Hydrogen Component Patents (Class 423/248)
  • Publication number: 20100120095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic bioaccelerator for obtaining biomass by simulating environmental marine conditions, comprising at least the following elements: octagonal biomass converters (1), seawater reserve tanks (3), particle filters (4), UV light filters (5), feedback and mixture tanks (6), pressurization feed tanks (8), manometers (9), pressure controllers (10), buffer tanks (11), expansion tanks with a safety valve (12), heat exchangers (13), temperature control thermostats (14), recycled water feedback tanks (15), reinjection pumps (16), centrifuges for separating the biomass from the water (17), desuperheaters (18); control panels (25), recirculation pumps (26), densimeters (27), biomass mechanical extraction systems by means of centrifugation (32) and biomass accumulation tanks (33).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Bernard A. J. Stroïazzo-Mougin, Cristian Gomis Catala
  • Patent number: 7708815
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Angstrom Power Incorporated
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 7674443
    Abstract: A system involving a two-step gasification of a carbonaceous source to produce bulk hydrogen that avoids the early formation of CO2 and obviates the traditional water gas shift (WGSR) step, carbochlorination of a metallic ore the production of metals found in the ore that utilizes carbon monoxide as an oxygen sink, rather than the traditional coke, and carbon oxides management that eliminates major impediments to emission-neutral power generation and the reduction of major metals. The gasification uses a rotary kiln reactor and gas-gas cyclonic separation process to separate synthesis gas into purified hydrogen and purified carbon monoxide. Purified bulk carbon monoxide issued in metallurgical reduction, and purified bulk hydrogen as fuel for an emission-neutral hydrogen combined cycle (HCC) turbine power generation station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Inventor: Irvin Davis
  • Patent number: 7666379
    Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for the purification of binary halide fluid. The process and apparatus purifies the binary halide fluid by selectively removing Bronsted acid impurities and/or volatile oxygen containing impurities present in the binary halide. A regenerable adsorbent polymer is utilized to remove the Bronsted acid impurities from the binary halide fluid and a volatile oxide adsorbent having a specific adsorption capacity for the volatile oxide impurity is utilized to remove the volatile oxide from the binary halide when in gaseous form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Voltaix, Inc.
    Inventors: Leisl Dukhedin-Lalla, German Shekk, John P. de Neufville, Michael Pikulin
  • Publication number: 20100037655
    Abstract: A method for recovering hydrogen from a gas stream is presented. This method includes introducing a feed gas stream comprising hydrogen and methane to a first cold box, thereby producing a first hydrogen-enriched stream, and a first methane-enriched stream; then introducing the first hydrogen-enriched stream to a first feed compressor, thereby producing a compressed first hydrogen-enriched stream. The method includes introducing the compressed first hydrogen-enriched stream to a second cold box, thereby producing a second hydrogen-enriched stream, and a second methane-enriched stream; then introducing the second hydrogen-enriched stream to a second feed compressor, thereby producing a compressed second hydrogen-enriched stream. The method includes introducing the compressed second hydrogen-enriched stream to a third cold box, thereby producing a third hydrogen-enriched stream, and a third methane-enriched stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Air Liquide Process and Construction Inc.
