Particulate Media, Fibrous Media, Or Packing Elements Patents (Class 95/211)
  • Patent number: 11698189
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a catalyst tower is provided, which comprises a gas inlet and a catalyst holding plate set therein. The gas inlet is the opening where the catalyst tower and the upstream piping connects with one another. The distance between the gas inlet and the catalyst holding plate is directly proportional to the difference in diameter between the catalyst tower and the upstream piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Inventor: Hsiao-Nan Wang
  • Patent number: 11352567
    Abstract: Processes for converting an organic-material-containing feed comprising contacting the feed with a plurality of fluidized hot particles in a pyrolysis zone to product a first pyrolysis effluent, optionally contacting the first pyrolysis effluent with a quenching stream to impart additional pyrolysis of organic materials contained in the quenching stream, separating at least a portion of the particles and feeding them to a combustion zone where the particles are heated to an elevated temperature, optionally contacting the combustion zone effluent with a second organic-material-containing stream to produce, e.g., syngas, and feeding at least a portion of the heated particles to the pyrolysis zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Mohsen N. Harandi, Paul F. Keusenkothen
  • Patent number: 11162330
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for treating and disposing of produced water in conjunction with flared gas, thereby avoiding problems associated with injecting produced water back into subsurface strata. The system is installed at or near the wellhead where produced water being treated is at a higher temperatures. Produced water is treated with ozone injection in a scrubber with heat applied through a flare gas field burner, which uses field gas from oilfield operations. A wet scrubber unit with scrubber packing is used to clean emissions. A produced water pump is used to circulate produced water, and pump produced water through spray nozzles in the scrubber unit for use as the wet scrubbing agent. As produced water evaporates, evaporated salts and solids are continuously removed from the evaporator/scrubber unit by appropriate means, such as an auger system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HYDROZONIX, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Patton
  • Patent number: 11161755
    Abstract: A feed liquid flows into a second-stage humidifier chamber to form a second-stage humidifier bath. A first remnant of the feed liquid from the second-stage humidifier chamber then flows into a first-stage humidifier chamber to form a first-stage humidifier bath having a temperature lower than that of the second-stage bath. A second remnant of the feed liquid is then removed from the first-stage humidifier. Meanwhile, a carrier gas is injected into and bubbled through the first-stage humidifier bath, collecting a vaporizable component in vapor form from the first remnant of the feed liquid to partially humidify the carrier gas. The partially humidified carrier gas is then bubbled through the second-stage humidifier bath, where the carrier gas collects more of the vaporizable component in vapor form from the feed liquid to further humidify the carrier gas before the humidified carrier gas is removed from the second-stage humidifier chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, Steven Lam, Maximus G. St. John, John H. Lienhard
  • Patent number: 11089718
    Abstract: A method of cooling a data centre having at least one hot aisle (145) and at least one cold aisle (144), including the steps of producing cooling air having controlled to have temperature and relative humidity within certain pre-defined limits; supplying the cooling air to a plurality of items of IT equipment (143) located in the data centre between the cold aisle and the hot aisle; measuring the velocity of air flowing from the hot aisle to the cold aisle through an opening (150) between the hot aisle and the cold aisle; and controlling the rate of supply of cooling air to the items of IT equipment in dependence on the velocity of air so measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: BRIPCO BVBA
    Inventors: Nick Vaney, Tom Kingham, Simon Britton
  • Patent number: 11083976
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the integrated production of two different urea products. One is an aqueous urea solution suitable for use in NOx abatement (generally indicated as Diesel Exhaust Fluid—DEF). The other is a solution used as a fertilizer, viz. Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN). The production of DEF and UAN are integrated as follows: ammonia recovered from the production of urea is used as a feed to the production of ammonium nitrate. At least part of an aqueous urea stream from urea prodution, is mixed with ammonium nitrate so as to obtain UAN.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Stamicarbon B.V.
