Particulate Media, Fibrous Media, Or Packing Elements Patents (Class 95/211)
  • Patent number: 8343247
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filter module for removing air-polluting materials from machine exhaust, comprising a filter housing with an intake opening and an outlet opening for channeling machine exhaust through, at least one mounting element for mounting the filter module on a machine, and a filter assembly, arranged in the filter housing and comprised of at least two filter groups, arranged in tandem in the direction of flow and comprised of rod-shaped filter elements with a filter medium, said elements being arranged parallel to one another at a constant center-to-center distance and with their longitudinal axis largely crosswise to the direction of flow, wherein the filter elements of two adjacent filter groups are parallel to one another, and are arranged offset in relation to one another, crosswise to their longitudinal axes and to the direction of flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Dexwet USA LLC
    Inventor: Erich Peteln
  • Patent number: 8337585
    Abstract: A counter flow scrubber column and method for removing volatile organic compounds from a fluid stream using a packed column, a columns with trays and a biodiesel or a biomass and allowing a user to view the status of the cleaned vapor using an executive dashboard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Vapor Point, LLC
    Inventors: Jefferey St. Amant, Kenneth R. Matheson
  • Patent number: 8337604
    Abstract: A system for removing unwanted contaminates from gases using a scrubber, which comprises a housing, a reaction chamber having a liquid level, an inlet connected to a source containing gases to be scrubbed with a contamination concentration greater than zero ppb to saturation. A gas exit port connected to the housing is used for evacuating scrubbed gas and a sintered permeable membrane is disposed across the reaction chamber, which provides a reaction zone in the plurality of pores when gases to be scrubbed are introduced to the membrane on a first side while the membrane is immersed in the lean liquid; and a cleaned gas on a second side wherein the clean gas initially has a drop in contamination concentration of at least 99 percent and gradually decreasing to 70 percent as additional gases to be scrubbed are introduced to the plurality of pores without replacing the lean liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Vapor Point, LLC
    Inventors: Jefferey St. Amant, Kenneth R. Matheson, Keith Nathan
  • Patent number: 8337763
    Abstract: A system for removing unwanted contaminates from fluid using a scrubber, which comprises a housing, a reaction chamber having a liquid level, and an inlet connected to a source containing fluid to be scrubbed with a contamination concentration greater than zero ppb to saturation. An exit port connected to the housing used for evacuating scrubbed fluid and a sintered permeable membrane disposed across the reaction chamber, which provides a reaction zone in the plurality of pores when fluid to be scrubbed is introduced to the membrane on a first side while the membrane is immersed in the biodiesel or biomass and a cleaned fluid on a second side wherein the clean fluid initially has a drop in contamination concentration of at least 99 percent and gradually decreasing to 70 percent as additional fluid to be scrubbed is introduced to the plurality of pores without replacing the biodiesel or biomass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Vapor Point, LLC
    Inventors: Jefferey St. Amant, Kenneth R. Matheson, Keith Nathan
  • Patent number: 8328911
    Abstract: A method for removing and capturing carbon dioxide from a fluid stream includes the steps of exposing the fluid stream to an aqueous scrubbing solution that removes and holds carbon dioxide from the fluid stream, passing the aqueous scrubbing solution through a membrane in order to separate excess water from the scrubbing solution and increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the scrubbing solution, heating the scrubbing solution having an increased concentration of carbon dioxide so as to release carbon dioxide gas and recycling the scrubbing solution. A carbon dioxide capture apparatus includes a carbon dioxide scrubber, a membrane downstream from the scrubber for separating water and concentrating carbon dioxide in a scrubbing solution and a stripper vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: The University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Kunlei Liu, James K. Neathery, Joseph E. Remias, Xiansen Li
  • Patent number: 8317906
    Abstract: A membrane contactor system for use in separating carbon dioxide from a gaseous stream in a continuous flow process comprising a housing defining a gas flow path and comprising a first outlet for the carbon dioxide and a second outlet for the purified gas; an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane positioned in the housing to allow the gaseous stream to flow across a side of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane, the membrane having a plurality of interconnecting pores configured to allow the carbon dioxide to diffuse therethrough; an oleophobic enhancement coating disposed on the surfaces to form a coated membrane; and an amine based sorbent liquid disposed on a side of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene microporous membrane opposite the gas, wherein the amine based sorbent liquid is configured to absorb the carbon dioxide from the gaseous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Vishal Bansal
