Water Sorbed Patents (Class 95/117)
  • Patent number: 8591627
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) from a CO2 containing gas stream containing water vapor and additional impurities, for example, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and mercury. The CO2 is captured by subjecting the CO2 gas feed stream to a temperature swing adsorption step. The temperature swing adsorption step comprises an adsorption step for producing a substantially dry carbon dioxide-depleted stream, and an adsorbent regeneration step comprising heating the adsorbent bed to produce a substantially water vapor-free carbon dioxide stream. Moisture from the gas stream containing CO2 is optionally removed by pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, membrane separation, or absorption prior to CO2 capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Innosepra LLC
    Inventor: Ravi Jain
  • Patent number: 8585804
    Abstract: A natural gas liquids (NGL) recovery system and method for separating NGLs from a feed gas is provided. The method includes receiving the feed gas; increasing a pressure of the feed gas by running the feed gas through a compressor connected to a gas turbine; diverting part of the feed gas from an output of the compressor and feeding the diverted part to a dryer; drying the diverted part to remove water and produce a dry gas; expanding the dry gas in a turbo-expander; separating the expanded gas into the NGL and fuel gas; and providing the fuel gas to the gas turbine as fuel without contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nuovo Pignone S.p.A.
    Inventors: Simone Amidei, Francesca Monti, Andrea Giusti, Mesgina Tsegai Risat
  • Patent number: 8580013
    Abstract: An air dryer cartridge is provided for a compressed air supply system, in particular a compressed air supply system of a commercial vehicle, with a drying agent box which is filled with a drying agent. The drying agent box can be coupled in an axial direction to a connecting flange of the compressed air supply system. A seal, which is designed as a non-return valve and, in the fitted state of the air dryer cartridge, acts in a sealing manner between the drying agent box and the connecting flange, is arranged on the drying agent box. A method for operating the air dryer cartridge on the compressed air supply system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Eduard Hilberer
  • Patent number: 8568513
    Abstract: A purification process has been developed that allows the removal of several different impurities from unsaturated hydrocarbons. The purification process uses various adsorbents and metal oxides or getters to accomplish the purification. The process is capable of removing the following impurities: SO2, H2O, O2, CO2 and CO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignees: American Air Liquide, Inc., L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Robert Benesch, Eric Coffre, Aurelie Grimberg, Tracey Jacksier, Malik Haouchine
  • Patent number: 8562718
    Abstract: A built in purifier for a cylinder of essentially nitrogen free gas having a low water content is provided with a molecular sieve 3A adsorbent to adsorb water from the gas, the 3A adsorbent having a particularly low adsorption capacity for nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Dean Whitley, Pascal Lisbet, Daniel Louis Vassilaros, Stuart Alexander Kerr
  • Patent number: 8557026
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing purified natural gas from feed natural gas comprising water and carbon dioxide, the process comprising the steps of: (a) removing water from the feed natural gas to obtain natural gas depleted in water and comprising carbon dioxide; (b) contacting the natural gas obtained in step (a) with solid sorbent comprising a metal organic framework to remove at least part of the carbon dioxide, thereby obtaining the purified natural gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Herman Pieter Charles Eduard Kuipers
  • Patent number: 8551230
    Abstract: The present invention “PH2OCP” relates to a portable water and climatic production system. In the preferred embodiment, the system uses a combination of heating coils assemblies, cooling coils and more specifically the desiccant rotor technology for the extraction, collection of water vapor molecules from the air stream and transformation in to condensate for the production of clean filtered potable water. The portable water and climatic production system or “PH2OCP” is designed to operate and produce water in a wide range of global climatic conditions, including the most arid of environments. This is made possible due to the highly effective performance capabilities of the desiccant rotor technology in the extraction of water vapor molecules from any existing ambient air. The desiccant technology is designed in the “PH2OCP” to operate in combination with the microwave reactivation system in the regeneration or reactivation section and cooling coils assembly located in the condensation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: 7142871 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Caggiano
  • Patent number: 8545705
