Water Sorbed Patents (Class 95/231)
  • Patent number: 11623178
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed and include a controller and a water recovery device. The water recovery device includes a desiccant stack including a chamber defining an airflow path therein. The water recovery device includes an evaporator in communication with the desiccant stack and one or more condensers in communication with the desiccant stack. The controller is configured to set the water recovery system to one of an absorption mode and an extraction mode. The water recovery device is configured to receive ambient air in the chamber to remove water vapor using the liquid desiccant and retain the water vapor in the chamber when the water recovery system is in the absorption mode. The water recovery device is configured to remove the water vapor within the chamber when the water recovery system is in the extraction mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SUNTOWATER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Ball, Charles Becze
  • Patent number: 11021854
    Abstract: An atmospheric moisture harvesting system, in which water vapor is separated from the air using a liquid desiccant subsystem. The moisture charged liquid desiccant enters a desorber and condensation system, where the moisture is extracted. Cooling and condensation are performed on the extracted water vapor only, thereby saving the energy for cooling air containing the water vapor, as is done in direct cooling systems. The system thus operates as a single stage vapor separation system since the vapor concentration remains in the liquid desiccant which is circulated to the separation and condensation subsystems without air laden with the moisture. Low grade or solar heat can be used as the energy source for the vapor desorption. A heat exchanger utilizes unwanted heat from regenerated desiccant to heat up charged desiccant entering the regenerating stage. The system has substantial energy savings over prior art systems using direct cooling of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TECHNION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Ben Gido, David Broday, Eran Friedler
  • Patent number: 10737755
    Abstract: A moisture control apparatus for use with a structure within an aircraft fuselage, the structure including an upper surface, the apparatus comprising: a moisture absorbing layer including a moisture absorbing material, the layer including a leading edge, a trailing edge, side edges, an upper surface, and, a lower surface; and, a wicking layer disposed in fluid communication with the lower surface of the moisture absorbing layer, the wicking layer including a wicking layer leading edge, a wicking layer trailing edge and a wicking layer upper surface configured for capillary action of moisture from the wicking layer trailing edge towards the wicking layer leading edge, wherein the wicking layer leading edge is offset from the leading edge of the moisture absorbing layer such that an offset portion of the wicking layer is exposed to air to facilitate evaporation of the moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Cory M. Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 10655870
    Abstract: A device for cooling and dehumidifying a first stream of air includes a first heat exchanger that cools the first stream of air from a first temperature to a lower second temperature, an absorber, a regenerator and one or more pumps and conduits. The device operates under conditions where liquid desiccant removes moisture from the first stream of air in the absorber and the second temperature of the first stream of air that leaves the first heat exchanger is lower than the temperature of the liquid desiccant supplied to the absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: AIL RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Lowenstein
  • Patent number: 10625202
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dehydration composition and method of use thereof for drying gas streams, in particular natural gas streams, wherein the dehydration composition comprises (i) a glycol, (ii) a borate compound, (iii) an alkali metal carboxylate, and (iv) an additional glycol different than (i), and/or (v) an additional additive selected from an alkanolamine, a phosphate acid or salt compound, a sweetening agent, a low temperature viscosity improver, a corrosion inhibitor, an antifoaming agent, or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Christophe R. Laroche, Armin Hassanzadeh, Eric J. Klinker
  • Patent number: 9039816
    Abstract: A system and method to recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray, the concentration of the liquid desiccant may be dynamically changed based on changes within the system. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Gary Fong, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 9017456
    Abstract: A device recovers water from an ambient airstream. The device includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant. A foam media element in each tray absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and control device operation. The desiccant trays may be selectively configurable in an array to best suit the intended installation. The trays may be arranged in column and row configurations, along with adjustable airflow patterns between each of the trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Richard Teltz
  • 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: 9005349
    Abstract: A system and method to recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. Fans, valves, and manifolds are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. The airflow within the chamber and/or each tray is altered depending upon the settings of configurable airflow manifolds. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: James Ball, Charles Becze, Michael J. Flynn, Richard Teltz, Gary Fong, Kean Wing Kin Lam
