Heating And Cooling Patents (Class 95/115)
  • Patent number: 8535486
    Abstract: A water desalination system includes an evaporator for evaporating saline water to produce water vapor and an adsorption means in selective vapor communication with the evaporator for reversibly adsorbing the water vapor from the evaporator. The adsorption means is in selective vapor communication with a condenser, and desorbing means for desorbing the adsorbed water vapor from the adsorption means for collection by the condenser. The condenser is adapted to condense the water vapor to desalinated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignees: National University of Singapore, Kyushu University
    Inventors: Kim Choon Ng, Xiao-Lin Wang, Lizhen Gao, Anutosh Chakraborty, Bidyut Baran Saha, Shigeru Koyama, Atsushi Akisawa, Takao Kashiwagi
  • Patent number: 8506679
    Abstract: A water recovery system includes a sorbing bed, a desorbing bed, a heat pump and a controller. The sorbing bed receives a first fluid stream and absorbs and/or adsorbs water from the first fluid stream. The desorbing bed is aligned with and thermally connected to the sorbing bed, and receives a second fluid stream and desorbs water to the second fluid stream. The heat pump is positioned between the sorbing bed and the desorbing bed and transfers heat from the sorbing bed to the desorbing bed. The controller distributes power to the heat pump to maintain an area near the outlet of the desorbing bed at a temperature greater than an area of the sorbing bed aligned with the area near the outlet of the desorbing bed. A method for recovering water from a fluid stream includes directing fluid streams through the described water recovery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward W. Hodgson, William G. Papale, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8500853
    Abstract: The invention provides gas purification methods and systems for the recovery and liquefaction of low boiling point organic and inorganic gases, such as methane, propane, CO2, NH3, and chlorofluorocarbons. Many such gases are in the effluent gas of industrial processes and the invention can increase the sustainability and economics of such industrial processes. In a preferred method of the invention, low boiling point gases are adsorbed with a heated activated carbon fiber material maintained at an adsorption temperature during an adsorption cycle. During a low boiling point desorption cycle the activated carbon fiber is heated to a desorption temperature to create a desorption gas stream with concentrated low boiling point gases. The desorption gas stream is actively compressed and/or cooled to condense and liquefy the low boiling point gases, which can then be collected, stored, re-used, sold, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Mark J. Rood, K. James Hay, David Johnsen, Kaitlin Mallouk
  • Patent number: 8500887
    Abstract: The present application provides a protected solid adsorbent that includes a solid adsorbent substrate and a surface layer at least partially coating the solid adsorbent substrate, the surface layer being generally permeable to an active agent. Additionally, a process for protecting a solid adsorbent and an adsorption system that includes a vessel containing the protected solid adsorbent is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mohsen S. Yeganeh, Bhupender S. Minhas, Sufang Zhao, Tahmid I. Mizan, Richard W. Flynn
  • Patent number: 8500874
    Abstract: One ozone concentrating chamber is provided therein with a part of a cooling temperature range where ozone can be selectively condensed or an oxygen gas can be selectively removed by transmission from an ozonized oxygen gas, and a part of a temperature range where condensed ozone can be vaporized, and condensed ozone is vaporized by moving condensed ozone with flow of a fluid or by gravitation to the part where condensed ozone can be vaporized, whereby the ozonized oxygen gas can be increased in concentration. Such a constitution is provided that a particle material 13 for condensation and vaporization filled in the ozone concentrating chambers 11 and 12 has a spherical shape of a special shape with multifaceted planes on side surfaces, or an oxygen transmission membrane 130 capable of selectively transmitting an oxygen gas in an ozone gas is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichiro Tabata, Tetsuya Saitsu, Yujiro Okihara, Nobuyuki Itoh, Ryohei Ueda, Yasuhiro Tanimura, Koji Ohta
  • Patent number: 8419826
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for the regeneration of at least one adsorbent bed, comprising at least the steps of: (a) contacting a first adsorbent bed (B1) with a gaseous stream (10) such that at least a portion of adsorbed species in said first adsorbent bed (B1) are released; (b) cooling a second adsorbent bed (B2); wherein a bypass (20) is provided around the second adsorbent bed (B2) and the gaseous stream (10), before contact with the first adsorbent bed (B1), is directed to at least one of (i) the second adsorbent bed (B2), and (ii) the bypass (20) around the second adsorbent bed (B2), wherein the proportion of gaseous stream (10) flowing through the bypass (20) is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Anders Carlsson
