Burning Waste Gas, E.g., Furnace Gas, Etc. Patents (Class 431/5)
  • Publication number: 20020064739
    Abstract: A method serves the purpose of introducing fuel and/or thermal energy into a gas stream flowing to a catalytic reactor. The gas stream flows in part through an exterior chamber and in part through an interior chamber, which is at least partially open in the flow direction and to which fuel is supplied. The partial streams are re-united after flowing through the two chambers and are fed to the catalytic reactor. In a starting phase of the still cold catalytic reactor, the fuel is burned in the interior chamber. During conventional normal operating modes of the warm catalytic reactor, the fuel is vaporized in the interior chamber. In a suitable device, the exterior chamber and the interior chamber are designed as two tube elements that are inserted into one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Stefan Boneberg, Thomas Hoeger, Michael Schonert
  • Publication number: 20020045141
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for incinerating waste gas comprising; a plurality of combustion nozzles 20 arranged in periphery of an inner tube for discharging the waste gas into the combustion chamber, an incineration inner tube 30 for shielding the flare smoke, the flame light and the noise being generated during incineration of the waste gas and being discharged from the combustion nozzle 20, said incineration inner tube 30 having a plurality of air inlets 32 at its lower periphery, and an outer tube 40 for introducing the swirl air into the flame generation side for providing the swirl force to the combusted gas which is elevated within the inner tube 30, said outer tube 40 is provided with several air inlet passages 42 tangentially formed in communication with the incineration inner tube 30.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: Jong Soo Kim, Choong Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20020045140
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for high velocity injection of a stream of fluid fuel into a stream of NOX containing combustion effluents downstream of a primary combustion zone, without the use of recirculated flue gas or other carrier gas. The apparatus includes a fuel introducing member that has a fuel receiving end for receiving fluid fuel from a fuel source and a fuel injection end for injecting the fluid fuel into the stream of combustion effluents. A fuel passage is in fluid communication with the fuel receiving end and the fuel injection end of the fuel introducing member. A means for increasing the velocity of the fluid fuel, without the need of a carrier gas, is associated with the fuel introducing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Publication date: April 18, 2002
    Inventors: ROY PAYNE, QUANG NGUYEN, DAVID MOYEDA
  • Patent number: 6372009
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously reducing carbon monoxide (CO), uncombined free hydrogen (H2) and volatile hydrocarbons (VOC's) in molten metal refining vessel off-gases without forming undesirable oxides of nitrogen. Off-gases are directed to a reaction chamber wherein CO, H2 and VOC's are oxidized at a controlled temperature and with a controlled quantity of O2 So as to realize substantially total oxidation of gases present with minimized formation of oxides of nitrogen. Volume and energy of treated gases directed for baghouse treatment are reduced in comparison with prior practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Kvaerner Metals
    Inventors: Ronald L. W. Holmes, Frank A. Hultgren
  • Patent number: 6347935
    Abstract: A round burner capable of being operated with reduced CO and NOx emissions includes a venturi tube positioned to direct a flow of air through the burner and into a combustion zone in a combustion chamber through an entrance in a wall of the combustion chamber. The venturi tube has inlet and outlet ends and a throat. The outlet end of the venturi tube has a larger internal diameter than either the inlet end or the throat and the same is positioned adjacent the entrance to the combustion chamber. The inlet end of the venturi tube is also positioned further from the entrance than the outlet end of the venturi tube. The burner may include a duct system that includes an inlet disposed in fluid communication with the combustion zone and an outlet disposed in fluid communication with the venturi tube adjacent the throat thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: John Zink Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Edmund Schindler, Lev Tsirulnikov, John Guarco, Jon Moore, Michael Gamburg
  • Publication number: 20010049076