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon. The apparatus can include:a vessel containing a fluid including at least one reactant; a fluid transfer device receiving the fluid including at least one reactant from the vessel; at least one drier receiving the fluid including at least one reactant from the fluid transfer device; and a reactor communicating with the at least one drier to receive the fluid including at least one reactant. In addition, the at least one drier may communicate with the vessel at least by sending the fluid including at least one reactant or the regenerant through a fluid tapering device for at least one of regulating the flow and reducing the pressure of the regenerant to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David J. Shecterle, Jocelyn C. Daguio, Bryan S. Garney, James M. Shawley
  • Patent number: 8545706
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon. The apparatus can include: a first drier and a second drier adapted to receive a fluid including at least one reactant; and a reaction zone communicating with the first drier to receive the fluid including at least one reactant and with the second drier to receive the regenerant. Generally, the first drier operates at a first condition to dry the fluid including at least one reactant and the second drier operates at a second condition during regeneration with a regenerant. The regenerant can pass through a fluid tapering device for regulating the flow of the regenerant to the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David J. Shecterle, Bryan S. Garney, Jocelyn C. Daguio, James M. Shawley
  • Patent number: 8545609
    Abstract: The Microwave System and method of reactivation is designed to provide an indirect, safe and energy efficient source of heat and temperature rise required in the reactivation section of the desiccant unit for the release into atmosphere of the water vapors which are accumulated in the desiccant rotor. This microwave reactivation system and method is based on heat transfer produced from a heated fluid which is pumped through a closed loop coil assembly. This closed loop coil assembly is located and runs through both the isolated heating chamber of the microwave section and the reactivation / regeneration section in the dehumidification system. The airstream passing through the reactivation intake section comes in contact with the coil assembly and is heated to the desired temperature prior to reaching the desiccant rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: 7142871 Canada Inc.
    Inventor: Mario Caggiano
  • Patent number: 8540809
    Abstract: An external cover of a replaceable cartridge forms at least a portion of an air drying apparatus of a compressed air brake for a vehicle. A first slope is formed at an intermediate position between an extremity of a rising piece and a bottom of an external cover, and a left vertical wall is formed. A right vertical wall is formed opposite the left vertical wall. A top face is formed between the left vertical wall and the right vertical wall. An indentation is defined by the left vertical wall, the right vertical wall, and the top face. A sealing member is fitted into the indentation. A circular-arc portion is formed at a lower end of the right vertical wall. A second slope is formed in an extending manner at a predetermined height from a lower end face that is an intermediate position on a height of the external cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Nabtesco Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Minato, Takeo Shimomura, Hiroyuki Murakami, Hirohisa Todoki
  • Patent number: 8535423
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadaharu Watanabe, Mark Raynor, Ade Lau, Hirotaka Mangyo
  • Patent number: 8535426
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for removing ethylene from a gaseous environment. Ethylene is a gaseous growth hormone produced by plants that triggers the ripening of some flowers, fruits, vegetables, and other plants. The apparatus includes an ethylene filter and a composition. The filter includes a frame and a trapping medium. The composition is attached to the trapping medium of the ethylene filter. The ethylene filter is positioned within a gaseous environment and is configured to encounter a gas flow within the gaseous environment. The composition contains at least some titanium dioxide which is configured to attach to the ethylene as the gas flow moves through and around the ethylene filter. In this manner, some ethylene may be removed from the gaseous environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Lawrence R. Sadler
  • Patent number: 8535417
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide-containing gas such as flue gas and a carbon dioxide-rich stream are compressed and the combined streams are then treated to desorb moisture onto adsorbent beds and then subjected to subambient-temperature processing to produce a carbon dioxide product stream and a vent stream. The vent stream is treated to produce a carbon dioxide-depleted stream which can be used to desorb moisture from the beds, and a carbon dioxide-rich stream which is combined with the carbon dioxide-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Minish Mahendra Shah
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130228072
