Ammonia Or Ammonium Hydroxide Patents (Class 423/352)
  • Patent number: 6290066
    Abstract: A method for removing ammonia and ammonia compounds from fly ash and other combustion by-products is provided. The method may be performed with raw or processed fly ash, or it may be performed in conjunction with a wet beneficiation process. The method involves mixing the ammonia-contaminated fly ash with water and then filtering and/or drying the solution to remove the ammonia and water. The method produces fly ash having an ammonia content of less than about 60-80 ppm, which allows the fly ash to be utilized in a number of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Board of Control for Michigan Technological University
    Inventor: Jiann-Yang Hwang
  • Publication number: 20010016183
    Abstract: A microwave hydrolysis reactor for converting urea into ammonia has one or more reaction chambers into which a urea solution is fed via a feed device and a discharge device for discharging an ammonia-water mixture. A catalytic converter is arranged in the reaction chamber. A microwave-transmitting device allows irradiating so that energy is fed to the urea solution in the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Inventors: Lothar Hofmann, Klaus Rusch
  • Publication number: 20010010286
    Abstract: Crude ammonia is separated into a low boiler fraction, a high boiler fraction and an intermediate-boiling pure fraction by continuous fractional distillation in a distillation apparatus configured either as a dividing wall column or as a system of thermally coupled distillation columns. In the process of the present invention, the low boiler fraction is taken off at the top of the distillation apparatus. The intermediate-boiling pure fraction is obtained at a side offtake which is preferably provided with droplet precipitators. In addition, the gas loading of the distillation column is restricted so that the operating pressure is in the range from 2 to 30 bar and the F factor does not exceed 2.0 Pa0.5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Wostbrock, Gerd Kaibel, Christian Tragut, Gabriele Anken
  • Publication number: 20010007649
    Abstract: Ascorbic acid and/or ascorbic acid salt is made to act together with oxygen on an organic compound. Alternatively, light radiation is applied during chemical action with oxygen so as to improve a composition efficiency of an organic compound and obtain a preferable decomposition amount. This reduces the load caused by an organic compound decomposition on the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 12, 2001
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhito Inagaki
  • Publication number: 20010006615
    Abstract: A process for the production of synthesis gas for obtaining compounds such as ammonia or methanol, in which hydrocarbons and steam are reacted first in a primary reforming section (11) and then—together with oxygen—in a secondary reforming section (12), thus obtaining CO, CO2, H2 and possibly N2 which are then fed to a carbon monoxide conversion section (13, 14), is distinguished by the fact of reacting hydrocarbons, steam and oxygen in an autothermal reforming section (20) provided in parallel with respect to other reforming sections (11, 12), and feeding the so produced CO, CO2, H2 and possibly N2 to the carbon monoxide conversion section (13, 14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 5, 2001
    Inventor: Marco Badano
  • Patent number: 6228341
    Abstract: A process and apparatus cools a heat exchange type reaction zone by passing the incoming reactants through heat exchange channels in heat exchange relationship with the reaction zone. The invention simplifies the operation and construction of the heat exchanging type reaction zone by directly communicating reaction channels that contain the reaction with the heating channels that heat reactant across an open manifold located at the end of the channels. Additional reactants, cooling fluids, or other diluents may enter the process directly through the manifold space to permit further temperature control of the reaction zone. The invention promotes better heat transfer efficiency than tube and shell heat transfer arrangements that have been used for similar purposes. The narrow channels are preferably defined by corrugated plates. The reaction channels will contain a catalyst for the promotion of the primary reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Philippe Hebert, Jacques J. L. Romatier, Peter R. Pujado, Bipin V. Vora
  • Patent number: 6224842
    Abstract: A sorber heat exchanger is provided with a substrate material incorporating a sorbent for reacting with a polar gas refrigerant or hydrogen. A preferred sorbent is a metal salt capable of reacting with the polar gas refrigerant to form a complex compound. The sorbent incorporating substrate is loaded into the reactor space between the heat transfer surfaces. Incorporating the sorbent into the substrate reduces sorbent migration thereby improving performance and life expectancy of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol, Kaveh Khalili, James W. Langeliers, William T. Dooley
  • Patent number: 6211254
