Inert Or Noble Gas Or Compound Thereof Patents (Class 423/262)
  • Patent number: 11519401
    Abstract: A vacuum pumping and/or abatement system for evacuating and/or abating fluid from an entity, the system comprising: a first module comprising a vacuum pumping apparatus for pumping the fluid from the entity and/or an abatement apparatus for abating the fluid evacuated from the entity; and a second module arranged adjacent to the first module in a first system dimension; wherein the first and second modules each have a maximum size in the first system dimension that is a respective integer multiple of a common fixed system value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Bailey, Craig Leonard Sands
  • Patent number: 11389766
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for separating xenon-krypton mixed gas by hydrate formation process. The system is mainly composed of a gas hydrate generating unit, a heat exchanging unit and a gas-water separating unit: pre-cooled xenon-krypton mixed gas is injected from a bottom of a reaction tower, xenon gas in the mixed gas and water attached to a porous tray generate a xenon gas hydrate; and water is injected from a top of the tower to wet the porous tray, a generated hydrate particle is washed and collected to the bottom of the tower simultaneously to form a hydrate slurry, after passing through the heat exchanging unit, the xenon gas hydrate in the slurry is decomposed to form a gas phase flow and a water phase flow, and then enters the gas-water separating unit, and the xenon gas is separated from decomposed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Yongchen Song, Jiafei Zhao, Xianwei Guo, Lei Yang, Weiguo Liu, Mingjun Yang, Yanghui Li, Zheng Ling, Yu Liu, Yi Zhang, Dayong Wang, Lanlan Jiang, Yuechao Zhao
  • Patent number: 9103549
    Abstract: A system for producing carbon dioxide from a process gas that includes a hydrocarbon, the system including a combustion subsystem configured to combust the hydrocarbon and output a combustion effluent, wherein the combustion effluent includes carbon dioxide and water, a first separation subsystem configured to separate a first quantity of carbon dioxide from the combustion effluent, and a second separation subsystem configured to separate a second quantity of carbon dioxide from the combustion effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: D. Anthony Galasso
  • Publication number: 20150034500
    Abstract: A metal organic framework (MOF) includes a coordination product of a metal ion and an at least bidentate organic ligand, where the metal ion and the organic ligand are selected to provide a deliverable adsorption capacity of at least 70 g/l for an electronic gas. A porous organic polymer (POP) includes polymerization product from at least a plurality of organic monomers, where the organic monomers are selected to provide a deliverable adsorption capacity of at least 70 g/l for an electronic gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Han Sung KIM, Mitchell Hugh WESTON, Patrick FULLER, Paul Wai-Man SIU
  • Publication number: 20140363361
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an LS methane hydrate containing a plurality of methane hydrate crystals and lignosulfonate. The disclosure also provides a method of making an LS methane hydrate by combining methane gas, liquid or solid water, and LS at controlled temperature and starting pressure for a time sufficient to form LS methane hydrate. The disclosure further provides a method of producing energy from an LS methane hydrate by providing an LS methane hydrate directly to a combustion chamber, whereby methane in the methane hydrate and LS are converted to energy in the combustion chamber and water in the methane hydrate is converted to steam. The disclosure additionally provides a method of releasing methane from an LS methane hydrate by heating an LS methane hydrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: THE TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY-SAN MARCOS
    Inventors: Weixing Wang, Luyi Sun
  • Publication number: 20140219901
    Abstract: Methods for releasing associated guest materials from a metal organic framework are provided. Methods for associating guest materials with a metal organic framework are also provided. Methods are provided for selectively associating or dissociating guest materials with a metal organic framework. Systems for associating or dissociating guest materials within a series of metal organic frameworks are provided. Thermal energy transfer assemblies are provided. Methods for transferring thermal energy are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: B. Peter McGrail, Daryl R. Brown, Praveen K. Thallapally
  • Publication number: 20140113811