    Inventors: Joey Dobree, Johannes Henricus Mennen
  • Patent number: 11041678
    Abstract: A cooling tower (2) for cooling a liquid (4) with a gas (6), which cooling tower (2) comprises: (i) a vessel (8) for receiving the gas (6) passing upwardly and the liquid (4) passing downwardly, with the liquid (4) being hotter than the gas (6); (ii) a gas outlet (4) which is at a top portion (16) of the vessel (8) and which is for allowing the gas (6) to pass out of the vessel (8), (iii) a support member (20) which is positioned across a bottom portion (22) of the vessel (8): (iv) a plurality of apertures (24) which are in the support member (20) and through which the gas (6) and the liquid (4) are able to pass; (v) a fluidised bed (26) of packing elements (28) on the support member (20); (vi) liquid emitting means (30) which is positioned in the vessel (8) above the fluidised bed (26), and which is for emitting alas liquid (4) to be cooled such the liquid (4) passes downwardly towards the fluidised bed (26); (vii) pump means (32) for pumping the liquid to the liquid emitting means (30); and (viii) a fan (34
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Fluid Technologies (Environmental) Limited
    Inventors: Howard Paul Davis, David William Missions
  • Patent number: 10843125
    Abstract: With the invention a washing apparatus and a process for the efficient separation and recovery of methanol from waste gases loaded with methanol is proposed, wherein the invention also can be used in an integrated flow chart for the production and processing of methanol. The methanol fractions separated from the waste gases are recovered within the already existing, distillative processing of the crude methanol to pure methanol, so that no separate apparatuses are required for the recovery of the methanol from the loaded scrubber waste waters. The valuable substance methanol is recovered and the impact on the environment is reduced. By particular aspects of the invention the total degree of methanol separation can be adapted according to the locally applicable emission limit values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Martin Raventos, Jorg Ott, Tobias Oelmann, Benjamin Nuri
  • Patent number: 10758861
    Abstract: The method includes limiting saturation of output absorbent with dispersed and recirculating gas molecules with full completion of chemical reactions in the first stage, countercurrent contact between the gas and absorbent in the loading elements of the nozzle in the second stage, further extraction of gas molecules by absorbent in the irrigation chamber of the third stage. Then the gas for the absorption of hard-to-recover components is transferred to the irrigation chamber of the fourth stage, where it is irrigated with fine droplets of fresh and circulating absorbent. Then the direct-flow contact between the gas-liquid phase is carried out in the checker loading elements of the fifth stage. Finally, interphase contact of depleted gas with absorbent is completed in the bubbling chamber of the sixth stage and in the interchamber space between the fifth and sixth chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Inventors: Vladimir Petrovich Kolesnikov, Andrei Nikolaevich Kochetov, Liubov Iurevna Chernikova
  • Patent number: 10377629
    Abstract: A method of safely vaporizing liquid chlorine containing high concentrations of nitrogen trichloride contaminant from a chloralkali plant. In a vertical plug-flow vaporizer having an upward flow direction, a stream of liquid chlorine containing nitrogen trichloride is received. A gas such as air, nitrogen or chlorine gas is introduced into the liquid stream upstream of the boiling zone of the vaporizer to induce a flow regime, for example annular flow or mist flow, that prevents a mass accumulation of nitrogen trichloride in the vaporizer. The liquid chlorine containing nitrogen trichloride is vaporized. The resulting gas stream may be processed to destroy the nitrogen trichloride and recycled to the chlorine production train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: NORAM International Limited
    Inventors: Clive Brereton, Sergio Berretta
  • Patent number: 10258917
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a water separator and a particulate filter. The vehicle includes an engine that emits exhaust, and the water separator and the particulate filter are disposed downstream of the engine and receives at least a portion of the exhaust. The water separator separates water from the exhaust, and the particulate filter filters particulates of the exhaust such that the water may be subsequently used, e.g., for potable uses, operation of the engine, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Bradford, Yong Sun
  • Patent number: 10203123
    Abstract: Provided is a humidification and air cleaning apparatus. The humidification and air cleaning apparatus includes an intake flow passage suctioning external air, a discharge flow passage discharging internal air, a blower unit flowing air flowing to the intake flow passage to the discharge flow passage, a discharge humidification medium disposed on the discharge flow passage to additionally humidify flowing air, a water tank humidification medium disposed between the blower unit and the discharge humidification medium to humidify flowing air, and a watering unit spraying water between the water tank humidification medium and the discharge humidification medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jieun Choi, Hojung Kim, Yongmin Kim, Taeyoon Kim, Kunyoung Lee, Sanghyuk Son, Jongsu Lee, Kyoungho Lee
