Rotating Housing Containing Fixed Sorbent Or Rotating Plurality Of Housings Patents (Class 95/113)
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Patent number: 6596248Abstract: In a method for removing carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas from a gas turbine plant (11), which exhaust gas is subjected to a downstream heat recovery process (12, 33), preferably in the heat recovery steam generator (33) of a water/steam cycle (12), a simplification of the plant engineering is achieved by the fact that the carbon dioxide is removed from the exhaust gas (39) between the gas turbine plant (11) and the heat recovery process (12, 33), and that a rotating, regenerative absorber/desorber (22) is used to remove the carbon dioxide, the absorber side of which absorber/desorber is connected into the exhaust gas stream (39) and the desorber side of which absorber/desorber is connected into a carbon dioxide cycle (38).Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2001Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Alstom (Switzerland) LtdInventors: Armin Schimkat, Juergen Baum
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Patent number: 6585805Abstract: Described is a method of conditioning a gas stream comprising passing the gas stream into a vessel 10 which contains a rotating enclosure 12 and which contains an apparatus 18 to rotate the enclosure, which enclosure is pressure sealed from the surrounding atmosphere and which is divided into a plurality of modulating zones 14, 16; treating the gas to modify its properties within the enclosures due to the presence of modulating materials 68 within the zones in the enclosure; and passing the modified gas to an outlet 24, 25 of the vessel. Also described is an apparatus for conditioning a plurality of gas streams.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2001Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: William S. Wheat, Ronald J. Daum, James W. Dandalides
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Publication number: 20030110945Abstract: Described is a method of conditioning a gas stream comprising passing the gas stream into a vessel 10 which contains a rotating enclosure 12 and which contains an apparatus 18 to rotate the enclosure, which enclosure is pressure sealed from the surrounding atmosphere and which is divided into a plurality of modulating zones 14, 16; treating the gas to modify its properties within the enclosures due to the presence of modulating materials 68 within the zones in the enclosure; and passing the modified gas to an outlet 24, 25 of the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: William S. Wheat, Ronald J. Daum, James W. Dandalides
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Patent number: 6547853Abstract: A method for removing moisture from gas containing vapor of a solvent using a dry dehumidifier, includes removing moisture from at least a part of dehumidifier regenerating outlet gas and reusing the dehumidified gas as regenerating gas. Reuse of partial gas on the regenerating outlet side makes it possible to condense efficiently vapor of a solvent contained in exhaust gas as dehumidification is continued, to produce small quantity of high concentration gas thereby, and in case of making removal treatment of vapor of a solvent to miniaturize an apparatus for this purpose as well as to reduce prominently costs required for equipments and others.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Fuji Photo Film, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Fukuhori, Keiichiro Kametani
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Patent number: 6514319Abstract: Gas separation by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA), to obtain a purified product gas of the less strongly adsorbed fraction of the feed gas mixture, is performed with an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers. The adsorbers cooperate with first and second valves in a rotary PSA module, with the PSA cycle characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between the higher and lower pressures of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the immediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing laminated sheet adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: QuestAir Technologies Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Christopher McLean
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Publication number: 20030019357Abstract: The air filter comprises a honeycomb rotor which carries a porous adsorbent and can be rotated in a circumferential direction, a drive means for rotating the honeycomb rotor, a first partition member provided with a first gas introduction section and a second gas exhaust section and a second partition member provided with a first gas exhaust section and a second gas introduction section, the first and second partition members being disposed on both sides of the honeycomb rotor respectively so as to allow two gases to flow in counter current to each other and to pass through different conduits respectively, a heater disposed at the inlet port of the first gas introduction section, a drive controller for controlling the drive means such that the honeycomb rotor can rotate intermittently by every part of a regenerative/purge zone facing said first gas introduction section among the surface of the filter of the honeycomb rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Applicant: Nichias Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Tanaka, Jun Shimada, Katsuhiro Yamashita, Haruko Sasaki
