Testing Of Catalyst Patents (Class 436/37)
  • Patent number: 8460937
    Abstract: A method of screening catalysts for liquid-phase selective hydrogenation by preparing a test catalyst by adding a promoter to a reference catalyst; preparing a liquid reactant stream comprising C2H2 dissolved in n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; testing the test and reference catalysts by contacting the reactant stream and gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide in continuous flow with the test catalyst and reference catalyst, respectively, at selective hydrogenation reaction conditions to produce a product stream, condensing substantially all of the n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone from the product stream; measuring the concentrations of products comprising C2H2, C2H4, and C2H6 in the product stream at steady state; determining performance parameters for the test catalyst and the reference catalyst comprising the respective C2H2 conversion Sc and C2H4 selectivity relative to C2H6 Ss; and comparing the test catalyst performance parameters to those for the reference catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Synfuels International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin M. Johnson, Edward R. Peterson, Sean C. Gattis
  • Patent number: 8449847
    Abstract: Device and method for handling multi-component mixtures, comprising at least two not completely mixable fluid phases. The device comprises an arrangement of at least two high-pressure separators, being operatively connected each with a low-pressure separator. Each high-pressure separator comprises an outlet line for volatile gaseous constituents. Each low-pressure separator is operatively connected to a gas collecting container or shares at least one gas collecting container with a further low-pressure separator. At least one high-pressure separator has at least one outlet connection for gaseous constituents, being connected with a part to the analysis. The device is used in high-throughput research or in combinatory chemistry, preferably for the research of multi-component mixtures produced in experiments with catalyst, or in connection with high-pressure processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: HTE Aktiengesellschaft The High Throughput Experimentation Company
    Inventors: Alfred Haas, Uwe Vietze, Andreas Christian Moeller
  • Publication number: 20130078725
    Abstract: Embodiments for predicting catalyst function are disclosed. One example embodiment includes applying a set of parameter readings for a given sample to a support vector machine to generate a classification output, recording a plurality of classification outputs for a plurality of successive samples over a first duration, and indicating catalyst degradation if a threshold percentage of the classification outputs indicates degraded catalyst performance. In this way, catalyst degradation may be indicated using a simplified model that does not require extensive calibration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Imad Hassan Makki, James Michael Kerns, Michael James Uhrich, Stephen B. Smith, Pankaj Kumar, Adam Banker
  • Publication number: 20130059390
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relates to a system and method for determining the efficacy of the catalyst comprising means to detect any temperature change in the catalyst when oxygen is present in the anaerobic workstation and determine the efficacy of the catalyst in accordance with the temperature change. A detectable rise in the temperature of the catalyst is indicative of a catalytic reaction to remove oxygen from the anaerobic work station. Thus, the system determines the catalyst is an active catalyst if the temperature of the catalyst rises when oxygen is present in the anaerobic workstation. The system determines the catalyst is an inactive catalyst if the temperature of the catalyst does not rise when oxygen is present in the anaerobic workstation. Further aspect of the invention relate to a system and method for determining the atmosphere of an anaerobic workstation in accordance with the efficacy of the catalyst of the anaerobic workstation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: DON WHITLEY SCIENTIFIC LIMITED
    Inventor: David Boast
  • Patent number: 8380119
    Abstract: Various embodiments related to providing user feedback in an electronic entertainment system are disclosed herein. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of providing user feedback in a karaoke system, comprising inviting a microphone gesture input from a user, receiving the microphone gesture input from the user via one or more motion sensors located on a microphone, comparing the microphone gesture input to an expected gesture input, rating the microphone gesture input based upon comparing the microphone gesture input to the expected gesture input, and providing feedback to the user based upon the rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Vasco Rubio, Eric Filer, Loren Douglas Reas, Dennis W. Tom
  • Patent number: 8361798