    Abstract: A built in purifier for a cylinder of essentially nitrogen free gas having a low water content is provided with a molecular sieve 3A adsorbent to adsorb water from the gas, the 3A adsorbent having a particularly low adsorption capacity for nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Dean Whitley, Pascal Lisbet, Daniel Louis Vassilaros, Stuart Alexander Kerr
  • Patent number: 8500854
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a CO2 absorption method using an amine-based solid sorbent for the removal of carbon dioxide from a gas stream. The method disclosed mitigates the impact of water loading on regeneration by utilizing a conditioner following the steam regeneration process, providing for a water loading on the amine-based solid sorbent following CO2 absorption substantially equivalent to the moisture loading of the regeneration process. This assists in optimizing the CO2 removal capacity of the amine-based solid sorbent for a given absorption and regeneration reactor size. Management of the water loading in this manner allows regeneration reactor operation with significant mitigation of energy losses incurred by the necessary desorption of adsorbed water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: Henry W. Pennline, James S. Hoffman, McMahan L. Gray, Daniel J. Fauth, Kevin P. Resnik
  • Patent number: 8500850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the separation of gases which comprises putting a mixture of gases in contact with a zeolite of the ESV type to obtain the selective adsorption of at least one of the gases forming the gaseous mixture. The present invention also relates to particular zeolitic compositions suitable as adsorbents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Angela Carati, Caterina Rizzo, Marco Tagliabue, Luciano Cosimo Carluccio, Cristina Flego, Liberato Giampaolo Ciccarelli
  • Patent number: 8500886
    Abstract: Exhaust gas after coal or oil burning has moisture, which hinders carbon dioxide adsorption. It is necessary to completely remove this moisture with the minimum use of energy. The exhaust gas from the burning apparatus is first lowered of its temperature by passing through an total heat exchanger rotor, and the resultant gas which has low temperature and humidity is sent to a carbon dioxide adsorption rotor, thereby removing carbon dioxide from the gas, which is then sent through the total heat exchanger rotor with the resultant desorption of moisture adsorbed there and is exhausted to outside atmosphere, while the carbon dioxide adsorption rotor is desorbed of its carbon dioxide using water vapor, with the resultant very humid carbon dioxide to be sent to a processing system such as for underground burial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Seibu Giken Co, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroshi Okano, Tsutomu Hirose
  • Patent number: 8460434
    Abstract: A process is provided for recovering methane from landfill feed gas and other anaerobic digestors. The process comprising the following steps: firstly treating the feed gas to remove H2S; subsequently compressing the gas; and then treating the gas to remove further impurities. Additionally, there is provided a chiller for reducing the temperature of a gas flow. The chiller comprising: a shell arranged to be chilled, a plurality of bores through the shell and through which the gas flows, in use, and forming, together with the shell, a heat exchanger, a tangential inlet to each bore for creating a spiral flow of the gas through the bore, in use. Furthermore, a process is provided for purifying a gas feed using a reversible gas absorber unit comprising two hollow fiber gas/liquid contactors, each of which is arranged to provide a counter-current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Gasrec Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Derek Turner, George Cutts, Richard John Lilleystone
  • Patent number: 8453474
    Abstract: A vehicle air handling system includes an air handler, a desiccant assembly and a regeneration mechanism. The air handler has an air inlet configured to receive airflow into the air handler and an air outlet configured to direct the airflow from the air handler to a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The desiccant assembly is installed in a fixed non-movable orientation within the air handler. The desiccant assembly is configured to absorb moisture from the airflow and is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet. The desiccant assembly includes a first flow path and a second flow path separated from one another such that the airflow passes through the first flow path. The regeneration mechanism is in fluid communication with the second air flow path of the desiccant assembly and is configured to remove moisture from the airflow passing through the desiccant assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Eisenhour
  • Patent number: 8449654
    Abstract: A built in purifier for a cylinder of essentially nitrogen free gas having a low water content is provided with a molecular sieve 3A adsorbent to adsorb water from the gas, the 3A adsorbent having a particularly low adsorption capacity for nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Dean Whitley, Pascal Lisbet, Daniel Louis Vassilaros, Stuart Alexander Kerr
  • Patent number: 8414682