    Abstract: A process is provided for recycling heterogeneous waste including the initial step of subjecting the heterogeneous waste to pyrolysis to produce a synthesis gas stream comprising at least carbon monoxide and hydrogen and a molten pyrolysis product stream having a variable composition comprising at least a mineral material and a metallic material. The molten pyrolysis product stream is converted to a plurality of commercial grade solid materials. Likewise, the synthesis gas stream is also converted into at least one commercial grade chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: John P. Whitney
  • Patent number: 6190632
    Abstract: A system for producing ammonia by integrating blast furnace ironmaking with ammonia production wherein cryogenic rectification links the two systems enabling the production of ammonia synthesis gas from blast furnace gas for use in the ammonia production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Minish Mahendra Shah, Raymond Francis Drnevich
  • Patent number: 6183720
    Abstract: A process for producing a high-purity liquid chemical is provided. A chemical gas is successively purified over first and second purification columns by passing, countercurrently, a scrubbing solution of initially deionized high-purity water through the first and second purification columns, or by passing, countercurrently, a first scrubbing solution of initially deionized high-purity water through the first column and a second scrubbing solution of initially deionized water through the second column. Each of the scrubbing solutions gradually becomes a spent scrubbing solution loaded with impurity. A high-purity chemical gas leaves the second purification column with a low content of metallic elements. The high-purity chemical gas is subsequently dissolved in a liquid in a dissolution column including a top and a bottom. The liquid at the bottom of the dissolution column is collected and continuously recirculated, and is enriched with purified chemical gas, thereby forming a high-purity liquid chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Air Liquide Electronics Labeille
    Inventors: Thierry Laederich, Hervé Dulphy
  • Patent number: 6117407
    Abstract: A method for the generation of ammonia from dinitrogen is provided including reacting a three coordinate, low oxidation state transition metal complex with dinitrogen under substantially atmospheric pressures to obtain a metal-nitrido complex, whereby the oxidation state of the metal complex increases, and reducing the metal of the metal nitrido complex in the presence of a hydrogen source, so as to obtain NH.sub.3. A novel metal complex is provided which is capable of cleaving small molecules which includes a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, titanium, vanadium, niobium, tungsten, uranium and chromium. The compound may have the formula M(NR.sub.1 R.sub.2).sub.3 where M is a transition metal; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of tertiary alkyls, phenyls and substituted phenyls. The compound permits cleavage of nitrogen-nitrogen triple bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Christopher C. Cummins, Catalina E. Laplaza
  • Patent number: 6093380
    Abstract: This invention relates to pollution control requirements for fossil-fuel burning facilities, such as power plants, and, more particularly, to a method for providing a safe and economical supply of ammonia, from a urea feedstock, when ammonia is desired or necessary to initiate, cause and/or supplement the removal of one or more pollutants from an exhaust gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignees: Siirtec Nigi, S.p.A., Hera, LLC
    Inventors: Vincenzo Lagana, Felix E. Spokoyny
  • Patent number: 6083468
    Abstract: A hydrogenation catalyst is prepared by reduction of platinum in an oxidation state of not less than two using a reducing agent in an aqueous medium in the presence of a carbon-containing support after partial poisoning, where use is made of a compound of the general formula I ##STR1## where X, Y and Z can be identical or different and are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 -alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.10 -cycloalkyl, halogen, hydroxyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 -alkoxy and --NR'R", where R, R' and R" can be identical or different and can be hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 -alkyl or C.sub.5 -C.sub.10 -cycloalkyl. Such a hydrogenation catalyst can be used for preparing hydroxylammonium salts and the process for preparing the above catalysts can also be used for regenerating hydrogenation catalysts based on platinum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Daniel Heineke, Gunther Achhammer, Heinz-Walter Schneider, Alfred Thome
  • Patent number: 6077494
    Abstract: A method for removing ammonia from coal fly ash contaminated by ammonium salts is disclosed. The method involves the addition of small amounts of water, and in some cases, small amounts of an alkali source, to the fly ash to liberate the ammonia trapped therein. The ammonia liberation may be further aided by vigorous mixing of the fly ash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Separation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Gasiorowski, Frank J. Hrach, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6037459