    Abstract: For testing performance levels and/ or changes over time of at least one catalyst (CAT) for a fixed-bed reactor: a device (CT) for a test, comprising at least one hollow metal cartridge (MC) containing the catalyst (CAT) is connected at a point A of an industrial chemical installation containing a reaction feedstock suitable for testing the catalyst (CAT); a liquid stream containing a fraction that is less than or equal to 1% of preheated reagents circulating in the industrial chemical installation is circulated in the cartridge (MC) through the catalyst (CAT) and sampled at a reaction temperature for a period (T), and returned to the industrial chemical installation at point B downstream of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Olivier Ducreux, Fabienne Le Peltier, Cyril Collado
  • Patent number: 8267785
    Abstract: First, operation data including at least acceleration data and angular velocity data is obtained from an input device including at least an acceleration sensor and a gyrosensor. Next, based on the acceleration data and the angular velocity data, a moving velocity of the input device itself and/or a relative positional relationship between the input device and a center of a rotation motion applied on the input device itself is estimated. Then, predetermined game processing is executed based on the estimated moving velocity and/or relative positional relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Yamashita, Ichiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8241912
    Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a primary display that displays a randomly selected outcome. The gaming system includes a multi-touch input system having a multi-touch sensing device, a memory, and a local controller. The multi-touch sensing device includes an array of input sensors that detect a multi-point gesture. Each sensor detects a touch input made by a player of the wagering game. The memory includes gesture classification codes each representing a distinct combination of characteristics relating to the gesture. The local controller receives data indicative of at least two of the characteristics related to the multi-point gesture and determines whether the data corresponds to any of the gesture classification codes. A main controller is coupled to the local controller to receive the gesture classification code responsive to the local controller determining that the data corresponds to a gesture classification code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy C. Loose
  • Publication number: 20120190117
    Abstract: A method of screening catalysts for liquid-phase selective hydrogenation by preparing a test catalyst by adding a promoter to a reference catalyst; preparing a liquid reactant stream comprising C2H2 dissolved in n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; testing the test and reference catalysts by contacting the reactant stream and gas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide in continuous flow with the test catalyst and reference catalyst, respectively, at selective hydrogenation reaction conditions to produce a product stream, condensing substantially all of the n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone from the product stream; measuring the concentrations of products comprising C2H2, C2H4, and C2H6 in the product stream at steady state; determining performance parameters for the test catalyst and the reference catalyst comprising the respective C2H2 conversion Sc and C2H4 selectivity relative to C2H6 Ss; and comparing the test catalyst performance parameters to those for the reference catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Marvin M. Johnson, Edward R. Peterson, Sean C. Gattis
  • Patent number: 8221697
    Abstract: An automated lidder and/or delidder apparatus to engage and disengage a lid from a microplate is disclosed. The microplate includes a sample area with a plurality of individual wells and a hollow outer frame formed around the sample area, the frame being shaped to include a plurality of openings in its top surface. The lid includes a plate and a plurality of latches formed on the underside of the plate. In the lidding process, the apparatus presses down on the lid to insert each latch through a corresponding opening in the microplate until the latch snaps into engagement with the frame. In the delidding process, the apparatus inserts delidding posts into the openings to disengage the latches from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventors: Michael J. Nichols, Louis J. Guarracina
  • Patent number: 8175810
    Abstract: A sample processing apparatus prevents samples and reagents from being degraded due to a prolonged waiting time other than for reaction and improves the operation efficiency of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of processing sections for causing at least two samples to react independently, an input/output terminal 15 for inputting the upper limit of the waiting time and the reaction time for each of the samples, a schedule management section for determining at least the clock time of introducing each of the samples, the processing section to be used for processing the sample and/or the waiting time for the sample, and a general control section for controlling the processing of the samples at the plurality of processing sections according to the determination by the schedule management section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Kitaoka
  • Publication number: 20120101267