    Abstract: Provided are methods for storing gases on porous adsorbents, methods for optimizing the storage of gases on porous adsorbents, methods of making porous adsorbents, and methods of gas storage of optimized compositions, as in systems containing porous adsorbents and gas adsorbed on the surface of the porous adsorbent. The disclosed methods and systems feature a constant or increasing isosteric enthalpy of adsorption as a function of uptake of the gas onto the exposed surface of a porous adsorbent. Adsorbents with a porous geometry and surface dimensions suited to a particular adsorbate are exposed to the gas at elevated pressures in the specific regime where n/V (density) is larger than predicted by the ideal gas law by more than several percent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventors: Nicholas P. STADIE, Brent T. FULTZ, Channing AHN, Maxwell MURIALDO
  • Publication number: 20130251613
    Abstract: A system for converting a first substance into a second substance, the system including a mixing reactor configured to provide a reactant mixture comprising a first reactant, a second reactant, and a solvent; and a high shear device fluidly connected to the mixing reactor, wherein the high shear device comprises at least one rotor/stator set comprising a rotor and a complementarily-shaped stator symmetrically positioned about an axis of rotation and separated by a shear gap, wherein the shear gap is in the range of from about 10 microns to about 250 microns; and a motor configured for rotating the rotor about the axis of rotation, whereby energy can be transferred from the rotor to the reactants thereby inducing reactions between the first reactant and the second reactant to form a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: H R D Corporation
    Inventors: Abbas HASSAN, Aziz HASSAN, Rayford G. ANTHONY, Alishah HASSAN
  • Publication number: 20130177654
    Abstract: The invention relates to a xenon-based anesthetic gas composition to be used, via inhalation, to maintain or preserve cerebral perfusion during an endarterectomy involving the clamping of the carotid artery in a mammal under general anesthesia. The xenon is preferably used in combination with at least one injectable anesthetic morphine agent such as remifentanil, sulfentanil, fentanyl, and alfentanil. Advantageously, the xenon is mixed with an oxygen-containing gas and administered to the patient after the patient has been anesthetized, put to sleep, and intubated. The use of xenon makes it possible to achieve a reduction in the pressure gradient during the clamping of the internal carotid artery relative to the usual anesthetic agents, and to achieve stable hemodynamics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Air Liquide SAnte (International)
    Inventors: Catherine Billoet, Yannick Le Manach
  • Publication number: 20130149226
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for recovering, purifying and recycling an inert gas on a continual basis in connection with a silicon crystal pulling process. Silicon oxide impurities generated during the crystal growth process are completely oxidized by in-situ oxidation with a regulated amount of an oxidizing source gas mixture to form silicon dioxide impurities, which can be removed by a particulate removal device. The particulate-free effluent enters a purification unit to remove the remaining impurities. The inert gas emerging from the purification unit can be fed back into the crystal puller apparatus and/or mixed with the oxidizing source gas mixture. As a result, the ability to increase silicon crystal throughput, quality and at the same time reduce the costs associated with recycling the inert gas can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Lingyan Song, Lloyd Anthony Brown
  • Patent number: 8398933
    Abstract: By a method and a device for preventing corrosion on and in the region of a gas inlet nozzle during nitric acid condensation, contact of the condensing gas with the nozzle and with the surroundings of the nozzle are supposed to be minimized. This is achieved in that the gas inlet nozzle has a sleeve on the inside in the transition region to the interior of the condenser, by which sleeve a gas inlet orifice in the form of an annular gap is formed, whereby the annular space is provided with at least one feed opening for secondary air, so that an enveloping flow of secondary air is produced around the entering NO gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Maurer
  • Publication number: 20130039993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gaseous composition containing an effective amount of argon gas for use, by inhalation, in preventing or treating a deficiency or failure of at least one peripheral organ in a patient. Preferably, it contains between 15 and 80% by volume of argon, and oxygen, preferably at least 21% by volume of oxygen. The organ deficiency or failure thus treated is transient, preferably from less than one hour to a plurality of days or weeks, or definitive. The organ concerned may be the liver, the kidneys or the lungs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Marc Lemaire