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Patent number: 6500236Abstract: A decarbonating apparatus has a dehumidifying section for adsorbing humidity contained in waste gas and a decarbonating section for adsorbing CO2 contained in the dehumidified waste gas. The decarbonating section includes a decarbonating drum rotor loaded with a CO2 adsorbent having a honeycomb structure and arranged so as to adsorb CO2 contained in the waste gas, a heated gas supply pipe for supplying a heated gas so as to desorb CO2 adsorbed by the CO2 adsorbent, a purge gas supply pipe for supplying a purge gas so as to purge desorbed CO2, and a cooling gas supply pipe for supplying a cooling gas so as to regenerate the CO2 adsorbent. The decarbonating drum rotor is rotated to successively pass through the adsorption region, the desorption region, the purging region, and the regeneration region.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: The Tokyo Electric Power Company, IncorporatedInventors: Minoru Suzuki, Mitio Ishibasi, Kuninobu Ootake, Jun Imada, Hiroyuki Takagi, Hidetoshi Ueno
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Patent number: 6478855Abstract: A heat exchanger, perhaps a cross flow heat exchanger, has first and second passages. During dehumidification (adsorption of moisture) in the first passages, water is evaporated from the second passages. This water can be introduced to the second passages during reactivation (desorption of moisture) in the first passages or at another time. If the water is introduced to the second passages during reactivation, the first and second passages have therein first and second moisture adsorbents. During a first time period, air to be dehumidified is passed through the first passages of the heat exchanger and cooling air is passed through the second passages of the heat exchanger to remove heat generated in the first passages and to desorb moisture adsorbed by the second moisture adsorbent. During a second time period, a heating fluid is passed through the second passages of the heat exchanger to heat the first passages and supply moisture for adsorption to the second moisture adsorbent.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Seibu Giken Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Okano
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Patent number: 6447583Abstract: A rotating drum adsorber process and system includes a rotating drum of adsorbent medium in a shell including partitions which define an adsorption sector, a regeneration sector and a cooling sector, and which continuously rotates through the sectors. The process and system includes an arrangement for sensing the temperature difference between the temperature of the discharge exiting the leading edge of the regeneration sector and the regeneration sector average discharge temperature for automatically controlling various operating conditions of the rotating drum adsorber system. A computerized method for accurately predicting the contamination level of the gas stream exiting the adsorption sector and optimizing the performance and fractionation efficiency of the rotating drum adsorber system is also included.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2000Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Flair CorporationInventors: John E. Thelen, Brian Peterson, Robert G. Thomson
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Patent number: 6406522Abstract: An apparatus and system, as well as corresponding methods of operation and treatment of air, are provided which make use of a rotatable desiccant bed such as to permit the effective and selective alternative reduction of humidity of incoming air or energy recovery from air to be discarded.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: David H. McFadden, Paul Lukas Brillhart
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Publication number: 20020066367Abstract: Disclosed embodiments of the apparatus address the challenges of rotary PSA systems, both axial and radial flow, with M>1 by providing interpenetrating, layered manifolds to accommodate all of the steps of a complex PSA cycle, suitable with equal compactness for any value of “M”. This approach extends readily to accommodate a plurality of rotary PSA modules and their cooperating compression machinery within a single layered manifold assembly for a single PSA plant train. Described embodiments of the rotary PSA apparatus include stators that define fluid ports. In particular embodiments of the described apparatus, a second stator defines pressure swing adsorption cycle sectors, each sector being defined by a light product delivery port, light product withdrawal ports, and light reflux return ports. The adsorber elements may directly contact one or more of the stators in a fluidly sealing manner (i.e., have a clearance gap of from about 0 to about 50 microns) using described reinforced adsorbers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2001Publication date: June 6, 2002Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew Babicki, Brian Sellars, Ian Spencer Parker, David G. Doman, Alain Carel, Surajit Roy
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Patent number: 6398853Abstract: A gas separation system for separating a feed gas mixture into a first gas component and a second gas component comprises a stator, and a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator. The stator includes a first stator valve face, a second stator valve surface, and a plurality of function compartments opening into the stator valve surfaces. The rotor includes a first rotor valve surface in communication with the first stator valve surface, and a second rotor valve surface in communication with the second stator valve surface. The rotor also includes a plurality of rotor flow paths for receiving gas adsorbent material therein for preferentially adsorbing the first gas component in response to increasing pressure in the rotor flow paths in comparison to the second gas component. Each rotor flow path includes a pair of opposite ends opening into the rotor valve faces for communication with the function compartments.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1999Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Quest Air Gases Inc.Inventors: Bowie Gordon Keefer, Kevin Arnold Kaupert