  • Patent number: 9638417
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing air pollution includes a piping system, at least one compressor fan, a cooling system, and a tank having at least one first filter and at least one second filter separated by at least one intermediary member. The piping system is coupled to a cooling system adapted to saturate the exhaust with water. The exhaust and contaminated water flow downward into the tank containing at least one first filter and at least one second filter separated by at least one intermediary member where the exhaust and the contaminated water are filtered. The cleaned water is recirculated through the cooling system, and the exhaust is filtered a second time through the at least one second filter, the at least one intermediary member, and the at least one first filter prior to release into the atmosphere. A method for reducing air pollution from exhaust is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Othman Ali Khalid Alasmari
  • Patent number: 9416800
    Abstract: A carrier-gas mixture is directed through a fluid flow path in a combined heat and mass transfer device, which can be operated at sub-atmospheric pressure. Heat and mass are transferred from or to the carrier-gas mixture via interaction with a liquid composition that includes a vaporizable component in a liquid state to substantially change the content of the vaporizable component in the carrier-gas mixture via evaporation or condensation. The mass flow rate of the carrier-gas mixture is varied by extracting or injecting the carrier-gas mixture from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path, and/or the mass flow rate of the liquid composition is varied by extracting or injecting the liquid composition from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path; and the flow of the carrier-gas mixture or the liquid composition is regulated to reduce the average local enthalpy pinch in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Sarit K. Das, Karim M. Chehayeb, Syed M. Zubair, Mohammed A. Antar
  • Patent number: 9200434
    Abstract: Water vapor is extracted from air in a process in which water vapor from large volumes of air is concentrated by absorption into a small volume of hygroscopic liquid (14), from which it is recovered by passage through a selective layer (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Inventor: Pavel Lehky
  • Patent number: 9151020
    Abstract: A device for extracting water from atmospheric air (18) by means of a flowable sorbent for the sorption of the water, in particular a brine solution with a hygroscopic salt, the sorption being provided at least along a sorption path (1, 5), the flowable sorbent being arranged at least along the sorption path (1, 5) essentially on a guide element (1) for guiding the sorbent, the guide element (1) having at least two distributor elements (3), arranged at least partially vertically one above the other, for enlarging the sorption area or sorption path (5), is proposed, which achieves a better energy yield in order to implement an economical type of operation. This is achieved, according to the invention, in that a width (27), formed as a projection onto the horizontal plane, of the distributor element (3) is greater than a height (26), formed as a projection onto a vertical plane, of the distributor element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: LOGOS-INNOVATIONEN GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Thielow, Christian Thielow
  • Patent number: 9051540
    Abstract: A method of reducing volatile organic compounds produced during a fermentation process includes (a) producing a volatile organic compound during a fermentation process, (b) generating ClO2 gas, (c) dissolving the ClO2 gas to form a ClO2 solution, and (d) introducing an aqueous ClO2 solution into said volatile organic compound wherein introducing said ClO2 solution reduces concentration of said volatile organic compounds. Another method includes (a) producing a volatile organic compound during a fermentation process, and (b) introducing ClO2 having an efficiency as ClO2 of at least about 90% into the volatile organic compound wherein introducing said ClO2 solution reduces concentration of said volatile organic compounds. An apparatus for treating volatile organic compounds produced during a fermentation process comprises a ClO2 generator fluidly connected to a batch tank, fluidly connected to a volatile organic compound producing fermentation vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Resonaut Biosciences, LLC
    Inventor: Allen Ziegler
  • Patent number: 9011576
    Abstract: A method for sorbing a gas using an ionic liquid to sorb a vapor having an electric multi-pole moment. The ionic liquid comprises an anion and a cation. The electric multi-pole moment may be an electric dipole moment and/or an electric quadru-pole moment. The sorption may be an adsorption or an absorption. The ionic liquid may be a liquid that substantially contains only anions and cations, while not containing other components, such as water. Alternatively, a solution containing the ionic liquid and a solvent or further compound, such as water, may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Dinnage, Roland Kalb