    Abstract: A round burner capable of being operated with reduced CO and NOx emissions includes a venturi tube positioned to direct a flow of air through the burner and into a combustion zone in a combustion chamber through an entrance in a wall of the combustion chamber. The venturi tube has inlet and outlet ends and a throat. The outlet end of the venturi tube has a larger internal diameter than either the inlet end or the throat and the same is positioned adjacent the entrance to the combustion chamber. The inlet end of the venturi tube is also positioned further from the entrance than the outlet end of the venturi tube. The burner may include a duct system that includes an inlet disposed in fluid communication with the combustion zone and an outlet disposed in fluid communication with the venturi tube adjacent the throat thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Edmund S. Schindler, Lev Tsirulnikov, John Guarco, Jon Moore, Michael Gamburg
  • Patent number: 6301875
    Abstract: A heater for heating turbine exhaust gas (TEG) flowing in a downstream direction through a duct formed by sets of opposing side walls is described. A flame shield has first and second plates which extend symmetrically with respect to a horizontal center line substantially across the duct, diverge in the downstream direction, and terminate in plate edges which are spaced from proximate duct side walls. Each plate defines spaced-apart, first and second slits which communicate an upstream side of the plate with a downstream side thereof. The slits are spaced from the center line and from the plate edges. A heating gas supply pipe extends parallel to the center line across the duct and has a plurality of spaced-apart orifices that face in a downstream direction and are in flow communication with the downstream side of the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Coen Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan C. Backlund, Enrico E. Fiorenza, Kenneth Y. Ahn
  • Patent number: 6289851
    Abstract: A multi-stage heating apparatus having a first stage combustion chamber, a second stage combustion chamber, a primary porous matrix chamber disposed between the first and second stage combustion chambers, a secondary porous matrix chamber, heat exchanger tubes for transfer of heat from the combustion products to a working fluid, a recirculation device for recirculating combustion products in the first and second stage combustion chambers to the root of flames therein. A mixture of fuel and primary oxidant is introduced into the first stage combustion chamber, and the products of combustion therein are conveyed to the porous matrix chamber disposed between the first and second stage combustion chambers. After undergoing intensive heat transfer in the porous matrix chamber, the cooler products of combustion flow into the second stage combustion chamber forming additional products of combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: Iosif K. Rabovitser, Richard A. Knight, Hamid A. Abbasi
  • Patent number: 6290488
    Abstract: An incinerator with a heat-storage capability is disclosed. The incinerator has a housing with multiple communicating chambers defined therein, heat-storing medium received in each chamber, a heater mounted in the housing, an inlet tube and an outlet tube connecting to all of the chambers respectively, a control valve mounted between the inlet tube or outlet tube and each corresponding chamber and an air pump mounted on the outlet tube. The incinerator can deal with the industrial waste steam by the medium in alternate chambers one after the other, and the medium can absorb the heat generated by burning the volatile organic material in the industrial waste steam. This can increase the thermal efficiency of the incinerator and decrease cost of operating the incinerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Inventor: Chia-Ching Shu
  • Patent number: 6287111
    Abstract: A heating system according to the present invention is divided into two interconnected compartments, the first having at least one burner feeder and the second having at least one receiver burner. The thermal output of these units may be equal or unequal to match the heat recovery requirements and requirements of the receiver burner for feeder flue gas. Fuel is fed to both the feeder and receiver burners. Heat from both burners heats the fluid to be heated within the heating system. The flue gas exiting from the feeder compartment is introduced and mixed into the receiver burners air supply, similar to conventional flue gas recirculation (FGR) type low NOx burners. The feeder may use a lean premix or rich burn quench technique to achieve low-NOx. Only one combustion air fan is required. The Ductwork is not exposed or the external exposure is very short as compared to much greater lengths of external duct work in conventional flue gas recirculation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Inventor: Wayne Gensler
  • Patent number: 6274097
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning pollutant-laden waste gas by regenerative thermal afterburning has two towers (1, 2) each divided into three heat-retaining chambers (14 to 16 and 17 to 19) by vertical partitions (10 to 13). Two opposite heat-retaining chambers (14 to 16 and 17 to 19) of the towers (1, 2) are connected by one switching chamber (26, 27, 28) in each case, said chambers being disposed between a loaded gas supply channel (29) and a clean gas removal channel (23). For alternately supplying loaded gas to two opposite heat-retaining chambers of the towers and removing clean gas from two other opposite heat-retaining chambers of the towers, each switching chamber (26, 27, 28) is adapted to be connected alternatively with the loaded gas supply channel (29) and the clean gas removal channel (23) by shut-off devices (50, 52, 53) operated with a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Chemisch Thermische Prozesstechnik