  • Publication number: 20120308462
    Abstract: The method of recovery and recycling of inert gases, especially noble gases, from processes such as vacuum furnaces and other applications. A first gas stream comprising the inert gas and oxidisable impurities, is supplied to an oxidation column comprising a metal oxide. The impurities in the first gas stream are oxidised in the column in the presence of the metal oxide to form a second gas stream containing carbon dioxide and water, the second gas stream is supplied to a regenerable carbon dioxide removal column; the carbon dioxide is removed from the second gas stream in the column to form a third gas stream. Water is removed from the third gas stream in an absorption column, and the exhausted, purified inert gas is collected from the absorption column for conveying to a process utilising the inert gas. The recovered gas stream is of around 6N purity (99.9999% pure) i.e. having 1 ppm total contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Robert Bruce Grant
  • Publication number: 20120252999
    Abstract: Systems and methods of producing chemical compounds are disclosed. An example chemical production system includes a combustion chamber having intake ports for entry of a gas mixture. An igniter ignites the gas mixture in the intake chamber to facilitate a reaction at a high temperature and high pressure. A nozzle restricts exit of the ignited gas mixture from the combustion chamber. An expansion chamber cools the ignited gas. The expansion chamber has an exhaust where the cooled gas exits the expansion chamber. A chemical compound product is formed in the expansion chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce H. Peters
  • Patent number: 8176654
    Abstract: By a method and a device for preventing corrosion on and in the region of a gas inlet nozzle during nitric acid condensation, contact of the condensing gas with the nozzle and with the surroundings of the nozzle are supposed to be minimized. This is achieved in that the gas inlet nozzle has a sleeve on the inside in the transition region to the interior of the condenser, by which sleeve a gas inlet orifice in the form of an annular gap is formed, whereby the annular space is provided with at least one feed opening for secondary air, so that an enveloping flow of secondary air is produced around the entering NO gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Maurer
  • Publication number: 20120094828
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high surface area porous carbon material and a process for making this material. In particular, the carbon material is derived from biomass and has large mesopore and micropore surfaces that promote improved adsorption of materials and gas storage capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: THE CURATORS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI
    Inventors: Peter Pfeifer, Galen J. Suppes, Parag Shah, Jacob W. Burress
  • Patent number: 8153091
    Abstract: To provide a simple highly-pure Xe retrieval method and device with high retrieval efficiency by functionally removing such elements as water, CO2 and FCs from waste gases from semiconductor production processes, such as the plasma etching, that contain low-concentration Xe. For samples containing xenon and fluorocarbon, this invention is characterized by having at least first adsorption means (A1) filled with synthetic zeolite with pore size of 4A or smaller and aluminum oxide, arranged serially, gas separation means (A2) composed of silicone or polyethylene hollow fiber gas separation membrane modules 4, second adsorption means (A3) filled with either activated carbon, synthetic zeolite with pore size of 5A or larger, molecular sieving carbon with pore size of 5A or larger, or a combination of these, and reaction means (A4) filled with calcium compounds as reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude Et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Masahiro Kimoto, Terumasa Koura, Yukio Fukuda, Masaki Narazaki, Taiji Hashimoto, Toru Sakai, Kazuo Yokogi
  • Publication number: 20100221168
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the recovery of crude neon in or as part of a cryogenic air separation system wherein a neon recovery tower recovers crude neon from a nitrogen product stream originating from the top of the high pressure tower, and wherein the cooling for condensing in the neon recovery tower is provided by evaporating the liquefied nitrogen product from the bottom of the neon tower after the nitrogen liquid passes through a pressure reducing valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Joseph Theodore Bernstein
  • Publication number: 20100178437