  • Patent number: 8292272
    Abstract: Water is separated from a liquid mixture (e.g., sea water) using a humidification chamber and a dehumidification chamber that are each operated at a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure (e.g., at least 10% less than ambient atmospheric pressure). A carrier gas is flowed through the humidification chamber; and inside the humidification chamber, the carrier gas directly contacts the liquid mixture to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the liquid mixture to produce a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is directed through the dehumidification chamber, where water is condensed from the humidified gas flow and collected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, John H. Lienhard, Syed M. Zubair, Prakash N. Govindan
  • Patent number: 8262787
    Abstract: Vapor-liquid contacting apparatuses comprising a primary contacting zone and a secondary contacting zone are disclosed. A representative secondary contacting zone is a secondary absorption zone, such as a finishing zone for subsequent contacting of the vapor effluent from the primary contacting zone to further remove impurities and achieve a desired purity of purified gas exiting the secondary absorption zone. The secondary contacting zone is disposed below the primary contacting zone, such that the secondary contacting zone, which must operate efficiently in removing generally trace amounts of remaining impurities, is more protected from movement than the more elevated, primary or initial contacting stages for bulk impurity removal. The apparatuses are therefore especially beneficial in offshore applications where they are subjected to rocking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Zhanping Xu
  • Patent number: 8252092
    Abstract: Water is substantially separated from a liquid mixture (e.g., saline water) that includes water using a humidification chamber at a lower pressure and a dehumidification chamber at a higher pressure. A carrier gas is flowed through the humidification chamber; and inside the humidification chamber, the carrier gas directly contacts the liquid mixture to humidify the carrier gas with evaporated water from the liquid mixture to produce a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is then directed through the dehumidification chamber, where water is condensed from the humidified gas flow and collected. The absolute pressure inside the humidification chamber is at least 10% lower than the absolute pressure inside the dehumidification chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kind Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash N. Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, John H. Lienhard, Syed N. Zubair
  • Patent number: 8231706
    Abstract: A method for separating methane and carbon dioxide from biogas and a device are intended for purifying biogas, wherein carbon dioxide is separated off from the biogas. The method is distinguished by an energetically favorable mode of operation. The biogas is passed under atmospheric pressure and standard temperature into an absorption column. While the biogas ascends through a packed bed, which has a surface area of 600 to 1200 m2/m3, and at a space velocity of 5 to 40 Nm3/m3h, carbon dioxide present in the biogas is bound in a wash liquid by chemosorption. The purified methane gas is taken off at the top of the absorption column at a defined flow velocity. Carbon dioxide bound in the wash liquid is removed by desorption at a relatively high pressure of 2 to 30 bar and a temperature of at least 120° C. Biogas may be separated into methane and CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: MT-Biomethan GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Günther
  • Publication number: 20120160102
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Werner Wicki, Markus Duss, Ilja Ausner
  • Patent number: 8206490
    Abstract: A separator scrubber (58) and isolation loop (78) decontaminates a fuel reactant stream of a fuel cell (12). Water passes over surfaces of an ammonia dissolving means (61) within the scrubber (58) while the fuel reactant stream simultaneously passes over the surfaces to remove contaminants from the fuel reactant into the water. An accumulator (68) collects the separated contaminants and water, and an isolation loop pump (84) directs flow of the separated contaminant stream through the isolation loop (78). A heat exchanger (86) and an ion exchange bed (88) modify the heat of, and remove contaminants from, the separated contaminant stream, and the isolation loop (78) directs the decontaminated stream back onto the packed bed (62)-. Separating contaminants from the fuel reactant stream and then isolating and concentrating the separated contaminants within the ion exchange bed (88) minimizes cost and maintenance requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Fuel Cells, LLC
    Inventors: Albert P. Grasso, John L. Preston, Jr., Francis Kocum, Richard J. Assarabowski, Derek Hildreth
  • Patent number: 8182584
    Abstract: A water recovery method which uses a desiccant, such as lithium chloride, to recover water vapor from the engine exhaust of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Richard Eugene Kirts
  • Patent number: 8172926
    Abstract: An aerosol separator is arranged before a CO2 compressor to prevent wear and damage in CO2 recovery systems for the recovery of CO2 arising during fermentation using a compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Krones AG