    Inventor: Bhadra S. Grover
  • Patent number: 7658908
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide removing catalyst such as a ruthenium supporting catalyst is provided for removing, through oxidation thereof, carbon monoxide from an alcohol reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to a fuel cell. For its activation, the catalyst is caused to contact an inactive gas or a hydrogen-containing inactive gas consisting of less than 50 volume % of hydrogen gas and the remaining volume of inactive gas, thereby to avoid poisoning of the electrode of the fuel cell with carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Hirokazu Sasaki, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7655201
    Abstract: Methods and devices for removing inflammable gases produced by radiolysis in a closed chamber containing radioactive matters comprising organic compounds and possibly water, or radioactive matters in the presence of organic compounds and possibly water. Inside the chamber there may be placed a catalyst of at least one reaction for oxidizing the inflammable gases by oxygen contained in the chamber atmosphere, supported by an inert solid support; a catalyst of at least the reaction for oxidizing CO to CO2; possibly an oxygen source; and possibly a hygroscopic microporous inert solid support. Also, chambers for radioactive matters containing such devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: TN International
    Inventors: Pascale Abadie, Hervé Issard
  • Publication number: 20090274600
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a process for purifying carbon monoxide-containing gas streams that contain impurities such as hydrocarbons by using a cryogenic adsorption process. Preferably this process is a temperature swing adsorption process at cryogenic temperatures below ?75° C. Alternatively, the carbon monoxide-containing gas streams may be purified using the cryogenic adsorption process with membrane separation units or vacuum swing adsorption units or cryogenic distillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Ravi JAIN, Bruce Walter Uhlman
  • Patent number: 7588746
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for sustainable, continuous production of hydrogen and carbon by catalytic dissociation or decomposition of hydrocarbons at elevated temperatures using in-situ generated carbon particles. Carbon particles are produced by decomposition of carbonaceous materials in response to an energy input. The energy input can be provided by at least one of a non-oxidative and oxidative means. The non-oxidative means of the energy input includes a high temperature source, or different types of plasma, such as, thermal, non-thermal, microwave, corona discharge, glow discharge, dielectric barrier discharge, or radiation sources, such as, electron beam, gamma, ultraviolet (UV). The oxidative means of the energy input includes oxygen, air, ozone, nitrous oxide (NO2) and other oxidizing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Nazim Z. Muradov, Franklyn Smith, Ali Tabatabaieraissi
  • Patent number: 7572422
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying method for a fuel cell vehicle comprises preparing an exhaust gas purifying system for the fuel cell vehicle, the exhaust gas purifying system including a methane removal catalyst for accelerating the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The methane removal catalyst comprises a catalytic ingredient including at least one of rhodium, platinum and palladium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
  • Patent number: 7560083
    Abstract: A method for removing water molecules from a vacuum chamber for carrying out a process on a target object in vacuum includes the steps of introducing into the vacuum chamber a water molecule removal gas including at least a reduction gas which reduces the water molecules to produce hydrogen molecules and a halogen-based gas which reacts with the produced hydrogen molecules to produce acid, exhausting gases in the vacuum chamber measuring an amount of water molecules present inside the vacuum chamber, and determining whether or not the measured amount of water molecules is greater than or equal to a threshold value, wherein if the measured amount of water molecules is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the water molecule removal gas is introduced into the vacuum chamber in the introducing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Moriya, Hiroyuki Nakayama, Hiroshi Nagaike
  • Patent number: 7553352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of absorbing and/or storing gases, in which the gas to be stored is brought into contact with an electrochemically prepared metal-organic framework under conditions suitable for absorption of the gas, with absorption of the gas into the metal-organic framework occurring, and, if appropriate, the conditions are subsequently changed so that release of the stored gas occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Mueller, Hermann Puetter, Michael Hesse, Markus Schubert, Helge Wessel, Juergen Huff, Marcus Guzmann
  • Patent number: 7544341