    Abstract: A gas, which has extremely low oxygen and water content without particles for industrial use and is effective in processes including an oxidation preventing step, can be supplied in a large quantity. An apparatus for generating such gas having extremely low oxygen/water content is provided with an oxygen molecule discharging apparatus (26) comprising a hollow ceramic solid electrolyte body (21), through which a gas passes, and metal tube bodies (20), all of which are adhered to each other in a leak-tight manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Naoki Shirakawa, Yoshida Yoshiyuki, Endo Kazuhiko, Mino Tetsuya
  • Patent number: 7744836
    Abstract: This gas purifying process removes trace constituents from a mixed gas that includes a rare gas and nitrogen as main components, and at least one from among hydrogen, nitrogen and hydrogen reaction products, and water vapor as the trace constituent. This process sequentially carries out an adsorbing step for removing water vapor and nitrogen and hydrogen reaction products; a hydrogen oxidation step for converting the hydrogen into water vapor by means of a hydrogen oxidation catalytic reaction in the presence of oxygen; and a drying step for removing water vapor generated in the hydrogen oxidation step. When nitrogen oxides are included as a trace constituent, then a denitration step is carried out prior to the adsorbing step, to convert nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water vapor by means of a catalytic denitration reaction in the presence of a reducing substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Ryuichi Yazaki, Masato Kawai, Tetsuya Kimijima, Kunio Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20100022095
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for selective removal of materials, such as: silicon, molybdenum, tungsten, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, tantalum, niobium, boron, phosphorus, germanium, arsenic, and mixtures thereof, from silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, nickel, aluminum, TiNi alloy, photoresist, phosphosilicate glass, boron phosphosilicate glass, polyimides, gold, copper, platinum, chromium, aluminum oxide, silicon carbide and mixtures thereof. The process is related to the important applications in the cleaning or etching process for semiconductor deposition chambers and semiconductor tools, devices in a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS), and ion implantation systems. Methods of forming XeF2 by reacting Xe with a fluorine containing chemical are also provided, where the fluorine containing chemical is selected from the group consisting of F2, NF3, C2F6, CF4, C3F8, SF6, a plasma containing F atoms generated from an upstream plasma generator and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Dingjun Wu, Eugene Joseph Karwacki, JR., Anupama Mallikarjunan, Andrew David Johnson
  • Patent number: 7645431
    Abstract: Processes for the recovery and purification of noble gas stream contaminated with small amounts of hydrogen and/or other getter combustibles. One process involves dividing the noble gas stream gas into a first and second noble gas streams. The first noble gas stream is sent to a second metal getter containing a bed comprised of a metal getter in an oxidized state wherein the hydrogen is combusted. Oxygen is added to the second noble gas stream and the stream is passed through a catalytic unit wherein the hydrogen is combusted and then through a first metal getter bed operating in parallel with a second bed wherein the metal getter is converted to its oxide form. When breakthrough is detected in either bed, the flows of the first and second noble gas streams are rerouted to the other beds, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Annemarie Ott Weist, Shyam Ramchand Suchdeo, Jake Fotopoulos
  • Publication number: 20090257937
    Abstract: The claimed method and apparatus relate to cryogenic technology, particularly to purifying and separating by distillation a target heavy component concentrate thereby obtaining target components, e.g., krypton and xenon, and isotopes of light gases such as deuterium, tritium, helium-3. The method includes temperature-stabilizing a target heavy component concentrate flow, a low-boiling target component fraction flow, and a high-boiling target component fraction flow, irradiating the flows with ionizing radiation thereby obtaining light gas isotopes, purifying the flows, concentrating the light gas isotopes in the flows with subsequently extracting thereof, purifying the production flows from nuclides, using xenon as the high-boiling target component of the concentrate and using krypton as the low-boiling target component of the concentrate. The claimed apparatus can be used for implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Mikhail Jurievich Savinov, Mikhail Jurievich Kolpakov
  • Publication number: 20090196814
