And Regeneration Patents (Class 95/148)
  • Publication number: 20090214902
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments concern adsorptive gas bulk separation systems and methods that may be advantageously less expensive to utilize than some in the prior art. Embodiments of the present invention concern processing a feed gas source, typically comprising at least one fuel gas component and at least one diluent, using a displacement purge adsorptive separator apparatus comprising at least one adsorbent bed, at least one purge gas source for purge regeneration of the at least one adsorbent bed, and a product conduit for supplying upgraded gas product. The feed gas typically is supplied to the displacement purge adsorptive separator apparatus at substantially the ambient pressure of the feed gas source. The displacement purge adsorptive separator apparatus is operable to adsorb at least a portion of the at least one diluent component from the feed gas stream to produce an upgraded gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Aaron M. Pelman, Surajit Roy, Sean Patrick Mezei
  • Patent number: 7578872
    Abstract: An underground fuel tank releases vapors depending upon air pressure. A vapor pressure management system has a canister for a vapor recovery system that connects with piping from an underground tank and has carbon therein along with appurtenant pipes and valves. When an ORVR vehicle refuels, the pressure lowers in an underground tank that draws air through the valves into the canister. After refueling an ORVR vehicle, environmental conditions generate hydrocarbon vapors. Barometric pressure drops and evaporated fuel during long refueling lulls produce hydrocarbon vapors at an increased pressure. Those hydrocarbon rich vapors then return to the canister of the system where the carbon binds the hydrocarbons while releasing air to the atmosphere. The refueling of the next ORVR vehicle draws in atmospheric air to purge the hydrocarbons retained in the canister of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Husky Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur C. Fink, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20090193969
    Abstract: A system employing a regenerable zinc-oxide based sorbent to remove one or more contaminants from an incoming gas stream. The contaminant-depleted gas stream can then be used for any subsequent application, while at least a portion of the contaminant-laden sorbent can be regenerated via a step-wise regeneration process. In one embodiment, sorbent regenerated via the step-wise regeneration process can comprise less sorbent-damaging compounds than traditional sorbents exposed to conventional regeneration processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY
    Inventors: Roland Schmidt, Robert W. Morton, Joseph B. Cross, Edward L. Sughrue, II, Albert C. Tsang
  • Publication number: 20090193968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing purifying vaporizable contaminants such as mercury from a particulate material. Particulate material is first contacted with heated gases to vaporize the contaminants and entrain the material in the gases. The gases are directed to a first dust collector to remove the entrained particulates, after which a sorbent or chemical reagent is injected in the gases to interact with the contaminants and form a contaminant containing product that is entrained in the gases. The product is then separated from the gases in a second collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Ove Lars Jepsen, Peter T. Paone, III, John S. Salmento
  • Publication number: 20090173376
    Abstract: The present invention is a desiccant system for controlling moisture in a solar collector. The desiccant system has a desiccant bed enclosed within a housing, and is thermally coupled to the solar collector as well as being fluidly coupled to it through an orifice. Waste heat from the solar collector is conducted to the desiccant system and is used to regenerate the desiccant bed. The desiccant system includes moisture barriers which cause moisture from the desiccant to preferentially be released to the external environment rather than entering the solar collector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: SOLFOCUS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Spencer, Stephen Askins
  • Patent number: 7556672
    Abstract: A method for removal of mercury from a gaseous stream containing the mercury, hydrogen and/or CO, and hydrogen sulfide and/or carbonyl sulfide in which a dispersed Cu-containing sorbent is contacted with the gaseous stream at a temperature in the range of about 25° C. to about 300° C. until the sorbent is spent. The spent sorbent is contacted with a desorbing gaseous stream at a temperature equal to or higher than the temperature at which the mercury adsorption is carried out, producing a regenerated sorbent and an exhaust gas comprising released mercury. The released mercury in the exhaust gas is captured using a high-capacity sorbent, such as sulfur-impregnated activated carbon, at a temperature less than about 100° C. The regenerated sorbent may then be used to capture additional mercury from the mercury-containing gaseous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventor: Raja A. Jadhav