    Inventor: Harald Bender
  • Publication number: 20120055337
    Abstract: The gas-liquid contact column comprises at least an upper tray 10 and a lower tray 10, as well as a downcomer 2 for sending the liquid from the upper tray to the lower tray. The trays comprise gas ports. A packing 11 is arranged between the upper tray and the lower tray. The upper tray comprises means 12 for withdrawing liquid from the upper tray, the liquid withdrawn being distributed over the packing. The gas-liquid contact column is particularly well suited for absorption of the CO2 and of the H2S contained in a natural gas or in a syngas, and for capture of the CO2 contained in combustion fumes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Bénédicte Chommeloux, Viep Hoang Dinh, Ludovic Raynal
  • Patent number: 8123843
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a co-current absorbing unit, a countercurrent absorbing unit, at least one absorbing liquid reservoir, and at least one liquid transferring means. The invention also relates to a method of absorbing a reactive gas and a method of preparing a solution by contacting a reactive gas to a solvent and allowing the reactive gas to react with the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick H. Au-Yeung, Dennis W. Jewell, John G. Pendergast, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120042779
    Abstract: A method and system for dehumidifying flue gas from a flue gas-generating process that supplies the flue gas to a wet flue gas processor. A wet cooling tower supplies water to a wet flue gas processor to condense water from the flue gas and form a liquid mixture in the wet flue gas processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Inventors: Dennis K. McDonald, Douglas J. DeVault, Paul J. Williams
  • Patent number: 8080226
    Abstract: Methods and systems for the destruction of one or more PFCs in a gas stream are provided. The gas stream can come from semiconductor processing, for example. The PFCs in the gas stream are reacted with steam in the presence of a catalyst to fragment the PFCs into other compounds that are readily removed from the gas stream. The catalyst comprises gallium, and can additionally comprise zirconium oxide. The gas stream can also be pre-treated prior to reacting the PFCs with steam to remove substances that could be deleterious to the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: TecHarmonic, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Hertzler, Vivian W. Hui
  • Publication number: 20110247494
    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: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: VTU Holding GmbH.
    Inventors: Paul DINNAGE, Roland KALB
  • Patent number: 8029604
    Abstract: Methods of using microchannel separation systems including absorbents to improve thermal efficiency and reduce parasitic power loss. Energy is typically added to desorb methane and then energy or heat is removed to absorb methane using a working solution. The working solution or absorbent may comprise an ionic liquid, or other fluids that demonstrate a difference in affinity between methane and nitrogen in a solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt, Qiu Dongming, Laura J. Silva, Micheal Jay Lamont, Maddalena Fanelli, Wayne W. Simmons, Steven Perry
  • Patent number: 8029753
    Abstract: An ammonia contact scrubber system (10) for removing ammonia from a fuel stream for a fuel cell (16) includes a contact scrubber (12) having a scrubber fuel inlet (14) and a scrubber fuel exhaust (20) for directing flow of the fuel stream through support material (24) within the scrubber (12) and into the fuel cell (16). An acid circulating loop (26) has an acid holding tank (28) holding a liquid acid solution (30), an acid feed line (32) secured in fluid communication between the holding tank (28) and a scrubber acid inlet (36) of the contact scrubber (12), an acid return (38) for returning the acid solution from the scrubber (12) to the acid holding tank (28), and an acid circulation pump (42) for pumping the acid solution (30) through the acid circulating loop (26) and through the support material (24) within the scrubber (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Inventor: Richard D Breault
  • Publication number: 20110185902
    Abstract: A column for bringing two fluids into contact, which column possesses an essentially cylindrical shell which, between a top end and a bottom end of the column, surrounds an interior space in which packings are axially spaced apart along a longitudinal axis extending from the top to the bottom end of the column. The packings, at the periphery thereof, are bounded by side walls which are inclined to the longitudinal axis of the column in the direction of the bottom end of the column. The column is suitable for absorption and dewatering plants which are installed on floating platforms and ships. A liquid stream leading away from the column wall is avoided even in the event of an inclined position of the column. The formation of “dry” packing zones is thereby prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Rupert Wagner, Gerd Modes, Volker Giesen
  • Patent number: 7967900
    Abstract: In an air filtering apparatus for generating electrolytic water, infiltrating the electrolytic water into a gas-liquid contact member, and blowing air to the gas-liquid contact member by an air blowing fan, thereby filtering air, including a drain pipe for discharging the electrolytic water and a drain tank for receiving and stocking the electrolytic water discharged from the drain pipe which are mounted in a housing, the drain tank has a vertical tank body and disposed so as to be taken in and out through the front surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Uchida, Hiroaki Usui, Nobuhiro Ogura, Toru Arakawa