    Inventors: Vassilios Sefalidis, Johannes Schedler, Heimo Thalhammer
  • Patent number: 6247917
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for improving the economics of flue gas recirculation. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for the minimization of oxides of nitrogen (“NOx”) in the exhaust gas of various combustion processes via balanced pressure drops of the recirculation gas, and a method for the calculation of flue gas recirculation percentage. The flue gas recirculation system achieves the balanced pressure drops by sizing the air intake line and recirculation line associated with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Berger, Karl W. Kolthoff, Thomas J. Rankin
  • Publication number: 20010003038
    Abstract: A gas flare includes an elongate primary combustion chamber and at least one supplementary combustion chamber. A primary burner is positioned in the primary combustion chamber. A secondary burner is positioned in the supplementary combustion chamber. The primary combustion chamber has an outlet which is coupled with an inlet to the supplementary combustion chamber. A flow path is created for waste gas past the primary burner in the primary combustion chamber and past the supplementary burner in the supplementary combustion chamber, so the waste gas is subjected to multiple burner exposure for more complete combustion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: June 7, 2001
    Inventor: Adair Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 6237512
    Abstract: An incinerator for waste liquid comprises a container, a burner and an atomizer. An incineration chamber is defined inside the container. The incineration chamber has upper and lower sections, and the container has a vent adjacent to the upper section of the chamber. The burner is connected to the container near the lower section to jet flame into the chamber. The atomizer is connected to the container near the lower section to shoot atomized waste liquid upwardly into the chamber such that waste liquid shot out of the atomizer is directed toward the upper section. A method of incinerating waste liquid comprises the steps of jetting flame into the lower section of an incineration chamber having a vent adjacent to the upper section thereof, and shooting an atomized waste liquid upwardly into the lower section so that the atomized waste liquid is directed toward the upper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Kiyoshi Nakato
    Inventor: Einosuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 6238206
    Abstract: A burner (10) for use in both high O2 environments and low O2 environments comprises an outer tube (24) and an inner tube (26). The outer tube (24) defines a flow passage (53) and includes an inlet portion (42), an outlet portion (46), and a nozzle portion (44) interconnecting the inlet portion (42) and outlet portion (46). The inlet portion (42) has a larger effective cross-sectional area than the outlet portion (46) so that air (20) or an air-and-fuel mixture (35) moving through nozzle portion (44) is accelerated. The inner tube (26) is positioned to lie in the flow passage (53) of the outer tube (24) and is formed to include fuel-injection holes (78) to conduct fuel (33) into the flow passage (53).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Maxon Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Cummings, III, Curtis L. Taylor
  • Patent number: 6234787
    Abstract: A combustion type detoxifying apparatus which carries out detoxifying treatment of a raw gas containing toxic components injected through a burner (2) into a combustion chamber (1) by allowing the toxic components to burn or undergo pyrolysis. The combustion chamber (1) having a double-wall structure consisting of an outer barrel (11) and an inner barrel (12) which is made of a porous material. The combustion chamber (1) is provided with a gas introducing nozzle (4) for introducing a pressure gas to the space defined between the outer barrel (11) and the inner barrel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Fumitaka Endoh, Maya Yamada, Shuichi Koseki, Shinichi Miyake, Akihiko Nitta, Yoshiaki Sugimori
  • Patent number: 6231334
    Abstract: A biogas flare system for burning biogas generated primarily by a landfill includes at least one burner for igniting a mixture of biogas and air. A main supply line supplies a mixture of biogas and air to the burner. A biogas supply line feeds biogas into the main supply line. An air supply line feeds air into the main supply line. A mixer structure mixes the biogas and air prior to the mixture being supplied to the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: John Zink Company
    Inventors: Wesley Ryan Bussman, Tim William Locke, Karl Allen Graham