    Abstract: An inline water trap including a filter component and a panel connector configured to interface with a patient gas monitor. In one embodiment the inline water trap indicates to the patient gas monitor that it is in place and that the patient gas monitor may begin intaking and analyzing the filtered patient sample. The inline water trap receives a patient sample and filters water and contaminants from the sample before allowing the remaining gas portion of the sample to pass through to the patient gas monitor, thereby protecting the patient gas monitor from damage. One embodiment of the inline water trap additionally contains an RFID tag to indicate to the patient gas monitor that the correct type of inline water trap is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Criticare Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Larsen, David Carlson, Steven Coogan, Roy Henning, Daniel Schwarz, Deborah Zane
  • Patent number: 8398747
    Abstract: This invention relates in part to a process for producing high purity acetylene by withdrawing a crude acetylene stream from a storage source, and passing said stream through an adsorbent bed that contains layered adsorption media to selectively remove moisture, solvent and carbon dioxide from the stream, thereby producing the high purity acetylene. The adsorption media is regenerated in-situ. The high purity acetylene product is useful as a source material for depositing carbon and carbon-containing films in semiconductor applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuemei Song, Lloyd Anthony Brown, Thomas Thompson
  • Patent number: 8388734
    Abstract: A method for producing a CO2-enriched gas from a feed gas comprising carbon dioxide (CO2), at least one component selected from H2, N2, CH4, CO, O2 and argon, water vapor, optionally impurities such as NOx and/or SOx , and a solid-particle concentration of between 0.01 and 100 mg/m3, wherein the feed gas is at least partially dried upstream of a PSA unit in order to prevent the solid particles from caking in the PSA unit is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Christian Monereau, Arthur Darde, Anne Berthelemot
  • Publication number: 20130047848
    Abstract: A built in purifier for a cylinder of essentially nitrogen free gas having a low water content is provided with a molecular sieve 3A adsorbent to adsorb water from the gas, the 3A adsorbent having a particularly low adsorption capacity for nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Dean Whitley, Pascal Lisbet, Daniel Louis Vassilaros, Stuart Alexander Kerr
  • Patent number: 8382885
    Abstract: A filter for filtering a fluid in a substrate processing apparatus comprises first and second stages that are connected to one another. A delivery system provides a vaporized liquid to the filter. The first stage of the filter comprises a basic compound, and the second stage of the filter comprises a desiccant. A second filter comprises a permeation filter with permeable membrane to filter the fluid. Methods of filtering the fluid to reduce formation of undesirable process residues using the filter(s) are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin W. Ho, Juan Carlos Rocha-Alvarez, Hichem M'Saad
  • Publication number: 20130036905
    Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicants: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Lively, Ronald R. Chance, William J. Koros, Harry Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley
  • Patent number: 8361206
    Abstract: Dessicants employed in dehumidifying moisturized air present within a water-damaged building are themselves dehumidified to liberate collected moisture through the use of heated air vented from an on-site electric generator to be drawn over and about a heat exchanger fired by diesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Spencer W. Hess
  • Patent number: 8361199
    Abstract: Methods of purifying H2Se by removing H2S and/or H2O are disclosed. The amount of H2S in the H2Se-containing gas is reduced below 10 ppmv by passing the H2Se-containing gas through an AW-500 molecular sieve. H2S and H2O are removed by passing H2Se through a 4 A molecular sieve and subsequently passing H2Se through an AW-500 molecular sieve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Air Liquide Electronics U.S. LP, American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Stafford, Richard J. Udischas
  • Patent number: 8343259
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for subjecting feed air to fractionation for recovery of a product oxygen fraction therefrom in a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process utilizing a nitrogen-selective adsorbent (“NSA”) that is sensitive to water. The PSA process includes the steps of feed pressurization, production, equalization, and blowdown. The improvement to this PSA process commences with placing a bed of pre-treatment adsorbent between feed air and a bed of NSA. Next, a controllable valve is interposed between the pre-treatment adsorbent bed and the NSA bed. Finally, the controllable valve is kept closed during the steps of production, equalization, and when the process is idle. An advantageous NSA is LiX zeolite, Li-LSX zeolite, CaX zeolite, and similar adsorbents, particularly highly hydrophilic zeolites. Another feature of the disclosed PSA cycle is that the pre-treatment adsorbent bed blows-down while the NSA bed equalizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: WearAir Oxygen, Inc.