    Abstract: A method for the generation of ammonia from dinitrogen is provided including reacting a three coordinate, low oxidation state transition metal complex with dinitrogen under substantially atmospheric pressures to obtain a metal-nitrido complex, whereby the oxidation state of the metal complex increases, and reducing the metal of the metal nitrido complex in the presence of a hydrogen source, so as to obtain NH.sub.3. A novel metal complex is provided which is capable of cleaving small molecules which includes a metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, titanium, vanadium, niobium, tungsten, uranium and chromium. The compound may have the formula M(NR.sub.1 R.sub.2).sub.3 where M is a transition metal; R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of tertiary alkyls, phenyls and substituted phenyls. The compound permits cleavage of nitrogen--nitrogen triple bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Christopher C. Cummins, Catalina E. Laplaza
  • Patent number: 6001223
    Abstract: Highly purified ammonia for use in semiconductor manufacturing is prepared on-site by drawing ammonia vapor from a liquid ammonia reservoir, passing the vapor through a filter capable of filtering out particles of less than 0.005 micron in size, and scrubbing the filtered vapor in a high-pH aqueous scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Air Liquide America Corporation
    Inventors: Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scot Clark
  • Patent number: 6002059
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for converting methane to higher order hydrocarbons. This method includes synthesizing ammonia from natural gas and nitrogen in the presence of a source of hydrogen. The ammonia is converted to nitrous oxide in the presence of a source of oxygen. Methane is coupled in the presence of the nitrous oxide to provide higher hydrocarbons. The invention also discloses a method of balancing reaction heat requirements in a process for converting methane to higher order hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Stuart D. Hellring, Scott A. Stevenson
  • Patent number: 5968232
    Abstract: A process for the separation of ammonia dissolved in a gaseous solvent is used to recover ammonia during the production of ammonia from a synthesis gas. The process may be used to extract and recover ammonia in either the supercritical region or the subcritical region. The process can be used to remove ammonia from synthesis gas, or other gaseous solvents, by removing ammonia whose chemical potential decreases as the density of the solvent increases. The process utilizes a sorbent to remove the ammonia followed by an in situ regeneration of the sorbent and recovery of the ammonia. Typically, a gaseous solvent containing the ammonia is passed through a bed of sorbent to sorb the ammonia onto the bed of sorbent, thereby producing a purified gaseous solvent. At least a portion of the gaseous solvent is then acted upon to increase its solvent capacity for the ammonia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: David R. Whitlock
  • Patent number: 5929282
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting hydrazine, substituted hydrazines and/or other nitrogen-containing explosive materials, particularly unsymmetric dimethyl hydrazine (UDMH), to ammonia or ammonia and the corresponding amines by hydrogenation are disclosed. The hydrazines are diluted with a suitable carrier fluid, preferably water, mixed with hydrogen, then hydrogenated in a catalyst reactor, followed by separation of the commercially valuable ammonia and amines. Separated carrier fluid and hydrogen gas may be recycled in to the process to conserve energy and reduce waste. Recycled carrier fluid may be used to preheat the diluted hydrazine prior to hydrogenation. Ammonia may be dissociated and the resultant hydrogen recycled into the hydrogenation process. The apparatus is sized for disassembly and transport for shipping to hydrazine disposal sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Sendelsky, Brent S. DeFeo, Russell W. Johnson, Subramaniam E. Haran, Alexander M. Bershitsky, Martin Andren, John Yamanis
  • Patent number: 5779861
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate and low pressure purge gas such that a contaminant-rich stream is recoverable from the condensate and purge gas, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed, and any non-condensed gases are subjected to water scrubbing, along with the low pressure purge gas to further recover contaminates from the non-condensed gas. A portion of the condensed overhead and scrubbing water containing contaminates is returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with existing low pressure equipment, avoiding costly major modifications, and is particularly adapted to use in conjunction with ammonia and methanol plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Assignee: Farmland Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan Holiday, Ralph A. Scott
  • Patent number: 5767383
    Abstract: A process for automated measurement of ammonia in a gas mixture containing ammonia gas and one or more water-insoluble gases includes providing a water reservoir adapted for supplying water therefrom through a first solenoid valve and providing a measurement vessel adapted for receiving water. The vessel is adapted for draining the water therefrom through a second solenoid valve. The vessel is also adapted for receiving the gas mixture through a third solenoid valve and purging the gas mixture from the vessel through a fourth solenoid valve. The vessel is adapted for maintaining the gas in the vessel and receiving water thereinto in an amount sufficient to dissolve the ammonia gas contained in the gas mixture, into the water, and allowing a differential pressure between the gas mixture and the water containing dissolved ammonia to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gary D. Keil, Ronald G. Morgan, Sheryl A. Tipton, Wayne A. Supak