    Abstract: A carbon monoxide removing catalyst such as a ruthenium supporting catalyst is provided for removing, through oxidation thereof, carbon monoxide from an alcohol reformed gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to be supplied to a fuel cell. For its activation, the catalyst is caused to contact an inactive gas or a hydrogen-containing inactive gas consisting of less than 50 volume % of hydrogen gas and the remaining volume of inactive gas, thereby to avoid poisoning of the electrode of the fuel cell with carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Echigo, Takeshi Tabata, Hirokazu Sasaki, Osamu Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7510996
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage material is expressed by a composition formula, (Ca1-xAx)1-z(Si1-yBy)z, wherein “A” is at least one member selected from the group consisting of alkali metal elements, alkaline-earth metal elements, rare-earth elements, the elements of groups 3 through 6, Ni, Au, In, Tl, Sn, Fe, Co, Cu and Ag; “B” is at least one member selected from the group consisting of the elements of groups 7 through 17, rare-earth elements, Hf and Be; 0?x<1 by atomic ratio; 0?y<1 by atomic ratio; and 0.38?z?0.58 by atomic ratio. It is lightweight as well as less expensive. In principle, neither high-temperature nor high-pressure activation is required, because it exhibits a high initial activity. The operation temperature can be lowered and the hydrogen absorption content can be enlarged by controlling the kind and substitution proportion of the substituent elements appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Masakazu Aoki, Nobuko Oba, Shin-ichi Towata, Tatsuo Noritake
  • Publication number: 20090074644
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for regenerating calcium oxide used in the production of hydrogen gas. The method includes steps of: (a) streaming a solid reactant into an inlet port of a contactor vessel; (b) streaming a purge oxidant into an oxidant port of the contactor vessel to reduce a partial pressure of a gas over the solid reactant; (c) venting the gas from a gas port of the contactor vessel; and (d) removing the solid reactant from a discharge port of the contactor vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventor: Albert E. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7485277
    Abstract: A composition for removing hydrogen from an atmosphere, comprising a mixture of a polyphenyl ether and a hydrogenation catalyst, preferably a precious metal catalyst, and most preferably platinum, is disclosed. This composition is stable in the presence of oxygen, will not polymerize or degrade upon exposure to temperatures in excess of 200° C., or prolonged exposure to temperatures in the range of 100-300° C. Moreover, these novel hydrogen getter materials can be used to efficiently remove hydrogen from mixtures of hydrogen/inert gas (e.g., He, Ar, N2), hydrogen/ammonia atmospheres, such as may be encountered in heat exchangers, and hydrogen/carbon dioxide atmospheres. Water vapor and common atmospheric gases have no adverse effect on the ability of these getter materials to absorb hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Shepodd, George M. Buffleben
  • Publication number: 20090007777
    Abstract: Method for supplying a high purity gas product comprising providing a first gas stream including a major component and at least one impurity component, determining the concentration of the at least one impurity component, and comparing the concentration so determined with a reference concentration for that component. When the value of the concentration so determined is less than or equal to the reference concentration, the first gas stream is utilized to provide the high purity gas product. When the value of the concentration so determined is greater than the reference concentration, a second gas stream comprising the major component is provided and the first and second gas streams are mixed to yield a mixed gas stream having a concentration of the at least one impurity component that is less than the reference concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Perry Cohen, Frank Kenneth Schweighardt, David John Farese
  • Patent number: 7468097
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of hydrogen from carbon nanotubes saturated with hydrocarbon gas or greenhouse gas is described. The hydrogen that is produced is substantially free from carbon dioxide. Additionally, the method described is useful for converting the carbon elements of the hydrocarbon gas or greenhouse gas into a de novo synthesis of carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: University of North Texas
    Inventors: Don Henley, Timothy J. Imholt
  • Patent number: 7455818
    Abstract: A method treats a flow gas that is guided via a catalytic adsorber module to oxidize contaminants carried in the flow gas. The method reliably purifies the flow gas using equipment that is held to a comparatively low level of complexity. To this end, the flow gas is guided in a first purification step via a first catalytic adsorber module to oxidize contaminants carried along therewith, during which molecular or atomic oxygen is added to the flow gas, and the flow gas mixed with the added oxygen is guided in a second purification step via an oxidation catalyst. The flow gas flowing away from the oxidation catalyst is guided in a third purification step via a second catalytic adsorber module to reduce excessive oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Areva NP GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Hill
  • Publication number: 20080213636
