Organic Gas, Liquid Particle, Or Solid Particle Sorbed (e.g., Vapor, Mist, Dust, Etc.) Patents (Class 95/237)
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Patent number: 6368385Abstract: A process and apparatus for the purification of a gas, in particular natural gas, in order to eliminate mercaptans without the use of gas adsorption or cryogenic expansion processes. Natural gas, dried and cooled, is supplied to an absorption column under pressure, producing a head product of a purified gas, and a base product supplied to a fractionating column which separates the most volatile compounds, free from mercaptans, from a gasoline fraction of the natural gas. The mercaptans are eliminated at the head of at least one distillation column, producing a base end product consisting of a mixture of C5 hydrocarbons, heavier than and free from volatile mercaptans, partially mixed with the most volatile recompressed compounds of the natural gas. This mixture is cooled and sent by reflux to the absorption column.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: TECHNIPInventor: Henri Paradowski
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Patent number: 6361586Abstract: A process for cooling, demonomerizing and dedusting gas from a thermoplastic polymer drier includes directing the gas, containing thermoplastic polymer dust, monomers and water, into a packed column with a packing and washing the gas with a solvent.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1996Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignees: BASF Corporation, BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Kasimir Von Dziembowski, Howard G. Perryman, Leonard H. Moore
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Patent number: 6352575Abstract: An appartus for removing VOC from a plurality of remotely located sources of VOC contaminated gas streams includes a plurality of liquid absorbers, each located near and communicating with a source of a VOC contaminated gas stream, the liquid absorbers associating the VOC with a scrubbing liquid. A conduit is connected to each liquid absorber for conveying VOC laden scrubbing liquid from the liquid absorber to a separating apparatus in fluid communication with each of the conduits. The separating apparatus receives the VOC laden scrubbing liquid from the plurality of liquid absorbers and separates the VOC from the scrubbing liquid. A conduit recycles the scrubbing liquid from the separating apparatus to at least one of the plurality of liquid absorbers.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2000Date of Patent: March 5, 2002Assignee: CH2M Hill, Inc.Inventors: Mitchell H. Lindsay, James D. Mavis, Jr.
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Patent number: 6342091Abstract: A process for the removal of carbon dioxide, sulphur compounds, water and aromatic and higher aliphatic hydrocarbons from industrial gases. The sour gas components, water and hydrocarbons are removed from the gas to be treated by absorption at elevated operating pressure. At least one morpholine derivative is used as the absorbent. The absorbent laden with absorbed components is regenerated with the aid of a stripping gas. The stripping gas is generated by partial evaporation of the laden absorbent.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Krupp Uhde GmbHInventors: Johannes Menzel, Oliver Tondorf
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Publication number: 20020007733Abstract: An improved method and structure for purification of an acid gas stream by using raw fuel gas as a stripper to remove the BTEX and VOCs from the liquid amine stream. The improved method is particularly useful for purification of acid gas streams with BTEX contaminant levels in excess of environmentally acceptable levels for standard processing. Raw fuel gas is utilized at moderate temperatures and pressures, the uptake of BTEX and VOCs reduces the level of these compounds in the waste amine stream to environmentally acceptable levels, and the remaining contaminants may then be dealt with by ordinary means. Levels of H2S and CO2. in the liquid amine stream are also reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: January 24, 2002Inventor: David Morrow
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Patent number: 6306197Abstract: A system and method for treating process gas streams containing isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to reduce the concentration of IPA therein. The invented system includes a scrubber unit that receives a process stream containing a concentration of IPA and reduces the concentration of IPA therein to below a determined threshold. The scrubber includes a reverse osmosis assembly that significantly reduces water consumption for the scrubbing process as compared to conventional once-through systems. The system may be operated at an elevated pH to prevent biofouling from inhibiting the operation of the reverse osmosis assembly. The system may contain a softening step on the make up water system to prevent scaling in the reverse osmosis system and a softening step on a sidestream of the scrubber water recirculation loop to reduce scrubber tower salting/scaling and to control the pH of the scrubbing liquid.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2000Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: SEH America, Inc.Inventors: Allen R. Boyce, Michael Ferrigno, Debasish Mukhopadhyay
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Publication number: 20010022136Abstract: An exhaust gas recovery method and apparatus comprising: a first process in which volatile organic compound gas in exhaust gas from a exhaust gas discharging source is absorbed into water by a scrubber; a second process in which water including the volatile organic compound, which is obtained in the first process, is frozen and the volatile organic compound herein concentrated such that the water including the volatile organic compound is separated into water including a high concentration of the volatile organic compound, level of concentration being higher than that of the water including the volatile organic compound which is obtained in the first process, and ice; a third process in which cold of the ice obtained in the second process is used; and a fourth process in which the water including a high concentration of the volatile organic compound, which is obtained in the second process, is reused, is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2001Publication date: September 20, 2001Inventors: Kenji Hayashi, Junichi Nagata, Shinichi Funabashi