  • Patent number: 6224369
    Abstract: A device for burning vented fuel has a housing defining and substantially enclosing a combustion chamber. The housing has an air inlet, a vented fuel inlet, and an exhaust gas outlet. A manifold burner is disposed in the combustion chamber and conveys the vented fuel into the combustion chamber. An ignition device is disposed in the chamber for igniting the vented fuel. The manifold burner and exhaust gas outlet define a direct exhaust gas path extending linearly from the manifold burner to the exhaust gas outlet. A deflection shield is disposed in the direct exhaust gas path, and is sized at least as large as the approximate size of the exhaust gas outlet, for substantially deflecting exhaust gas and heat produced by the combustion of vented fuel away from the exhaust gas outlet. The deflection shield is displaced from the exhaust gas outlet to create a gap for allowing exhaust gas to escape the combustion chamber along a nonlinear path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Inventor: David H. Moneyhun
  • Patent number: 6206949
    Abstract: A method for reducing the NOx content of combustion gases from combustion in a commercial furnace wherein hot oxygen and carbonaceous fuel such as pulverized coal react to form a fuel-rich gas phase mixture which is then used to reduce NOx to nitrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Hisashi Kobayashi, Lawrence E. Bool, III, Michael Francis Riley
  • Patent number: 6200128
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering sensible heat from a hot exhaust gas having an oxygen concentration of less than 21 vol % in a fuel-air fired combustion device. An oxidant stream comprising a gas having an oxygen concentration of greater than 21 vol % is introduced into the combustion process to form an oxidant mixture comprising the hot exhaust gas, the oxidant and any air present, the mixture having an average combined oxygen concentration of less than 21 vol %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Hisashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6193500
    Abstract: The present invention combines the gasoline vapor recovery efficiency advantages of a Hirt “Partial Seal System”, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,004 to Hirt, with the customer convenience advantages of gasoline vapor recovery systems employing “bootless” nozzles. The use of bootless nozzles in combination with strict environmental vapor emissions compliance is made possible because of specific system advantages, which include the use of a burner designed to operate at two different flow rates, a coaxial processor stack which permits second and third stage combustion of excess gasoline vapor generated by the system before it is released to atmosphere, and a remote sensor which continually monitors system vacuum pressure to ensure that a sufficient vacuum is maintained at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Inventors: Robert Bradt, Thomas J. Smith, Gilbert Castro
  • Patent number: 6168422
    Abstract: There is provided a gas incinerator having a combustion chamber above a lower chamber and communicating therewith. Combustion air flows into the lower chamber, thence upwardly toward the combustion chamber. Vanes are provided in the lower chamber, to impart a rotational movement to the air as it rises toward the combustion chamber. Nozzles are located toward the bottom of the combustion chamber for injecting the fuel, in the form of gas, into the combustion chamber so as to cause the injected gas to rotate oppositely to the air rotation, in order to provide substantial turbulence and mixing. The injection direction of the gas also lies substantially parallel with a hypothetical plane transverse to the axis of the cyclonic movement of air, thus avoiding an axial component in the injection direction of the gas, and therefore minimizing the expulsion of gas, air and combustion products from the combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Questor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Motyka, John K. S. Loh
  • Patent number: 6146007
    Abstract: An asphalt plant including a plurality of asphalt processing components, with a selected first set of the components producing volatile emissions and a selected second set requiring process heat energy. A central burner assembly is connected to the selected second set of components by an insulated duct system for providing heat energy to the second component set. A first duct system is adapted to capture a portion of the volatile emissions produced by the first component set and convey the captured emissions into the central burner for mitigation. The central burner is preferably a media burner incorporating flameless combustion technology as well as an adjustable internal fuel injection system, which results in safer and more controllable combustion. Even with captured fugitive emissions in the inlet air, the fuel injection system keeps the concentration of combustible materials well below the lower flammability limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Cedarapids Inc.