    Abstract: A fuel cell system (10) having a reformer (12) having a burner (14) and a catalyst (16) and provided for reacting fuel and oxidant into a reformate, and having a fuel cell (24), particularly a high-temperature fuel cell which, on the basis of reformate generated by the reformer, generates electric energy and thereby liberates anode exhaust gas (26). The system is provided with a blower (28) and injector (30) oxidant feed arrangement with which, all of the anode exhaust gas is delivered to the burner. A method for operating the fuel cell system for reacting fuel (18) and oxidant (20) into a reformate (22) involves aspirating the anode exhaust gas into the oxidant feed arrangement, feeding it to the burner together with fuel and with the burner exhaust being delivered with additional fuel to the catalyst to produce reformate that is delivered to the fuel cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Enerday Gmbh
    Inventor: Matthias Boltze
  • Publication number: 20080199376
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided simplified systems and methods for catalytically deactivating, removing, or reducing the levels of reactive component(s) from the vapor phase of fuel storage tanks. The simple apparatus described herein can be utilized to replace complex OBIGGS systems on the market. Simply stated, in one embodiment of the invention, the vapor phase from the fuel tank is passed over a catalytic bed operated at appropriate temperatures to allow the reaction between free oxygen and the fuel vapor by oxidation of the fuel vapor, thus deactivating reactive component(s) in the gas phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Santosh Limaye, Donald Koenig
  • Publication number: 20080128267
    Abstract: Systems and methods for production of fuel for an internal combustion engine are described herein. Systems may include a plasma reformer and an internal combustion engine. The plasma reformer may produce a plasma at pressures between about 0.3 atmospheres and about 5 atmospheres. The plasma reformer may produce a gas stream from the liquid feed. The gas stream may include molecular hydrogen and carbon oxides. At least a portion of the gas stream may be provided to an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Charles Terrel Adams
  • Patent number: 7357902
    Abstract: Process for the removal of oxygen from a gas mixture comprising oxygen, at least one olefin, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and optionally at least one alkyne, the ratio of oxygen:hydrogen in the gas mixture being 1 part by volume of oxygen to at least 5 parts by volume of hydrogen. The process comprises contacting the gas mixture with a catalyst in a reaction zone under conditions sufficient to oxidise at least a portion of the hydrogen and to oxidize at least a portion of the carbon monoxide and without significant hydrogenation of the at least one olefin. The catalyst comprises at least one metal or oxide of a metal from the 10th group of the Periodic Table of Elements, the metal or oxide of the metal being supported on an oxide support, provided that the catalyst also comprises tin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Ineos Europe Limited
    Inventors: Matthew Hague, Ian Raymond Little, Warren John Smith
  • Patent number: 7329399
    Abstract: A hydrogen-trapping compound is provided, along with a process for manufacturing the compound, and its uses, wherein the hydrogen-trapping compound is characterized in that it contains at least one metal salt of formula MX(OH), in which M represents a divalent transition element, for example Co or Ni; O represents an oxygen atom; X represents an atom of group 16 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, excluding O, for example a sulphur atom; and H represents a hydrogen atom, and wherein the hydrogen-trapping compound is effective for trapping hydrogen, hydrogen within a material and free hydrogen and is applicable in situations in which hydrogen is evolved and in which it has to be trapped, especially for safety reasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Sylvie Camaro, Quentin Ragetly, Chantal Riglet-Martial
  • Patent number: 7329290
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fuel reforming apparatus for producing a carbon-monoxide free reformed fuel gas comprising hydrogen. More particularly, this invention relates to nonthermal plasma reactors for removing carbon monoxide from a reformed fuel gas produced from a fuel containing bonded atoms of hydrogen exiting a reformer. More particularly, this invention relates to nonthermal plasma reactors for reforming a fuel containing bonded atoms of hydrogen into a reformed fuel gas. This invention relates further to hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells, which comprise a fuel reformer for reforming a fuel into a reformed fuel gas comprising hydrogen, a carbon monoxide remover for removing carbon monoxide in the reformed fuel gas and supplying the reformed fuel gas to the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Weldon S. Williamson, John J. Vajo
  • Patent number: 7238215