  • Patent number: 8414690
    Abstract: Heat-exchangers and biogas conditioners including a heat exchange member disposed between upper and lower flanges of the apparatus in which at least the heat exchange member is formed of a highly thermally conductive material (e.g., at least 50 W/m?K) such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. A bed of zeolite is loaded within the apparatus so as to be in contact with the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member is shaped and configured so that any given location of the zeolite bed is no more than about 3 inches from the heat exchange member comprising the highly thermally conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Bringham Young University
    Inventors: Jaron C. Hansen, Lee D. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8414691
    Abstract: The system and method for recycling and using the heat from compressed gas produced by a biogas treatment plant. The system includes a biogas cleaning stage and a plurality of compression and heat exchanger stages that allows the heat generated by compressed gases to be harvested. After the heat is harvested, it is delivered to a jacketed vessel containing media used to remove contaminants from the biogas. The media inside the jacketed vessel requires regeneration or stripping of harmful VOCs and other contaminants picked up from the biogas. The system also includes an inert gas generator that creates hot inert gas that is delivered to the jacketed vessel that heats the media located therein to remove contaminants. Because the jacket vessel and the media are simultaneously heated, the system's heat-up time is reduced The system also includes a heat exchanger that partially recovers the heat from the inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ESC Enviroenergy, LLC
    Inventors: Lowell Howard, Jeffrey Wetzel, Ronald Drake
  • Publication number: 20130081539
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for purifying gases, such as for example semiconductor process gases. The invention more particularly relates to fluid purification methods and systems having improved heat transfer capabilities and controls such that the purified fluid produced from the process contains reduced impurity levels and/or exhibits more uniform concentrations within the final product. In another aspect of the invention, the activation time for adsorbent beds used in such processes and systems can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Praxair Technology, Inc
    Inventor: Praxair Technology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8409520
    Abstract: Provided is an ozone concentrator including an ozone generator (3), adsorption/desorption columns (4) in which silica gel (6) cooled with a certain-temperature refrigerant (25) for concentrating ozone generated by the ozone generator (3) is packed, a refrigerating machine (23) for cooling the refrigerant (25), a vacuum pump (20) for enhancing a concentration of the ozone in one of the adsorption/desorption columns (4) by discharging mainly oxygen from the silica gel (6) adsorbing the ozone, a plurality of valves (8) to (13) for air pressure operations, for switching passages of gas that is allowed to flow in or flow out with respect to the adsorption/desorption columns (4), and ozone concentration meters (28, 29) for measuring the concentration of the ozone enhanced by the vacuum pump (20), in which a discharge line of the vacuum pump (20) is connected to another one of the adsorption/desorption columns (4), whereby the ozone is allowed to pass through another one of the adsorption/desorption columns again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Ota, Yasuhiro Tanimura, Yoichiro Tabata, Yujiro Okihara, Tetsuya Saitsu, Noriyuki Nakamura, Ryohei Ueda
  • Patent number: 8377171
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for purifying gases, such as for example semiconductor process gases. The invention more particularly relates to fluid purification methods and systems having improved heat transfer capabilities and controls such that the purified fluid produced from the process contains reduced impurity levels and/or exhibits more uniform concentrations within the final product. In another aspect of the invention, the activation time for adsorbent beds used in such processes and systems can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lloyd Anthony Brown, Thomas Justin Thompson
  • Patent number: 8353978
    Abstract: A multi-step process for removing CO2 from a process gas stream having CO2 and other gaseous components commences by adjusting the temperature of a CO2 laden process gas stream to be between about 80° and about 500° C. A first part of the temperature adjusted process gas stream is taken and contacted with a adsorbent in thermal contact with a heat-exchange surface. The remainder of said temperature adjusted process gas stream is taken and contacted with said heat-exchange surface to transfer heat to said adsorbent, thus causing any adsorbed CO2 to be desorbed for collection, and to cool said process gas stream remainder and removing any condensate from said cooled process gas stream remainder. The cooled process gas stream remainder is passed in contact with a cooled section of said adsorbent to adsorb CO2 therefrom, producing a CO2 depleted process gas stream. The desorbed CO2 is withdrawn for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kent S. Knaebel & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent S. Knaebel