    Inventors: Martin L. Stimson, Joseph E. Musil
  • Patent number: 6146131
    Abstract: An improved ground flare is provided comprising a stack, two or more burner assemblies, and a servicing port so that some of the burner assemblies can be serviced while others remain in operation. The burner assemblies comprise a burner conduit and nozzles which are individually fitted to the stack's burner chamber and are each removably supported in the chamber. Preferably, the lower end of the stack is formed of one or more axially displaced lower tubular shells which are concentrically spaced for forming annular inlets for admitting additional combustion air. More preferably, an upper tubular exhaust stack, similarly formed, admits additional combustion air: for providing secondary combustion air for increasing the efficiency of combustion from the burner assemblies; for increasing the flow of exhaust gases for improved discharge momentum and atmospheric dispersion; and for cooling the upper stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Rana Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Wiseman
  • Patent number: 6138586
    Abstract: A method for incineration and an incinerator for composition of exhaust gases containing organic substances, the incinerator comprising an elongated, preferably cylindrical combustion chamber, an oil or gas fired burner with a flame-tube axially centrally at one end of the combustion chamber, a flue gas outlet pipe provided at the end of the combustion chamber opposite to the burner for the flue gases produced during incineration, and an inlet conduit connected to the side of the combustion chamber for the exhaust gases to be decomposed, wherein the inlet feed pipe opens or discharges in the combustion chamber in proximity to the burner. The incinerator is characterized by a conduction/deflection plate (36), adjacent the input conduit (24), for pre-heating the exhaust gases flowing by.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Utec Luftreinigung + Warmeruckgewinnung-Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Reichart
  • Patent number: 6095792
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for improving the economics of flue gas recirculation. In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for the minimization of oxides of nitrogen ("NO.sub.x ") in the exhaust gas of various combustion processes via balanced pressure drops of the recirculation gas, and a method for the calculation of flue gas recirculation percentage. The flue gas recirculation system achieves the balanced pressure drops by sizing the air intake line and recirculation line associated with the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Berger, Karl W. Kolthoff, Thomas J. Rankin
  • Patent number: 6090977
    Abstract: In a process for the continuous heterogeneously catalyzed gas-phase partial oxidation of an organic compound in an oxidation reactor, whose feed gas mixture comprises, apart from the organic compound to be partially oxidized and molecular oxygen as oxidant, at least one diluent gas which is essentially inert under the conditions of the heterogeneously catalyzed gas-phase partial oxidation, where the essentially inert diluent gas consists partly of combustible gases, after passage through the oxidation reactor, the combustible constituents of the inert diluent gas present in the product gas stream leaving the oxidation reactor are not recirculated to the heterogeneously catalyzed gas-phase partial oxidation, but are put to further use for the purposes of another chemical reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Hefner, Otto Machhammer, Hans-Peter Neumann, Andreas Tenten, Wilhelm Ruppel, Herbert Vogel
  • Patent number: 6086828
    Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer (H-101) includes a number of heat exchange columns (A, B) topped by a combustion chamber (C-101). Contaminated air is directed into one of the columns and oxidation is completed as the flow passes through the combustion chamber (C-101). From the combustion chamber (C-101), the now clean air flows vertically downward through another column and then is directed via an outlet through an outlet manifold and released to atmosphere or recirculated back to the oxidizer (H-101). A combustible fuel is added to the contaminated air prior to its entry into one of the columns. The addition of the combustible fuel is regulated by continuously monitoring the inlet and outlet temperatures (TE-101A, TE-108A), and comparing a difference between these temperatures to a predetermined value. Further control can be achieved by measuring the flow of contaminated air to the oxidizer (H-101) via pressure differential and coordinating that measurement with the temperature differential measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Megtec Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6051197
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating a waste gas and an apparatus thereof capable of reducing the space for establishing the apparatus for treating the waste gas and collecting minute particles formed by oxidizing and cooling the toxic waste gas flown into the apparatus for treating the waste gas through a collecting process without filtering the particles. When treating the waste gas generated in the semiconductor manufacturing process, it is not required to treat a byproduct as in the wet-type treating method and the polymers are collected effectively by means of cyclones separators having different diameters. As a result, as the filtering apparatus is not required excluding the cyclone separators, the cost for establishing the facilities can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Union Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-bae Park
  • Patent number: 6029647
    Abstract: A radiant tube assembly comprises a radiant tube having a burner leg, an exhaust leg and a recuperator inside the exhaust leg and in a stream of products of combustion flowing in the exhaust leg. The recuperator has an air intake port at a first end and a mixing baffle at a second, hot end. The mixing baffle causes combustion air and products of combustion to be mixed at the hot end of the recuperator and provided to the burner leg for combustion. The mixing baffle includes a flow director which increases the amount of products of combustion mixed with the combustion air. The mixing baffle can also include a dome-shaped end which extends into the stream of products of combustion for reducing turbulence of the stream of products of combustion flowing in the exhaust leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Bloom Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Pisano, Harry P. Finke
  • Patent number: 6012917