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Patent number: 6290755Abstract: The present invention provides a bisglycoluril derivative composition useful for selectively covering methane from a gas stream including carbon dioxide.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2000Date of Patent: September 18, 2001Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil CorporationInventors: Clarence D. Chang, Suzanne Elaine Schramm, Clarence Edward Chase
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Patent number: 6284022Abstract: The invention relates to methods for removing gaseous contaminants and aerosols from a vapor-saturated gas stream, in which method a gas stream containing a) at least one gaseous contaminant which is soluble in a scrubbing liquid, with or without salt formation, and b) at least one aerosol with a particle size from 0.01 to 10 &mgr;m, is brought into contact, in a scrubber column, with a scrubbing liquid, the temperature of which is lower by at least 2° C. than the temperature of the gas stream, resulting in the formation of a vapor phase, the degree of saturation S of which is greater than 1, and in the removal of the gaseous and particulate contaminants from the gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: BASF AktiengesellschaftInventors: Bernd Sachweh, Michael-Dieter Ulbrich, Wolf-Steffen Weissker
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Patent number: 6214242Abstract: A method and apparatus for stripping a volatile compound from waste water comprises creating a high velocity spray of air and stream of water at a first inlet to a first expansion chamber to volatize the compound, recombining the water and air flow through a second and successive expansion chambers and recreating a spray at each such chamber, whereby additional volatile compounds are released from the water at each stage to steadily reduce the contamination of the water. The decontaminated water and volatile compound-laden air are separately collected after exiting the last expansion chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Inventor: Frederick B. Swensen
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Patent number: 6197094Abstract: A device for improving the quality of indoor air comprising a casing (2) with an air inlet (3) and an air outlet (5), a member (7) arranged to cause air in a room, in which the casing is placed, to flow in through the inlet and inside the casing to the outlet and therefrom out into the room again, and leaf surfaces and water nozzles (9, 11) adapted to influence the quality of the air passing through the casing. The casing also contains leaf plants (9) and the member (7) is provided in order to cause the air to flow past the leaf surfaces of the plants in order to remove contaminations and particles from the air by absorption thereof by the leaves of the plants.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Inventor: Lars Thofelt
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Patent number: 6171569Abstract: Disclosed is a method of eliminating the odor from a malodorous gas, where the odor is due to the presence of a C10 to C18 fatty acid in the gas. An aqueous solution containing at least a stoichiometric amount of a base that reacts with said C10 to C18 fatty acid to produce a salt is sprayed into the gas.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Occidental Chemical CorporationInventor: Daniel J. Brandt
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Patent number: 6161386Abstract: A method for generating electric power, such as at, or close to, natural gas fields. The method includes conditioning natural gas containing C.sub.3+ hydrocarbons and/or acid gas by means of a membrane separation step. This step creates a leaner, sweeter, drier gas, which is then used as combustion fuel to run a turbine, which is in turn used for power generation.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventor: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
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Patent number: 6136071Abstract: A process for recovering volatile, generally bad smelling low molecular, low polar substances called VLC, contained in gas streams, by capturing the same by in contacting the gaseous environment with a calixarene or a resorcinol calixarene present in the form of particles, granules, as a coating or impregnation on or in a solid support, or as an organic or aqueous solution.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1998Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Assignee: Transdiffusia S.A.Inventors: Roger Lamartine, Philippe Choquard, Philippe Goreloff, Yvon Martelin
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Patent number: 6106594Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively recovering methane from a gas stream including carbon dioxide using a bisglycoluril derivative to selectively extract the methane.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 1999Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventors: Clarence D. Chang, Suzanne Elaine Schramm, Clarence Edward Chase
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Patent number: 6035641Abstract: A method for generating electric power from natural gas or the like that has a low Btu value and a high nitrogen content. The method involves a membrane separation step to remove a portion of the nitrogen from the gas. The upgraded gas is used as fuel for a turbine or other driver, which provides mechanical power to drive an electric power generator.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1997Date of Patent: March 14, 2000Assignee: Membane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventor: Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala
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Patent number: 6019817Abstract: A system for capturing HAPs/VOCs from an existing or planned air stream and destroying the contaminants in the air stream by microbial degradation is disclosed. In general, the system is composed of a reservoir with a filter structure positioned above it. The filter structure contains a capture or filtration media through which contaminated air or vapors must pass. HAPs/VOCs in the air or vapors are filtered out and absorbed by the capture media. The reservoir contains a tank water bath that is inoculated with microorganisms that are selected to degrade the hazardous materials or pollutants removed by the capture media. Sprinkler heads above the filter structure spray the filter structure with a sprayed water bath also inoculated with the microorganisms, whereby contaminants caught in the filter structure are leached out and bioremediated.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Agri Microbe Sales, L.C.Inventor: Edward D. Seagle
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Patent number: 6015451Abstract: Apparatus for recovering volatile organic compounds (VOC) from VOC/inert gas mixtures leaving tanker holds during crude oil loading includes an absorption column 12 in which incoming VOC is absorbed into cold kerosene, a portion of the VOC rich kerosene leaving the absorption column being cooled in a cooler 88 and returned to the absorption column to contact incoming VOC/inert gas mixture and absorb further VOC. The remainder of the rich kerosene leaving the absorption column 12 passes to a buffer tank 34 where it is held. It is then pumped to an elevated pressure distillation (stripper) column 46, where VOC is separated from the kerosene by conventional rectification. VOC vapor leaving the top of the distillation column is condensed in condenser 72 and held in the VOC reflux tank 76. Liquid VOC from the reflux tank is passed to a crude oil pipeline 82; a portion of the liquid VOC from the reflux tank enters the top of the distillation column to act as reflux.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1998Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: Fluor CorporationInventors: Thomas B. Anderson, Elliott Drucker, John Dennis Robinson
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Patent number: 6015450Abstract: Methanol emissions in the CO.sub.2 vent from a synthesis gas unit in an ammonia or hydrogen plant are reduced by contacting raw synthesis gas from a low temperature shift converter with recycled stripped condensate to absorb methanol. The synthesis gas is treated in a purification unit to form the CO.sub.2 vent of reduced methanol content. The condensate from the contacting step is steam stripped to form a process steam stream suitable for feed to the reformer and a stripped process condensate stream suitable for offsites polishing, a portion of which is recycled for contacting the raw synthesis gas.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1998Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: The M. W. Kellogg CompanyInventors: Girish Chimanlal Joshi, Stephen Allen Noe
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Patent number: 6004380Abstract: A process for dehydrating a natural gas or refinery gas containing water and BTEX using a liquid desiccant (glycol) and including regeneration provides the following steps:(a) absorption of the water and the BTEX by contacting the gas with the liquid desiccant which has been regenerated in step (c), producing a dry gaseous effluent and the liquid desiccant charged with water and BTEX;(b) separating the charged liquid desiccant into a vapor containing a portion of the BTEX and a liquid phase containing mainly desiccant charged with water and BTEX;(c) regenerating the liquid desiccant in a distillation zone from which a vapor containing water and BTEX and regenerated liquid desiccant are extracted, the latter being sent to absorption step (a);(d) condensing the vapor from the distillation zone and separating it into three phases: a gaseous effluent containing BTEX, a liquid hydrocarbon phase containing BTEX, and an aqueous liquid phase; and(e) washing the gaseous effluent by absorbing the BTEX in a fraction ofType: GrantFiled: October 28, 1996Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignees: Nouvelles Applications Technologiques, Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Benoit Landreau, Jean-Claude Amande, Nicole Doerler, Alenxandre Bojey
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Patent number: 5964921Abstract: A method for removing harmful substances, in particular dioxin, from flue gas generated in for example a waste incinerator, using an adsorption agent, characterized in that after said flue gas has been washed with a washing medium, the adsorption agent is discharged together with the washing medium for subsequent collection of the adsorption agent. At least one of the substances from the group of active carbon, brown coal, coke, lime, lava rock and pumice stone is used as the adsorption agent.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: October 12, 1999Assignee: N.V. Avira AfvalverwerkingInventor: Martin Gerardus Uitvlugt
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Patent number: 5961695Abstract: A silane-containing gas is treated by contacting it with a liquid containing silanes or disilanes which are higher boiling than the silanes in the silane-containing gas, thereby easily removing or reducing the amount of silanes in the gas and enabling the recovery of these silanes.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Shin-Etsu Chemical Col., Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Hasegawa, Kazuo Ogiwara, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Yukinori Satoh, Yoshihiro Shirata, Masaaki Furuya