  • Publication number: 20130000486
    Abstract: In a method for adsorptively drying purified biogas and regenerating laden absorbents, foreign matter is not allowed to enter the purified biogas, the content of methane in the gas remains virtually unchanged and the effort involved in regenerating the laden adsorbent is reduced. Drying and regeneration are effected in a closed biogas cycle, wherein separate layers based on silica gel and molecular sieves are used as the adsorbent. The biogas to be dried first flows through the silica gel layer. The adsorbent is regenerated with exclusively heated, dried biomethane having a temperature of up to 150° C. which, after contact with adsorbent, is recirculated to the outflow of purified biogas. After regeneration, the bed is cooled by biomethane, which is subsequently recirculated to the outflow of purified biogas. Methane-containing water accumulating during drying and regeneration is recirculated to the biogas generation and/or purification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: DGE DR.-ING. GUENTHER ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventor: Lothar Guenther
  • Patent number: 8337593
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for purifying a natural gas by using first and second adsorbers. The process may include passing a feed including the natural gas through the first adsorber to obtain a purified natural gas product, regenerating the second adsorber in a heating stage, and regenerating the second adsorber in a cooling stage. The heating stage may include separating a portion of the feed comprised in a regeneration gas, passing the regeneration gas to a dryer for removing water, heating the regeneration gas with a heater after exiting the dryer, and passing the regeneration gas to the second adsorber to regenerate the second adsorber. The cooling stage may include expelling at initiation of cooling at least a part of a fluid present in the second adsorber to the dryer to desorb water from a molecular sieve in the dryer, and cooling the second adsorber by circulating the regeneration gas bypassing the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Leonid Bresler, Cedric Freeman, Keith R. Clark
  • Publication number: 20120247330
    Abstract: An apparatus for capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a polymer matrix embedded with a sorbent suitable for removing CO2 from the flue gas and a spacer mated with the polymer matrix. The spacer is adapted to create channels between adjacent portions of the polymer matrix such that the flue gas flows through the channels and comes in contact with the sorbent. Further, an apparatus for the capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded with an adsorbent or other suitable material for removing CO2 from the flue gas. The adsorbent particles may be embedded into a wall of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Adam Berger, Abhoyjit Bhown
  • Publication number: 20120222554
    Abstract: Novel adsorbent contactors and methods are disclosed herein for use in temperature swing adsorption for gas separation applications, as well as for heat exchange applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Daniel P. Leta, Harry W. Deckman, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Bruce A. Derites
  • Patent number: 8257470
    Abstract: Disclosed is a harmful material treatment system for recovering the energy and removing the harmful material in the process of treating the gas containing the harmful material generated in the multiplex utilization facility, in the display mall, in diverse manufacturing processes and in the vehicle painting process, more particularly, to a harmful material treatment system which can recover the energy contained in the air conditioning facility or in the exhaust gas of the process with an efficiency of more than 90%, for exhausting the inside air to the outside so as to treat the contaminating material such as odor and volatile organic chemicals, and to remove the harmful material with a removal efficiency of more than 90% by adsorbing and concentrating the harmful material with a rotary-type adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Enbion Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun Jae Lee, Myeong Soo Yoon, Min Su Shin, Won Moon Jeong, Jeong Ki Min
  • Patent number: 8252089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for compressing and drying a gas flow rich in carbon dioxide, for example containing more than 50 mol % of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tranier, Arthur Darde, Jean-François Rauch, Dominique Antonio, Christophe Michel
  • Patent number: 8197581