    Abstract: The present invention relates to Multicomponent Nucleic Acid Enzymes (MNAzymes) and methods for their use. MNAzymes comprise two or more oligonucleotide components which self-assemble in the presence of one or more MNAzyme assembly facilitator molecules to form a catalytically active structure which may have cleavage, ligase or other enzymatic activity. Compositions for making MNAzymes and collections of MNAzymes are provided, together with uses thereof. Also provided are methods for using MNAzymes for the detection, identification and/or quantification of one or more targets. The methods can be practiced in solution-based assays or in assays where one or more reaction components are attached to a support structure. The methods allow for multiplexing the MNAzyme detection to detect multiple targets in a single reaction. Also provided are kits for making the compositions, and for practicing the methods provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Alison Velyian Todd, Elisa Mokany, Donald John Birkett, Tram Bich Doan, Paul Ean Young
  • Patent number: 8148290
    Abstract: Diesel exhaust treatment articles, systems and methods are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, an oxygen storage component is utilized and degradation of the oxygen storage component is correlated with degradation of the hydrocarbon conversion efficiency of a catalyst in a diesel engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Basf Corporation
    Inventors: Torsten Wolfgang Mueller, Tilman Wolfram Beutel, Joseph Charles Dettling, Markus Kinne
  • Publication number: 20110287413
    Abstract: A microfluidic system comprising a 1st reaction zone, a 2nd reaction zone, a reagent delivery channel configured to deliver one or more reagents to the 1st reaction zone, a waste channel to remove waste from the 2nd reaction zone, a 1st sample delivery channel configured to deliver a sample to the 1st reaction zone and a 2nd sample delivery channel configured to deliver a sample to the 2nd reaction zone; wherein the microfluidic system comprises a means for retaining one or more reagents in each reaction zone; and wherein the 1st reaction zone and 2nd reaction zone are connected in series by a reaction zone channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: ITI SCOTLAND LIMITED
    Inventors: Julien Chapron, Lidia Prieto-Lafuente
  • Patent number: 8039265
    Abstract: The oxygen content of metal species in a heterogeneous catalyst is determined using volumetric adsorption measurements. Such measurements are employed to quantify the amount of reduction gas that it takes to reduce metal species of a catalyst sample, and the oxygen content is derived from this amount and the reaction stoichiometry. This method can be applied to mono-metallic and multi-metallic heterogeneous catalysts and has been shown to provide at least 10 times better detection sensitivity than typical TCDs in TPR-TCD methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Nanostellar, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Cai, Kyle L. Fujdala, Mats I. Larsson
  • Patent number: 8030079
    Abstract: A hand-held video gaming device comprises a games console comprising a disc reader module configured to load a game stored on a disc; a printer module configured to print game information on print media, the printer module being hingedly mounted above the games console, and functioning as a pivotable cover for the game console; and a controller module releasably engaged with the printer module, and configured to communicate wirelessly with the games console to enable control of the games console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8026100
    Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward methods of determining the lifetime of a catalyst for producing carbon nanotubes. The methods include providing different isotopically-labeled reaction components, primarily hydrocarbon sources containing different carbon isotopes, to the catalyst and measuring the Raman spectra of the carbon nanotubes produced with the different hydrocarbon sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Elena Mora, Avetik Harutyunyan
  • Publication number: 20110217781
    Abstract: A composition and method for preparation of a catalyst for the liquid phase selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes with high selectivity to alkenes relative to alkanes, high alkyne conversion, and sustained catalytic activity comprising a Group VIII metal and a Group IB, Group IIB, Group IIIA, and/or Group VIIB promoter on a particulate support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: SYNFUELS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Marvin M. JOHNSON, Edward R. Peterson, Sean C. Gattis
  • Publication number: 20110217698
    Abstract: The quality of information from single molecule analyses is improved by employing a method in which a single molecule reaction carried out within an optical confinement is monitored, the single molecule reaction is halted, and data from the optical confinement is obtained while the reaction is not occurring. Characteristic optical behavior observed while the reaction is halted is used to improve the quality of information obtained during the single molecule reaction, for example, by correcting the reaction data, excluding the reaction data, or providing a confidence level to the reaction data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Pacific Biosciences of California, Inc.