    Abstract: In an integrated process for the production of synthesis gas, a partial oxidation unit and a steam methane reformer are used to convert natural gas or another fuel to first and second mixtures of at least carbon monoxide and hydrogen, only the first process consuming oxygen. Carbon dioxide derived from the second mixture is sent to the inlet of the first process to reduce the oxygen consumption. The first and optionally second mixtures may be used as synthesis gas for a process such as a Fischer Tropsch process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre-Robert Gauthier, Christian Lacoste
  • Patent number: 7115236
    Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying method for a fuel cell vehicle comprises preparing an exhaust gas purifying system for the fuel cell vehicle, the exhaust gas purifying system including a methane removal catalyst for accelerating the conversion of methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The methane removal catalyst comprises a catalytic ingredient including at least one of rhodium, platinum and palladium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Sekiba, Hiroshi Akama
  • Patent number: 7001535
    Abstract: This invention describes a solution to the particular problem of liquid water formation in hydrogen getters exposed to quantities of oxygen. Water formation is usually desired because the recombination reaction removes hydrogen without affecting gettering capacity and the oxygen removal reduces the chances for a hydrogen explosion once free oxygen is essentially removed. The present invention describes a getter incorporating a polyacrylate compound that can absorb up to 500% of its own weight in liquid water without significantly affecting its hydrogen gettering/recombination properties, but that also is insensitive to water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventor: Timothy J. Shepodd
  • Patent number: 7001867
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved catalyst compositions, as well as methods of making and using such compositions. In particular, preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise rare earth catalyst supports, catalyst compositions having rare earth supports, and methods of preparing and using the catalysts and supports. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses an improved method for converting a hydrocarbon containing gas and an oxygen containing gas to a gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, i.e., syngas, using the rare earth catalyst supports in accordance with the present invention. In addition, the present invention contemplates an improved method for converting hydrocarbon gas to liquid hydrocarbons using the novel syngas catalyst supports and compositions described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Yaming Jin, Tianyan Niu, Harold A. Wright
  • Patent number: 6759018
    Abstract: A system for abating undesired component(s) from a gas stream containing same, such as halocompounds, acid gases, silanes, ammonia, etc., by scrubbing of the effluent gas stream with an aqueous scrubbing medium. Halocompounds, such as fluorine, fluorides, perfluorocarbons, and chlorofluorocarbons, may be scrubbed in the presence of a reducing agent, e.g., sodium thiosulfate, ammonium hydroxide, or potassium iodide. In one embodiment, the scrubbing system includes a first acid gas scrubbing unit operated in cocurrent gas/liquid flow, and a second “polishing” unit operated in countercurrent gas/liquid flow, to achieve high removal efficiency with low consumption of water. The scrubbing system may utilize removable insert beds of packing material, packaged in a foraminous containment structure. The abatement system of the invention has particular utility in the treatment of semiconductor manufacturing process effluents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose I. Arno, Mark Holst, Sam Yee, Joseph D. Sweeney, Jeff Lorelli, Jason Deseve
  • Patent number: 6740226
    Abstract: In a hydrocracking unit, the flash gases from the high-pressure separator are fed to the bottom of an absorption zone where the entering gases are counter-currently contacted with a lean solvent. The lean solvent absorbs away the contained methane, ethane, propane, butanes and pentanes (C1+) from the contained hydrogen. The overhead gas stream from the absorption zone typically contains hydrogen at a purity of 90 to 98 mol %, or even higher, which is fed to the recycle gas stream to provide hydrogen purity in the range of 96 to 99 mol %, thereby providing an increase in the overall efficiency of the hydroprocessor unit. The process can also be employed with hydrotreating, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodealkylation reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yuv Raj Mehra, Ali Hassan Al-Abdulal
  • Patent number: 6733732
    Abstract: A reactor comprising a body made of a heat-resistant material and having an inlet and an outlet for water/moisture gas, having a gas-diffusing member provided in an internal space of the body, and having a platinum coating on an internal wall surface of the body. Hydrogen and oxygen fed from the inlet are diffused by the gas-diffusing member and then come into contact with the platinum coating to enhance reactivity, thereby producing water. A temperature of the reactor is held to be below an ignition temperature of hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas. The platinum-coated catalyst layer on the internal wall of the reactor body is formed by treating the surface of the internal wall of the body, cleaning the treated surface, forming a barrier coating of a nonmetallic material of an oxide or nitride on the wall surface, and forming the platinum coating on the barrier coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignees: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Koji Kawada, Yoshikazu Tanabe, Takahisa Nitta, Nobukazu Ikeda, Akihiro Morimoto, Keiji Hirao, Hiroshi Morokoshi, Yukio Minami