  • Publication number: 20090165643
    Abstract: Device for drying a compressed gas which consists of a compressed gas supply (2), two pressure vessels (33 and 34) which are provided with an input (37, respectively) and an output (39, 40 respectively) and a take-up point (32) f or users of compressed dried gas, whereby at least two layers of desiccant (35 and 36) are provided in the pressure vessels (33 and 34), a first layer (35) made of a waterproof desiccant and a second layer (36) which is not necessarily made of a waterproof desiccant respectively, and whereby the pressure vessels (33 and 34) are provided with a second input (41, 42 respectively) for the supply of compressed gas to regenerate desiccant from the first layer (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Filip Gustaaf M. Huberland
  • Publication number: 20090151562
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing heavy hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas. The combination of a silica-gel and an activated carbon adsorber allow for a significant reduction in the overall bed volume required for removal of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Bradley P. Russell, Mark E. Schott, Gordon T. Cartwright
  • Patent number: 7547350
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon trap that includes a sheet paper element and a plurality of fingers. The paper element is at least partially formed of a material capable of adsorbing and desorbing gaseous hydrocarbons. The paper element is arranged into a plurality of adjacent sheet members. The fingers are disposed between and support adjacent pairs of the sheet members so that each adjacent pair of the sheet members forms a flow channel. A method for filtering gaseous hydrocarbons from an air flow is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Miniature Precision Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J Callahan, Mark T Van de Bogert
  • Publication number: 20090145297
    Abstract: A system and method for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from a process gas stream is provided. An absorbent coated on a substrate (300) is subjected to a gas stream containing carbon dioxide (CO2) to remove at least a portion of the CO2 contained in the gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Alan William Ferguson, Robert Gudmundsen Hilton
  • Publication number: 20090139402
    Abstract: A substrate or method for the sorption of sulfur compounds with a high capacity includes providing a substrate that defines at least one layer of ultra-short-channel-length mesh, coating at least a portion of the substrate with a desired sorbent for sulfur sorption, and passing a flowstream through the substrate and in contact with the sorbent during sorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Tianli Zhu, Christian Junaedi, Subir Roychoudhury
  • Publication number: 20090114094
    Abstract: An improvement is provided in grease trap assemblies for grease traps to be positioned on the roof of commercial buildings such as restaurants. The improvement comprises a system for degreasing that uses, in combination, a grease absorbent material that is porous rock, preferably lava, and a grease digestible microbe capable of digesting fatty acids from cooking fats and oils. Each can as well be used alone, but best results are achieved with the combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: ROBERT V. CLAPP, III, CLAYTON VAUGHAN
  • Publication number: 20090114095
    Abstract: A filter cleaning system according to one aspect of the invention comprises a baghouse including a tubesheet having a plurality of openings extending therethrough. A plurality of filter cartridges is sealingly mounted to the tubesheet at respective openings. Each filter cartridge has an open end and pleated media for filtering particulates from gas flowing therethrough. The filter cartridge has particulates accumulate on the pleated media. A pulse cleaning system intermittently directs cleaning pulses of air into the open ends of the filter cartridges media at a supply pressure in the range of about 20 PSI to 60 PSI to dislodge accumulated particulates from the pleated media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Ryan A. Hanson, Larry D. McConnnell, Paul S. Henry, Marc H. Moreano, Stacy P. Moreano
  • Patent number: 7524359
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for purifying gases having organic impurities, including the use of granulated porous glass. The method of the invention includes the following steps. An impure gas comprising a first gas and an organic compound is provided. A packed bed of granulated porous glass is provided. The impure gas is allowed to flow into the packed bed, thereby preferentially adsorbing at least some of the organic compound on the granulated porous glass to yield a purified gas having a concentration of the organic compound that is lower than that of the impure gas. The purified gas is allowed to flow out of the packed bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick W. Giacobbe