  • Patent number: 7892335
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the transfer of organic compounds from a first liquid phase to a gaseous phase and from said gaseous phase to a second liquid phase, comprising a packed stripping column (2), a housing (5), a shell (1), a means for introducing the gaseous phase at the bottom end of said packed stripping column (2), a distributor (4) for distributing said first liquid phase onto said packed stripping column (2), causing said first liquid phase to trickle down said packed stripping column (2) counter-currently to the flow of the gas phase and causing the gas stream leaving said packed stripping column (2) at its top end to have a higher content of organic compounds than the gaseous phase introduced at the bottom end of said packed stripping column (2), one or more ducts (9/26) allowing the gaseous phase leaving said packed stripping column (2) to flow downwards to the bottom end of a packed scrubber (3) enclosed in a housing (25), a distributor (12) on top of said packed scrubber (3) ca
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: N.V. DeSmet Ballestra Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Kellens, Anthony Harper
  • Patent number: 7862788
    Abstract: A chilled ammonia based CO2 capture system and method is provided. A promoter is used to help accelerate certain capture reactions that occur substantially coincident to and/or as a result of contacting a chilled ammonia based ionic solution with a gas stream that contains CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Eli Gal, Otto Morten Bade, Indira Jayaweera, Gopala Krishnan
  • Patent number: 7850769
    Abstract: An air filtering apparatus including a housing having an air suction port and air blow-out port, an electrolytic bath for generating electrolytic water, a gas-liquid contact member disposed in the housing, an electrolytic water supply unit for supplying the electrolytic water to the gas-liquid contact member so that the electrolytic water infiltrates into the gas-liquid contact member, an air blowing fan for bringing indoor air sucked from the air suction port into contact with the electrolytic water infiltrating in the gas-liquid contact member and blowing out the indoor air from the air blow-out port, a water receiving portion for receiving the electrolytic water passed through the gas-liquid contact member, and a foreign material removing mechanism for removing foreign materials contained in the electrolytic water. The foreign material may be a filter member disposed in front of the gas-liquid contact member, or a dam member disposed in the water receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuo Takahashi, Yoichi Uchida, Hiroaki Usui, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Keiko Kurokawa, Masayuki Motegi, Tomohito Koizumi, Hiroyuki Umezawa, Tsuyoshi Rakuma, Toshio Fukushima, Toru Arakawa, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7846240
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing an amount of ammonia in a flue gas stream. The system 100 includes: a wash vessel 180 for receiving an ammonia-containing flue gas stream 170, the wash vessel 180 including a first absorption stage 181a and a second absorption stage 181b, each of the first absorption stage 181a and the second absorption stage 181b having a mass transfer device 184; and a liquid 187 introduced to the wash vessel 180, the liquid 187 for absorbing ammonia from the ammonia-containing flue gas stream 170 thereby forming an ammonia-rich liquid 192 and a reduced ammonia containing flue gas stream 190 exiting the wash vessel 180.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Eli Gal, Indira Jayaweera
  • Patent number: 7786323
    Abstract: (Meth)acrolein or (meth)acrylic acid is collected by bringing a reaction gas (1) containing (meth)acrolein or (meth)acrylic acid obtained through a vapor-phase catalytic oxidation reaction into contact with an aqueous solution as a collecting solvent in a collecting tower main body (2). The reaction gas (1) is supplied to the collecting tower main body (2) from two nozzles (2c) facing each other, and is caused to collide in the collecting tower main body (2). According to the present invention, (meth)acrolein or (meth)acrylic acid can be efficiently collected from a gas containing (meth)acrolein or (meth)acrylic acid while preventing polymerization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Yada, Yasushi Ogawa, Kenji Takasaki, Yoshiro Suzuki, Kimikatsu Jinno
  • Patent number: 7727311
    Abstract: Installation for gas treatment by a liquid phase comprising a) a column (C) that comprises means (1) for introducing gas at one end of said column, means (9) for drawing off gas from the other end of column (C) and, from upstream to downstream in the direction of circulation of the liquid phase: a first internal (2) that comprises means for distribution of a liquid phase, a first bed (6) that comprises a packing or catalytic particles, a second internal (3) that comprises means for separating liquid/gas mixture (19, 20) that is obtained from first bed (6), first means (32, 4) for collecting and evacuating the separated liquid phase, means (100) for passing through internal (3) of the treated gas, and distribution means (31, 101) of a liquid phase with said gas, a second bed (8), second means (10) for collecting and evacuating the liquid phase at the lower outlet of column (C), b) Means for recycling the collected liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Ludovic Raynal, Eric Lemaire, Jean-Louis Ambrosino