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Publication number: 20020035924Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption system for separating components of a gas mixture includes a first adsorbent module, and a second a adsorbent module coupled to the a first adsorbent module. The first adsorbent module includes a first gas inlet for receiving the gas mixture, at least one bed of first adsorbent material in communication with the first gas inlet for adsorbing a gas mixture component from the gas mixture, and a first gas outlet in communication with the first adsorbent beds for receiving a first product gas therefrom. The second adsorbent module includes a second gas inlet coupled to the first gas outlet for receiving the first product gas, at least one second bed of adsorbent material in communication with the second gas inlet for adsorbing a first product gas component from the first product gas, and a second gas outlet in communication with the second adsorbent beds for receiving a second product gas therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventor: Bowie G. Keefer
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Publication number: 20020035923Abstract: A method for removing moisture from gas containing vapor of a solvent using a dry dehumidifier, comprising, removing moisture from at least a part of dehumidifier regenerating outlet gas and reusing the dehumidified gas as regenerating gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventors: Shinji Fukuhori, Keiichiro Kametani
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Patent number: 6361585Abstract: A dehumidifier includes a circular rotor accommodating a humidity absorbing material, a disc member provided on each one of two circular end surfaces of the rotor and having a diameter identical to or greater than a diameter of the rotor, and a plurality of openings formed in the disc members, wherein the rotor rotates through a dehumidification zone and a recycle zone formed by a dividing plate disposed so as to project from each one of the disc members, the rotor circulating a first flow of air of relatively high humidity through the dehumidification zone so as to dehumidify and recycle the first flow of air, the rotor circulating a second flow of air of relatively low humidity through the recycle zone so as to dehumidify the humidity absorbing material. The openings in the disc members have an identical substantially fan shape and are disposed so as to radiate from a center of the disc member, thus exposing the humidity absorbing material accommodated therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Hisao Anzai, Akihiko Fujisaki
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Patent number: 6355091Abstract: A ventilation and dehumidification system for ventilating fresh air to a conditioned space. The system is comprised of a unitary heat transfer desiccant wheel for dehumidifying incoming air by exchanging moisture from an inflow current of air with an outflow current of air. The unitary heat recovery wheel is able to transfer heat between the two air currents when the wheel is spun at a faster speed. The unitary heat transfer desiccant wheel is both regenerated and defrosted by a regenerative heater which is placed to heat the outflow current of air before the outflow current passes through the unitary heat transfer desiccant wheel. The unitary heat transfer desiccant wheel is spun at a slow speed to accomplish more dehumidification, and at a fast speed to accomplish more heat recovery. The system includes at least two blowers in order to motivate the inflow and outflow currents of air.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2000Date of Patent: March 12, 2002Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Felber, Timothy J. Smith, Brad A. Terlson
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Patent number: 6328787Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating gas, employ a honeycomb rotor carrying an adsorbent thereon. A casing having an adsorbing zone, a plurality of desorbing zones and a purge zone houses the honeycomb rotor. A drive device rotates the honeycomb rotor in the casing. A gas movement device moves gas through the casing and the honeycomb rotor. A heater heats gas moved through the purge zone. Gas from the purge zone is moved through the plurality of desorbing zones after being heated by the heater. Gas from one of the desorbing zones is discharged. Gas from a remainder of the desorbing zones is combined with gas containing contaminants to be removed, and then moved through the adsorbing zone and the purge zone.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: December 11, 2001Assignee: Seibu Giken Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hisashi Yamauchi
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Publication number: 20010037728Abstract: In a method for removing carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas from a gas turbine plant (11), which exhaust gas is subjected to a downstream heat recovery process (12, 33), preferably in the heat recovery steam generator (33) of a water/steam cycle (12), a simplification of the plant engineering is achieved by the fact that the carbon dioxide is removed from the exhaust gas (39) between the gas turbine plant (11) and the heat recovery process (12, 33), and that a rotating, regenerative absorber/desorber (22) is used to remove the carbon dioxide, the absorber side of which absorber/desorber is connected into the exhaust gas stream (39) and the desorber side of which absorber/desorber is connected into a carbon dioxide cycle (38).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2001Publication date: November 8, 2001Inventors: Armin Schimkat, Juergen Baum