    Abstract: Provided is a compound having at least one neutral, positive or negative increased binding energy species formed from a one-electron atom having an atomic mass of at least four and at least one other element. The increased binding energy species has a binding energy greater than the binding energy of the corresponding ordinary species, or greater than the binding energy of any species for which the corresponding ordinary species is unstable or is not observed because the ordinary increased binding energy species' binding energy is less than a thermal energy at ambient conditions, or is negative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: Randell L. Mills
  • Publication number: 20090185969
    Abstract: Systems for the recovery of rare gas from a mixed gas stream are described. In particular, systems for the recovery of helium from cluster tools used in semiconductor fabrication are described. In one embodiment, these systems allow for the recovery of rare gas, such as helium, from the waste gas from a processing chamber, or a cluster tool, when a predetermined amount of rare gas is known to be present in the waste gas. In a further embodiment, analyzing means are used to determine the amount of rare gas, such as helium, present in the waste gas and when that amount warrants, the rare gas is recovered from the waste gas using a dedicated rare gas recovery process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Niels LOSE, William Robert GERRISTEAD, Keonhwan CHO
  • Publication number: 20090175774
    Abstract: The detecting and monitoring of solid structure or phase transformation, such as those used for testing the formation of gas hydrates and their inhibition by chemical additives may be conducted in a multi-test assembly of laboratory bench scale loops. The test loop contains a fluid that includes water and hydrate-forming guest molecules such as methane, ethane, carbon dioxide and the like at hydrate-forming conditions of low temperature and high pressure. A small bit or “pig” may be circulated through the test loop at variable speeds. The pig may be moved or impelled through the test loop remotely. The formation of hydrates may be monitored with consistent and reproducible results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jun TIAN
  • Publication number: 20090104101
    Abstract: Processes for the recovery and purification of noble gas stream contaminated with small amounts of hydrogen and/or other getter combustibles. One process involves dividing the noble gas stream gas into a first and second noble gas streams. The first noble gas stream is sent to a second metal getter containing a bed comprised of a metal getter in an oxidized state wherein the hydrogen is combusted. Oxygen is added to the second noble gas stream and the stream is passed through a catalytic unit wherein the hydrogen is combusted and then through a first metal getter bed operating in parallel with a second bed wherein the metal getter is converted to its oxide form. When breakthrough is detected in either bed, the flows of the first and second noble gas streams are rerouted to the other beds, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Annemarie Ott Weist, Shyam Ramchand Suchdeo, Jake Fotopoulos
  • Patent number: 7445761
    Abstract: A method and system of providing compressed substantially oxygen-free exhaust gas for industrial purposes including the steps of extracting exhaust gas from a lean burn engine consuming a mixture of natural gas fuel and air, passing the extracted exhaust gas through a cooling step to cause entrained water vapor therein to condense out, separating and disposing of the condensed water, measuring the oxygen content of the exhaust gas, using the measurement to regulate the quantity of natural gas fed into an igniter into which the exhaust gas is also fed so that substantially all of the oxygen in the exhaust gas is consumed by combustion with the natural gas in the igniter to provide at an outlet of the igniter substantially oxygen-free exhaust gas, and compressing the substantially oxygen-free exhaust gas to provide compressed exhaust gas for industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventor: Wade J. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20080247930
    Abstract: A nano-fusion reactor comprised of nano-particles such as carbon based nanotubes, endohedral fullerenes and other nano materials encapsulating fusible fuels such as the hydrogen isotopes, deuterium, and tritium. The nano-devices encapsulate the fusible materials and ignite fusion reactions which in some of the embodiments consume the nano-fusion reactor device requiring the replenishment of these devices so to continue the fusible reactions. The reactions can be controlled and scaled through modulated presentation of fusion targets to the ignition chamber. The fusion reactions are ignited in the embodiments through one or more of the applied forces in the fusion reactor: electromagnetic compressive, electrostatic, and thermo. These applied forces in conjunction with the extreme structural strength, the ablation forces and purity of the nano-fusion device produces maximum forces necessary for the production of a shock wave on the nano-encapsulated device to ignite one or a plurality of fusion reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventor: Robert Hotto