  • Patent number: 7722706
    Abstract: A device is provided for extracting water from atmospheric air (8) having a free-flowing adsorbent or absorbent (3, 13), in particular a saline solution (3), having a hygroscopic salt for the adsorption or absorption of water, the adsorption or absorption being provided at least along an adsorption or absorption section (7), which realizes a high yield of (potable) water per unit volume of the structure or of the absorbent/adsorbent (3), a decrease in the assembly effort and a stabilization of the process. This is achieved according to the invention in having a free-flowing adsorbent (3, 13) or absorbent (3, 13) disposed at least along the adsorption or absorption section (7) essentially on a guide element (1, 16, 19, 22, 24) for guiding the adsorbent (3) or absorbent (3), in particular on a presettable track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Logos-Innovationen GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Thielow
  • Publication number: 20100064890
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide capture facility is disclosed comprising packing formed as a slab, and at least one liquid source. The slab has opposed dominant faces, the opposed dominant faces being at least partially wind penetrable to allow wind to flow through the packing. The at least one liquid source is oriented to direct carbon dioxide absorbent liquid into the packing to flow through the slab. The slab is disposed in a wind flow that has a non-zero incident angle with one of the opposed dominant faces. A method of carbon dioxide capture is also disclosed. Carbon dioxide absorbing liquid is applied into packing in a series of pulses. A gas containing carbon dioxide is flowed through the packing to at least partially absorb the carbon dioxide from the gas into the carbon dioxide absorbing liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: David Keith, Maryam Mahmoudkhani, Alessandro Biglioli, Brandon Hart, Kenton Heidel, Mike Foniok
  • Patent number: 7655069
    Abstract: An air/liquid exchanger comprising an open-cell foam 102 supporting a liquid sorbent. The exchanger may be used for removing trace gaseous components from the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Global Research Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Eddy J. Peters
  • Patent number: 7604685
    Abstract: A process for the extraction of an unwanted material from a gas comprising the steps of introducing an extraction liquid into a fluid having an unwanted liquid therein to form a physical aerosol comprising a plurality of extraction liquid droplets and the fluid, allowing the plurality of extraction liquid droplets to interact with the unwanted liquid in the gas 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: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Porous Media Corp
    Inventors: Matt Thundyil, Michael Spearman, Martin Miller, Doug Mittlesteadt, Heath Burns, Carl Hahn
  • Publication number: 20090211448
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating humidity from a pressurized feed gas is provided the apparatus having a housing; an intake path formed at a first end of the housing; a centrifugal device disposed within the housing; a sieve bed disposed within the housing; an outlet path formed at a second end of the housing; a purge path formed below the intake path; and a water sump zone located within the housing below the centrifugal device. The centrifugal device receives the feed gas from the intake path during a charge phase and directs the feed gas in a centrifugal pattern to cause water vapor in the feed gas to condense into water droplets on the inner wall. The water droplets are discharged from the housing through the purge path with an exhaust gas during a purge phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: MICHAEL S. MCCLAIN
  • Patent number: 7572320
    Abstract: A method for removing high concentration ozone from a waste gas stream is disclosed, which includes the following steps: (1) providing an apparatus, which includes: a tank having an input port, an exhaust port and a packing, wherein the input port is near the bottom of the tank, the exhaust port is on the top of the tank, and the packing is contained in the tank; a liquid injection element for injecting reductant solution through the packing; and a storage vessel connecting to the liquid injection element; (2) transporting a gas into the tank through the input port for contacting the reductant solution; and (3) the gas exiting the reactor by way of the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Shaw-Yi Yan, Sheng-Jen Yu, Shou-Nan Li, Chang-Fu Hsu, Ping-Chung Chung
  • Patent number: 7559968
    Abstract: Microbicidal air filter for use with an air passageway, which includes an immobilization network including fibers having substantially embodied therein an amount of at least one antimicrobial agent sufficient to substantially immobilize, retain and kill microbes suspended in a volume of air moving through the air passageway. The immobilization network is substantially permeable to air. A microbicidal facemask and a microbicidal air filter used in an air circulation system using the immobilization network are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Noveko Inc.