  • Patent number: 8936234
    Abstract: A method of mass transfer includes the steps of: supplying a first fluid and a second fluid into a mass transfer apparatus, wherein the mass transfer apparatus includes a vessel which has a head region, a base region and a mass transfer region, wherein the first fluid is brought into contact with the second fluid at least in the mass transfer region, wherein the mass transfer region is arranged between the head region and the base region and the mass transfer region includes a structured packing which includes a plurality of neighboring layers of fabric which includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material. The mass transfer apparatus is operated at a fluid load of at most 3 m3/m2/h. The fabric of the structured packing includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material which are formed as weft threads, wherein the weft threads have a yarn count of at least 100 g/1000 m and the weft threads include at least 20 yarns/25.4 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Werner Wicki, Marcus Duss, Llja Ausner
  • Patent number: 8906135
    Abstract: A method for separating a target gas from a gaseous mixture using 1,2,3-triazolium ionic liquids is presented. Industrial effluent streams may be cleaned by removing carbon dioxide from the stream by contacting the effluent stream with a 1,2,3-triazolium ionic liquid compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: U.S. Department of Energy
    Inventors: David Luebke, Hunald Nulwala, Chau Tang
  • Patent number: 8871012
    Abstract: A packed column includes a regular packing (8) and a liquid distribution plate (5). The regular packing (8) is constructed by combining two or more hollow columns, and the hollow columns each have a cross section of circular shape, hexagonal shape or other shapes. The liquid distribution plate (5) has small holes under which liquid guide tubes (4) are connected. The liquid guide tubes (4) lead to all hollow columns of the packing (8). The liquid distribution plate (5) is horizontally installed above the regular packing (8) in a column body (2). Each gas guide plate (11) is made by rotating and twisting a rectangular plate and has several protrusions (12) on its side. The gas guide plates (11) are installed in the hollow columns of the regular packing (8) with the height slightly smaller than that of the hollow columns. A gas outlet (3) is located between the regular packing (8) and the liquid distribution plate (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Nanjing College of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Jinlin Ji, Lixin Tang
  • Patent number: 8858667
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a coupling head for coupling a towing vehicle to a trailer. According to the invention, in the coupling head a filter element is used. The filter element is bypassed by a continuously open by-pass. Preferably, the path through the by-pass has at least one redirection in the region of an undercut. As a result of the redirection, contaminants in the compressed air are not or not fully transferred through the by-pass. The by-pass might also ensure a supply of compressed air to the trailer, for example, when the filter element is at least partly blocked due to the contaminants. According to the invention, a valve element used to open the by-pass in the case of increasing blockage of the filter element is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Haldex Brake Products GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Sulzyc
  • Patent number: 8845790
    Abstract: A method and system for removing gaseous contaminants from a gas stream by contacting the gas stream with a wash solution and regenerating the wash solution in a regeneration system for future use in removing gaseous contaminants from the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Jonathan W. Leister, Barath Baburao, Frederic Vitse
  • Publication number: 20140251137
    Abstract: A method of mass transfer includes the steps of: supplying a first fluid and a second fluid into a mass transfer apparatus, wherein the mass transfer apparatus includes a vessel which has a head region, a base region and a mass transfer region, wherein the first fluid is brought into contact with the second fluid at least in the mass transfer region, wherein the mass transfer region is arranged between the head region and the base region and the mass transfer region includes a structured packing which includes a plurality of neighboring layers of fabric which includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material. The mass transfer apparatus is operated at a fluid load of at most 3 m3/m2/h. The fabric of the structured packing includes fiber strands of a non-metallic material which are formed as weft threads, wherein the weft threads have a yarn count of at least 100 g/1000 m and the weft threads include at least 20 yarns/25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Werner Wicki, Marcus Duss, Llja Ausner