    Inventors: David Rank, Paul Peluso
  • Publication number: 20110183423
    Abstract: A process for determining ionic liquid catalyst deactivation including (a) collecting at least one sample of an ionic liquid catalyst; (b) hydrolyzing the at least one sample to provide at least one hydrolyzed sample; (c) titrating the at least one hydrolyzed sample with a basic reagent to determine a volume of the basic reagent necessary to neutralize a Lewis acid species of the ionic liquid catalyst; and (d) calculating the acid content of the at least one sample from the volume of basic reagent determined in step (c) is described. Processes incorporating such a process for determining ionic liquid catalyst deactivation are also described. These processes are an alkylation process, a process for controlling ionic liquid catalyst activity in a reaction producing by-product conjunct polymers, and a continuous process for maintaining the acid content of an ionic liquid catalyst at a target acid content in a reaction producing by-product conjunct polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: Hye Kyung Timken, Annie T. Pathiparampil
  • Publication number: 20110111508
    Abstract: A process for determining ionic liquid catalyst deactivation including (a) collecting at least one sample of an ionic liquid catalyst; (b) hydrolyzing the at least one sample to provide at least one hydrolyzed sample; (c) titrating the at least one hydrolyzed sample with a basic reagent to determine a volume of the basic reagent necessary to neutralize a Lewis acid species of the ionic liquid catalyst; and (d) calculating the acid content of the at least one sample from the volume of basic reagent determined in step (c) is described. Processes incorporating such a process for determining ionic liquid catalyst deactivation are also described. These processes are an alkylation process, a process for controlling ionic liquid catalyst activity in a reaction producing by-product conjunct polymers, and a continuous process for maintaining the acid content of an ionic liquid catalyst at a target acid content in a reaction producing by-product conjunct polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Hye Kyung Timken, Annie T. Pathiparampil
  • Publication number: 20110097706
    Abstract: The invention relates to a micro-reactor for observing small particles, cells, bacteria, viruses or protein molecules in a fluid. The micro-reactor shows a first channel formed between two layers for containing the fluid, with an inlet and an outlet, the two layers separated by a first distance. A likewise second channel with an inlet and an outlet is placed adjacent to the first channel. A gap connects the first channel and the second channel, at the gap at least one layer showing a window transparent to the method of inspection and at the window the two layers being separated by a very small distance of, for example, 1 ?m or less. The micro-reactor may be used with an optical microscope (in which all particles are in focus), inspection with a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (in which the range of the electrons is limited), inspection with soft X-rays in the 250-500 eV range (also showing a limited range), etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicants: FEI COMPANY, STICHTING HET NEDERLANDS KANKER INSTITUUT
    Inventors: Gerard Anne Nicolaas van Veen, Jacobus Peter Johannes Peters, Pleun Dona, Alan Frank De Jong
  • Patent number: 7931866
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus disclosed herein concern nanoparticle layers uniformly distributed on a surface or substrate. In certain embodiments of the invention, the nanoparticle layers are of use for Raman spectroscopy. In certain embodiments of the invention, a micelle-metal ion complex is formed and deposited on a surface. The polymer component of the micelle-metal ion complex may be removed resulting in formation of nanoparticles of a uniform size and distribution. The polymers may contain one or more ligands. The number and type of ligands in a micelle will determine the type and amount of metal ion bound to the micelle, in turn determining the metal composition and size of the nanoparticles. The distribution micelle-metal ion complexes on a surface may determine the distribution and periodicity of the nanoparticle layer. In other embodiments, rod or columnar-shaped nanoparticles may be generated. Other embodiments concern the generation of uniform alloy nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Lei Sun
  • Patent number: 7901940
    Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the concentration of a catalytic clement in a fuel cell powder. The method includes depositing on a porous substrate at least one layer of a powder mixture comprising the fuel cell powder and an internal standard material, ablating a sample of the powder mixture using a laser, and vaporizing the sample using an inductively coupled plasma. A normalized concentration of catalytic element in the sample is determined by quantifying the intensity of a first signal correlated to the amount of catalytic element in the sample, quantifying the intensity of a second signal correlated to the amount of internal standard material in the sample, and using a ratio of the first signal intensity to the second signal intensity to cancel out the effects of sample size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Shore, Ramail Matlin
  • Publication number: 20110045596