  • Patent number: 5746993
    Abstract: A process for obtaining an ultra-high purity aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution according to the invention includes the steps of reacting highly pure, typically electronics grade, ammonia (NH.sub.3) with ultrapure water (upw) under conditions effective to produce an ultra-high purity stream of aqueous ammonium hydroxide (NH.sub.4 OH) which is available for immediate use in a wide variety of applications especially those requiring high purity aqueous solutions of ammonium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Mullee
  • Patent number: 5716588
    Abstract: A method for removing oxygen from ammonia at low temperature is described. In one embodiment, oxygen contaminated ammonia is contacted with a getter material that includes iron and manganese that sorbs oxygen to yield ammonia that is substantially oxygen free. In one embodiment, the process of contacting ammonia with the getter material takes place at about 25.degree. C. In another embodiment the weight ratio between iron and manganese is about 7:1. In another embodiment, the getter material is dispersed on an inert support of specific surface greater than 100 m.sup.2/ g. In one embodiment, impure ammonia is contacted with getter material including iron and manganese that sorbs oxygen and with a drying agent that absorbs water to yield deoxygenated anhydrous ammonia. In yet another embodiment, an apparatus consisting of a gas inlet, gas purification chamber and gas outlet that deoxygenates ammonia when charged with getter material that includes iron and manganese is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giorgio Vergani, Marco Succi, Carolina Solcia
  • Patent number: 5667889
    Abstract: A polymeric film has a substrate layer having a primer layer of a polyurethane resin containing at least one ethylenically unsaturated group. The primer layer provides good adhesion to a subsequently applied release layer. The substrate is preferably a polyester film. Suitable release layers contain cured silicone resins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Naomi Katsura, Hikaru Takeuchi, Yuka Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5664427
    Abstract: An apparatus capable of providing rapid cooling and/or freezing comprises a cabinet or container having a cooling chamber, one or more reactors each containing a complex compound formed by adsorbing a polar gas on a metal salt, in which the polar gas is alternately adsorbed and desorbed on the complex compound, and in which the complex compound is formed by restricting the volumetric expansion and controlling the density during adsorption of the polar gas on the metal salt, whereby the complex compound is capable of adsorbing said polar gas at a rate of greater than 15 moles per mole hour of the complex compound in about 20 minutes or less, a condenser for condensing the polar gas, an evaporator thermally exposed to the cooling chamber for providing cooling therein, and conduits and one or more valves for directing said polar gas from the one or more reactors to the condenser, from the condenser to the evaporator and from the evaporator to the one or more reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Lance D. Kirol
  • Patent number: 5643420
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed, and any non-condensed gases are subjected to water scrubbing to further recover contaminates from the non-condensed gas. A portion of the condensed overhead and scrubbing water containing contaminates is returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with existing low pressure equipment, avoiding costly major modifications, and is particularly adapted to use in conjunction with ammonia and methanol plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Farmland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan D. Holiday
  • Patent number: 5560895
    Abstract: A process of use of hydrogenation catalyst, obtainable by carrying out essentially the following steps:(a) treatment of a platinum metal salt with finely divided sulfur followed by(b) reduction of the platinum metal salt to metallic platinum metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Weiss, Hugo Fuchs, Gerald Neubauer, Heinz-Walter Schneider
  • Patent number: 5545388
    Abstract: Methods for synthesis of chemical compounds by catalytic transfer hydrogenation comprise forming a mixture of a starting material, a hydrogen donor material and a catalyst. The catalyst is selected from a catalytic form of carbon, a polyethylene glycol phase transfer agent, and mixtures thereof. The mixture is heated at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 400.degree. C. in the presence of at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound to cause reduction of the starting material by catalytic transfer hydrogenation and form the desired chemical compound product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Inventors: Charles J. Rogers, Alfred Kornel