  • Patent number: 7517389
    Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the removal of sulphur compounds from a hydrocarbon stream, especially a gaseous hydrocarbon gas stream, comprising said sulphur compounds, which process comprises contacting said gas stream with an adsorbent comprising a zeolite having a pore diameter of at least 5 ? to adsorb the sulphur compounds thereon, the adsorption process followed by a regeneration process of used, loaded adsorbent by contacting the said loaded adsorbent with a regeneration gas stream having a relative water humidity less than 100%, especially less than 80%. Suitably the regeneration is followed by a dry regeneration treatment. The invention further relates to a process for the regeneration of adsorbent comprising a zeolite having a pore diameter of at least 5 ? loaded with sulphur compounds by contacting the adsorbent with a regeneration gas stream having a relative water humidity less than 100%, especially less than 80%. Suitably the regeneration is followed by a dry regeneration treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jolinde Machteld Van De Graaf, Thijme Last
  • Patent number: 7517390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for regenerating the adsorbers of adsorber stations in the crude gas stream of installations for obtaining gas products from synthesis gas with the aid of a cryogenic gas separation unit. A part-stream from the purified synthesis gas stream, which is taken off downstream of the adsorber station but upstream of its cryogenic separation and is fed to the adsorber to be regenerated, is used as regeneration gas. The laden regeneration gas is either fed back to the crude synthesis gas stream upstream of the CO2 scrub, admixed to a product stream or removed from the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Martin Lang
  • Publication number: 20090071110
    Abstract: A regeneration system comprises a particulate matter (PM) filter including a microwave energy absorbing surface, and an antenna system comprising N antennas and an antenna driver module that sequentially drives the antenna system in a plurality of transverse modes of the antenna system to heat selected portions of the microwave absorbing surface to regenerate the PM filter, where N is an integer greater than one. The transverse modes may include transverse electric (TE) and/or transverse magnetic (TM) modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Kevin W. Kirby, Amanda Phelps, Daniel J. Gregoire
  • Publication number: 20090025557
    Abstract: A domestic appliance including an adsorption unit and further including a process air conduit, wherein an adsorption container operates as a heat exchanger for heating a stream of air flowing in the process air conduit and being applied to the adsorption container, with the adsorption unit configured for alternate and reversible operation in a first operating state in which a stream of air flowing in the process air conduit is applied to the adsorption container and which adsorbs adsorptive evaporating in the phase transition container, and in a second operating state in which the adsorbing agent is heated by the heater and the adsorptive is desorbed, with desorbed adsorptive condensing in the phase transition container, the domestic appliance including an assembly operatively associated with the adsorption unit for applying a stream of air flowing in the process air conduit to the adsorption container in the second operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Moschütz, Andreas Stolze
  • Patent number: 7479176
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling airflow in a desiccant drying system having a plurality of desiccant beds, in which each desiccant bed is located in a chamber, and multi-position valves can be operated to cause the gas to be dried to flow in a serial manner through a plurality of desiccant bed chambers while another desiccant bed is isolated from the gas flow and undergoing regeneration. Once regenerated, the multi-position valves are repositioned to establish a new serial flow gas path in which the freshly regenerated desiccant bed becomes the final bed in the series, and another bed undergoes regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Mann & Hummel Protec GmbH
    Inventors: Robert R. Crawford, Donald D. Rainville
  • Publication number: 20080314246
    Abstract: The separation of a target gas selected from a high pressure gas mixture containing said target gas as well as a product gas using a swing adsorption process unit. A turboexpander is used upstream of the swing adsorber to reduce the pressure of the high pressure gas mixture. A compressor is optionally used downstream of the swing adsorber to increase the pressure of the target gas-containing stream for injecting into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Bruce T. Kelley, Eugene R. Thomas, Ronald R. Chance, Paul S. Northrop, Edward W. Corcoran, JR.