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for testing performance levels and/or changes over time of at least one catalyst CAT for a fixed-bed reactor comprising at least the following stages: A device for a CT test, comprising at least one hollow metal cartridge MC that contains in particular the catalyst CAT, is connected at a point A of an industrial chemical installation that uses a reaction feedstock that is suitable for testing the catalyst CAT, At point A, a liquid stream that consists of a fraction that is less than or equal to 1% of the preheated reagents circulating in the industrial chemical installation that is circulated in the cartridge MC through the catalyst CAT is sampled at a reaction temperature for a period T, At least a fraction of the effluent of the cartridge MC is sampled for chemical analysis, Optionally, the device for the CT test of the industrial chemical installation is isolated without stopping its operation, and at least a fraction of the catalyst CAT is sampled for physical and/or
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: IFP
    Inventors: Olivier Ducreux, Fabienne Le Peltier, Cyril Collado
  • Patent number: 7871823
    Abstract: Data on a secular change of each denitration catalyst is managed based on data obtained by a periodic maintenance and a daily management. Management of a secular change and prediction on performance variations that occur until a next periodic check is performed. It is determined whether the denitration catalyst is deteriorated such that an exhaust-gas denitration system cannot maintain its performance. When the denitration catalyst is deteriorated, regeneration, replacement, or addition of the denitration catalyst is performed, and the denitration catalyst is altered as necessary. When the denitration catalyst is usable, the denitration catalyst is not replaced nor regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimada, Yousuke Oka
  • Patent number: 7871822
    Abstract: A method for selecting at least one catalyst from a catalyst library on the basis of the reactivity thereof in a chemical conversion process includes: (a) testing the catalytic activity of a first catalyst from said catalyst library with respect to a reaction medium containing, as the compounds to be converted, at least one reactivity probe having a labeling system and including at least one reaction unit capable of reacting in said chemical conversion; (b) analyzing the reaction medium after said catalytic test for the purpose of qualitatively and/or qualitatively characterizing the resulting compounds; (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for at least one other catalyst in said library; and (d) comparing the analysis results for each catalyst in order to characterize at least one catalyst having the required reactivity in said chemical conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Novalyst Discovery
    Inventors: Alain Wagner, Cédric Catala
  • Patent number: 7867766
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the kinetic parameters of a catalyst powder, which include the reaction rate constants, active site concentration and intraparticle diffusivity. The measurement of the active site concentration selectively measures just the active sites and not the entire exposed atom concentration. The apparatus and method use surface concentrations less than 50% and larger than 1% the total active site concentration and a dynamic pulsed flow to avoid including weak adsorption sites not involved in the catalysis. The measurement is more accurate because (1) it uses a reactant gas and non-steady state adsorption at temperatures near to reaction temperatures, and (2) it uses the chemical kinetics expressions to extract the measured active site concentration to perform the measurement so as to count just those sites actually active for that reactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Inventor: Dezheng Wang
  • Publication number: 20100323449
    Abstract: A method for investigating longitudinally dependent properties of the composite catalyst bed of a laboratory scale plug flow reactor, comprises the steps of: supplying fresh reactant feed to the inlet of said composite catalyst bed; sampling and measuring the amounts of fresh reactant feed and amounts and characteristics of reaction products and byproducts at a plurality of positions along the length of said catalyst bed; based on the amounts of fresh reactant feed and amounts and characteristics of reaction products and byproducts at said plurality of positions, determining information concerning longitudinal gradients occurring in the composite catalyst bed of said plug flow reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Richard F BAUMAN, Rocco A FIATO
  • Patent number: 7851221
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for designing, operating, monitoring and/or diagnosing a chemical reaction, particularly a hydrotreating process, using a fixed bed catalytic reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Exxonmobilchemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Garton, David G. Woods, Hans G. Korsten, Pierre J. Osterrieth, Brian C. McClaine
  • Publication number: 20100311611