  • Patent number: 5520891
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fixed-bed, cross-flow catalytic reactor wherein reaction heat can be exchanged against a heat exchange medium circulating indirectly through the catalyst bed, and a catalytic process comprising operation of the cross-flow reactor. The reactor comprises a catalyst bed having internally embedded banks of heat exchange tubes. An inlet distributor distributes reactants along the axial length of the bed. The distributed fluid passes through the bed in a cross-flow path wherein a catalytic reaction occurs. The reaction effluent is then collected from the bed by an outlet product collector. A heat exchange medium circulated through the internal heat exchange tubes adds or removes reaction heat as required for enhanced conversion in the reactor. Multiple heat exchange tubes can be used, and inlet and discharge manifolds are provided for distributing the circulating heat exchange medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Jing M. Lee
  • Patent number: 5514358
    Abstract: Methods for synthesis of chemical compounds by catalytic transfer hydrogenation comprise forming a mixture of a starting material, a hydrogen donor material and a catalyst. The catalyst is selected from a catalytic form of carbon, a polyethylene glycol phase transfer agent, and mixtures thereof. The mixture is heated at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 400.degree. C. in the presence of at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound to cause reduction of the starting material by catalytic transfer hydrogenation and form the desired chemical compound product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventors: Charles J. Rogers, Alfred Kornel
  • Patent number: 5498317
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed with a portion of the condensed overhead being returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. In a second embodiment, separate stripping and rectification towers operate in series whereby the overhead of the stripping tower is delivered to the lower section of the rectification tower and the rectification bottoms are returned to the top of the stripping tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Farmland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan D. Holiday
  • Patent number: 5498401
    Abstract: A method for converting hydrazine and/or substituted hydrazines, particularly unsymmetric dimethyl hydrazine (UDMH), to ammonia or ammonia and the corresponding amines by hydrogenation over a supported Group VIII metal catalyst. Preferably, the hydrazines are dissolved in a suitable solvent and then hydrogenated at a temperature of about 0.degree. to 250.degree. C., followed by separation of the commercially valuable ammonia and amines. Alternatively, a gas phase reaction may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Russell W. Johnson, Brent S. DeFeo, Francis S. Lupton, Mark B. Koch
  • Patent number: 5496778
    Abstract: Highly purified ammonia for use in processes for the production of high-precision electronic components is prepared on-site by drawing ammonia vapor from a liquid ammonia reservoir, passing the vapor through a filter capable of filtering out particles of less than 0.005 micron in size, and scrubbing the filtered vapor in a high-pH aqueous scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Startec Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scot Clark
  • Patent number: 5478548
    Abstract: Methods for synthesis of chemical compounds by catalytic transfer hydrogenation comprise forming a mixture of a starting material, a hydrogen donor material and a catalyst. The catalyst is selected from a catalytic form of carbon, a polyethylene glycol phase transfer agent, and mixtures thereof. The mixture is heated at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 400.degree. C. in the presence of at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal compound to cause reduction of the starting material by catalytic transfer hydrogenation and form the desired chemical compound product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Inventors: Charles J. Rogers, Alfred Kornel
  • Patent number: 5466427
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel cobalt and molybdenum promoted titania and nickel and molybdenum promoted titania catalysts, and molybdenum promoted titania catalysts containing mixtures of cobalt and nickel. The invention also relates to a process for using the catalysts to convert sulfur in the form of carbon sulfides and nitrogen present as hydrogen cyanide to hydrogen sulfide and ammonia respectively. The catalysts and process of the present invention are effective even when oxygen in concentrations up to about 2 volume %, preferably 1.0 volume %, (dry basis) is present. The catalyst comprises about 0.5 to about 5%, by weight, cobalt oxide (CoO), nickel oxide (NiO), or mixtures thereof; about 1.5 to about 15%, by weight, molybdenum trioxide (MoO.sub.3); and about 70 to about 98%, by weight, titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Cabot Corporation
    Inventors: Frederick H. Rumpf, Jonathan B. Scher
  • Patent number: 5451557