    Abstract: A self-regenerating bio-gas treatment system that uses the bio-gas instead of atmospheric are as media transport between adsorber and desorber tanks. Each tank includes at least four horizontally stacked and evenly spaced apart, perforated trays each capable being filled with fluidized carbon which migrates downward in the adsorber tank to remove contaminants from the bio-gas. With the bio-gas function as its media transport, the carbon media continuously moves downward over the perforated trays and eventually collected in the bottom of the adsorber tank. The spent carbon is then delivered to the desorber tank. The desorber tank is filled with an inert gas produced by an inert gas generator which causes the carbon media to be regenerated. The inert gas strips the carbon media of contaminates and is then delivered to a ground flare. The carbon media is returned to the adsorber tank and re-used to treat bio-gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: ESC Enviroenergy, LLC
    Inventor: Lowell Howard
  • Publication number: 20120134906
    Abstract: A particulate, heterogeneous solid CO2 absorbent composition, comprising decomposition products of Ca3Al2O6 after having been heated to a temperature between 500° C. and 925° C. in the presence of H2O and CO2 for a period of time sufficient to allow the Ca3Al2O6 to react and form the particulate, heterogeneous absorbent composition which exhibits a higher concentration of aluminium than calcium in the particle core but a higher concentration of calcium than aluminium at the particle surface. The invention also comprises a method for preparing the particulate, heterogeneous product as well as a method for utilizing the composition for separating CO2 from a process gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: INSTITUTT FOR ENERGITEKNIKK
    Inventors: Johan Mastin, Julien Meyer, Arne Raaheim
  • Publication number: 20120118151
    Abstract: In the method according to the invention for separating mercury from waste gases of a cement production process, the mercury is sorbed on a sorbent, the sorbent is subsequently discharged from the process and supplied to a discharge reactor which is operated with a carrier gas. The sorbent is heated there to temperatures of more than 250° C. so that the mercury is discharged from the sorbent and changed into the gas phase, the gas of the discharge reactor that has accumulated mercury subsequently having the dust removed from it in a preliminary dust removal device, and only a part-flow of the gas which has been enriched and had the dust removed from it in this manner being drawn off at high temperatures and cleaned in a subsequent sorption stage, whilst the remaining part-flow is brought to the temperature required for the discharge of the mercury in the discharge reactor in a heat transfer system and is again supplied as a carrier gas to the discharge reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Dietmar Schulz, Ludger Brentrup, Karl Menzel, Reinhard Beilmann, Detlev Kupper, Mark Terry
  • Patent number: 8167977
    Abstract: A method of purifying a gaseous mixture rich in hydrogen and in carbon monoxide, commonly termed an H2/CO mixture or syngas, by adsorption prior to treating it cryogenically with a view to producing a CO-rich fraction, and/or one or more H2/CO mixtures of determined content, such as a mixture of 50 mol % H2/50 mol % CO and generally a hydrogen-rich fraction is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Christian Monereau, Guillaume Rodrigues, Ingrid Bellec, François Demoisy
  • Publication number: 20120068119
    Abstract: A fluid treatment method reduces a concentration of a first component included in a fluid-to-be-treated. A fluid treatment apparatus reduces a concentration of a first component included in a fluid-to-be-treated. A concentration of a second component differing from the first component is reduced in the fluid-to-be-treated in order to obtain a first fluid. The first fluid passes through at least part of an adsorption unit in order to obtain a second fluid. The adsorption unit is capable of adsorbing both the first component and the second component and has at least an ability to adsorb the first component that is temperature dependent. A third fluid pass through a portion of the adsorption unit through which the first fluid has passed. The third fluid has a concentration of the second component that is lower than in the fluid-to-be-treated and a temperature that is higher than the fluid-to-be-treated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichirou Kametani, Morimasa Watanabe, Osamu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8137439
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of CO2 from a flue gas is provided. This process includes compressing a flue gas to a first pressure, cooling the flue gas to a first temperature, and drying flue gas by a drying means. This process includes adsorbing CO2 in a first adsorbent bed, wherein the first adsorbent bed is isothermally maintained by a first cooling means. The process includes pressurizing the first adsorbent bed to a second pressure with CO2 at a second temperature, wherein the second pressure is greater than the initial pressure, wherein the second temperature is greater than the initial temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc.