    Abstract: An automated and computerized system for characterizing kinetic activities is disclosed. The system includes an optical unit with a controller chip. The controller chip has multiple reaction cells for simultaneously reacting samples of the catalyst under a range of reaction conditions and for optically monitoring the kinetic activity within each of the reaction cells: The system also preferably includes a temperature controller in thermal contact with the controller chip and an actuation device coupled to the controller chip for injecting and mixing samples of the catalyst with reagents into each of the reaction cells to form a product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicants: AUBURN UNIVERSITY, PUKYONG NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jong Wook Hong, Douglas C. Goodwin, Eduardus C. Duin, Sachin Jambovane, Robert Moore, Taek-Jeong Nam, Se-Kown Kim
  • Patent number: 7846736
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of monitoring a resin-producing polymerization reaction in a fluid bed reactor system to generate reaction parameter data in on-line fashion, determining an indicator of at least one of entropy and complexity (for example, Kolmogorov or Shannon entropy) of each of at least two subsets of the reaction parameter data, and optionally also determining from at least one value of the indicator (for example, from a time series of Kolmogorov or Shannon entropy values) an indication of at least one of degree of resin stickiness, an approach to or imminence of resin stickiness, and an approach to or imminence of an unsafe or undesired reactor operating condition (e.g., that can result in sheeting or chunking). Optionally also, the reaction is controlled in response to at least one value of the indicator, for example, in an effort to prevent the occurrence of sheeting or another discontinuity event or to maintain the reactor in a stable, non-sticking condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Univation Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Muhle, Ke Nguyen, Charles E. A. Finney, C. Stuart Daw
  • Patent number: 7820445
    Abstract: This invention describes gas-solid, liquid-solid and gas-solid-liquid processes in microchannels devices including such processes as heterogeneous catalysis, particle formation, particle attrition, particle separation and adsorption or desorption of selected species. Various processes can be enhanced by the unique properties of microchannels such as the predominance of laminar flow, high rates of shear, high rates of heat transfer and high rates of mass transfer. Also encompassed by this invention are methods for the introduction to and removal from microchannels of particle containing fluid streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys
    Inventors: Kai Jarosch, Anna Lee Tonkovich, David J. Hesse, Eric Daymo, Steven T. Perry, Laura J. Silva
  • Publication number: 20100210741
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the chemical conversion of syngas to alcohols. The invention includes catalyst compositions, methods of making the catalysts, and methods of using the catalysts including techniques to maintain catalyst stability. Certain embodiments teach compositions for catalyzing the conversion of syngas into products comprising at least one C1-C4 alcohol, such as ethanol. These compositions generally include cobalt, molybdenum, and sulfur, and avoid metal carbides both initially and during reactor operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Range Fuels, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl KHARAS
  • Patent number: 7759122
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of testing an NOx removal catalyst, which method enables assessment of actual catalytic performance in consideration of gas flow condition in the gas conduits of the NOx removal catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Chiyonobu, Hatsumi Chiyonobu, legal representative, Hiroshi Shimada
  • Patent number: 7749762
    Abstract: A method for testing the performance of catalysts used for conversion of FCC regenerator gases comprises subjecting the catalyst simultaneously to a mixture of gases including an oxidizing gas and a reducing gas in more than one cycle in which the ratio of the oxidizing gas to the reducing gas varies over the time of the cycle. Test gases comprising O2, CO, CO2, steam, nitrogen-containing gases and sulfur-containing gases in which the ratio of O2 to CO varies over time for each cycle and in which the products of combustion formed during each cycle can be measured periodically over the cycle yields important data on the usefulness of the catalysts for treatment of regenerator flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Catalysts LLC
    Inventor: David Matheson Stockwell
  • Patent number: 7741127
    Abstract: A method of using a burner-based system to produce diesel exhaust gas that contains particulate matter of a desired composition, to simulate the PM matter in exhaust produced by a production-type diesel internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Gordon James Johnston Bartley, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Imad Abdul-Khalek
  • Patent number: 7732211
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening of polycondensation catalysts, wherein at least two polycondensation catalysis reactions are performed simultaneously under substantially equivalent conditions in at least two reaction cells which are present in one and the same room, using a sample comprising material to be polycondensated and a catalyst to be screened, and wherein the performances of the catalysts are analyzed. The present invention further relates to an apparatus suitable for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Avantium International B.V.