  • Patent number: 6706247
    Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for preventing uncontrolled exothermic reaction in the presence of a catalyst. A catalyst deployed as a finely divided powder which is attached to the surface of a low melting point wax or wax-like material which is utilized as a carrier for the catalyst. During operation should the catalyst overheat due to uncontrolled conditions brought about by a run-away reaction the heat of reaction melts the low melting point wax which would itself wet the surface of the catalyst and prevent further catalysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventor: Timothy Jon Shepodd
  • Patent number: 6685903
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for purifying argon from an impure argon stream. If the oxygen concentration in the impure argon is less than about 10 mole percent of oxygen, the invention is proceeded in the sequential steps of a) removing chlorine from the impure argon stream; b) adding hydrogen to the impure argon stream; c) removing carbon dioxide and water from the impure argon stream; d) removing hydrogen from the impure argon stream; and e) removing nitrogen from the impure argon stream to form a purified argon stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth K. Wong, Dante Patrick Bonaquist
  • Patent number: 6660240
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas processing agent for removing carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor in a gas at the same time, which can maintain a high oxidation activity and have a long life time, a manufacturing method therefor and a gas purification method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gas processing agent made of a catalyst made of an inorganic porous material layer containing at least one selected from a group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium and ruthenium, or oxides thereof and an adsorbent, and a manufacturing method therefor, a gas purifier, a gas purification method and a gas purification apparatus using the gas processing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignees: N.E. Chemcat Corporaiton, Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Sakurai Toshihiko, Yusuke Nakaya, Masato Kawai, Morimitsu Nakamura, Nobuhiro Okamura
  • Publication number: 20030211019
    Abstract: A method of purifying bleed air from an engine heats the bleed air only to an extent necessary for the bleed air to react under catalysis from a noble-metal-based reactor bed, converting the contaminants to filterable form. The contaminants are then removed with a post-treatment filter. A purifier functioning according to the present invention, which heats the bleed air to a temperature no greater than 450° F. which it attains without a combustor, thus releases less heat to adjoining components than a prior-art purifier, and outputs, purified air at a lower temperature than does a prior-art purifier, which typically needs to include a combustor. The purified air is sufficiently-cool as to be suitable for immediate release into interior compartments occupied by humans or the air conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Michalakos, Robert Tom
  • Publication number: 20030202914
    Abstract: The exhaust of a vehicle paint spray booth is fed through an adsorption medium, such as activated carbon, to remove volatile organic compounds by adsorption. When the adsorbent becomes saturated, it is purged by electric heaters, and the desorbed volatile organic compounds are directed to the fuel processor of a stationary fuel cell. The volatile organic compounds are broken down into oxides of carbon and hydrogen gas in the fuel processor, the hydrogen is fed to the fuel cell, and the oxides of carbon are vented to the atmosphere with excess air. The fuel cell combines the hydrogen with oxygen from air, and releases air, water vapor and electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Patrick A. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20030185720
    Abstract: A method of purifying bleed air from an engine heats the bleed air only to an extent necessary for the bleed air to react under catalysis from a noble-metal-based reactor bed, converting the contaminants to filterable form. The contaminants are then removed with a post-treatment filter. A purifier functioning according to the present invention, which heats the bleed air to a temperature no greater than 450° F. which it attains without a combustor, thus releases less heat to adjoining components than a prior-art purifier, and outputs purified air at a lower temperature than does a prior-art purifier, which typically needs to include a combustor. The purified air is sufficiently cool as to be suitable for immediate release into interior compartments occupied by humans or the air conditioning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Applicant: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Tom, Peter Michalakos, Andrew Hamelynk
  • Patent number: 6602808