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Patent number: 6296823Abstract: A system for cleaning the air, such as air in the interior of motor vehicles, airplanes, buildings or shelters, having organic substances such as alcohols, alkanes and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The air cleaning system includes a cylindrical adsorber. The cylindrical adsorber has a plurality of circular segments for passing air to be cleaned and for passing desorption air through the adsorber. The adsorber contains adsorption agents, such as a hydrophobic zeolite, that can be regenerated with microwaves. The air cleaning system also includes a microwave unit disposed on adsorber and an oxidation catalyst.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Harald Ertl, Johann Goebel
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Patent number: 6294000Abstract: A rotary concentrator heats media in a desorption zone to a desorption temperature, then removes the pollutants using a second cold desorbent gas stream in a desorbent zone. First, the adsorbent media is rotated and an inlet gas stream is passed over the media in the adsorbent zone, thereby removing the adsorbable pollutants. A first gas stream having a temperature equal to or greater than the desorption temperature of the adsorbable pollutants is passed over the media in the desorbent zone to heat the media to generally the desorption temperature of the adsorbable pollutants. A second gas having a temperature less than the desorption temperature of the adsorbent media is passed over the media in the desorbent zone to remove the adsorbable pollutants from the desorbent zone. Subsequently, the gas containing the adsorbable pollutants received from the desorbent zone is processed by destroying or removing the adsorbable pollutants.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Durr Environmental, Inc.Inventor: Joseph M. Klobucar
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Publication number: 20010009124Abstract: A decarbonating apparatus has a dehumidifying section for adsorbing humidity contained in waste gas and a decarbonating section for adsorbing CO2 contained in the dehumidified waste gas. The decarbonating section includes a decarbonating drum rotor loaded with a CO2 adsorbent having a honeycomb structure and arranged so as to adsorb CO2 contained in the waste gas, a heated gas supply pipe for supplying a heated gas so as to desorb CO2 adsorbed by the CO2 adsorbent, a purge gas supply pipe for supplying a purge gas so as to purge desorbed CO2, and a cooling gas supply pipe for supplying a cooling gas so as to regenerate the CO2 adsorbent. The decarbonating drum rotor is rotated to successively pass through the adsorption region, the desorption region, the purging region, and the regeneration region.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2001Publication date: July 26, 2001Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Mitio Ishibasi, Kuninobu Ootake, Jun Imada, Hiroyuki Takagi, Hidetoshi Ueno
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Patent number: 6235086Abstract: A novel method and apparatus to dehumidify air provides enhanced dehumidification efficiency over conventional dehumidification apparatuses. A reusable dehumidification element disk provides a disk section to strip water from an air stream. The disk is rotated so that the saturated disk section enters a separate chamber where the water can be stripped from the disk with a stream of regeneration air. The regeneration air stream is recycled and is not split from or mixed with the air stream requiring dehumidification. The result is a more efficient dehumidification than in apparatuses which require the influent air stream to be divided into separate streams for dehumidification and regeneration functions.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2000Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuyuki Fujimura
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Patent number: 6165252Abstract: The adsorption of at least one component of a gas mixture is improved by passing the gas through an adsorption zone wherein the adsorbent is distributed in rectilinear channels that stepwise both diminish in transverse size and hold a diminished weight of adsorbent. An adsorption zone with only two steps or stages of reduced channel size and reduced adsorbent weight in the flow direction of a gas passed therethrough permits much greater capture of the adsorbate component with an equivalent total weight of adsorbent when compared with the same adsorption zone with a single channel size and a uniform weight of adsorbent. Three or more stages of diminishing channel size and adsorbent weight in the flow direction of the gas passed therethrough may be chosen for separating some gas mixtures.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1999Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Assignee: Alzeta CorporationInventor: Robert M. Kendall
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Patent number: 6083304Abstract: A novel method and apparatus to dehumidify air provides enhanced dehumidification efficiency over conventional dehumidification apparatuses. A reusable dehumidification element disk provides a disk section to strip water from an air stream. The disk is rotated so that the saturated disk section enters a separate chamber where the water can be stripped from the disk with a stream of regeneration air. The regeneration air stream is recycled and is not split from or mixed with the air stream requiring dehumidification. The result is a more efficient dehumidification than in apparatuses which require the influent air stream to be divided into separate streams for dehumidification and regeneration functions.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuyuki Fujimura
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Patent number: 6083300Abstract: An apparatus and system, as well as corresponding methods of operation and treatment of air, are provided which make use of a rotatable desiccant bed such as to permit the effective and selective alternative reduction of humidity of incoming air or recovery of heat from air to be discarded.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: David H. McFadden