  • Patent number: 8764883
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes for saturating and purifying syngas are provided. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus can include two packed beds through which water and syngas flow countercurrently. In the first bed, the syngas can be at least partially saturated with water, and in the second bed hydrocarbons, byproducts, or both can be removed from the syngas. Processes for saturating and purifying syngas using the apparatus discussed and described herein are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Blanchard
  • Patent number: 8747532
    Abstract: A filter device for filtering dust from air includes a housing, a dust collecting module, a spraying module, and an exhaust. The housing defines an air inlet near a bottom of the housing and an air outlet near a top of the housing. The dust collecting module is installed in the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet. The spraying module is placed in the housing between the dust collecting module and the air outlet. The exhaust is connected to the housing for generating air pressure difference between near the air outlet and near the air inlet, thereby drawing and introducing air containing dust from the bottom of the housing toward the top of the housing via the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Jung Chang, Wen-Hsiung Chang, Ping-Neng Chang, Run-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8715398
    Abstract: An apparatus for the purification of fluids includes a material exchange apparatus which contains a more volatile fluid and a less volatile fluid. The material exchange apparatus contains a structured packing, with the structured packing containing a first packing layer (10) and a second packing layer (100). The first packing layer (10) and the second packing layer (100) have corrugations, with open channels (12, 14, 16, 112, 114, 116) being formed by the corrugations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventors: Ilja Ausner, Markus Duss
  • Publication number: 20140116252
    Abstract: The proposed invention relates to a gas/liquid contacting vessel (100) for treatment of a gas stream at varying mass flow rates, said vessel comprising at least two distinct gas/liquid contacting compartments (101a, 101b) separated from each other by a substantially vertical partition (102), each compartment having a gas inlet (104a, 104b) and a liquid outlet (110a, 110b) near a bottom end thereof and a gas outlet (106a, 106b) and a liquid inlet (108a, 108b) near a top end thereof, and a mass transfer device (111a, 111b) arranged between said bottom end and top end, wherein one of said compartments is operable for gas/liquid contacting independently of another of said compartments. The proposed invention further relates to a flue gas treatment system for removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from a flue gas using a liquid absorbent and to a power plant comprising such a gas/liquid contacting vessel or flue gas treatment system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Richard Carroni, Gian-Luigi Agostinelli, Ulrich Koss
  • Patent number: 8702852
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a condensation and washing device with which in particular the process vapors which occur during the production of polylactide can be processed and cleaned. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a polymerization device for the production of polylactide and also to a method for processing process vapors which occur during the production of polylactide; possibilities for use of both the condensation and washing devices and of the method are likewise mentioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Uhde Inventa-Fischer GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Hagen, Udo Muhlbauer
  • Patent number: 8679232
    Abstract: A rotating packed bed RPB that includes a first and second packed bed both arranged on the same rotatable shaft. A gas is directed via a gas inlet through the first packed bed in co-current flow with a liquid in a radially outward direction towards the outer radius of the packed bed. The liquid enters the first packed bed via a first liquid inlet. The gas exiting the first packed bed is directed to the second packed bed and forced through it in a radially inward direction in counter-current flow with a liquid, which enters through a second liquid inlet. The arrangement allows an operation of the rotating packed bed with less energy compared to RPBs of the prior art operating in counter-current flow only. The apparatus allows low-cost design and high design flexibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Hartwig Wolf, Petar Aleksic, Frank Klaus Ennenbach, Mark Harvey Tothill
  • Publication number: 20140013946