    Inventor: Normand Bolduc
  • Publication number: 20090049986
    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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Pekka Kaisko, Heikki Airikkala, Tarja Korhonen, Seppo Tuominiemi
  • Publication number: 20080289501
    Abstract: A separation column (12) for an emission control system, the column including: an exhaust gas inlet (41) for receiving polluted exhaust gases therethrough; a first packed bed (37) at a predetermined first level above said exhaust gas inlet; first liquid distribution means (39) above said first packed bed for distributing liquid onto said first packed bed; a second packed bed (38) at a predetermined second level below said exhaust gas inlet; second liquid distribution (40) means below said first packed bed and above said second packed bed for distributing liquid onto said second packed bed; cooling means (46) between said second liquid distribution means and said second packed bed for cooling liquid from said second distribution means and entrained exhaust gases; an exhaust gas outlet (35) above said first packed bed for discharging cleaned exhaust gases therethrough; and a contaminated liquid outlet (36) below said second packed bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventor: Kosta Kapitoures
  • Publication number: 20080276801
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for purifying a process gas in a reflow soldering system. Said device comprises a receptacle that contains at least one packing bed. The process gas is fed to the receptacle via a gas inlet while being discharged from the receptacle after penetrating the packing bed. The inventive device further comprises an apparatus for delivering a liquid fluid to the receptacle. Secondary materials of the soldering process in the reflow soldering system can be absorbed by the liquid fluid and thus be eliminated from the process gas. Secondary materials and/or droplets and vapors of the fluid can additionally be absorbed and adsorbed on the surface of the packing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2006
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Rehm Anlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Bell, Jurgen Felgner, Ralf Heidenreich
  • Publication number: 20080156191
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shell side contactor which is highly efficient for forming relatively high concentration of ozonated water comprising a shell containing perfluoroalkoxy resin thermoplastic hollow fibers used as a porous barrier. The perfluoroalkoxy resin comprises a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether or a tetrafluoroethyl-co-hexafluoropropylene (FEP) copolymer. The perfluoroalkoxy resin hollow fibers can be unskinned, skinned on their inner surface or skinned on their outer surfaces. The device is provided with spacer means for separating unpotted hollow fibers adjacent an inlet to the shell, thereby permitting liquid flow through the shell at desirably high flow rates with acceptable pressure drop through the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: BIPIN S. PAREKH, Rajnikant B. Patel, Kwok-Shun Cheng
  • Publication number: 20080127823
    Abstract: A process for the extraction of an unwanted material from a gas comprising the steps of introducing an extraction liquid into a fluid having an unwanted liquid therein to form a physical aerosol comprising a plurality of extraction liquid droplets and the fluid, allowing the plurality of extraction liquid droplets to interact with the unwanted liquid in the gas 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: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Matt Thundyil, Michael Spearman, Martin Miller, Doug Mittlesteadt, Heath Burns, Carl Hahn
  • Patent number: 7288140
    Abstract: In a wet-process gas treatment method of treating an acid gas by using at least two treating columns connected in series, a ratio of the concentration of an acid gas at an outlet to a concentration of the acid gas at an inlet of a first treating column is set higher than a ratio of the concentration of the acid gas at an outlet to the concentration of acid gas at an inlet of at least one of the other treating columns, thereby preventing deposits from forming in the interior of connecting pipes between the columns and in the interiors of the treating columns, to prevent the connecting pipes from being blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Echizen, Hiroshi Izawa
  • Patent number: 7147692
    Abstract: The method involves contacting the air with an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid in a stand-alone system. The air may be brought into contact with the liquid using a number of different types of apparatus, including a packed column scrubber. The liquid may be non-evaporative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Daniele Fornai, Stylianos Kouvroukoglou, Patrizio Ricci, Renzo Rizzo, Sergio Rossi, Andrea Filippo Argentieri, Stefano Scialla