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Patent number: 6056804Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption separation of a feed gas mixture, to obtain a purified product gas of the less strongly adsorbed fraction of the feed gas mixture, is performed with a cooperating set of "N" adsorbers in a rotary assembly, with each adsorber communicating at its product end directly to a rotary cyclic displacement chamber, and at its feed end by rotary distributor valve ports to a rotary piston feed compressor and a rotary piston exhaust vacuum pump. The compressor and vacuum pump are integrated with the cycle, and rotate at "N" times the cycle frequency. Alternative adsorber configurations for high frequency operation are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 1998Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Questor Industries Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Christopher R. McLean
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Patent number: 6051199Abstract: A method for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from an effluent or exhaust stream produced by an industrial or commercial process that allows for both adsorption and catalytic destruction of the VOCs. The method utilizes a bed containing both adsorbent material and catalytic material, either as an admixture or as separate layers of the two materials. During the preferred mode of operation, one section of the bed collects VOCs from the effluent while simultaneously, in another section of the bed, collected VOCs are destroyed and the bed material is regenerated. This process can continuously eliminate VOCs from an effluent without interruption by rotating the bed through the adsorption and regeneration zones or by rotary feeding of the effluent and an oxygen containing gas to different portions of the bed.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 1997Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Regenerative Environmental Equipment Co., Inc.Inventor: Aaron J. Teller
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Patent number: 6051050Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) separation of a feed gas mixture is performed within an apparatus having typically a single prime mover powering a feed compressor for one or multiple rotary PSA modules in parallel, each module including a rotor with a large number of angularly spaced adsorber elements, with valve surfaces between the rotor and a stator so that individual adsorber elements are opened to compartments for staged pressurization and blowdown, with thermally boosted energy recovery from staged expansion of countercurrent blowdown and light reflux gases, and a plurality of adsorber elements opened at any instant to each compartment so that each compressor and expander stage operates under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Questor Industries Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, David G. Doman
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Patent number: 6027546Abstract: A compressed air drying apparatus employs a hollow fiber membrane dryer to provide a compressed air stream having a low dew point for outdoor use. Energy efficiency is obtained by purging water vapor from the hollow fiber membrane dryer with an adsorption-dried atmospheric air flow and by using a portion of the atmospheric air flow to regenerate the adsorption drying medium, preferably with heat from the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Assignee: Aquilo Gas Separation B.V.Inventors: Arnoldus Petrus Maria Kusters, Bob Van Den Hoogen
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Patent number: 5915816Abstract: A method of preparing an adsorbent which contains a medium, which medium may comprise water. The medium is removed from the adsorbent by a hot regeneration gas, and the adsorbent is then cooled, wherein heat recovered during said cooling is used to heat the regeneration gas in a heat accumulator/exchanger. In order to improve the dewpoint characteristics of the dried gas, the adsorbent is passed successively through the following zones:an adsorption zone in which the adsorbent adsorbs the given medium;a regeneration zone in which the regeneration gas is passed through the adsorbent; anda cooling zone in which heat is withdrawn from the adsorbent, to be transferred to the heat accumulator/exchanger. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the described method is also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Inventor: Roderich W. Graff
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Patent number: 5908490Abstract: A compact organic solvent recovery system includes a backup treatment apparatus for environmentally safe treatment of an organic solvent leaking into a gas exiting an adsorption tower packed with an adsorbing material such as particulate active charcoal or active carbon fiber. Adsorption treatment of organic solvents includes introducing an organic solvent containing gas to be treated into an organic solvent recovery apparatus including an adsorption tower packed with adsorbing material. By subsequently introducing steam into the adsorption tower, the organic solvents are desorbed. By introducing the treated gas discharged from the organic solvent recovery apparatus into the backup treatment apparatus, the organic solvents leaking into the treated gas are adsorbed, and the gas treated in the backup treatment apparatus is simultaneously discharged as purified gas.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 1998Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Toho Chemical Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mikio Akamatsu, Kenji Seki, Taketo Hata