    Inventor: Bhadra S. Grover
  • Publication number: 20120060688
    Abstract: The apparatus and process for separating hydrogen isotopes is provided using dual columns, each column having an opposite hydrogen isotopic effect such that when a hydrogen isotope mixture feedstock is cycled between the two respective columns, two different hydrogen isotopes are separated from the feedstock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Leung K. Heung, Henry T. Sessions, Xin Xiao
  • Patent number: 8128735
    Abstract: A method for separating CO2 from a gas stream comprised of CO2 and other gaseous constituents using a zeolite sorbent in a swing-adsorption process, producing a high temperature CO2 stream at a higher CO2 pressure than the input gas stream. The method utilizes CO2 desorption in a CO2 atmosphere and effectively integrates heat transfers for optimizes overall efficiency. H2O adsorption does not preclude effective operation of the sorbent. The cycle may be incorporated in an IGCC for efficient pre-combustion CO2 capture. A particular application operates on shifted syngas at a temperature exceeding 200° C. and produces a dry CO2 stream at low temperature and high CO2 pressure, greatly reducing any compression energy requirements which may be subsequently required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Ranjani V. Siriwardane, Robert W. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20110296872
    Abstract: A method and a system capable of removing carbon dioxide directly from ambient air, and obtaining relatively pure CO2. The method comprises the steps of generating usable and process heat from a primary production process; applying the process heat from said primary process to water to co-generate substantially saturated steam, alternately repeatedly exposing a sorbent to removal and to capture and regeneration system phases, wherein said sorbent is alternately exposed to a flow of ambient air during said removal phase, thereby enabling said sorbent to sorb, and therefore remove, carbon dioxide from said ambient air, and to a flow of the co-generated steam during the regeneration and capture phase, after the sorbent has adsorbed the carbon dioxide, thereby enabling regeneration of such sorbent, and the resultant capture in relatively pure form of the adsorbed carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventor: Peter Eisenberger
  • Publication number: 20110126706
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon adsorbent that includes a zeolite with either a H-FER structure or a MOR structure in which the pore diameter has been adjusted by ion exchange. A propane adsorbent that includes a zeolite with a MFI structure. A hydrocarbon removal unit that includes a TSA pre-purification unit having a column packed with sequential layers of activated alumina, a NaX zeolite, and the hydrocarbon adsorbent. A method of reducing the hydrocarbon content within liquid oxygen inside a cryogenic air separation unit that includes purifying feed air with the above pre-purification unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: TAIYO NIPPON SANSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hidano, Morimitsu Nakamura, Masato Kawai
  • Publication number: 20110126705
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for decreasing or eliminating unwanted hydrocarbon and oxygenate products caused by FTS reactions in a syngas treatment unit by utilizing heat exchangers and optionally associated pipes that are substantially fabricated of a material selected from the group consisting of chromium containing alloys and carbon steel for heating up gas streams having a carbon monoxide partial pressure greater than one bar obtained from a front end purification unit/cold box unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Trapti Chaubey, Yudong Chen
  • Patent number: 7947120
    Abstract: The adsorption of CO2 from flue gas streams using temperature swing adsorption. Adsorbent contactors are used in the temperature swing adsorption unit that contain a plurality of substantially parallel channels comprised of or coated with an adsorbent material that is selective for adsorbing CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley, Frank Hershkowitz, Ronald R. Chance, Paul S. Northrop, Edward W. Corcoran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7938886
    Abstract: The separation of a target gas from a mixture of gases using a thermal swing adsorption process wherein a thermal wave is used, primarily in the desorption step. The process of this invention enables one to separately remove multiple contaminants from a treated gaseous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Harry W. Deckman, Paul S. Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20110041689
    Abstract: Heat-exchangers and biogas conditioners including a heat exchange member disposed between upper and lower flanges of the apparatus in which at least the heat exchange member is formed of a highly thermally conductive material (e.g., at least 50 W/m?K) such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. A bed of zeolite is loaded within the apparatus so as to be in contact with the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member is shaped and configured so that any given location of the zeolite bed is no more than about 3 inches from the heat exchange member comprising the highly thermally conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jaron C. Hansen, Lee D. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20110005393