    Abstract: A process for forming a metal carbide catalyst, for example, a Group VIB transition metal carbide, such as tungsten carbide, which may be on a support, which process comprises the calcination of a precursor comprising a water soluble salt of: (1) a cation comprising nitrogen-hydrogen bonded moieties, such as a guanidine cation; and (2) an anion, such as a tungstate anion, comprising metal-oxygen bonded moieties, so that upon calcination the product formed is the metal carbide and the by-products comprise ammonia and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventor: Fawzy G. Sherif
  • Patent number: 5447707
    Abstract: A process for producing nickel hydroxide from nickel powders, in which the feed nickel powder is directly converted in an aqueous solution containing nitrate and particulate nickel at least at room temperature and a pH in excess of about 6 into nickel hydroxide of a high density. Nickel powders of high surface area, e.g. 0.4 m.sup.2 /g or higher, typically produced by the thermal decomposition of nickel carbonyl, are particularly suitable as feed materials for this process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Inco Limited
    Inventors: Juraj Babjak, Victor A. Ettel, Stephen J. Baksa
  • Patent number: 5441716
    Abstract: A chemisorption reaction process is carried out under conditions in which the volumetric expansion of the complex compound reaction product is restricted, and at half-cycle reaction periods of less than 30 minutes each, and/or in a reaction chamber having a maximum mean mass diffusion path length of less than about 15 mm, and/or a maximum heat diffusion path length of less than 1.5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5437853
    Abstract: A method for converting hydrazine and/or substituted hydrazines, particularly unsymmetric dimethyl hydrazine (UDMH), to ammonia or ammonia and the corresponding amines by hydrogenation over a supported Group VIII metal catalyst. Preferably, the hydrazines are dissolved in a suitable solvent and then hydrogenated at a temperature of about 0.degree. to 250.degree. C., followed by separation of the commercially valuable ammonia and amines. Alternatively, a gas phase reaction may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Russell W. Johnson, Brent S. DeFeo, Francis S. Lupton, Mark B. Koch
  • Patent number: 5427759
    Abstract: A method for recovering ammonia and organic compounds from offgases contaminated with organic materials, carbon dioxide, and ammonia, using a combined absorption and rectification column is disclosed. Carbon dioxide is washed out with aqueous alkali, ammonia is drawn off as an overhead product, and the organic compounds are recovered in pure form from the bottoms product following separation-out of the alkali carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Huels Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wilhelm Heitmann
  • Patent number: 5387407
    Abstract: For reducing nitrogen oxides in the flue gases of a firing plant, fresh ammonia water, i.e. an aqueous solution of ammonia (NH.sub.3), is introduced into the flue gas flow. For achieving a high degree of separation of the nitrogen oxide a superstoichiometric addition of ammonia (NH.sub.3) is necessary. Most of the excess ammonia is washed out in the wet washer (6). A liquor, e.g. milk of lime (Ca(OH).sub.2), is dosed into the wash water in a connecting line (10) to a stripping column (11), so that a pH-value above 9.5 is obtained. The now physically dissolved ammonia (NH.sub.3) is desorbed from the wash water in the stripping column (11). The steam/ammonia mixture passing out of the stripping column (11) is condensed in a condenser (17) and the condensate in the form of ammonia water is admixed to the fresh ammonia water in feed line (3). As a function of the nitrogen oxide reduction, approximately 10 to 50% of the fresh ammonia water can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Von Roll AG
    Inventors: Hans Ruegg, Rene Vock
  • Patent number: 5385646
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating chemical production plant process condensate such that a contaminant-rich stream and a relatively pure aqueous stream is separately recoverable from the condensate, wherein the contaminants are substantially removed from the condensate by steam stripping and subsequent rectification in a relatively low pressure stripping/rectification tower. The tower overhead is then condensed with a portion of the condensed overhead being returned to the top of the rectification section of the tower as reflux and the balance being withdrawn as a concentrated stream for reuse in the plant. In a second embodiment, separate stripping and rectification towers operate in series whereby the overhead of the stripping tower is delivered to the lower section of the rectification tower and the rectification bottoms are returned to the top of the stripping tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Farmland Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Allan D. Holiday
  • Patent number: 5352428
    Abstract: A process and apparatus are disclosed to achieve high per-pass synthesis conversion of ammonia. A nitrogen/hydrogen synthesis gas mixture is passed sequentially through a plurality of catalyst beds. The effluent from a subsequent catalyst bed is cooled by direct quench with a partially reacted gas which has passed through at least a first catalyst bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: C.F. Braun, Inc.