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Patent number: 5891219Abstract: A two stage rotary concentrator takes the gas from the first stage desorption section and passes it back into a second stage concentrator process. A second stage desorption gas is passed over the rotary concentrator in a second stage desorption section. The gas from the second stage desorption section may then be passed for final treatment. The invention greatly reduces the volume of air which must be sent for final treatment.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 1998Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Durr Environmental, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Klobucar, Ajay Gupta, Dinesh Bhushan
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Patent number: 5878590Abstract: An improved dehumidification system for automotive use includes a rotating, wheel like heat exchanger with axially open cells that carry a water adsorbing material. Opposed ambient air and heated air flows, covering opposite halves of the wheel, continually adsorb water on one side and are recharged on the other side. Alternating radially closed cells between the axially open cells carry no desiccant material, but receive a cross cooling flow, on the water adsorbing side of the wheel only, to remove the heat released during the water adsorption process. The desiccant recharging process on the other side of the wheel is not disturbed by the cross cooling flow.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1998Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Prasad Shripad Kadle, Mohinder Singh Bhatti
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Patent number: 5843213Abstract: A moisture control unit is made up of a housing and a moisture absorption rotor is rotatably supported in the housing. A fan is provided in an exterior wall of the housing and it feeds air into the housing. A heater is contained within the housing adjacent the rotor to evaporate moisture therefrom and a heat exchanger is also provided in the housing. The heat exchanger has a first passageway through which a portion of the air from the fan flows to absorb moisture from the rotor and a second passageway through which moisture-laden air flows from the rotor, the first and second passageways being in heat exchange relationship with each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1997Date of Patent: December 1, 1998Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuyuki Fujimura
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Patent number: 5817167Abstract: A desiccant dehumidifier is provided in which a desiccant material is applied to a first end of a heat pipe heat exchanger. During the sorption phase, a supply air stream is exposed to the desiccant material on the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger and a second air stream, which could be ambient atmosphere, is exposed to the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger. The moisture from the supply air stream is transferred to the desiccant material. However, the heat pipe heat exchanger acts as a heat sink and adsorbs the heat generated by the moisture transfer and transfers it to the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger. At the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger, the heat is transferred to the second air stream. As a result, both the supply air stream and the desiccant material remain at a substantially constant temperature during the sorption phase.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Des Champs Laboratories IncorporatedInventor: Nicholas H. DesChamps
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Patent number: 5788744Abstract: An improved rotary concentrator separates the desorption gas flow into two flow portions. The first flow portion is sent to a final processing system. The second portion is recycled to the rotary concentrator. In a first embodiment, gas is recycled to the process gas inlet. In a second embodiment, the recycled gas is reused as desorption inlet gas. Most preferably, the recirculated gas is relatively clean compared to the gas in the first portion which is sent to the final processing system. In this way, the improved rotary concentrator is more efficient and reduces the amount of gas which must be processed by the final processing system.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Durr Industries, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Klobucar, Daniel Blundy
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Patent number: 5785936Abstract: A method for the simultaneous control of SO.sub.2, NO.sub.x, HCl, air toxins, metal fumes, and particulate emissions (ash, soot, metal oxides) from fossil fuel burning combustion processes is provided by injecting a sorbent upstream of a filter in the furnace and collecting sorbent and particulates in the filter. Collecting the sorbent in the filter increases its residence time in the process. The sorbent is injected in the post-flame region of a furnace, where it reacts with the SO.sub.2, the NO.sub.x, the HCl, and the air toxics in the effluent gas. A surface filter that can withstand temperatures of approximately 1000.degree. C. is mounted, either fixedly or rotatably, in the furnace downstream of the sorbent injection region. The gas flows through the filter, and the sorbent and other particulates become embedded in the surface layer of the filter.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: Northeastern UniversityInventor: Yiannis A. Levendis
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Patent number: 5755854Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for controlling the pressure in a fuel tank ullage. The apparatus includes a vapor pump which withdraws vapors from the tank ullage responsive to a signal generated by a pressure sensor in communication with the ullage. The vapors are directed to a canister containing a VOC-adsorbent material where the VOC content of the vapor is removed. Non-polluting VOC-free air is vented from the canister to the atmosphere. The invention also contemplates the provision of a second canister which would accept the tank ullage vapors after the material in a first canister becomes saturated. A portion of the VOC-free air exiting the first canister is used a purge gas to regenerate the saturated material in the first canister. The operation of the multiple canisters would alternate between adsorption and regeneration until the tank ullage pressure is reduced to below a threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1997Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.Inventor: Seifollah S. Nanaji