  • Patent number: 8961663
    Abstract: An apparatus that separates and recovers CO2 from a CO2 absorbent that has absorbed CO2 includes a regeneration tower configured to apply heat to the CO2 absorbent that has absorbed CO2, configured to separate and remove CO2 from the CO2 absorbent, configured to exhaust CO2 gas, and configured to regenerate the CO2 absorbent, a plurality of compressors configured to compress the CO2 gas exhausted from the regeneration tower, a dehydration device provided between the plurality of compressors and configured to remove moisture from the compressed CO2, and a line configured to supply air or N2 gas into the dehydration device to preliminarily operate the dehydration device until a stable state is achieved before starting the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Asano, Tatsuya Tsujiuchi, Richard Reinke
  • Patent number: 8950081
    Abstract: Methods of removing moisture from a compressor using a sorbent technology are provided. A dehydration device incorporating the sorbent technology is disposed in a system that contains a hygroscopic fluid. By passing the hygroscopic fluid over the sorbent technology, moisture is removed from the hygroscopic fluid. The systems include sealed devices and integral components for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and refrigeration devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Heidecker
  • Patent number: 8882888
    Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: James Ball, Charles Becze, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 8882895
    Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to dynamically control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: James Ball, Charles Becze, Michael J. Flynn, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 8876954
    Abstract: A natural gas dehydration system and method includes a contactor, a flash tank, and a still interconnected by a desiccant circulation system. A continuously fired reboiler is coupled to the still and the flash tank to burn the flash gas from the flash tank and heat the desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Moneyhun Equipment Sales and Service Co.
    Inventors: Joe Witherspoon, David H. Moneyhun
  • Patent number: 8876956
    Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger, powered by a variety of power sources, adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: James Ball, Charles Becze, Michael J. Flynn, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 8864883
    Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Gary Fong, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 8858684
    Abstract: A method to recover water from the atmosphere is provided. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 8845795
    Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A media material absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. The configuration of the media material enables maximal water extraction and is dynamically configurable. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: Charles Becze, James Ball, David Blatt, Michael J. Flynn, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 8834614
    Abstract: A system and method recover water from an ambient airstream. Dehumidification of the airstream is also achieved by removal of the water. A device of the system includes a chamber having a group of trays that hold respective amounts of liquid desiccant in each tray. A foam media absorbs the desiccant to increase an exposed surface of the desiccant to the airstream. Fans and valves are used to control airflow through the device. A charge cycle circulates air through the device to remove water vapor from the airstream. A subsequent extraction cycle removes water collected in the liquid desiccant by a condenser communicating with the chamber. An integral heat exchanger adds heat to the chamber during the extraction cycle. A controller is used to integrate and manage all system functions and input variables to achieve a high efficiency of operational energy use for water collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Z124
    Inventors: James Ball, Charles Becze, Michael J. Flynn, Kean Wing Kin Lam, Richard Teltz
  • Patent number: 8801835
    Abstract: In some implementations, a method for dehydrating carbon dioxide includes identifying a stream including at least carbon dioxide and water. At least a portion of the stream is dehydrated using an initial lean sorbent including glycerol and a polyhydric alcohol to generate dry carbon dioxide stream and rich sorbent including water. The polyhydric alcohol reduces an amount of glycerol lost to the dry carbon dioxide stream during dehydration. This process may result in the beneficial reduction in the amount of glycerol that leaves the system with the dry carbon dioxide. The dry carbon dioxide and the rich sorbent are separated. The glycerol is recycled by dehydrating the rich sorbent to produce recycled lean sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Denbury Onshore, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin S. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8800308
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: 7AC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen, Jack I. Hanoka, Chaim Hanoka
  • Patent number: 8747520
    Abstract: The present invention are methods for removing preselected substances from a mixed flue gas stream characterized by cooling said mixed flue gas by direct contact with a quench liquid to condense at least one preselected substance and form a cooled flue gas without substantial ice formation on a heat exchanger. After cooling additional process methods utilizing a cryogenic approach and physical concentration and separation or pressurization and sorbent capture may be utilized to selectively remove these materials from the mixed flue gas resulting in a clean flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Mark D. Bearden, Paul H. Humble