    Abstract: The system and method for recycling and using the heat from compressed gas produced by a biogas treatment plant. The system includes a biogas cleaning stage and a plurality of compression and heat exchanger stages that allows the heat generated by compressed gases to be harvested. After the heat is harvested, it is delivered to a jacketed vessel containing media used to remove contaminants from the biogas. The media inside the jacketed vessel requires regeneration or stripping of harmful VOCs and other contaminants picked up from the biogas. The system also includes an inert gas generator that creates hot inert gas that is delivered to the jacketed vessel that heats the media located therein to remove contaminants. Because the jacket vessel and the media are simultaneously heated, the system's heat-up time is reduced The system also includes a heat exchanger that partially recovers the heat from the inert gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Lowell Howard, Jeffrey V. Wetzel, Ronald Drake
  • Patent number: 7854790
    Abstract: A method of processing a volatile organic compound is provided, wherein a volatile organic compound contained in gas to be treated is adsorbed in an adsorbent; the thus-adsorbed volatile organic compound is desorbed with the aid of steam and mixed in the steam; and the steam containing the volatile organic compound is combusted. This method further includes: separating a vessel for the adsorption and desorption into an inner side room and an outer side room by means of a separation member part of which is formed of the adsorbent; thermally retaining the vessel for the adsorption and desorption; at the time of adsorption, supplying the gas to be treated to the inner side room and therefrom to the outer side room; and at the time of desorption, supplying the steam to the outer side room and therefrom to the inner side room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Uji, Masahito Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7819949
    Abstract: (Chloro)hydrocarbon-free hydrogen chloride and phosgene-free (chloro)hydrocarbons are recovered from a hydrogen chloride stream having (chloro)hydrocarbons and phosgene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Martin Sesing, Heiner Schelling, Juergen Ciprian, Filip Deberdt, Martin Karches, Olga Schubert
  • Patent number: 7806964
    Abstract: The system and method for recycling the compress heat generated at a bio-gas treatment plant that includes the assembly of a heat exchanger at each stage of compression designed to utilizing all of the gas flow and to harvest the heat in gas delivered to the air exchangers. After the heat is harvested, it is then conveyed either as hot air, or as a hot liquid, to a jacketed vessel containing media that requires regeneration or stripping of harmful VOCs picked up during the purification of contaminated landfill or municipal digester gas. The harvesting and conveyance of the heat of compression of the gases to a jacket around the vessel interior (indirect contact) and simultaneously heating the vessel interior containing the spent media through hot gas from another source (direct contact), reduces the heat-up time. This also reduces the overall the cycle time between the contaminant pick-up step and contaminant stripping step in regenerable treatment systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventors: Lowell E. Howard, Jeffrey V. Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20100218677
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for purifying gases, such as for example semiconductor process gases. The invention more particularly relates to fluid purification methods and systems having improved heat transfer capabilities and controls such that the purified fluid produced from the process contains reduced impurity levels and/or exhibits more uniform concentrations within the final product. In another aspect of the invention, the activation time for adsorbent beds used in such processes and systems can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Lloyd Anthony Brown, Thomas Justin Thompson
  • Publication number: 20100212493
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for preparing gaseous utility streams from gaseous process streams, nitrogen process streams, and other types of streams. The methods and systems may include at least one swing adsorption process including pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, and rapid-cycle adsorption processes to treat gaseous streams for use in dry gas seals of rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines and pumps and for other utilities. The systems and processes of the present disclosure are further applicable to high pressure gaseous streams, for example, up to about 600 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Peter C. Rasmussen, Paul L. Tanaka, Bruce T. Kelley, Stanley O. Uptigrove, Harry W. Deckman
  • Publication number: 20100170499
    Abstract: A new and unique apparatus for extracting water out of humid air is disclosed. There is also disclosed utilization of the apparatus and method in a specific and unique design so as to establish building blocks in building construction in order to cool indoor air in spaces in which the designated building blocks are combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: EWA Tech Ltd.