    Inventor: Seth Pemberton Knaebel
  • Publication number: 20120318140
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of purifying H2Se by removing H2S and H2O.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan STAFFORD, Richard J. UDISCHAS
  • Publication number: 20120312164
    Abstract: This invention provides a metal complex having a gas adsorption capability, a gas storing capability, and a gas separation capability. The present invention attained the above object by a metal complex comprising: a dicarboxylic acid compound (I) represented by the following General Formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification; at least one metal ion selected from ions of a metal belonging to Group 2 and Groups 7 to 12 of the periodic table; and an organic ligand capable of bidentate binding to the metal ion, the organic ligand belonging to the D?h point group, having a longitudinal length of not less than 8.0 ? and less than 16.0 ?, and having 2 to 7 heteroatoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Kuraray Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasutaka Inubushi, Chikako Ikeda, Koichi Kanehira
  • Patent number: 8328915
    Abstract: A dehumidifying deoxidizer containing oxygen-deficient cerium oxide and a dehumidifier is provided. The oxygen-deficient cerium oxide is preferably doped with an element increasing the oxygen absorption of the cerium oxide. The oxygen absorption sites of the cerium oxide are preferably obstructed by a site obstructing factor. The cerium oxide preferably has a fluorite type superlattice structure. Also provided are a dehumidifying and deoxidizing packet having the dehumidifying deoxidizer sealed in a bag-shaped, gas permeable casing and a dehumidifying and deoxidizing resin composition containing the dehumidifying deoxidizer and a gas permeable resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Senoo, Kazuya Kinoshita, Isamu Yashima
  • Patent number: 8328914
    Abstract: A apparatus for substantially dehumidifying an insulating annular space (108) is provided. This apparatus includes an insulated surrounding envelope (106), an inner cylindrical device (107) and a partial annular cylinder (100) comprising at least two porous zones. This apparatus positions the partial annular cylinder (100) within the insulating annular space (108) that is formed by the inner cylindrical device (107) positioned within the insulated surrounding envelope (106). This partial annular cylinder (100) holds adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Raymond Batrol
  • Patent number: 8323380
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing an ozone destructor are disclosed herein. Generally, these systems and methods include an ozone destructor that has a housing defining an air passage duct. In some cases, this air passage duct includes a first chamber and a second chamber that are arranged so that air is able to flow into the first chamber, through the second chamber, and out of the destructor. In some cases, an air drying mechanism is disposed in the first and/or the second chamber. Additionally, in some cases, the ozone destructor further includes multiple mechanisms that reduce ozone to oxygen. In light of these features, the ozone destructor is capable of incrementally drying and reducing air and ozone, respectively, as they pass through the first chamber and the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas D. Gillette
  • Patent number: 8317899
    Abstract: A shipboard system provides dry, oil-free utility air and inert gas for use on a marine vessel. A compressor converts ambient air into a pressurized air stream. The air stream is cooled by heat exchange with sea water in the vicinity of the vessel. The air stream is then dried in a dehydration membrane module, and some of the product of the dehydration module is taken for use as utility air. The remainder of the dried air is passed through an air separation module which includes a polymeric membrane. The product of the air separation module includes a nitrogen-enriched gas which is used as an inert gas on the vessel. The compressor is the only mechanically moving component of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Generon IGS, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Jeffers, Marc Straub
  • Patent number: 8317902