  • Patent number: 8715397
    Abstract: A CO2 amine scrubbing process uses an absorbent mixture combination of an amine CO2 sorbent in combination with a non-nucleophilic, relatively stronger, typically nitrogenous, base. The weaker base(s) are nucleophilic and have the ability to react directly with the CO2 in the gas stream while the relatively stronger bases act as non-nucleophilic promoters for the reaction between the CO2 and the weaker base. The sorption and desorption temperatures can be varied by selection of the amine/base combination, permitting effective sorption temperatures of 70 to 90° C., favorable to scrubbing flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Pavel Kortunov, Lisa S. Baugh, David C. Calabro, Michael Siskin, Preeti Kamakoti, Quanchang Li
  • Patent number: 8679432
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adsorber, including a reaction chamber, an adsorbent having adsorption properties enabling the at least partial removal of water from a gas stream including NOx and/or SOx, and a coating essentially consisting of a polymer material on at least a portion of the inner metal wall of the reaction chamber, said polymer being resistant to the acidic liquids at temperatures above 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Ivan Sanchez-Molinero, Serge Moreau
  • Patent number: 8647477
    Abstract: Water can be separated from a liquid composition (e.g., salt water) by directing a carrier gas flow through an evaporator and directly contacting the carrier gas flow with the liquid composition in the evaporator to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the liquid composition, producing a humidified gas flow, which is then compressed by injecting a fluid that includes steam and/or an organic compound at an elevated pressure at least five times greater than the pressure in the evaporator and at a temperature at least as high as a saturation temperature of the steam/organic compound at the elevated pressure of the fluid. After being compressed, the humidified gas flow is directed through at least one condenser where water is condensed from the compressed humidified gas flow and collected; and the dehumidified gas flow is re-circulated back through the evaporator for reuse as the carrier gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash N. Govindan, Karan H. Mistry, John H. Lienhard, Syed M. Zubair
  • Patent number: 8613895
    Abstract: A method and system remove contaminants from a vapor. In one embodiment, the system includes a contaminant removal system having a vacuum box. A contaminated vapor from process equipment is introduced to the vacuum box. The contaminated vapor includes steam and hydrocarbons. The vacuum box includes a water removal device. The water removal device removes water from the contaminated vapor to provide water and a reduced water vapor. The water and the reduced water vapor are removed from the vacuum box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Global Vapor Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Finley, Doug Scott, Lisha Salathiel
  • Patent number: 8557024
    Abstract: An IGCC plant has a precombustion decarbonization unit in which acid gas is removed from a combustion gas before the combustion gas enters a combustion turbine. In one preferred configuration, a sulfur removal unit removes hydrogen sulfide from a feed gas before the desulfurized feed gas enters an autorefrigeration unit in which carbon dioxide is removed. In another preferred configuration, hydrogen sulfide is converted to carbonyl sulfide in a dryer, and the carbonyl sulfide is absorbed in the liquid carbon dioxide that is prepared from the feed gas using autorefrigeration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Satish Reddy, Sunil Vyas, Jeffrey Scherffius
  • Patent number: 8540803
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a natural gas or an industrial gas that contains acidic gas components, wherein gas drying is followed by the removal of the acidic gas components from the dried gas. The same physical solvent is used for both of the process steps of gas drying and of acidic gas removal. The gas to be dried is brought into contact with the physical solvent, which absorbs most of the water contained in the gas. The physical solvent, loaded with water, is transferred into a solvent regenerating device to be heated where the water contained in the solvent is stripped from the solvent in the countercurrent by acidic gas that is removed from the dried useful gas during the acidic gas absorption. The acidic gas being released again in the acidic gas solvent regenerating device, stripped from the solvent, and discharged from the solvent regenerating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Menzel
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8518148
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. McDonald, Douglas J. DeVault, Paul J. Williams
  • Patent number: 8511072
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a liquid from a mixed gas stream can include a wall, a mixed gas stream passageway, and a liquid collection assembly. The wall can include a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of capillary condensation pores. The capillary condensation pores extend through the wall, and have a first opening on the first surface of the wall, and a second opening on the second surface of the wall. The pore size of the pores can be between about 2 nm to about 100 nm. The mixed gas stream passageway can be in fluid communication with the first opening. The liquid collection assembly can collect liquid from the plurality of pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Roddie R. Judkins, Brian L. Bischoff, Melanie Moses Debusk, Chaitanya Narula
  • Patent number: 8491712