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Patent number: 5738710Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for recovering a target material including using an adsorbent such as activated charcoal, the target material recovered in a continuous manner, as well as a method and an apparatus for recovering a solvent based on such a method and apparatus. The adsorbent for the target material is rotated to move the adsorbed material in direction of centrifugal force while the target material is attracted to the adsorbent. The excess target material is detached from a peripheral edge of the adsorbent by centrifugal force. The detached material is recovered by a recovery device provided in corresponding relation to the adsorbent.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1996Date of Patent: April 14, 1998Assignee: Morikawa Industries CorporationInventors: Kazuo Omata, Katsumi Shibata, Yukio Shirai
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Patent number: 5709736Abstract: A moisture control unit is made up of a body which is partitioned by a partition wall into a plurality of chambers. A dehumidifying opening is provided in a chamber and a humidifying opening is provided in a chamber. A moisture absorption rotor is rotatably provided in the chambers and a heater provided in one of the chambers adjacent to the moisture absorption rotor for evaporating water which is absorbed by the moisture absorption rotor. A part of the moisture absorption rotor which absorbs moisture from air is made heavy to thereby rotate downward from the weight of water while a part of the moisture absorption rotor which is heated by a heater and from which water is evaporated is made light to thereby rotate upward. As a result, the moisture control rotor can rotate by itself without needing a rotary driving source. The moisture control unit has a simplified structure, can be easily miniaturized and installed at a low cost without needing piping.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1995Date of Patent: January 20, 1998Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yasuyuki Fujimura
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Patent number: 5702505Abstract: A method for collecting volatile organic substances from an off-gas containing moisture and volatile organic substances. The organic substances are removed from the gas containing the organic substances and the moisture by introducing the gas into an adsorbing tower filled with the adsorbents and being in the adsorbing process under a relatively low temperature condition. The gas is discharged outside the system as the gas containing the moisture but from which the organic substances have been removed. The organic substances are desorbed under a relatively high temperature condition in the regenerating process for the regeneration. The moisture is removed from the desorbed gas discharged from the adsorbent regenerating process in a dehumidifying tower filled with the moisture absorbent by the temperature swing method or pressure swing method.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1996Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Jun Izumi, Akinori Yasutake, Hiroyuki Tsutaya, Takayuki Harada, Kenichi Hamada
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Patent number: 5695546Abstract: A method for collecting volatile organic substances from off-gas containing moisture and volatile organic substances. After the moisture has been removed by a dehumidifying tower filled with moisture absorbent for selectively adsorbing the moisture from the gas containing the organic substances and the moisture, the organic substances are adsorbed and removed under a relatively low temperature condition. The organic substances is desorbed under a relatively high temperature condition from the adsorbing tower which is saturated with the organic substances. The desorbed organic substances are liquefied and collected under a low temperature and/or pressurizing condition. The dry gas from which the organic substances have been removed and made harmless is heated if necessary.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 1996Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Jun Izumi, Akinori Yasutake, Hiroyuki Tsutaya, Takayuki Harada, Kenichi Hamada
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Patent number: 5688305Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for drying moist gas, in particular air, in which the moisture is removed from the gas by a desiccant and the desiccant is freed of the absorbed moisture by a hot regeneration gas. In order to improve the energy balance in the drying of moist gas, in particular air, it is provided that the throughput of regeneration gas through the desiccant is controlled as a function of the temperature of the regeneration gas leaving the desiccant. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the process contains a temperature sensor arranged in the regeneration exhaust gas stream, which temperature sensor controls a device determining the regeneration gas throughput through the desiccant.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1995Date of Patent: November 18, 1997Inventor: Roderich Wilhelm Graeff