  • Publication number: 20080289495
    Abstract: A system for removing carbon dioxide from an atmosphere to reduce global warming including an air extraction system that collects carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through a medium and removes carbon dioxide from the medium; a sequestration system that isolates the removed carbon dioxide to a location for at least one of storage and which can increase availability of renewable energy or non-fuel products such as fertilizers and construction materials; and one or more energy sources that supply process heat to the air extraction system to remove the carbon dioxide from the medium and which can regenerate it for continued use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Eisenberger, Graciela Chichilnisky
  • Patent number: 7449050
    Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a vaporous substance, which comprises: a sorbent material capable of capturing a vaporous substance; a first housing in which the sorbent material is located, a heating element proximate the exterior of the housing; a second housing defining a chamber within which the first housing resides, the first housing being located in said chamber such that there is a space permitting gas flow between the outside of the first housing and the inside of the second housing; and a pump capable of causing an exhaust gas to flow through the space in contact with the outside of the first housing; and methods for making and utilizing such apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Microsensor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Wohltjen, Mark Klusty
  • Publication number: 20080257152
    Abstract: A packed bed of granulated porous glass is used to purify a gas mixture comprising two gases whose boiling points or sublimation points at one atmosphere are least 10° K apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Frederick W. GIACOBBE, Elizabeth Giacobbe
  • Patent number: 7435285
    Abstract: Carbon monoxide is removed from flows of material by means of adsorption to a adsorption mass containing copper, zinc, and zirconium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Henrik Junicke, Markus Holzle, Michael Bender
  • Patent number: 7431900
    Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide vapor generation unit (10) receives hydrogen peroxide and water solution at an interface (20) and interconnects with an air dryer (14) by way of nipples (72, 92). In one embodiment, the dryer includes a clamping assembly (42) which is latched (74, 94) with the nipples and which receives a disposable desiccant cartridge (40). In an alternate embodiment, a reusable desiccant cartridge (40?) is connected directly to the nipples (72, 92). When the desiccant cartridge (40?) is saturated, it is removed and placed in a regenerator unit (120). A regenerated cartridge is installed in its place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Steris Inc
    Inventors: Aaron L. Hill, Arthur T. Nagare, Frank E. Dougherty, Stanley M. Voyten
  • Patent number: 7416581
    Abstract: The present invention provides an air-permeable filtration media that includes an air-permeable backing and an adsorbent. The adsorbent is at least partially embedded in the air-permeable backing. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing an air-permeable filtration media. The present invention also provides a method of substantially removing contaminants form air, employing the air-permeable filtration media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Point Source Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Raetz, Gregory J. Raetz
  • Patent number: 7410524
    Abstract: A process to purify biogases (i.e., landfill gas and municipal digester gas), to enable such biogases to be utilized to generate electricity and heat. Biogases from these sources generally include small amounts of organosilicons (which are particularly harmful to power generation equipment, and especially harmful to micro-turbines, reciprocating internal combustion engines, and large turbines), and halogenated chemical species (which can foul expensive emission catalysts). A fluidized media bed reactor is configured to concentrate offending organics, and is coupled with another reactor vessel configured to strip the offending organics off saturated media with a hot inert gas. The removed organics are further concentrated into an inert gas stream that is conveyed to a small flare for greater than 99% destruction. The energy required to strip the organics from the spent media, and to energize the flare, is generated by the combustion of a small quantity of the purified biogas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventors: Lowell E. Howard, Paul M. Tower, Jeffrey V. Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20080184886
    Abstract: A thermal preconcentrator unit and a method for concentrating chemical species. The thermal preconcentrator unit includes a thermoelectric device having a temperature controlled surface and a sorbent material configured to concentrate the chemical species. The sorbent material is disposed on and in thermal contact with the temperature controlled surface. The thermoelectric device is configured to cool and heat the temperature controlled surface to promote sorption and desorption of chemical species onto and from the sorbent material. The method provides a temperature controlled surface and exposes the chemical species to a sorbent material disposed on the temperature controlled surface to concentrate the chemical species thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventors: Jenia A. Tufts, Anthony L. Andrady, Teri A. Walker, David S. Ensor
  • Patent number: 7399342
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with purge control systems, and hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same. The PSA assemblies are operated according to a PSA cycle to produce a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream from a mixed gas stream. The byproduct stream may be delivered as a fuel stream to a heating assembly, which may heat the hydrogen-producing region that produces the mixed gas stream. The PSA assemblies may be adapted to regulate the flow of purge gas utilized therein, such as according to a predetermined, non-constant profile. In some embodiments, the flow- of purge gas is regulated to maintain the flow rate and/or fuel value of the byproduct stream at or within a determined range of a threshold value, and/or to regulate the flow of purge gas to limit the concentration of carbon monoxide in a heated exhaust stream produced from the byproduct stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventor: Travis A. Bizjak