    Abstract: A dehydration system is provided. The dehydration system includes an absorber configured to produce a dry gas and a rich solvent from a wet gas and from a pure solvent and a flash drum coupled in flow communication with the absorber for receiving the rich solvent discharged from the absorber. The flash drum is configured to produce flash gas from the rich solvent. The dehydration further includes a reboiler configured to produce a semi-lean solvent from the rich solvent and an inert gas system configured to strip the semi-lean solvent using at least the flash gas to produce the pure solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ganesh Prasadh Kidambi, Sachin Naphad, Rajesh Vaddi
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130074693
    Abstract: A method for treating a process gas with a liquid comprises contacting a process gas with a hygroscopic working fluid in order to remove a constituent from the process gas. A system for treating a process gas with a liquid comprises a hygroscopic working fluid comprising a component adapted to absorb or react with a constituent of a process gas, and a liquid-gas contactor for contacting the working fluid and the process gas, wherein the constituent is removed from the process gas within the liquid-gas contactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Christopher L. Martin, Ye Zhuang
  • 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: 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: 8347629
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a compressed air energy storage system that includes an ambient air intake configured to intake a quantity of ambient air for storage in a compressed air storage volume, a compression system having a compression path that is configured to convey air compressed by the compression system through the compression system, a first path configured to convey ambient air to the compression system, a second path proceeding from the compression system to the compressed air storage volume and configured to convey compressed air to the compressed air storage volume, and a dehumidifying system. The dehumidifying system is coupleable to at least one of the first path that proceeds from the ambient air intake to the compression system, the compression path, and the second path. The dehumidifying system includes a dehumidifying component configured to remove moisture from the ambient air and/or the compressed air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthias Finkenrath, Cristina Botero, Sebastian Walter Freund, Clarissa Sara Katharina Belloni, Miguel Angel Gonzalez Salazar, Stephanie Marie-Noelle Hoffmann, Roland Marquardt, Kurt Peter Moser, Stefan Martin Zunft
  • Patent number: 8268060
    Abstract: A dehumidifier system having a dehumidifier section within which liquid desiccant absorbs moisture from air flowing therethrough and a dehumidifier section within which the desiccant is regenerated employs a heat exchanger for maintaining a relatively high temperature differential between the desiccant contained within the dehumidifier and regenerator sections. The desiccant which is conducted to either the dehumidifier section or the regenerator section is separated into multiple streams, and the multiple streams are treated differently from one another before being discharged into preselected segments of the air flow moving through the corresponding one of the dehumidifier section and the regenerator section. A control scheme in the system is capable of altering, and thereby improving, the concentration level of desiccant utilized in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Green Comfort Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry N. Hargis, Robert W. Dibble, Stephen D. Heberle
  • Patent number: 8257467
    Abstract: A process for partial dehydration of a gas by contact with a solvent that can be regenerated by: a) A stage for absorption of H2O by contact of the gas to be treated and regenerated solvent producing a dehydrated gas effluent and a liquid solvent effluent that is charged with H2O and absorbed gas, b) A stage for cooling the solvent charged with H2O at ambient temperature, c) A stage for separation by segregation during which liquid H2O and the solvent are separated at ambient temperature, d) A stage in which the regenerated solvent that is obtained at the end of stage c) is heated, e) A stage in which the regenerated and heated solvent that is obtained at the end of stage d) is recycled to the absorption stage a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventors: Nicolas Ferrando, Julien Grandjean, Abdelhakim Koudil, Pascal Mougin, Jean-Pierre Ballaguet
  • 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: 8241399
    Abstract: A method of generating heat from a gas stream includes providing a first gas stream having a first temperature and a moisture content approximately saturating the gas stream, removing the moisture content from the first gas stream to form a second gas stream having a second temperature greater than the first temperature of the first gas stream, and heat exchanging the second gas stream having the second temperature greater than the first temperature of the first gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Walter Albers
  • Patent number: 8216351
    Abstract: An Apparatus for purifying a feed stream containing carbon dioxide in which the feed stream, after having been compressed and dried, is partly cooled and then used to reboil a stripping column. Thereafter, the feed stream is further cooled and expanded to a lower operational temperature of the stripping column. A carbon dioxide product stream composed of the liquid column bottoms of the stripping column is expanded at one or more pressures to generate refrigeration, then fully vaporized within the main heat exchanger and compressed by a compressor to produce a compressed carbon dioxide product. Refrigeration is recovered in the main heat exchanger from a column overhead stream extracted from the stripping column within the main heat exchanger either directly or indirectly by auxiliary processing in which carbon dioxide is further separated and optionally recycled back to the main compressor used in compressing the feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Praxair Technology