    Inventors: Donald Ross Kelsey, Kathleen Suzanne Kiibler
  • Patent number: 7635593
    Abstract: Localized catalyst activity in an SCR unit for controlling emissions from a boiler, power plant, or any facility that generates NOx-containing flue gases is monitored by one or more modules that operate on-line without disrupting the normal operation of the facility. Each module is positioned over a designated lateral area of one of the catalyst beds in the SCR unit, and supplies ammonia, urea, or other suitable reductant to the catalyst in the designated area at a rate that produces an excess of the reductant over NOx on a molar basis through the designated area. Sampling probes upstream and downstream of the designated area draw samples of the gas stream for NOx analysis, and the catalyst activity is determined from the difference in NOx levels between the two probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Fossil Energy Research Corp. (FERCO)
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Muzio, Randall A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090305425
    Abstract: Localized catalyst activity in an SCR unit for controlling emissions from a boiler, power plant, or any facility that generates NOx-containing flue gases is monitored by one or more modules that operate on-line without disrupting the normal operation of the facility. Each module is positioned over a designated lateral area of one of the catalyst beds in the SCR unit, and supplies ammonia, urea, or other suitable reductant to the catalyst in the designated area at a rate that produces an excess of the reductant over NOx on a molar basis through the designated area. Sampling probes upstream and downstream of the designated area draw samples of the gas stream for NOx analysis, and the catalyst activity is determined from the difference in NOx levels between the two probes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: FOSSIL ENERGY RESEARCH CORP.
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Muzio, Randall A. Smith
  • Patent number: 7588734
    Abstract: The invention describes a laboratory reactor for the kinetic study of catalytic reactions calling for a gaseous reaction phase and a liquid reaction phase, characterized by a capillary shape, a substantially uniform arrangement of the catalyst grains along the reactor, with, on average, every cross-section of the reactor comprising a defined and constant number of catalyst grains, and this number of grains being between 1 and 4. The reactor that is the object of the invention is especially well suited for studying reactions of hydrogenation, hydrotreatment, and hydrocracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Georgios Bellos, Pierre Galtier, Nikolaos Papayannakos
  • Patent number: 7582480
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for diagnosing a catalytic converter processing the exhaust gases of a heat engine using a trap that stores and then reduces the nitrogen oxides (NOx) contained in these gases, these reductions being actuated as a function of the storage capacity of the trap. According to the present invention, such a process is characterized in that the oxygen ratio present in the exhaust gases downstream of the trap is measured by a sensor, and in that the storage capacity of the trap is determined by considering the time needed for the sensor to detect a threshold oxygen ratio in these gases during a reduction of the nitrogen oxides (NOx).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles SA
    Inventors: Arnaud Audoin, Alain Sassi
  • Publication number: 20090215610
    Abstract: A flexible multi-layer getter with a gas-permeable layer covering a gas reservoir layer. In an embodiment, the gas-permeable layer covers part of the gas reservoir layer. In another embodiment, a barrier covers part of the gas reservoir layer. The barrier may include a foil substrate, a passivation layer, or a gas-permeable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: SAES Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Richard Kullberg, Tim Armstrong, Andrea Conte, Enea Rizzi
  • Patent number: 7575931
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for reducing a nitrogen oxide, and the control thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: John Carl Steichen, Patricia A. Morris, John James Barnes
  • Patent number: 7572637