  • Patent number: 7033563
    Abstract: A method for reducing oxygen and carbon components in high-purity fluoride such as calcium fluoride and barium fluoride (a high-purity fluoride that is not limited to calcium fluoride and barium fluoride), or in rare-earth fluorides such as ytterbium fluoride and cerium fluoride used for an optical fiber, a coating material, and so on. The oxygen and carbon components contained in the high-purity fluoride are reduced by a fluorine gas treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Stella Chemifa Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirohisa Kikuyama, Hirofumi Yazaki, Tomohiko Satonaga
  • Patent number: 6843973
    Abstract: In a process for the recovery of krypton and xenon, an oxygen-enriched stream containing krypton and/or xenon and hydrocarbons is removed from an air separation unit. A substantial portion of the hydrocarbons, especially methane, ethane, and acetylene, is removed from the oxygen-enriched stream prior to the distillation process. The hydrocarbon removal process includes, but is not restricted to, the hydrocarbons reacting with a portion of the oxygen present in the feed gas. The krypton and xenon are eventually recovered from the oxygen stream through a distillation process. The distillation process is performed in such a manner that at least a stream further enriched in both krypton and xenon is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals
    Inventors: John Louis Griffiths, Adam Adrian Brostow
  • Patent number: 6838066
    Abstract: A method and system for the purification and recycle of impure argon is disclosed. The system and process of the present invention can produce very high purity argon, i.e., about 1 ppb or less of impurities. In one embodiment of the invention, a cryogenic separation apparatus is used to remove the nitrogen, hydrocarbon, and hydrogen impurities from the argon stream. A catalyst bed is then operated at ambient temperature to remove hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon monoxide impurities to provide the purified argon product. Also disclosed is a method to minimize to loss of the purified argon product during regeneration of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Madhukar Bhaskara Rao
  • Publication number: 20040141902
    Abstract: According to this process:
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: Francois Fuentes
  • Publication number: 20040052708
    Abstract: A method and system for the purification and recycle of impure argon is disclosed. The system and process of the present invention can produce very high purity argon, i.e., about 1 ppb or less of impurities. In one embodiment of the invention, a cryogenic separation apparatus is used to remove the nitrogen, hydrocarbon, and hydrogen impurities from the argon stream. A catalyst bed is then operated at ambient temperature to remove hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon monoxide impurities to provide the purified argon product. Also disclosed is a method to minimize to loss of the purified argon product during regeneration of the catalyst bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Madhukar Bhaskara Rao
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030206849
    Abstract: In a process for the recovery of krypton and xenon, an oxygen-enriched stream containing krypton and/or xenon and hydrocarbons is removed from an air separation unit. A substantial portion of the hydrocarbons, especially methane, ethane, and acetylene, is removed from the oxygen-enriched stream prior to the distillation process. The hydrocarbon removal process includes, but is not restricted to, the hydrocarbons reacting with a portion of the oxygen present in the feed gas. The krypton and xenon are eventually recovered from the oxygen stream through a distillation process. The distillation process is performed in such a manner that at least a stream further enriched in both krypton and xenon is produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: John Louis Griffiths, Adam Adrian Brostow
  • Publication number: 20030129127
    Abstract: A method for recovering krypton and xenon from air comprises (a) separating an air feed stream into oxygen-enriched and nitrogen-enriched product streams; (b) reacting the oxygen-rich product stream with a hydrocarbon feed in a synthesis gas generation process to yield a synthesis gas stream comprising hydrogen, carbon oxides, krypton, and xenon, which synthesis gas stream contains essentially no oxygen; (c) introducing the synthesis gas stream into a synthesis gas conversion process and converting the synthesis gas stream into a liquid synthesis product stream and an unreacted synthesis gas stream; (d) recycling at least a portion of the unreacted synthesis gas stream to the synthesis gas generation process; (e) reducing the pressure of the liquid synthesis product stream to yield a two-phase reduced-pressure product stream, and separating the two-phase reduced-pressure product stream into a final liquid synthesis product stream and a gas stream enriched in krypton and xenon; and (f) separating the gas strea