    Inventors: Minish Mahendra Shah, Henry Edward Howard
  • Publication number: 20120134905
    Abstract: A method of use of an ionic liquid for sorption of a gas having an electric multipole moment is provided, wherein the ionic liquid comprises an anion and a non-aromatic cation. In particular, the electric multipole moment may be an electric dipole moment and/or an electric quadrupole moment. The sorption may be an adsorption or an absorption. The ionic liquid may be a pure ionic liquid, i.e. a liquid substantially only containing anions and cations, while not containing other components, e.g. water. Alternatively a solution containing the ionic liquid and a solvent or further compound, e.g. water, may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: VTU HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Roland Kalb
  • 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: 8080087
    Abstract: A method of drying liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons by contacting a feed stream of the hydrocarbon with an aqueous solution of a salt drying agent prior to passing the stream through a salt dryer to remove part of the water in the stream. The aqueous solution of the salt drying agent is generated in the salt dryer when the partly dried stream comes into contact with the drying salt and forms the solution. The solution is circulated in a loop from the salt dryer to the incoming feed and then through a liquid/liquid coalescer which removes a portion of the water together with dissolved salt from the mixture before the mixture is passed on to the salt dryer where further removal of water occurs. The salt dryer is off-loaded by a substantial factor by the initial partial dehydration and does not require to remove such a large amount of water; the salt consumption is therefore reduced in proportion to the amount of water removed in the treatment steps which precede the dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Falkiner, Bal K. Kaul
  • 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: 8007571
    Abstract: Produced natural gas containing carbon dioxide is dehydrated and chilled to liquefy the carbon dioxide and then fractionated to produce a waste stream of liquid carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas liquids may be first separated and removed before fractionation. After fractionation, the waste stream is pressurized and transmitted to a remote injection well for injection either for disposal of the waste stream and preferably to urge hydrocarbons toward the producing well. A hydrocarbon stream proceeds from fractionation to a methanol absorber system which removes carbon dioxide gas. The hydrocarbon stream is thereafter separated into at least hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen and helium. Some of the nitrogen is reintroduced into a fractionation tower to enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons. A methanol recovery system is provided to recover and reuse the methanol. The hydrocarbons are sold as natural gas and the helium is recovered and sold. Excess nitrogen is vented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Donald Leo Stinson
  • Patent number: 7998248
    Abstract: Process for the dehydration of gases, comprising: absorbing water vapor by means of a hygroscopic liquid consisting essentially of one or more C2-C8 glycols and an additive capable of forming a minimum type azeotrope with water; distilling the glycol/water/additive mixture to obtain a top product consisting mainly of the water/additive azeotropic mixture and a bottom product consisting mainly of glycol and additive (hygroscopic liquid); recycling the regenerated hygroscopic liquid to the absorption stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Angelo Carugati, Roberto Pea, Liberato Giampaolo Ciccarelli
  • Patent number: 7993615
    Abstract: A method and system for dehumidifying flue gas from a flue gas generating. Water is supplied from a cooling tower to a heat exchanger in the liquid in the lower end of a wet flue gas processor for cooling the liquid in the lower end of the wet flue gas processor to condense water from the flue gas into the liquid in the wet flue gas processor. Returning water from the heat exchanger to the cooling tower cools the water and the liquid with the condensed water is supplied from the wet flue gas processor to the cooling tower as make-up water for the cooling tower to reduce or eliminate the need for fresh make-up water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis K. McDonald, Douglas J. Devault, Vladimir Vaysman
  • Patent number: 7976613
    Abstract: A process for removing water from a natural gas in an underwater environment is described. The process comprises dehydrating a natural gas feed stream in an apparatus arranged to exchange heat with the underwater environment, preferably including the step of forming hydrates in a hydrate forming zone of a hydrate vessel. The step of forming hydrates in the hydrate zone may comprise the step of introducing the natural gas feed stream into the hydrate vessel through an expansion device with the expansion device is located at and defines a gas inlet to the hydrate vessel. Heat exchange with the hydrate vessel itself need not occur as in one embodiment, heat exchange with the underwater environment takes place through an arrangement of pipes upstream of the hydrate vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Woodside Energy Limited
    Inventor: Robert Amin