    Abstract: In a gas-phase treating process of a semiconductor wafer using hydrogen, there is provided a technique for safely eliminating the hydrogen in an exhaust gas discharged from a gas-phase treating apparatus. The profile at the end portions of the side walls of gate electrodes of a poly-metal structure is improved by forming the gate electrodes over a semiconductor wafer IA having a gate oxide film and then by supplying the semiconductor wafer 1A with a hydrogen gas containing a low concentration of water, as generated from hydrogen and oxygen by catalytic action, to oxidize the principal face of the semiconductor wafer 1A selectively. After this, the hydrogen in the exhaust gas, as discharged from an oxidizing furnace, is completely converted into water by causing it to react with oxygen by a catalytic method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Tokyo Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Tanabe, Toshiaki Nagahama, Nobuyoshi Natsuaki, Yasuhiko Nakatsuka
  • Publication number: 20030132138
    Abstract: In a hydrocracking unit, the flash gases from the high-pressure separator are fed to the bottom of an absorption zone where the entering gases are counter-currently contacted with a lean solvent. The lean solvent absorbs away the contained methane, ethane, propane, butanes and pentanes (C1+) from the contained hydrogen. The overhead gas stream from the absorption zone typically contains hydrogen at a purity of 90 to 98 mol %, or even higher, which is fed to the recycle gas stream to provide hydrogen purity in the range of 96 to 99 mol %, thereby providing an increase in the overall efficiency of the hydroprocessor unit. The process can also be employed with hydrotreating, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodealkylation reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Yuv Raj Mehra, Ali Hassan Al-Abdulal
  • Patent number: 6589493
    Abstract: Disclosed are a gas purification-treating agent and a gas purifying apparatus, which treat carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen contained in a gas in the presence of oxygen. The gas purification-treating agent consists of an adsorbent having carbon dioxide and/or water adsorptivity, and a metal or metal compound which is carried on the adsorbent and activates oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. The gas purifying apparatus has the gas purification-treating agent contained in a container having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The adsorbent adsorbs carbon dioxide and/or water contained originally in the gas, as well as, carbon dioxide and/or water to be formed by the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. The metal or metal compound is at least one selected from Au-on-metal oxides, Au-on-metal hydroxides and an Au colloidal powder, or palladium and/or platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Shoichi Hosaka, Masato Kawai, Chie Samata
  • Patent number: 6572681
    Abstract: Carbon monoxide (CO) is removed from a nitrogen and CO containing gas stream such as feed air to an air separation process for recovery of a nitrogen product gas stream or a nitrogen product gas stream from an air separation process by adsorbing CO from said gas stream before or after separation of oxygen from said gas stream to produce a product gas stream containing less than 5 ppb of CO by contacting said gas stream With a solid adsorbent such as a Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Ag, Pd, Co, Pt or Au exchanged zeolite and periodically regenerating the adsorbent by desorption of CO therefrom under a flow of regenerating gas, and, if said gas stream is said feed air, separating oxygen therefrom to produce said nitrogen product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Christopher Golden, Alexander Schwarz, Thomas Hsiao-Ling Hsiung, Fred William Taylor
  • Patent number: 6528441
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage composition based on a metal hydride dispersed in an aerogel prepared by a sol-gel process. The starting material for the aerogel is an organometallic compound, including the alkoxysilanes, organometals of the form M(OR)x and MOxRy, where R is an alkyl group of the form CnH2n+1, M is an oxide-forming metal, n, x, and y are integers, and y is two less than the valence of M. A sol is prepared by combining the starting material, alcohol, water, and an acid. The sol is conditioned to the proper viscosity and a hydride in the form of a fine powder is added. The mixture is polymerized and dried under supercritical conditions. The final product is a composition having a hydride uniformly dispersed throughout an inert, stable and highly porous matrix. It is capable of absorbing up to 30 moles of hydrogen per kilogram at room temperature and pressure, rapidly and reversibly. Hydrogen absorbed by the composition can be readily be recovered by heat or evacuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Westinghouse Savannah River Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Leung K Heung, George G. Wicks
  • Patent number: 6511640
    Abstract: A process for producing a purified gaseous product from a gaseous feedstream such as air containing impurities is disclosed. The impurities such as hydrogen, water vapor, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are removed from the gaseous feedstream in a vessel having layers of adsorbents and oxidation catalysts. The placement of the hydrogen to water vapor conversion catalyst downstream of the step of contacting the feedstream with a catalyst to convert the carbon monoxide to the carbon dioxide and the step of removing the carbon dioxide from the feedstream improves not only performance but also the economies of the purification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Kumar, Shuguang Deng