  • Publication number: 20080156190
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of purifying a gas stream contaminated by CO2, hydrocarbons and/or nitrogen oxides, in particular a gas stream based on air or a syngas, by adsorption on a bed of aggregated zeolitic adsorbent based on an LSX zeolite or LSX and X zeolites, of which at least 90% of the exchangeable cationic sites of the LSX zeolite or of the LSX/X zeolite blend are occupied by sodium ions, and the inert binder of which represents at most 5% of the weight of the adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Cecile Lutz, Paul-Guilleaume Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7393381
    Abstract: A plurality of different layers of filter media are used to remove siloxanes from a gas stream. Based on an analysis of the specific gas stream to be filtered, a filter media having an average pore size enabling the preferential removal of a specific class of contaminants is selected for each different class of contaminants. The layers are arranged in sequential order such that contaminants having a higher molecular weight are preferentially removed by the first layers. Collectively, the layers define a segmented activity gradient that enables each class of contaminants present in the gas stream to be preferentially removed in a different layer, preventing removal competition between different classes of contaminants. Preferable adsorption media exhibit a relatively narrow range of pore sizes. Both inorganic adsorption media and carbon-based adsorption media exhibiting a relatively narrow range of pore sizes can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Tower, Jeffrey V. Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20080148936
    Abstract: The present invention relates to composite structured adsorbents and methods of use therefor. The invention more particularly relates to composite structured adsorbents that can include a multi-channel framework (e.g., monoliths), the channels of the multi-channel framework containing adsorbent beads particles therein, with a channel-to-particle diameter ratio in the range of 1 to 10, more preferably 1 to 7 and even more preferably 1 to 5. In the case of non-spherical particles, the hydraulic diameter is used in the calculation of the channel-to-particle diameter. The composite structured adsorbents of the present invention can be used in various industrial applications, for example in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) or vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) processes to produce O2 from air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: Mohamed Safdar Allie Baksh
  • Publication number: 20080134889
    Abstract: An improved gas separation PSA process, more particularly for oxygen production, utilizing adsorbents of Type X characterized by high frequency (i.e., cycle times of less than 4 s), bed length to square of mean particle diameter ratio within 200 to 600 mm?1, bed size factor of less than 50 lb/TPDO. The bed length, mean particle size, and cycle time are selected in a range such that axial dispersion becomes an important factor. In this way, low product recovery and high pressure drop (high power consumption) disadvantages often associated with the use of small particles are overcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Guoming Zhong, Peter James Rankin, Mark William Ackley
  • Patent number: 7381242
    Abstract: A method of PSA gas separation for a gas mixture containing hydrogen and hydrocarbon impurities. The gas mixture is put in contact with silica gel and activated carbon so as to adsorb the impurities in the gas mixture. Hydrogen rich and waste gas flows are produced. The waste gas flow may be sent to the combustible network of a petrochemical site, without having to make a pressure adjustment to the waste gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme á Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Guillaume De Souza, Pascal Tromeur
  • Publication number: 20080121104
    Abstract: There is provided herein a composition which comprises a silicone copolymer and/or terpolymer component containing a polyether moeity (a); and, a water-soluble and/or water dispersible gas-processing component (b); said composition being substantially free of metal oxide-filled non-polyether moiety-containing silicone fluid. There is also provided herein a method for processing a gas comprising treating the gas with said composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: David George Quinn
  • Publication number: 20080105120
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing additional aerosols and in some cases additional particulate matter from a gas stream, wherein a certain portion of such aerosols and particulate matter has already been removed using a primary aerosol and particulate collection device. In some embodiments, the invention comprises a method for removing additional aerosols from a gas stream that has aerosols previously removed by a primary aerosol collector, comprising passing a gas stream comprising a plurality of aerosols through a gas duct; removing a first portion of the plurality of said aerosols using a primary aerosol collector; passing the gas stream through a screen; and collecting at least a second portion of the plurality of aerosols on the screen. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the method of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Simpson Berry, Ramsay Chang
  • Patent number: 7350521
    Abstract: Oxygen concentrator system having a portable oxygen generator unit adapted to generate a non-humidified oxygen-rich gas and a stationary base unit adapted to generate a humidified oxygen-rich gas, wherein the portable oxygen generator unit and the stationary base are adapted for operation in a coupled mode and an uncoupled mode. The portable oxygen generator unit includes a first flow coupling adapted to receive the humidified oxygen-rich gas when operating in the coupled mode, piping means adapted to combine the non-humidified oxygen-rich gas and the humidified oxygen-rich gas to form a humidified oxygen-rich gas product, and an oxygen-rich gas product delivery port. The stationary base unit is adapted to recharge a rechargeable power supply system in the portable oxygen generator unit when the units are coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Dean Whitley, Glenn Paul Wagner, Matthew James LaBuda