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Patent number: 5954861Abstract: A process for separating a gaseous mixture comprising C.sub.1 chlocarbons and noncondensible gases into a liquid component comprising the C.sub.1 chlorocarbons and a component comprising the noncondensible gases. The method employs a liquid hydrocarbon having an average molecular weight within a range of about 142 to 422 to adsorb the C.sub.1 chlorocarbons from the gaseous mixture. The present process is especially useful for separating methyl chloride from a gaseous mixture resulting from an oxychlorination process where the gaseous mixture further comprises, methane, water vapor, and hydrogen chloride.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1994Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Dow Corning CorporationInventors: Bruce Robert Crum, Corey Grant Knutson, Brian Michael Naasz, Jeffrey Scott Smith
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Patent number: 5919285Abstract: Processes and systems to recover at least one perfluorocompound gas from a gas mixture are provided. In one embodiment the inventive process comprises the steps of a) providing a gas mixture comprising at least one perfluorocompound gas and at least one carrier gas, the gas mixture being at a predetermined pressure; b) providing at least one glassy polymer membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; c) contacting the feed side of the at least one membrane with the gas mixture; d) withdrawing from the feed side of the membrane as a non-permeate stream at a pressure which is substantially equal to the predetermined pressure a concentrated gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one perfluorocompound gas; and e) withdrawing from the permeate side of the membrane as a permeate stream a depleted gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one carrier gas.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1998Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Assignees: American Air Liquide, Inc., l'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et, l'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Yao-En Li, Joseph E. Paganessi, David Vassallo, Gregory K. Fleming
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Patent number: 5907924Abstract: A method of treating gas containing water in order to remove at least part of the water from the gas, including feeding the natural gas to be treated by a first line, with a liquid fraction containing at least an aqueous phase is fed via a second line in the presence of a solvent into a contact zone, so as to bring the gas into direct contact with the liquid fraction over at least a portion of the contact zone. The solvent is a non-hydrocarbon compound other than water, and simultaneously, the gas is cooled in the presence of the solvent in order to condense at least one liquid phase consisting essentially of water in a mixture with the solvent.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Jean-Claude Collin, Joseph Larue, Alexandre Rojey
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Patent number: 5897690Abstract: A vapor recovery system for hydrocarbon storage tanks captures VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which would otherwise escape to the atmosphere, thereby reducing pollutant emissions to the environment. The system includes a wash chamber, where the VOC vapors are sprayed with water at or below ambient temperature to condense the vapors from the air. The liquid hydrocarbons and water then drain downwardly into an accumulator. Due to the immiscibility of water and hydrocarbon fuels, particularly those having high aromatic content such as gasoline, the liquid VOCs are drained off and returned to the storage tank while the water is recycled for further spray cooling of vapors. The spray chamber is also surrounded by a coolant jacket, through which a coolant (water or other suitable liquid) below ambient temperature is circulated. This further reduces the temperature in the spray chamber, to condense additional VOCs and water from the air, as well as cooling the spray water.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Inventor: Robert L. McGrew
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Patent number: 5897689Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for binding emulsified resin and tar substances in circulating water of a wet-cleaning and wet precipitation system for waste gas produced in the wood industry. Wood dust is metered into the circulating water and receives the emulsified substances adsorptively. The wood dust is removed from the water circulation path and sedimented.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1998Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: BWT AktiengesellschaftInventor: Emil Wieser-Linhart
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Patent number: 5891410Abstract: A process is disclosed for the purification of an off-gas which originates from the oxidation of xylene with air in the Witten process for the preparation of dimethyl terephthalate by subjecting the off-gas to a partial condensation step to remove constituents such as dimethyl terephthalate and xylene; then contacting the off-gas with a solvent such as para-toluic acid or a mixture of para-toluic acid and methyl benzoate so as to remove contaminants such as para-xylene out of the off-gas; then contacting the off-gas with a solvent such as methyl benzoate to remove contaminants such as methyl para-toluate out of the off-gas; then contacting the off-gas with water so as to remove contaminants such as methanol out of the off-gas, and then combusting the off-gas.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1993Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Assignee: Huls AktiengesellschaftInventors: Rudolf Modic, Hermann-Josef Korte, Anton Schoengen, Johann-Heinrich Schroeder, Jorg Porschen