    Abstract: A liquid distributor and method for distribution of a liquid in a mass transfer column, the distributor includes at least one riser comprising at least one riser wall, the at least one riser wall extends from a first surface of the distributor in a first direction of the mass transfer column; at least one shield, the at least one shield extends from a second surface of the distributor opposite the first surface and extending in a second direction opposite the first direction; and at least one liquid distribution aperture extending from the first surface of the distributor through the second surface of the distributor, the at least one shield has a length extending in the second direction such that a gap is created between the at least one shield and a packing, the height of the gap between the shield and the packing is about 10 mm to 75 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Vladimir Yliy Gershtein, Patrick Alan Houghton, Kenneth William Kovak, Andrew Weaver, Jonathan Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130312608
    Abstract: A column structure is described for the containment of high surface area packing and absorbent liquid reagent for the removal of a target gas from a gas stream. The column structure comprises at least one vessel having an elongate upright wall structure to define an absorption process volume for the containment of high surface area packing and for the countercurrent flow of absorbent liquid reagent and target gas in use; and a column perimeter structure comprising an elongate upright wall structure disposed around the at least one vessel in such manner that an inner wall of the elongate upright wall structure and an outer wall of a vessel cooperably define and fluidly enclose at least one secondary fluid volume fluidly isolated from the absorption process volume(s). A method of assembly of such a column and to a method of removal of a target gas from a gas phase using such a column are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: DOOSAN POWER SYSTEMS UK LIMITED
    Inventor: Dewan Shamsuz Zaman
  • Patent number: 8529667
    Abstract: A process for the extraction of an unwanted material from a gas or liquid comprising the steps of introducing an extraction liquid into the fluid having an unwanted liquid therein to form a physical microdispersion comprising a plurality of extraction liquid droplets and the fluid, allowing the plurality of extraction liquid droplets to interact with the unwanted component in the fluid, to cause the extraction liquid droplets to be “wetted out” and captured on a porous medium, where the liquid is further contacted by the gas and simultaneously formed into a plurality of coalesceable droplets, coalescing the coalesceable droplets into larger droplets containing the unwanted liquid, and separating the larger droplets containing the unwanted liquid from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventors: Matt Thundyil, Carl Hahn, Doug Mittlesteadt, Heath Burns, Martin Miller
  • Publication number: 20130228073
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for scrubbing diesel exhaust gases produced on a ship are provided. In an embodiment, a method for scrubbing diesel exhaust gases on a ship includes providing a scrubber vessel formed with a quench zone, a scrubbing zone, and a riser. Water is passed through the scrubbing zone and into the quench zone. The exhaust gases are delivered to the quench zone through the riser and enter the quench zone at a temperature of about 175° C. to about 340° C. The method includes cooling the exhaust gases to a temperature of about 60° C. to about 70° C. in the quench zone by contacting the exhaust gases with the water. The cooled exhaust gases are then scrubbed in the scrubbing zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Ronald G. Patterson, Andrew J. Olds
  • Patent number: 8523987
    Abstract: A dust arrester includes a housing with air inlet and air outlet, wherein the ambient air containing dust particles can be introduced into the housing via the air inlet and discharged from the housing via the air outlet. The dust arrester further includes a water trough placed in the bottom of the housing and a chaos effect generator including a nozzle and a material. The nozzle can spray water supplied from the water trough. The water sprayed interacts with the material to generate a chaos condition, so that the dust particles can be removed from the introduced air under the chaos condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Yau Lee Innovative Technology Limited
    Inventor: Wong Tin Cheung
  • Patent number: 8523985
    Abstract: In a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser, a fluid source supplies a carrier-gas stream including a condensable fluid in vapor phase. The condensable fluid in liquid form is contained as a bath in a chamber in each stage of the condenser, and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bath to condense the fluid into the bath. Energy from condensation is recovered to a liquid composition in a conduit that passes through the liquid in the stages of the condenser. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
  • Publication number: 20130204066
    Abstract: A unit for establishing contact between a liquid and a gas includes: a chamber having a vertical axis; a first series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber; a second series of contact sections disposed along the length of the vertical axis of the chamber, alternated with the contact sections of the first series; and a liquid circulation system designed to circulate a liquid in the contact sections of the first series and in the contact sections of the second series in a separate manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TOTAL S.A.