    Inventor: Eitan Bar
  • Patent number: 7674320
    Abstract: Hydrogen gas at a hydrogen refueling site is cooled below liquid nitrogen temperature (e.g., about 80K) for more efficient adsorption of hydrogen on hydrogen adsorbent particles in the fuel storage of a hydrogen powered vehicle. When compressed hydrogen gas is available it may be cooled with liquid nitrogen and then sub-cooled below about 70K by a Joule-Thompson expansion. When liquid hydrogen provides hydrogen gas it may be cooled below liquid nitrogen temperatures by mixing with liquid hydrogen or by heat exchange with liquid hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Senthil Kumar Vadivelu
  • Publication number: 20090324816
    Abstract: Methods for recycling a low permeability gas such as krypton in the consolidation process of optical fiber manufacturing. The low permeability gas is sent to a purification unit or plant before being reutilized in the consolidation process. The low permeability gas can be used to produce holes or voids in a cladding region of an optical fiber preform. Upon drawing the optical preform into an optical fiber, the voids become elongated in the direction of draw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Andrew Chludzinski
  • Publication number: 20090282975
    Abstract: Methods of purifying hydrogen-containing materials are described. The methods may include the steps of providing a purifier material comprising silica. The silica may be heated at temperature of about 100° C. or more in a dry atmosphere to form activated silica. The activated silica may be contacted with a starting hydrogen-containing material, where the activated silica reduces a concentration of one or more impurity from the starting hydrogen-containing material to form the purified hydrogen-containing material, and where the activated silica does not decompose the purified hydrogen-containing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadaharu Watanabe, Mark Raynor, Ade Lau, Hirotaka Mangyo
  • Patent number: 7594956
    Abstract: A method for removing one or more strongly adsorbed components (SAC) from a process gas stream having SAC and other gaseous components adjusts the temperature of the SAC-laden process gas stream to be between about 80° and about 500° C. The temperature-adjusted process gas stream is contacted with a heat-exchange surface to transfer heat to an adsorbent, thus causing adsorbed SAC to be desorbed for collection, and to cool the process gas stream and remove any condensate from the cooled process gas stream. The cooled process gas stream is contacted with a cooled section of the adsorbent to adsorb SAC therefrom, producing a SAC-depleted process gas stream and a SAC-laden adsorbent. Desorbed SAC is withdrawn for collection and any adsorbent fines are withdrawing for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Adsorption Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent S. Knaebel
  • Publication number: 20090158928
    Abstract: A moisture removal device for reducing the moisture content of air associated with an appliance including a body of moisture removing material, apparatus for moving air associated with the appliance into contact with the body, a heat sink for the body for the dissipating heat of condensation of moisture condensing on the body from air associated with the appliance, and an apparatus for deforming the body to regenerate the moisture capacity of the moisture removing material. The apparatus for deforming the body can compress, stretch, or twist the body of moisture removing material to mechanically remove liquid from the body. The moisture removal device can be part of a refrigerator, cooker hood, room air conditioner, dehumidifier, dishwasher, clothes dryer and a drying cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, NIHAT O. CUR
  • Patent number: 7507274
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture comprising the first fluid. The process comprises: (A) flowing the fluid mixture into a microchannel separator in contact with a sorption medium, the fluid mixture being maintained in the microchannel separator until at least part of the first fluid is sorbed by the sorption medium, removing non-sorbed parts of the fluid mixture from the microchannel separator; and (B) desorbing first fluid from the sorption medium and removing desorbed first fluid from the microchannel separator. The process and apparatus are suitable for separating nitrogen or methane from a fluid mixture comprising nitrogen and methane. The process and apparatus may be used for rejecting nitrogen in the upgrading of sub-quality methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Ravi Arora, Dongming Qiu, Michael Jay Lamont, Deanna Burwell, Terence Andrew Dritz, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, William A. Rogers, Jr., Laura J. Silva, Daniel J. Weidert, Wayne W. Simmons, G. Bradley Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20090056537