  • Patent number: 7338550
    Abstract: An axle assembly includes an axle beam with an inner cavity that forms a purge reservoir. The purge reservoir is fluidly connected to an air dryer with a purge valve. The air dryer is part of a vehicle air supply system that supplies air from a compressor to storage reservoirs for vehicle systems such as suspension and braking systems. The air dryer includes a desiccant material that removes moisture from compressed air. During a compression cycle, air flows through the air dryer to the storage reservoirs and to the purge reservoir. Once a desired pressure level in the storage reservoirs is achieved, the compressor is unloaded and a purge command is generated to open the purge valve. When the purge valve is opened, air stored within the purge reservoir flows back through the air dryer to regenerate the desiccant material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Ricardo Hoffman
  • Patent number: 7335246
    Abstract: Contaminated fluids are treated by adsorbing contaminant onto a sorbent to concentrate the contaminant and then oxidizing the contaminant via the Fenton and related reactions. Iron is attached to the sorbent or can be added in solution with an oxidant. Both systems, iron attached to the sorbent or iron in solution, can be used to oxidize contaminants on or near the surface of the sorbent. The process can be used to treat contaminated water in above-ground and below-ground treatment systems, as well as contaminated gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: United States of America Enviromental Protection Agency
    Inventors: Scott G. Huling, Robert G. Arnold, Raymond A. Sierka
  • Patent number: 7332017
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods useful for removal or reduction of moisture from fluids are described. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a moisture separation unit comprising a thermally regenerable moisture adsorption material having feed and waste sides, and means for regenerating the thermally regenerable moisture adsorption material. The feed fluid contacts the feed side, while a dry, preferably heated purge gas flows past the waste side. The thermally regenerable moisture adsorption material is regenerated by contacting with the heated dry purge gas. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful in supplying dehydrated electronic specialty gases to semiconductor tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravi Jain
  • Patent number: 7326276
    Abstract: When a shutoff signal is entered to shut off a fuel gas manufacturing apparatus, it is determined whether a PSA mechanism is in a prescribed shutoff state or not. If the PSA mechanism is judged as not being in the prescribed shutoff state, the fuel gas manufacturing apparatus is continuously operated until the PSA mechanism is brought into the prescribed shutoff state. Then, if the PSA mechanism reaches the prescribed shutoff state, the fuel gas manufacturing apparatus is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Sumi, Hiroshi Machida, Satoshi Hanai
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7306652
    Abstract: Biogas released from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing activated alumina, which absorbs the siloxanes. When the activated alumina becomes saturated with siloxanes, the absorption capability of the activated alumina can be recovered by passing a regeneration gas through the bed of activated alumina. A system containing two or more beds of activated alumina can use one bed to remove siloxanes from biogas while one or more of the other beds are being regenerated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Vincent Leo Higgins
  • Patent number: 7303606
    Abstract: Production of oxygen-enriched gas streams is disclosed herein. Air streams contact an oxygen-selective mixed conductor particularly a perovskite material whereby oxygen is retained or adsorbed on the perovskite and can be employed in a variety of processes such as in combusting a fuel gas, heat recovery and boiler related operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongxian Zeng, Divyanshu R. Acharya, Satish S. Tamhankar, Narayanan Ramprasad, Ramakrishnan Ramachandran, Frank R. Fitch, Donald L. MacLean, Jerry Y. S. Lin, Richard H. Clarke
  • Patent number: 7300481
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaning filters for dust-laden waste gases, including several filter elements (2) which are arranged vertically in a filter housing (1) and which have an upper open end (16) and a lower closed end (15) with at least one feed line (9) for the dust-laden waste gases and at least one discharge line (11) for the cleaned waste gases, in addition to a device for injecting surges of compressed air into the open end (16) of the filter elements (2). In order to reduce pressure fluctuations in the filter and to provide efficient cleaning with pulsations of compressed air in the low pressure range i.e. from approximately 0.8 to 3 bars, the filter is divided into several filter modules (1) respectively including at least one filter element (2). At least two filter modules (1) are arranged in a filter housing (10) or a filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Scheuch GmbH
    Inventor: Alois Scheuch
  • Patent number: 7300498
    Abstract: A system and method for removal of solvents, or other materials, from an exhaust stream, uses an active adsorption bed and a bed that is periodically regenerated. Electrically heated nitrogen may be used to regenerate the beds. A portion of the exhaust stream to be cleaned is diverted to a heat exchanger, so as to pre-heat the nitrogen used for regeneration. Liquid nitrogen, preferably from the same source as that used to provide gas for regeneration, is directed to the active bed, lowering its temperature and increasing its efficiency. The invention avoids the need for the use of steam to heat the nitrogen, and provides a system that is more efficient than those known in the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: American Air Liquide, Inc.
