumina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Somasundaram Subramanian, Robert J. Kudla, Mohinder S. Chattha
  • Patent number: 5612012
    Abstract: A method for removing CO from a reformed gas includes the steps of treating the reformed gas by a hydrogen purifier to decrease a ratio of the concentration of components other than hydrogen to the concentration of hydrogen so that the ratio may be lower than in the reformed gas, and then converting CO contained in the gas treated by the hydrogen purifier into a gas other than CO. CO can be removed from the reformed gas, and simultaneously high-purity hydrogen can also be obtained, which leads to the increase of a fuel efficiency and the inhibition effect of performance deterioration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Soma, Tomonori Takahashi, Manabu Isomura
  • Patent number: 5585083
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for oxidizing formaldehyde to carbon dioxide and water without the addition of energy. A mixture of formaldehyde and an oxidizing agent (e.g., ambient air containing formaldehyde) is exposed to a catalyst which includes a noble metal dispersed on a metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state. Especially good results are obtained when the noble metal is platinum, and the metal oxide which possesses more than one oxidation state is tin oxide. A promoter (i.e., a small amount of an oxide of a transition series metal) may be used in association with the tin oxide to provide very beneficial results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignees: The United States as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Rochester Gas & Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Erik J. Kielin, Kenneth G. Brown, Christine M. D'Ambrosia
  • Patent number: 5565089
    Abstract: Coke deposits are removed from particulates by combustion in a regenerator by a process in which air is initially used as the oxidant. The combustion gas is subjected to a separation process to remove nitrogen therefrom, and the remaining carbon dioxide-enriched gas stream is recycled to the regenerator together while substantially pure oxygen is introduced into the regenerator. As the level of carbon dioxide in the system increases, the amount of air being introduced into the regenerator is gradually reduced and, in compensation, the amount of oxygen flowing to the regenerator is gradually increased. Eventually, part or all of the air is replaced by oxygen and carbon dioxide recycle gas, and the level of oxygen and carbon dioxide are regulated to maintain the desired temperature in the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishnan Ramachandran, Raghu K. Menon
  • Patent number: 5558844
    Abstract: A process is provided which is capable of removing impurities from an impurity-containing hydrogen gas without generating methane. A bed of particulate nickel in an amount of at least 5% by weight as elemental nickel at a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. removes all impurities except nitrogen. Then a bed of getter material, a zirconium, vanadium and iron alloy at a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. removes the nitrogen impurity thus producing purified hydrogen with an impurity content of less that 20 ppb. A purifier for carrying out the process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Succi, D'Arcy Lorimer