    Abstract: Urea water is added to a catalyst in an exhaust pipe for purification. A first-order lag response model corresponding to the exhaust temperature upstream of the catalyst estimates catalyst temperature for each of divided cells of the catalyst. Cell volumes for each of temperature zones are summed on the basis of the estimated temperatures for the cells. The summation for each temperature zone is divided by the whole catalyst volume to determine temperature distribution volume ratio. The ratio for each of the temperature zones is multiplied by a reference injection amount of the urea water determined in consideration to a current engine operation status on the assumption that the catalyst temperatures are all within the temperature zone. The calculated values for the respective temperature zone are summed into a directive injection amount of the urea water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ichiro Tsumagari
  • Patent number: 7568337
    Abstract: An electronic controller integrates a rate of progress dK of thermal degradation of exhaust purifying catalyst at every predetermined time period, to calculate degree of thermal degradation K of the exhaust purifying catalyst, when the state of thermal degradation of the exhaust purifying catalyst is to be detected. By comparing the degree of thermal degradation K with a defect determining value S, whether the exhaust purifying catalyst is defective because of thermal degradation or not is determined. In calculating the degree of thermal degradation K, the electronic controller calculates the rate of progress dK of thermal degradation in the predetermined time period based on the integrated value of rate of progress dK of thermal degradation up to the last time (degree of thermal degradation K) and on the temperature T of exhaust purifying catalyst at that time, and adds the same to the integrated value up to the last time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Uchida, Atsushi Morikawa, Tatsumasa Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7560285
    Abstract: The methods and apparatus disclosed herein concern nanoparticle layers uniformly distributed on a surface or substrate. In certain embodiments of the invention, the nanoparticle layers are of use for Raman spectroscopy. In certain embodiments of the invention, a micelle-metal ion complex is formed and deposited on a surface. The polymer component of the micelle-metal ion complex may be removed resulting in formation of nanoparticles of a uniform size and distribution. The polymers may contain one or more ligands. The number and type of ligands in a micelle will determine the type and amount of metal ion bound to the micelle, in turn determining the metal composition and size of the nanoparticles. The distribution micelle-metal ion complexes on a surface may determine the distribution and periodicity of the nanoparticle layer. In other embodiments, rod or columnar-shaped nanoparticles may be generated. Other embodiments concern the generation of uniform alloy nanoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Lei Sun
  • Patent number: 7556966
    Abstract: A method for reacting a plurality of materials in parallel within a reactor vessel having a plurality of reaction wells formed therein. Each of the reaction wells has an open end exposed to a common pressure chamber defined by the reactor vessel. The method includes opening a cover of the reactor vessel, inserting components into the reaction wells, closing the cover of the reactor vessel to create a sealed chamber, supplying a gas substantially above atmospheric pressure that reacts with the components within the reaction wells, and releasing pressure from the reactor vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Van Erden, Howard Turner, David M. Lowe
  • Patent number: 7553670
    Abstract: A method of optical infrared thermography, and the use thereof in monitoring and characterizing the polymerization of the three dimensional sample is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Neal A. Rakow, Rajdeep S. Kalgutkar, Duane D. Fansler, Eric R. Jackson, Stephen B. Roscoe
  • Patent number: 7514263
    Abstract: A system is provided wherein a plug flow reactor is used to make combinatorial libraries of materials. Examples of plug flow reactors include stirred tube reactors, extruders, and static mixers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: James Michael Nelson, Robert Stephen Davidson, Jeffrey Jacob Cernohous, Michael John Annen, James Robert McNerney, Robert Wade Ferguson, Anthony Robert Maistrovich, James Alan Higgins