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Patent number: 5871563Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the purification of an inert gas by subjecting the inert gas to a sorption treatment, especially gas scrubs. The invention comprises compressing the inert gas to a higher pressure before the sorption treatment, performing the sorption treatment at this higher pressure, and then expanding the purified inert gas. The advantages of the process of the invention can be seen to be essentially that, for example, streams of waste air which contain as impurities volatile solvents such as methyl chloride, isopropyl chloride, or dichloromethane, can be cleaned up with low consumption of energy and scrubbing liquid. Correspondingly, the equipment can have smaller dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1996Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Hoechst AktiengesellschaftInventors: Peter Roth, Regina Witt, Joachim Burschapers, Norbert Schadler
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Patent number: 5858065Abstract: Processes and systems to recover at least one perfluorocompound gas from a gas mixture are provided. In one embodiment the inventive process comprises providing a gas mixture comprising at least one perfluorocompound gas and at least one carrier gas, the gas mixture being at a predetermined pressure; providing at least one size selective membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; contacting the feed side of the at least one membrane with the gas mixture; withdrawing from the feed side of the membrane as a non-permeate stream at a pressure which is substantially equal to the predetermined pressure a concentrated gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one perfluorocompound gas; and withdrawing from the permeate side of the membrane as a permeate stream a depleted gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one carrier gas.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1997Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: American Air LiquideInventors: Yao-En Li, Joseph E. Paganessi, David Vassallo, Gregory K. Fleming
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Patent number: 5849983Abstract: This invention pertains to addition of polyisobutylene to a predominantly gaseous stream in a process for preventing the shearing of hydrocarbon droplets in the stream to aerosol sizes. It is difficult to remove droplets of aerosol sizes from gaseous streams with demisters, scrubbers, filters or the like. Generally, aerosol size droplets are created when a predominantly gaseous stream containing some liquid is passed at relatively high velocity through an orifice, valve, bend, tee, choke or the like, or subjected to compression by a turbine. The addition of polyisobutylene would improve the separation efficiency of the demisters, scrubbers, filters or the like. In addition, when the demister pads or compressor has its blades coated with polyisobutylene, drag on the droplets is reduced, resulting in less shearing of the droplets to aerosol sizes. This in turn would result in minimum dissemination of droplets and less wear on the compressor's blades.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1996Date of Patent: December 15, 1998Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventor: Zara Ibrahim Khatib
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Patent number: 5846299Abstract: Recovery of ethanol from the exhaust stacks of a bread-baking oven is achieved by passing the stack emissions through an adiabatic humidifier where the emissions are humidified to near saturation. The unevaporated water content of the humidifier is collected for separation of the ethanol content. The humidified emissions are passed from the humidifier to the vaporization chamber of a heat exchanger where the gas content of the humidified emissions is separated from the moisture content thereof, and the moisture content is collected for recovery of the ethanol content.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1996Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Assignee: Conserve Resources, Inc.Inventor: Milton F. Pravda
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Patent number: 5837037Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing high molecular weight high melting point hydrocarbon vapors from a hydrocarbon vapor offgas stream produced during the liquefaction of a solid waste plastic material to produce an oil that serves as a liquid feedstock for a partial oxidation reaction. The hydrocarbon vapor offgas stream is directly contacted with a water spray at a condensation temperature above the melting point of the high molecular weight hydrocarbons contained in the offgas. This results in the condensation and convenient removal of the high melting point hydrocarbons, referred to as "waxes." One or more subsequent condensation steps can be conducted at lower condensation temperatures to remove the lower temperature condensable hydrocarbons. The remaining uncondensed vapors are then recycled to serve as a heater fuel for the liquefaction of the waste plastic material.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 1997Date of Patent: November 17, 1998Assignee: Texaco IncInventor: John Duckett Winter
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Patent number: 5830260Abstract: The waste gas accumulating in the drying of products containing volatile ingredients is cooled, the condensate obtained is subjected to crossflow membrane filtration and part of the cleaned waste gas is returned to the drying process. The concentrate obtained is put to a material, thermal or other use. The both effective and economic process is suitable for eliminating the aerosols, particularly the organic aerosols, present in the waste gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1996Date of Patent: November 3, 1998Assignee: Henkel Kommanditgesellschaft auf AktienInventors: Levent Yueksel, Wilhelm Johannisbauer, Katrin Burmeister, Heike Fleischmann