    Abstract: An improved ground flare is provided comprising a stack, two or more burner assemblies, and a servicing port so that some of the burner assemblies can be serviced while others remain in operation. The burner assemblies comprise a burner conduit and nozzles which are individually fitted to the stack's burner chamber and are each removably supported in the chamber. Each burner conduit is sealed to and sandwiched between a waste gas inlet port and a matching a closure port on the other side of the stack. The closure port can be opened for physically releasing the burner conduit and supplying sufficient axial movement room for extracting the conduit from the socket, thereby releasing the conduit for hand removal through a servicing port. Preferably, the lower end of the stack is formed of one or more axially displaced lower tubular shells which are concentrically spaced for forming annular inlets for admitting combustion air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Rana Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Wiseman
  • Patent number: 6010674
    Abstract: A system for controlling organic contaminants released from a regenerator during the process of liquid dehydration of natural gas where contaminants are vaporized into a gaseous mixture. The system includes conducting the vaporized mixture from the regenerator to a heater, heating the vaporized mixture in the heater, conducting the vaporized mixture from the heater to a liquid collection chamber where suspended liquid particles are separated out from the vaporized mixture, drawing the vaporized mixture from the liquid chamber using fuel gas as an aspirator, mixing atmospheric air with the vaporized mixture, and combusting the vaporized mixture in order to incinerate the vaporized mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventors: Bert B. Miles, Gary W. Sams
  • Patent number: 6007324
    Abstract: A method of forming a rim type attenuating phase shifting mask which requires only one resist layer and developing the resist using a single developing solution. A transparent mask substrate has a layer of attenuating phase shifting material, a layer of opaque material, and a layer of resist material formed thereon. The layer of resist is exposed to a first pattern using a first exposure dose and a second pattern using a smaller second exposure dose. The resist is developed for a first time forming the first pattern in the entire layer of resist and the second pattern in the top portion of the layer of resist. The first pattern is then etched in the layer of opaque material using the first pattern in the layer of resist as a mask. In one embodiment the first pattern is then etched in the layer of attenuating phase shifting material, the resist is partially etched using an O.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: San-De Tzu, Shy-Jay Lin, Ching-Chia Lin
  • Patent number: 6007326
    Abstract: A low NO.sub.x combustion process is carried out by reacting low concentrations of combustibles with low concentrations of oxygen. These low concentrations are obtained by injecting high velocity fuel and oxidant streams through port openings that are spatially separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry Monroe Ryan, III, Arthur Wellington Francis, Jr., Michael Francis Riley, Hisashi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 5997277
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and device for recovery of energy from a medium containing combustible substances even at low concentrations. The method is characterized by raising the temperature of the medium in a regenerative combustor such as a reversal flow direction combustion device wherein the combustion takes place in a warm zone, to the combustion temperature at which essentially all chemical energy of the combustible substances is transformed into thermal energy. The heated medium is then utilized for the production of a wanted form of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Megtec Systems AB
    Inventors: Bjorn Heed, .ANG.ke Kallstrand
  • Patent number: 5997283
    Abstract: A cell arrangement for the electrolysis of water to liberate hydrogen and oxygen gases is described. A cell unit (125) has a stacked arrangement of segmentation disks (114), a first type of (anode) cell plates (90), a second type of (cathode) cell plates (98) and separation membranes (116). Interconnecting conductive shafts (126-131) pass through holes (100,102) of the cell plates (90,98) to have selective electrical interconnection therewith. Water and electrolyte is supplied by inlet ports (108,110) to immerse the cell plates (90,98). The membranes (116) normally isolate adjacent cathode and anode plates (90,98) from the mixing of liberated oxygen and hydrogen gases whilst allowing ionic current flow. By selective adjustment of the water/electrolyte pressure differential on respective sides of the separation membranes (116), admixture of the liberated gases can be produced. The liberated gases discharge by outlet ports (104,106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Hydrogen Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Spiro Ross Spiros
  • Patent number: 5971744
    Abstract: Purging of a gas supply line is effected using a serviceman's purging tool having a hose for attachment to the supply line with an opposite end of the hose attached to a burner nozzle carried on a support frame. The burner nozzle is arranged to generate a stream of the gases exiting from the pipe to be purged. The frame carries a receptacle for a propane torch and angles the burner of the torch so as to be directed across the stream of gas from the supply pipe. The burner from the torch thus provides combustion of the purged non-ignitable products from the supply pipe until the ignitable gas reaches the nozzle whereupon the ignitable gas is ignited indicating that the pipe is purged. The receptacle comprises a cylindrical sleeve for receiving the tank of the propane torch and a bracket for guiding the nozzle of the torch across the stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Timothy C. Eaton
  • Patent number: 5964586
    Abstract: There are described a method, an apparatus and an ignition pellet for the ignition of combustible gases, for example from a flare or flare tower, where an ignition pellet is launched in a direction toward a region of combustible gas, characterized in that the ignition device is propelled by means of a pressure medium through a guidance tube to the gas cloud region, that the ignition device undergoes a reaction for the purpose of active ignition of the gas in the region, the time for its activation and reaction being predetermined and adapted to the particular flare and application. The reaction of the ignition device is in the form of a shower or cloud of sparks where at least parts of the shower of sparks will strike the cloud of gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Techno Consult A.S.