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Patent number: 5667560Abstract: A process and apparatus for the dehumidification and VOC odor remediation of an air stream withdrawn from the passenger compartment of a transportation vehicle is disclosed which employs a continuously rotating wheel support and adsorbent selective for the adsorption of water and VOCs. The wheel is coated with a zeolite adsorbent selected from the low cerium rare earth exchanged zeolite Y-84, a rare earth exchanged zeolite LZ-210, a low cerium rare earth exchanged zeolite Y-64, and mixtures thereof. It was discovered that faujasites which have a zeolite structure including .beta.-cages within which are located tri-valent cations exhibit a Type 1M adsorption isotherm for water which provides a good driving force for adsorption at low partial pressures and a heat of adsorption which is slightly greater than the heat of vaporization/condensation of water.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: UOPInventor: Stephen R. Dunne
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Patent number: 5659974Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing and regenerating an adsorbent material which material contains a medium (particularly moisture). The medium is removed from the adsorbent material by a hot regeneration gas, following which the adsorbent material is cooled. In order to improve the energy efficiency ("energy balance") in a process for drying a humid gas, particularly humid air, it is proposed that regeneration offgas be passed through the adsorbent material immediately before the adsorbent material is subjected to (final) regeneration, the regeneration offgas having a lower temperature than the hot regeneration gas.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Inventor: Roderich Wilhelm Graeff
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Patent number: 5658370Abstract: PSA process for the separation of nitrogen from a gaseous mixture containing nitrogen by selective adsorption of nitrogen from the gaseous mixture in an adsorbent mass with cyclic pressure variations. At least one nitrogen adsorption phase is carried out at high pressure and at least one nitrogen desorption phase is carried out at low pressure. The adsorbent mass is arranged in a rotating adsorber and at least 50% of the adsorbent mass is constituted by a zeolite exchanged with lithium by more than 50%.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Xavier Vigor, Pierre Petit, Serge Moreau, Bernard Sardan
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Patent number: 5578111Abstract: A process is described for the separation of a mixture of substances by sorption of the mixture's components on two different sorption agents, which are individually and independently adjustable in their sorption properties, and is performed in a manner by which the mixture of substances to be separated is introduced into a separation chamber between the surfaces of the sorption agents, and in which the separation chamber is occupied by a gap medium, in which the mixture's components can be dissolved and/or dispersed and/or evaporated, while the phases containing the sorption agents move in opposing directions, and the separated components of the mixture held on the sorption agents are recovered after passage through the separation path. This process is characterized in that the separation chamber is formed by at least two or several hollow, concentrically superimposed cylindrical disks Z.sub.A and Z.sub.B, which are filled with structural elements, and which contain separation media Ph.sub.A and Ph.sub.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1995Date of Patent: November 26, 1996Assignee: Reuter Chemischer Apparatebau GmbHInventor: Karl A. Reuter
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Patent number: 5567229Abstract: A rotary adsorption unit is disclosed wherein the desorb air is supplied by a regenerative thermal oxidizer. The system utilizes a closed desorb loop, with the desorb air being continuously cleaned at the regenerative thermal oxidizer and returned to the rotary adsorption unit. Fresh air is added into the desorb gas on the way to the regenerative thermal oxidizer, and an equal amount of air is bled off to maintain a constant air flow. The added air replaces oxygen that may be lost during cleaning of the desorb air.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1994Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Assignee: Durr Industries, Inc.Inventors: Joseph M. Klobucar, Dinesh Bhushan
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Patent number: 5547640Abstract: An extremely compact, energy efficient air purifier for incinerating volatile organic chemical contaminants, and airborne organic particulates comprises a cylindrical ceramic heat transfer/storage element having many substantially identical axially parallel flow passages with very large surface area per mass, and a rotating guide for guiding the inlet air flow to a preset radial segment of the ceramic element. The air flow exiting from the preset radial segment is directed to the remaining segment in the opposite direction. The air flow exiting from the remaining segment is exhausted from the air purifier. Included is a pre-heater for heating the ceramic element at start up, and maintaining the air flow at a stable incineration temperature.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1995Date of Patent: August 20, 1996Inventor: Dae S. Kim
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Patent number: RE38181Abstract: An improved dehumidification system for automotive use includes a rotating, wheel like heat exchanger with axially open cells that carry a water adsorbing material. Opposed ambient air and heated air flows, covering opposite halves of the wheel, continually adsorb water on one side and are recharged on the other side. Alternating radially closed cells between the axially open cells carry no desiccant material, but receive a cross cooling flow, on the water adsorbing side of the wheel only, to remove the heat released during the water adsorption process. The desiccant recharging process on the other side of the wheel is not disturbed by the cross cooling flow.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Prasad Shripad Kadle, Mohinder Singh Bhatti