    Inventors: Mukund L. Bhakta, Bernard J. Grotz
  • Patent number: 5326729
    Abstract: Quartz glass obtained by flame-hydrolyzing a glass-forming raw material to obtain fine particles of quartz glass, having the fine particles of quartz glass deposited and grown on a substrate to obtain a porous quartz glass product and heating the porous quartz glass product to obtain a transparent quartz glass product, which has an OH content of not more than 10 ppm and a halogen content of at least 400 ppm and which contains hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Yaba, Shinya Kikugawa
  • Patent number: 5304365
    Abstract: Mineral aluminosilicates enhanced as ion-exchange media for separating diverse ionic materials are provided by dry heating. A hydrated mineral alumino-silicate is irreversibly dehydrated in part, to improve the ratio of its affinity for preferred ions, relative to non-preferred ions, even though doing so reduces its affinity for both types of ions. Such dehydration is accomplished by heating the aluminosilicate until a temperature is reached at which its affinity for non-preferred cations is reduced enough that the ratio of its affinity for preferred ions to its affinity for non-preferred ions is greatly increased. Such aluminosilicates may be zeolites, such as clinoptilolite, or layered clays, such as vermiculite or smectite. 850.degree. C. is an example of such temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Petr Taborsky
  • Patent number: 5298231
    Abstract: Reaction rates in chemisorption reactions involving solid reactants and gaseous ligands are improved by maintaining optimized solid density throughout the reaction. Methods and apparatus which restrict volumetric solid expansion, compression of the solid reactant, and mixture with inert solid porous or particulate materials are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: Rocky Research
    Inventor: Uwe Rockenfeller
  • Patent number: 5298469
    Abstract: A lanthanum chromite ceramic powder consisting essentially of 1 mol of LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3, where M is a divalent metal selected from the group of zinc, copper and mixtures thereof and x ranges from about 0.02 to 0.2, y mols of B.sub.2 O.sub.3, where y ranges from 0.0005 to 0.04, and z mols of La.sub.2 O.sub.3, where the ratio z/y ranges from 1 to 3, the powder is sintered to high density by firing a compact thereof at a temperature of about 1400.degree. C. in air or other atmosphere, and is particularly suited for use as interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1994
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Haig, Beili L. Wu, Jean Yamanis
  • Patent number: 5286686
    Abstract: A sinter-reactive lanthanum chromite powder is prepared from the lanthanum chromite precursor LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3 (Adsorbate). The powder is crystalline, has the formula LaCr.sub.1-x M.sub.x O.sub.3, where M is selected from the group consisting of zinc, copper and mixtures thereof and x ranges from about 0.02 to 0.2, and sinters to densities higher than about 95% of theoretical density at temperature as low as 1400.degree. C. in oxidizing atmospheres. Sintering to such high density at temperatures in the vicinity of 1400.degree. C. makes the powder particularly suited for use as interconnect material for solid oxide fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Haig, Beili L. Wu, Jean Yamanis
  • Patent number: 5277886
    Abstract: The addition of a nucleating or coalescing agent (e.g., urea) to liquid ammonia reduces the size and persistence of a deadly, fog-like cloud of ammonia droplets that tend to form when liquid ammonia is accidentally released to the atmosphere. In addition, high purity ammonia is obtained by evaporating ammonia from the ammonia- and nucleating agent-containing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventor: Donald C. Young
  • Patent number: 5116591
    Abstract: A spray combining apparatus for use at the outlet of a fluid collection system (10) includes an outlet pipe (11) containing a diffuser and atomizer (15) adjacent an outlet opening (18). A conical rain cap (19) is mounted vertically above the outlet opening. A downwardly-facing nipple and spray nozzle (22) is positioned above the rain cap. The nozzle is supplied with a pressurized second fluid from a source (26). If first fluid is detected in the outlet, the second fluid is discharged through the spray nozzle in a selected enveloping pattern toward the outlet. As the atomized first fluid is emitted from the outlet opening, it is combined with the enveloping spray of the second fluid. The resulting neutralized or "washed" product is either suspended in the air, or is contained in the vicinity of the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Mollenberg-Betz, Inc.
    Inventor: James S. Witter