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen John Cook, John Louis Griffiths
  • Patent number: 6565821
    Abstract: A process and a plant for removing the gaseous fluorocompounds or fluorosulphur compounds, such as CF4, C2F6, and SF6, present in a stream of xenon and/or krypton, by permeation via one or more membranes, such as polymer membranes. The xenon and/or krypton thus produced may then be further purified or separated by cryogenic distillation. Prior to the permeation step, the other impurities, particularly the hydrocarbons, may be removed by oxidative catalysis and subsequent adsorption of the carbon dioxides and of the water produced. The xenon, the krypton and the xenon/krypton mixtures free of gaseous fluorocompounds or fluorosulphur compounds and purified by such process can be used as plasma propulsion gas, especially for satellites, or as inter-pane insulation gas for a sealed unit, particularly for double-glazing windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Société Anonyme Á Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventor: Philippe Fraysse
  • Patent number: 6517791
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a three-stage process for recovering and purifying a helium gas, and a system for using the three-stage process. The steps comprises a) introducing a gas from a cold spray forming chamber to a particulate removing apparatus to form a particulate-free helium gas, and recycling a first portion of the particulate-free helium gas back to the chamber; b) passing a second portion of the particulate-free helium gas to a first compressor prior to passing a helium gas purification membrane to form a purified helium gas and an exhaust gas, and passing the purified helium gas to mix with the first portion of particulate-free helium gas to the chamber; and c) passing a third portion of the particulate-free helium gas to a liquid separator apparatus to remove water and a receiver to dampen any pulsation to form a liquid-free helium gas, and recycling the liquid-free helium gas to said cold spray forming chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scot Eric Jaynes
  • Publication number: 20020174680
    Abstract: A system for purifying and reclaiming argon from an industrial process wherein oxygen is removed by hydrogenation and dehydration, and nitrogen and hydrogen are removed by cryogenic separation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth Kai Wong, Dante Patrick Bonaquist
  • Publication number: 20020141925
    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: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth K. Wong, Dante Patrick Bonaquist
  • Patent number: 6123909
    Abstract: A process for purifying argon to obtain a high-purity argon from argon gas containing at least nitrogen, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and methane, including a first step of adding air or oxygen to the argon gas in an amount sufficient to oxidize the contained carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst while maintaining a temperature sufficient to oxidize the contained carbon monoxide without substantially oxidizing the methane, a second step of adding hydrogen into the argon gas obtained in the first step and reacting the contained oxygen with the hydrogen into water in the presence of a catalyst, a third step of removing the carbon dioxide and the water from the argon gas obtained in the second step by use of an adsorbent, and a fourth step of cooling the argon gas obtained in the third step, introducing the argon thus cooled into a distillation column and performing distillation by use of a reflux containing argon as a main component to remove nitrogen, hydrogen, and methane, thereby reco
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Air Liquide Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Yamamoto, Naohiko Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6113869
    Abstract: An argon gas stream containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, water vapor, oxygen carbon dioxide, nitrogen and methane is purified by drying the gas stream with a desiccant, oxidizing the hydrogen and carbon dioxide to water vapor and carbon dioxide by contact with oxidizing catalysts in the presence of excess oxygen, removing the water vapor and carbon dioxide from the gas stream by adsorption, removing excess oxygen by chemisorption at elevated temperature and removing the nitrogen and methane by adsorption at cryogenic temperature. Alternatively, excess oxygen is removed from the gas stream by adsorption at a cryogenic temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Jain, James K. Tseng