    Inventors: Tom .O slashed.demark, Sjur Dagestad
  • Patent number: 5957678
    Abstract: A combustion type detoxifying apparatus which carries out detoxifying treatment of a raw gas containing toxic components injected through a burner (3) into a combustion chamber (1) by allowing the toxic components to burn or undergo pyrolysis. The burner (3) has a raw gas nozzle (32a) for injecting the raw gas, a lift gas nozzle (32b) for injecting an inert gas, a raw gas combustion assisting gas nozzle (32c) for injecting a gas for assisting combustion of combustible components in the raw gas, a fuel gas combustion assisting gas nozzle (32d) for injecting a gas for assisting combustion of the fuel gas and a fuel gas nozzle (32e) for injecting the fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Fumitaka Endoh, Maya Yamada, Shuichi Koseki, Toshio Suwa, Shinichi Miyake, Akihiko Nitta
  • Patent number: 5951275
    Abstract: Combustibles such as oily substances adhered to or impregnated in metallic articles are removed, before the articles are subjected to a heat-treatment for carburizing or sintering them, by heating them in a heating chamber with a combustion tube, and discharging the combustibles outside of the chamber after having sucked under a negative air pressure the combustibles into the tube instantly they have been evaporated from the articles and after having burnt the combustibles in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kanto Yakin Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Susumu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5941697
    Abstract: The gas phase exothermic reaction of a feed gas mixture is carried out by providing first and second chambers in fluid communication with one another and each containing a bed of solid heat exchange material and at least one bed of catalyst material, each chamber being selectively operable in cooling and heating modes. The feed gas mixture is introduced into a selected one of the chambers when the selected chamber is in the cooling mode and the other chamber is in the heating mode so that the feed gas mixture flowing through the selected chamber contacts the bed of heat exchange material before contacting the bed of catalyst material, the feed gas mixture being reacted in the catalyst bed to form a gaseous product. The gaseous product is conducted from the selected chamber to the other chamber so that the gaseous product flowing through the other chamber contacts the bed of catalyst material before contacting the bed of heat exchange material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignees: La Corporation de L'Ecole Polytechnique Gaz Metropolitain, Company Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jamai Chaouki, Hristo Sapoundjiev, Christophe Guy, Danilo Klvana, Kebir Ratnani
  • Patent number: 5938422
    Abstract: A process for the combustive destruction of noxious substances from a gas stream in which the gas stream and added fuel gas as a mixture into a combustion zone that is surrounded by an exit surface of a foraminous gas burner. A fuel gas and air/oxygen mixture are simultaneously supplied to the foraminous gas burner to effect combustion at the exit surface. The resulting combustion product stream is discharged from the combustion zone. The oxygen is added to the gas stream and the fuel gas prior to the introduction of the mixture to the combustion zone and the oxygen/fuel gas mixture burns at the point of injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventors: James Robert Smith, Andrew James Seeley
  • Patent number: 5921763
    Abstract: Improved methods for the destruction of methane gas within a colliery ventilation stream are provided that include the efficient utilization of the energy obtained from the oxidation of the methane gas. In practicing the methods, a colliery vent gas, containing a dilute concentration of methane in air, is oxidized within a matrix bed of heat resistant material to convert the methane to oxidation products with the simultaneous release of heat energy. The heat energy is recovered to thermally heat a working fluid used to operate a steam turbine to produce electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Thermatrix, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Martin
  • Patent number: 5908003
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for combustion of a solid carbonaceous material, for example coal, in which a mixture of the solid carbonaceous material and combustion air is injected into a combustion chamber and ignited, thereby forming a fuel-lean primary combustion zone. A gaseous fuel is injected into the combustion chamber in a region downstream of the primary combustion zone, thereby forming a fuel-lean secondary combustion zone. Temperature in the secondary combustion zone is in the range of about 1800.degree. F. to 2400.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Harjit S. Hura, Bernard P. Breen
  • Patent number: 5873712
    Abstract: A novel flare stack is disclosed comprising a body defining a partially hollow tube and having an first and a second end, a burner disposed at the upper end, a gas introduction means situated at the lower end and a source of fluid coupled in fluid communication with the second end of the body for combustion of both the gas and the fluid in the burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Romeo E. Guerra