    Inventor: Sudhir R. Brahmbhatt
  • Patent number: 7294173
    Abstract: A method for desorption and recovery of desorbed compounds, including the steps of generating a recirculating stream of inert gas (1), which passes through the material (2) to be desorbed, heating such inert gas stream to a temperature sufficient to cause the desorption process, yielding a gas effluent (3) from such recirculating stream of inert gas (1) in such a manner that the recirculated gas keeps a constant pressure, cooling such gas effluent to cause condensation of the desorbed compounds contained in such gas effluent (3), the cooling being obtained at least partly by pressure vaporization of a cryogenic fluid (4), and feeding such recirculating gas stream (1) by using at least a part of such pressure vaporized cryogenic fluid that was previously used to cool at least a part of the gas effluent (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Polaris S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gian Claudio Masetto, Mario Masetto, Francesco Masetto
  • Patent number: 7285154
    Abstract: A first aspect of a process of recovering xenon from feed gas includes: providing an adsorption vessel containing adsorbent having a Xe/N2 selectivity ratio <75; feeding into the adsorption vessel feed gas having an initial nitrogen concentration >50% and an initial xenon concentration ?0.5%; evacuating the adsorption vessel; and purging the adsorption vessel at a purge-to-feed ratio ?10. The final xenon concentration is ?15× the initial xenon concentration. A second aspect of the process includes providing an adsorption vessel containing adsorbent having a Xe Henry's law Constant ?50 mmole/g/atm; feeding into the adsorption vessel feed gas having an initial nitrogen concentration >50% and an initial xenon concentration ?0.5%; heating and purging the adsorption vessel to recover xenon having a final concentration ?15× its initial concentration. Apparatus for performing the process are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Joseph Karwacki, Jr., Timothy Christopher Golden, Bing Ji, Stephen Andrew Motika, Thomas Stephen Farris
  • Patent number: 7273514
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering particulate from an internal combustion engine by use of monolithic particulate trap systems having porous walls (2c, 24c). The porous walls (2c, 24c) filter the particulate. The filtered particulate on inner surfaces of the porous walls is periodically removed or regenerated via back flow of previously filtered exhaust gas. The back flow is caused by creating a pressure difference across the porous walls. The back flow of the previously filtered exhaust gas is simultaneously or sequentially coupled with high velocity through flow of exhaust gas in the channels. In addition, the particulate trap system can be an adsorber-catalyst particulate trap system for filtering particulate and reducing NOx via an adsorber-catalyst trap systems to achieve the EPA 2007 standards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Illinois Valley Holding Company
    Inventors: John M. Bailey, Marianne F. Waldman, legal representative, Donald J. Waldman, deceased
  • Patent number: 7273051
    Abstract: Oxygen generation system having a portable oxygen generator unit including a portable air separation device for the generation of an oxygen-rich gas, a primary gas pump including means to supply air to the portable air separation device, a primary motor to drive the gas pump, a rechargeable power supply to drive the motor, connector means adapted to deliver power to the rechargeable power supply, flow coupling means to transfer the oxygen-rich gas from the portable oxygen generator unit, and a first oxygen-rich gas product discharge port. The system also includes a stationary base unit adapted to couple with the portable oxygen generator unit, wherein the stationary base unit has a stationary power supply system including connector means adapted to recharge the rechargeable power supply in the portable oxygen generator unit, flow coupling means to receive the oxygen-rich gas from the portable oxygen generator unit, and an optional second oxygen-rich gas product discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Dean Whitley, Glenn Paul Wagner, Matthew James LaBuda