  • Patent number: 6491844
    Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for preventing uncontrolled exothermic reaction in the presence of a catalyst. A catalyst deployed as a finely divided powder which is attached to the surface of a low melting point wax or wax-like material which is utilized as a carrier for the catalyst. During operation should the catalyst overheat due to uncontrolled conditions brought about by a run-away reaction the heat of reaction melts the low melting point wax which would itself wet the surface of the catalyst and prevent further catalysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventor: Timothy Jon Shepodd
  • Patent number: 6491884
    Abstract: An effluent abatement system for abating hydride species in a hydride-containing effluent, arranged for carrying out the steps of: (1) contacting the hydride-containing effluent with a dry scrubber material comprising a metal oxide that is reactive with the hydride species to remove the hydride species from the effluent, until the capacity of the dry scrubber material for hydride species is at least partially exhausted; and (2) contacting the at least partially exhausted capacity dry scrubber material with an oxidant to at least partially regain the capacity of the dry scrubber material for the hydride species. The system of the invention has particular utility in the treatment of effluent from III-V compound semiconductor manufacturing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca Faller, Mark Holst
  • Publication number: 20020081257
    Abstract: A photocatalytic device for photocatalytically treating evaporative emissions comprises a substrate with a photocatalyst. A shell is disposed about the substrate, and can optionally comprises one or more sections of transparent material capable of being penetrated by an ultra violet light. Additionally, sealing agent can optionally be disposed between the shell and sections of transparent material to provide a gas tight seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: David H. Burke, Thomas E. Archer
  • Patent number: 6403049
    Abstract: A process for purifying a gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide consisting of one or more catalysed reactions for the selective removal of carbon monoxide from the gas stream wherein a controlled amount of liquid water is introduced into the gas stream prior to some of the catalysed reactions so as to lower the temperature of the gas stream to a predetermined value at which preferential removal of carbon monoxide takes place in the associated catalysed reaction. The catalysed reactions may be selective oxidation, selective methanation or combination thereof. The process of the invention may be operated in combination with a water-gas shift reaction for the reduction of carbon monoxide in the hydrogen-containing gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Arjan Nicolaas Johan Van Keulen, Jessica Grace Reinkingh
  • Publication number: 20020031453
    Abstract: A purifying system includes a purifying device for purifying a combustion-exhaust gas emitted from a fuel reforming device, a flow control valve for introducing anode-off gas discharged from a fuel cell into the purifying device through an anode-off-gas supply pipe, and a control device for controlling the opening angle of the flow control valve on the basis of the temperature of the purifying device detected by a temperature sensor, so that an oxidizing reaction of hydrogen through a catalyst incorporated in the purifying device is promoted by the introduced anode-off gas containing pre-reaction hydrogen and pre-reformed fuel. The temperature of the catalyst in the purifying device is raised by heat of the oxidizing reaction of hydrogen, to a level at which the catalyst is sufficiently activated, so that the combustion-exhaust gas is purified by the purifying device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeru Ogino
  • Publication number: 20010043899
    Abstract: Disclosed are a gas purification-treating agent and a gas purifying apparatus, which treat carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen contained in a gas in the presence of oxygen. The gas purification-treating agent consists of an adsorbent having carbon dioxide and/or water adsorptivity, and a metal or metal compound which is carried on the adsorbent and activates oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. The gas purifying apparatus has the gas purification-treating agent contained in a container having a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The adsorbent adsorbs carbon dioxide and/or water contained originally in the gas, as well as, carbon dioxide and/or water to be formed by the oxidation reaction of carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. The metal or metal compound is at least one selected from Au-on-metal oxides, Au-on-metal hydroxides and an Au colloidal powder, or palladium and/or platinum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: SHOICHI HOSAKA, MASATO KAWAI, CHIE SAMATA