    Inventor: Denis Chretien
  • Patent number: 8500893
    Abstract: This invention involves a marine ship flue gas scrubbing equipment and scrubbing method. The equipment includes a shell with an upper scrubbing section and a water tank in the lower section. A smoke pipe leads in exhaust gas to an area between the scrubbing section and water tank. Scrubbing seawater is injected through an inlet above the scrubbing section, and a cooler is located along the pathway of the exhaust gas. The method of scrubbing includes leading-in exhaust gas, cooling the exhaust gas, injecting scrubbing seawater, performing scrubbing operation, and discharging clean gas. Embodiments of the invention provide a highly efficient scrubbing equipment and method suitable for high-temperature exhaust gas within a limited usable space. The methods and equipment are highly effective for emission reduction, has low energy consumption, small size, and long life performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Sigan Peng
  • Publication number: 20130167719
    Abstract: A visual indicator device and method for determining the presence of oily contaminants in a gaseous stream are provided. The device includes a filtration status chamber for receiving and discharging the gaseous stream, and a transparent wall enabling viewing of the chamber interior. A fluid-pervious filtration media within the chamber is infused with an absorption composition at which the contaminant on contact with the media is immobilized. The media has a surface viewable through a transparent wall of the filtration status chamber, and the stream flow path is such as to cause the stream to impinge at the media via the said surface, whereby the contaminants collect selectively at the media surface and are therefore highly visible through the transparent wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: MYCELX TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mycelx Technologies Corporation
  • Patent number: 8470071
    Abstract: Particular embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods, compositions, and systems relating generally to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more specifically, to HVAC systems that transfer sensible and/or latent energy between air streams, humidify and/or dehumidify air streams. In certain embodiments, a polymeric membrane is utilized for fluid exchange, with or without an additional support. Certain embodiments allow for individual regulation of air temperature and humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Dais Analytic Corporation
    Inventors: Scott G. Ehrenberg, Hung Huynh, Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 8465006
    Abstract: The productivity of a combined heat and mass transfer device is improved by directing a flow of a carrier-gas mixture through a fluid flow path in a combined heat and mass transfer device operating at a pressure below atmospheric pressure. Heat and mass are transferred from or to the carrier-gas mixture by a direct or indirect interaction with a liquid composition that includes a vaporizable component (e.g., water) in a liquid state to substantially change the content of the vaporizable component in the carrier-gas mixture via evaporation of the vaporizable component from the liquid composition or via condensation of the vaporizable component from the carrier-gas mixture, producing a flow of carrier-gas mixture having a concentration of the vaporizable component that differs from the concentration of the vaporizable component in the carrier-gas mixture before the heat and mass transfer process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd Univeristy of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, John H. Lienhard, Syed M. Zubair, Prakash N. Govindan
  • Patent number: 8419844
    Abstract: A moisture removal system for removing water moisture from an air stream and an associated method are provided. The moisture removal system includes one or more packed beds that include a water-entry surface at which liquid water is received and an air-entry surface that is located substantially opposite the water-entry surface and at which the air stream is received. The air stream passes through the one or more packed beds in a direction substantially counter-current to the passage of the liquid water and the liquid water and the air stream contact one another in the one or more packed beds resulting in the removal of at least a portion of the water moisture from the air stream. The moisture removal system can be located upstream of and be operably connected to the inlet of a gas turbine system to which the air stream is delivered from the moisture removal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventors: Abhijeet Madhukar Kulkarni, Richard Michael Ashley Mass, John Carl Davies
  • Patent number: 8394180
    Abstract: A method of absorbing gases into a liquid comprising providing a stream of at least one desirable gas and at least one undesirable gas, exposing the gas stream to a liquid, so that the liquid absorbs more of the desirable gas than the undesirable gas, and releasing the liquid and gas mixture into an underground formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Zaida Diaz, Raymond Nicholas French, Dean Chien Wang, Geoffrey Matthew Warren
  • Patent number: 8387545