  • Patent number: 5874053
    Abstract: A system for the abatement of industrial process emissions comprises a horizontal regenerative catalytic oxidizer (RCO). The system utilizes at least two regenerative chambers and at least two catalytic chambers in a controlled abatement process. Pollutants injected into the RCO from the process emissions are catalytically oxidized. The horizontal configuration of the RCO reduces the size of the RCO per cubic foot of emissions treated, and also simplifies maintenance requirements in removing and replacing, or regenerating, the catalyst. Chutes and valves situated above and below the catalyst provide maintenance means without the associated contamination concerns typically caused by catalytic migration throughout vertically configured RCOs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Automotive Systems Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Chen, Richard A. Gay, Sean T. Gribbon
  • Patent number: 5865613
    Abstract: A flare stack with smokeless burn and reduced steam consumption. The flare stack includes a central pipe having a flare tip. The flare tip has a top edge. An outer pipe surrounds the central pipe and forms an annulus between them. A spreader spreads gas from the central pipe into the annulus. Steam and air, with oxygen, are forced into the base of the annulus and past the spreader to mingle with the gas and create smokeless burning. Steam and air are supplied by at least one conical conduit leading into the annulus, the conduit having an inlet for the flow of steam into it, a steam manifold having an outlet corresponding to each conduit, each outlet being directed towards a corresponding inlet in the conduit; and an opening between each outlet and inlet for the flow of air into each conduit drawn by a venturi effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Inventor: Robert Carl Rajewski
  • Patent number: 5851256
    Abstract: A method of operating a regenerative glass furnace for melting glass for the manufacture of shaped glass articles so as to minimize emission of NOx in waste gases leaving the furnace, the furnace having sealed regenerators which act as heat exchangers, the method including supplying fuel in excess of that required for stoichiometric combustion to ensure that glass of the required quality at the required production rate is obtained, and that the waste gases leaving the furnace through the regenerators contain combustible material, and reacting the combustible material with sufficient air to ensure that the waste gases exiting to atmosphere contain permissible levels of combustible material and contain permissible levels of NOx. Alternatively, the furnace may be operated at substantially stoichiometric conditions and fuel is supplied to waste gases as they leave the melting chamber. The invention also relates to a regenerator glass furnace for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Pilkington Glass Limited
    Inventors: Richard Quirk, David Alan Bird, Ian Nigel William Shulver, Robin Maxwell McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5849059
    Abstract: A method of operating a cross-fired regenerative glass furnace for melting flat glass so as to minimize emission of NOx in waste gases leaving the furnace, the furnace having sealed regenerators which act as heat exchangers, the method including supplying fuel in excess of that required for stoichiometric combustion to ensure that glass of the required quality at the required production rate is obtained, and that the waste gases leaving the furnace through the regenerators contain combustible material, and reacting the combustible material with sufficient air to ensure that the waste gases exiting to atmosphere contain permissible levels of combustible material and permissible levels of NOx. Alternatively, the furnace may be operated at substantially stoichiometric conditions and fuel is supplied to the waste gases as they leave the melting chamber. The invention also relates to a cross-fired regenerator glass furnace for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Pilkington Glass Limited
    Inventors: Richard Quirk, David Alan Bird, Ian Nigel William Shulver, Robin Maxwell McIntosh
  • Patent number: 5846068
    Abstract: Improved flare apparatus having long service lives for burning flammable and air and methods are provided. The flare apparatus is basically comprised of an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member positioned within the outer tubular member whereby an annular flammable gas discharge space is provided immediately adjacent to an annular air discharge space. The flammable gas is discharged into the atmosphere in an annular straight out pattern. At least a portion of the air is discharged into the atmosphere for mixing with the flammable gas in a swirling pattern immediately adjacent to the flammable gas which prevents internal burning and premature failure of the flare apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: John Zink Company, Division of Koch Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Schwartz, Lawrence D. Berg