  • Patent number: 7147689
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing volatile organic compounds from air that is vented from tanks and vessels containing hydrocarbon material. This invention also relates to a self-propelled vehicle on which the apparatus is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Inventor: Charles K. Miller
  • Patent number: 7044993
    Abstract: Microbicidal air filter for use with an air passageway, which includes an immobilization network including a plurality of fibers having an amount of at least one antimicrobial agent incorporated and molecularly bonded into a structure thereof sufficient to substantially immobilize, retain and at least inhibit the growth of, or typically kill, microbes suspended in a volume of air moving through the air passageway. The immobilization network is substantially permeable to air. A microbicidal facemask and a microbicidal air filter used in an air circulation system using the immobilization network are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Bolduc Leroux Inc.
    Inventor: Normand Bolduc
  • Patent number: 7041156
    Abstract: Process for removing natural gas liquids from a gaseous natural gas stream at elevated pressure to obtain a gaseous product stream having a reduced content of natural gas liquids is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Eduard Coenraad Bras, Paramasivam Senthil Kumar
  • Patent number: 7025807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for absorbing vapors and gasses by controlling overpressure in storage tanks during filling, transport and storing of fluids in liquid form. The process includes leading of gas down to the bottom of the tank, where a major part of the gas is absorbed in the tank's own liquid in an absorption device or optionally the liquid is supplied from an external source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Production and Loading AS
    Inventor: Evert Grodal
  • Patent number: 7025808
    Abstract: A process is proposed for reducing the aerosol-related discharge from a separation column (1) in which one or more components are separated off from a gaseous or liquid starting mixture (G) at actively separating internals (2), aerosols being present or formed in a gas phase, which comprises the actively separating internals (2) being segmented at one or more separation points, which are determined in such a manner that the aerosols have at least 50% of their maximum particle size at the separation point or separation points, and an internal (3) being provided at each separation point, which internal is operated under at least partially flooded conditions, a continuous liquid phase being formed at least in partial regions of the internal (3), to which region the aerosols are bound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Günther Huber, Karl Hölemann, Jan-Martin Löning, Bernd Sachweh
  • Patent number: 6890508
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing largely HBr-free HCl gas and largely HBr-free aqueous HCl solution, which comprises the following steps: a) providing HBr-containing HCl gas; b) passing the HBr-containing HCl gas through aqueous HCl solution saturated with HCl; c) separating off HBr-containing aqueous HCl solution saturated with HCl; d) if desired, passing the largely HBr-free HCl gas obtained in step b) into water to obtain largely HBr-free aqueous HCl solution; with largely HBr-free aqueous HCl solution produced in step d) being able, if desired, to be recirculated to step b) of the process. The process of the present invention allows high-purity aqueous HCl solution for use in the semiconductor industry to be prepared inexpensively and on an industrial scale. However, the purified HCl gas obtained by means of steps a) to c) can also be used for any other purposes. The invention likewise provides an apparatus for carrying out the process of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Schläfer, Josef Guth, Hans-Ulrich Schlimper
  • Patent number: 6849107
    Abstract: A new and improved air purifying apparatus having a housing that is adapted to be mounted in-line with an air duct, such as a return air duct of an air-conditioning system. The housing is designed for easy installation without modifying the existing air-conditioning duct work. An ultraviolet light-emitting device is positioned within the housing for radiating the air passing through the return air duct with UV-C and UV-V radiation to destroy air borne chemical and biological odors, bacteria, and microorganisms. A high flow pleated air filter is provided and is removably positioned within the housing for removing air borne particulate material such as dust and pollen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Fred Huffman