    Abstract: A method for introducing flue gas in a steam-assisted production facility into a vapor-liquid contactor. In this method the flue gas comprises boiler combustion products selected from at least one of commercial pipeline natural gas and produced gas. The flue gas is cooled with the vapor-liquid contactor to condense a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas to produce a water stream. The water stream is then recirculated and cooled in an air cooler to produce recirculating water exiting the bottom of the vapor-liquid contactor. A water slipstream is then taken off the recirculating water to be used as make-up water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Edward G. Latimer, Christopher R. Copeland, Ryan K. Davis, James Scinta, Dale L. Embry, David C. Lamont, Charles J. Murray, Ryan D. Donahe
  • Patent number: 8361195
    Abstract: A slurried solid media for simultaneous water purification and carbon dioxide removal from gas mixtures includes the steps of dissolving the gas mixture and carbon dioxide in water providing a gas, carbon dioxide, water mixture; adding a porous solid media to the gas, carbon dioxide, water mixture forming a slurry of gas, carbon dioxide, water, and porous solid media; heating the slurry of gas, carbon dioxide, water, and porous solid media producing steam; and cooling the steam to produce purified water and carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier, Brian Viani
  • Patent number: 8353980
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing acidic gases from flue gases produced by, for example, utility and industrial facilities. The acidic gases are removed as the flue gas flows upward through a contact zone within a passage, where the flue gas is contacted with an ammonium sulfate-containing scrubbing solution to absorb the acidic gases from the flue gas. The scrubbing solution and absorbed acidic gases therein are then accumulated, and ammonia and an oxygen-containing gas are injected into the accumulated scrubbing solution to react the absorbed acidic gases and produce ammonium sulfate. An acid solution is flowed across the passage above the contact zone of the passage, and the scrubbed flue gas is flowed upward through the acid solution to remove unreacted ammonia from the scrubbed flue gas. The acid solution is then removed from the passage after the acid solution has been contacted by the scrubbed flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Marsulex Environmental Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: David William Murphy
  • Patent number: 8349056
    Abstract: A system includes a direct contact absorber configured to circulate a flow of a liquid desiccant solution for absorbing moisture from a gas stream flowing through the direct contact absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Warren Taylor
  • Patent number: 8349055
    Abstract: A method of scrubbing flue gases of two or more diesel engines and a scrubber for scrubbing flue gases of two or more diesel engines. The scrubber (1) comprises scrubbing means (3) for scrubbing the flue gases, and conduits (4) for conveying the flue gases to said scrubbing means (3) to be scrubbed in the same scrubbing process. The different flue gas flows are arranged to be conveyed in separate conduits (4) all the way to the scrubbing means (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Metso Power Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Kaisko, Heikki Airikkala, Tarja Korhonen, Seppo Tuominiemi
  • Patent number: 8343256
    Abstract: An integrated contaminant separator and water-control loop (10) decontaminates a fuel reactant stream of a fuel cell (12). Water passes over surfaces of an ammonia dissolving means (61) within a separator scrubber (58) while the fuel reactant stream simultaneously passes over the surfaces to dissolve contaminants from the fuel reactant stream into the water. An accumulator (68) collects the separated contaminant stream, and ion exchange material (69) integrated within the accumulator removes contaminants from the stream. A water-control pump (84) directs flow of a de-contaminated water stream from the accumulator (68) through a water-control loop (78) having a heat exchanger (86) and back onto the scrubber (58) to flow over the packed bed (62). Separating contaminants from the fuel reactant stream and then isolating and concentrating the separated contaminants within the ion exchange material (69) minimizes cost and maintenance requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Lines, Derek W. Hildreth, John L. Preston, Jr.
  • Patent number: RE46101
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for a fluid conditioning apparatus for conditioning a fluid disposed within, wherein the fluid conditioning apparatus is in fluid communication with a self contained system. The fluid conditioning apparatus includes a housing having a surrounding sidewall positioned about a longitudinal axis, the surrounding sidewall having an inlet portion and an outlet portion, the sidewall, inlet portion, and outlet portion all defining a housing interior. Further included in the fluid conditioning apparatus is structure for disbursing a selected component within the housing interior and structure for controlling the selected component disbursing to a achieve a selected fluid condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Inventor: Peter Robert Stewart