    Abstract: A process for removing polar components from a process stream in a refinery process without cooling the process stream. The process stream is fed to a first adsorber unit to remove contaminants containing sulfur at substantially the same elevated temperature by exposing the process stream to a metal oxide and/or a mixed metal oxide to remove the sulfur containing contaminants and produce a metal sulfide and a desulfurized process stream. The metal sulfide may be regenerated by exposing it to a stream of oxygen and the desulfurized process stream exposed to the regenerated metal/mixed metal oxide to remove moisture from the stream. The stream is then processed within a second adsorber unit to remove nitrogen containing contaminants at substantially the same elevated temperature by exposing the stream to a molecular sieve and/or zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Bhupender S Minhas, Frederick Y. Lo, Ian A Cody, Donald E Stratton
  • Patent number: 8313563
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon. The apparatus can include: a vessel containing a fluid including at least one reactant; a fluid transfer device receiving the fluid including at least one reactant from the vessel; at least one drier receiving the fluid including at least one reactant from the fluid transfer device; and a reactor communicating with the at least one drier to receive the fluid including at least one reactant. In addition, the at least one drier may communicate with the vessel at least by sending the fluid including at least one reactant or the regenerant through a fluid tapering device for at least one of regulating the flow and reducing the pressure of the regenerant to the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David J. Shecterle, Bryan S. Garney, James M. Shawley, Jocelyn Daguio
  • Patent number: 8313562
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon. The apparatus can include: a first drier and a second drier adapted to receive a fluid including at least one reactant; and a reaction zone communicating with the first drier to receive the fluid including at least one reactant and with the second drier to receive the regenerant. Generally, the first drier operates at a first condition to dry the fluid including at least one reactant and the second drier operates at a second condition during regeneration with a regenerant. The regenerant can pass through a fluid tapering device for regulating the flow of the regenerant to the reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: David J. Shecterle, Bryan S. Garney, Jocelyn C. Daguio, James M. Shawley
  • Patent number: 8303930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to various processes for recovering high purity gaseous hydrogen and high purity gaseous carbon dioxide from the gas stream produced using steam hydrocarbon reforming, especially steam methane reforming, utilizing a H2 pressure swing adsorption unit followed by either a CO2 vacuum swing adsorption unit or a CO2 vacuum swing adsorption unit in combination with an additional CO2 pressure swing adsorption unit. By using an uncoupled H2 PSA and CO2 VSA unit it is possible to produce high purity H2 and high purity CO2. The present invention further relates to a process for optimizing the recovery of CO2 from waste gas streams produced during the hydrogen purification step of a steam hydrocarbon reforming/H2 pressure swing adsorption unit utilizing either a CO2 vacuum swing adsorption unit or a CO2 vacuum swing adsorption unit in combination with a CO2 pressure swing adsorption unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: American Air Liquide, Inc., Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP
    Inventors: Yudong Chen, Glenn Fair
  • Patent number: 8273153
    Abstract: The method allows liquefaction of a dry natural gas comprising water and heavy hydrocarbons containing more than five carbon atoms. The following stages are carried out: a) passing the dry natural gas through a water-adsorbent solid so as to obtain a water-depleted natural gas and a water-laden adsorbent solid, b) passing the water-depleted natural gas through a solid adsorbing heavy hydrocarbons comprising at least five carbon atoms so as to obtain a heavy hydrocarbon-depleted natural gas and a heavy hydrocarbon-laden adsorbent solid, c) liquefying the heavy hydrocarbon-depleted natural gas at a pressure above 40 bar abs so as to obtain a liquid natural gas under pressure, d) expanding the liquid natural gas under pressure obtained in stage c) to atmospheric pressure so as to obtain a liquid natural gas and a gas fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Michel Thomas, Beatrice Fischer, Gilles Ferschneider
  • Patent number: 8268047
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases (i.e., containing less than about 10 volume % helium and more typically, less than about 5% helium by volume). The present invention more particularly relates to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases using temperature swing adsorption (TSA) systems and multiple (e.g. two) stage vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) systems. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the first stage VPSA system is configured to provide regeneration gas for the TSA system, and/or the VPSA second stage tail gas is recycled to the first stage VPSA system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohamed Safdar Allie