    Abstract: Method for the process-integrated gas purification of a synthesis gas, including the following steps: gasification of the feed in a reactor by the use of pulse heaters; addition of additives to the reactor or to the gas section downstream of the reactor in order to remove sulphur-containing gas components in order to achieve in-situ removal; separation of dust content of the synthesis gas in the downstream gas section; recycling of the dust content separated off to the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Oliver Neumann
  • Publication number: 20080314245
    Abstract: The separation of a target gas from a mixture of gases using a thermal swing adsorption process wherein a thermal wave is used, primarily in the desorption step. The process of this invention enables one to separately remove multiple contaminants from a treated gaseous stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Hershkowitz, Harry W. Deckman, Paul S. Northrop, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Publication number: 20080295688
    Abstract: Process for recovering (chloro)hydrocarbon-free hydrogen chloride and phosgene-free (chloro)hydrocarbons from a hydrogen chloride stream comprising (chloro)hydrocarbons and phosgene, which comprises i) in a first step, connecting a first adsorber and a second adsorber in series and passing the fresh hydrogen chloride stream comprising phosgene and (chloro)hydrocarbons firstly through the first adsorber and subsequently through the second adsorber until essentially no more (chloro)hydrocarbon is adsorbed by the first adsorber, ii) in a second step, passing the fresh hydrogen chloride stream through the second adsorber while the first adsorber is regenerated, with essentially phosgene-free (chloro)hydrocarbon being obtained in the regeneration, iii) in a third step, passing the fresh hydrogen chloride steam firstly through the second adsorber and subsequently through the regenerated first adsorber until essentially no more (chloro)hydrocarbon is adsorbed by the second adsorber, iv) in a fourth step, passing
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Martin Sesing, Heiner Schelling, Jurgen Ciprian, Filip Deberdt, Martin Karches, Olga Schubert
  • Publication number: 20080289496
    Abstract: Fuel is desulfurized with a rapid cycle desulfurization-regeneration method and apparatus. Regeneratable mass separating agents, including metals supported on high surface area materials, are used in a plurality of beds that are rotated into, through, and out of a desulfurization series and a regeneration series by valves and plumbing, which can include a rotary valve apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph C. Poshusta, Jerry L. Martin
  • Patent number: 7326278
    Abstract: Decontamination systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises a first adsorption/desorption subsystem that is configured to receive a contaminated gaseous solution and remove substantially all of the contaminants from the contaminated gaseous solution during an adsorption cycle, while a second subsystem is configured to purge captured contaminants during a desorption cycle. An evacuator is configured to drive potentially flammable gas compositions from the subsystem operating in a desorption cycle back into the system such that potentially flammable gas compositions are purged from the subsystem operating in the desorption cycle at the beginning of the desorption cycle. A heat source is configured to heat contaminants adsorbed in the adsorption/desorption subsystems to remove the contaminants from the adsorption/desorption subsystems in a gaseous state during their respective desorption cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Purifics Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Butters, Anthony L. Powell, John Douglas Pearce, Matthew Brian Frederick Murdock