  • Patent number: 6096278
    Abstract: Process for purifying a gas flow with respect to at least one of the impurities capable of being oxidized and/or reduced which it contains, in which the gas flow is subjected to at least the following steps:(a) compressing the gas flow to a pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure,(b) bringing the compressed gas flow into contact with at least a first bed of particles of a material containing at least one metal peroxide, and(c) bringing the gas flow resulting from step (b) into contact with at least a second bed of at least one catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Daniel Gary
  • Patent number: 6089282
    Abstract: A gas recovery and reuse/recycle method is disclosed which can readily and economically recover valuable and/or environmentally hazardous gases from a manufacturing or chemical process and then return the gas to the process for reuse, and repeat this many times without significant contamination or degradation of the gas or the produced products. All gas transport, compression and storage equipment is designed and maintained so that it is non-contaminating to the process gas. Commonly the process gas will be a Group VIII gas, preferably He, Ne, Kr or Xe, or a gas which comprises a hazard to the ambient environment or beings therein, such as a carbon oxide gas, a halocarbon gas, an acid-precursor gas, a biologically hazardous gas, or a radioactive gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Aeronex, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Spiegelman, Peter K. Shogren
  • Patent number: 6063353
    Abstract: Krypton and/or xenon are extracted from a krypton-xenon concentrate by means of distillation, for example, a krypton-xenon concentrate obtained from a low-temperature air separation unit. To remove fluorine- and/or chlorine-containing contaminants, especially fluorocarbons, CF.sub.4 and/or SF.sub.6, the krypton-xenon concentrate, a krypton stream and/or a xenon stream are purified in a solid sorbent that contains phyllosilicates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Baur, Michael Huala, Ralph Spori
  • Patent number: 5792523
    Abstract: A mixture of noble gases having desirable insulative properties for use as a window fill gas is derived from an air separation process without substantial further separation or concentration of the noble gases in the mixtures. The mixture of noble gases is processed to form the fill gas using relatively economical catalytic oxidation processes and drying techniques to provide a suitable fill gas. The processed noble gas or fill gas may contain from about 89 to 95% krypton, 5 to 8% xenon and 0.5 to 2% contaminants including oxygen, nitrogen, hydrocarbons and other constituents typically found in air separation processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: AGA Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Manus McHugh, III
  • Patent number: 5707842
    Abstract: A method for regulating enzyme activity, which entails contacting one or more enzymes with a gas containing one or more noble gases or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Chicago Research Center
    Inventors: Kevin C. Spencer, Pascal Schvester, Christine E. Boisrobert
  • Patent number: 5510098
    Abstract: Methods of producing fullerenes in large-macroscopic quantities inexpensively is disclosed without using solid carbon material such as graphite. In a preferred embodiment, fullerenes are formed by a hot filament CVD procedure. The fullerenes occur in the soot that forms as a by-product on the edges of the substrate holder. Mass spectrum of soot deposits shows lines corresponding to C.sub.60. From the typical concentrations of gaseous species in the diamond-growing CVD chamber, hydrocarbon species including CH.sub.3 or C.sub.2 H.sub.2 can be the precursors for the formation of fullerenes in the CVD chamber. A method of using fullerenes to enhance the properties of rubber composites is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: University of Central Florida
    Inventor: Lee Chow
  • Patent number: 5462861
    Abstract: A method for regulating enzyme activity, which entails contacting one or more enzymes with a gas containing one or more noble gases or mixtures thereof. The activity of an enzyme on a substrate can be improved by contacting the enzyme with a noble gas under specific temperatures and pressures. The preferred noble gases are krypton, neon, xenon, argon or mixtures of these gases. The enzymes whose activity can be improved are hydrolases, lyases, isomerases and ligases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Chicago Research Center
    Inventors: Kevin C. Spencer, Pascal Schvester, Christine E. Boisrobert