  • Patent number: 8268030
    Abstract: The invention provides wind energy use. One application provides wind energy use for water harvesting from natural humid air. The method is based on changing thermodynamic state parameters of ambient wind air portions passed through a device comprising convergent-divergent and wing-like components. Those components transform the ambient wind portions into fast and cooled outflowing air portions. A decrease in static pressure and temperature triggers condensation of water-vapor into water-aerosols. Another application of the method provides an effective mechanism for harvesting electrical energy from naturally warm air using renewable wind energy, including the wind inertia, internal heat, and potential energy stored in the air mass in the Earth's gravitational field. The electrical energy harvesting mechanism is also applicable to use of natural renewable energy of streaming water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Inventor: Yuri Abramov
  • Patent number: 8268046
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas
    Inventors: Tadaharu Watanabe, Mark Raynor, Ade Lau, Hirotaka Mangyo
  • 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: 8252080
    Abstract: A filter assembly for use in sidestream gas sampling assembly. The filter assembly of the present invention includes a hydrophilic. The filter further includes a Hydrophobic member positioned downstream of the hydrophilic liner. The hydrophobic disk acts as a second line of defense against moisture reaching the sensing mechanism member that is constructed from a porous material and is situated such that gas entering the filter assembly passes through at least a portion the hydrophilic member. In a further embodiment, the filter includes a hydrophobic member positioned downstream of the hydrophilic member. The hydrophobic member acts as a second line of defense against moisture reaching the sensing mechanism in the gas sampling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Fudge, Patrick Tuxbury, Kirk Johnson
  • Patent number: 8246835
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon. The apparatus can include: a first drier and a second drier adapted to receive a fluid including at least one reactant; and a reaction zone communicating with the first drier to receive the fluid including at least one reactant and with the second drier to receive the regenerant. Generally, the first drier operates at a first condition to dry the fluid including at least one reactant and the second drier operates at a second condition during regeneration with a regenerant. The regenerant is displaced from the drier using a down-flow regenerant displacement assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan S. Garney, Jocelyn C. Daguio, Kurt A. Detrick, Douglas A. Becci, David J. Shecterle, John M. Krupczak, Andrew D. Mezera
  • Patent number: 8241399
    Abstract: A method of generating heat from a gas stream includes providing a first gas stream having a first temperature and a moisture content approximately saturating the gas stream, removing the moisture content from the first gas stream to form a second gas stream having a second temperature greater than the first temperature of the first gas stream, and heat exchanging the second gas stream having the second temperature greater than the first temperature of the first gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Walter Albers
  • Patent number: 8221514
    Abstract: The invention provides an ecologically clean method and apparatus for water harvesting from air. The method is based on changing of thermodynamic state properties of air wind getting a rotation and passing through convergent-divergent nozzles. The apparatus is a water condensation engine exposed to humid wind. The constructive solution has no moving solid parts, and the incoming wind is an inherent moving component of the engine. It comprises a cascade of sequentially arranged horn-tubes and a set of stationary wing-like details. Those horn-tubes transform the wind into a fast and cooled out-flowing air flux coming-and-hitting upon the set of wing-like details, where the air portions are accelerated and eddying. The inner static pressure and temperature decrease in the air portions. The decrease in static pressure and temperature triggers off condensation of water-vapors into water-aerosols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Yuri Abramov
    Inventor: Yuri Abramov