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Patent number: 5782958Abstract: A process for the dehydration, deacidification and stripping of a gas, characterized in that:(a) at least one fraction of the gas is contacted with an aqueous phase containing methanol, the resultant gas being thus charged with methanol being withdrawn from stage (a);(b) the gas withdrawn from stage (a) is contacted with a mixture of solvents comprising methanol, water, and a solvent heavier than methanol, the gas leaving stage (b) being thus at least in part freed of the acid gases which it contained initially;(c) the mixture of solvent obtained from stage (b) is at least in part generated by special reduction and/or heating while liberating at least part of the acid gases, the mixture of solvent being at least partially regenerated, or being at the outlet of stage (c) recycled through stage (b); and(d) the gas obtained from (stage b) is refrigerated while producing at least an aqueous phase containing methanol which is at least in part recycled through stage (a).Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: July 21, 1998Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Alexandre Rojey, Etienne Lebas, Joseph Larue, Ari Minkkinen
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Patent number: 5772734Abstract: A membrane hybrid process for treating organic-containing gas streams to remove or recover the organic. The process combines absorbent scrubbing, gas stripping, condensation, and membrane separation, and is particularly useful in treating high-volume, low-organic-concentration streams. The process may be operated such that the only products are a clean air stream suitable for venting to the atmosphere, and a small-volume, condensed liquid organic stream suitable to reuse or disposal.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1997Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Ramin Daniels
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Patent number: 5762688Abstract: A particle removal wafer including ridges defining recessed areas and sticky material placed in these recessed areas can be run through wafer processing equipment. The particle removal wafer can remove particles that would otherwise adhere to the backs of wafers run through this equipment. Particles adhering to the backs of wafers are a problem in the photolithographic steps. These particles cause the focus of the photolithographic system to be off and thus can cause fatal errors. By removing the particles which could adhere to the backs of wafers from the wafer fabrication equipment, the accuracy of the photolithographic process can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.Inventors: David H. Ziger, Pierre Leroux
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Patent number: 5749944Abstract: In a method for removing dimethyl ester vapors or particles emitted from a molten dimethyl ester storage tank, a gaseous mixture containing dimethyl ester vapors or particles and an inert gas are supplied to an inlet port of a water scrubber. Water is continuously sprayed through downstream spray nozzles located inside the water scrubber whereby the water and air mix with the gaseous mixture to form a foamy mixture of dimethyl ester, air and water. Water through an upstream spray nozzle located inside the water scrubber is intermittently sprayed to wash an inner wall of an elongated body and the inlet port of the water scrubber to remove buildup of dimethyl ester particles. The foamy mixture is continuously removed from an outlet port. The water scrubber utilized in the method has an elongated body having an inner wall, a top with an orifice for receiving air, and a bottom with an outlet port. The inlet port is positioned on the body between the top and the bottom of the water scrubber.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1997Date of Patent: May 12, 1998Assignee: Eastman Chemical CompanyInventors: Elliott Will Henry Johnson, Robert Wellington Stepp, III, William L. Cook
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Patent number: 5741350Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from the product purge gas in an alkene polymerization process by absorption of heavier hydrocarbons from the purge gas by an intermediate hydrocarbon stream to yield a vapor rich in inert gas and alkene monomer. Alkene monomer is condensed and rectified by dephlegmation at low temperatures from the inert gas, flashed and vaporized to provide refrigeration for the condensation step, and recycled to the polymerization process. The intermediate hydrocarbon from the absorption step is recycled to the polymerization process. Optionally a portion of the inert gas is reused for purge gas.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1996Date of Patent: April 21, 1998Assignee: Air Products And Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Howard Charles Rowles, Lee Jarvis Howard
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Patent number: 5683492Abstract: A process for the recovery of carbon monoxide from a purge gas from acetic acid synthetic containing at least carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen, wherein the purge gas (6) containing at least carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen is separated into a gas fraction (11) rich in carbon monoxide and a residual gas fraction (12, 13) rich in nitrogen and hydrogen by an adsorption process (G), preferably by a pressure change absorption process, and the gas fraction (11) rich in carbon monoxide is returned upstream of the acetic acid.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1996Date of Patent: November 4, 1997Assignee: Linde AktiengesellschaftInventors: Peter Hesse, Siegfried Michel, Horst Weiss
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Patent number: 5681908Abstract: A process for rejecting reactor byproduct from the polymerization reactor in an olefins polymerization process wherein reactor waste gas stream(s) comprising unreacted monomers, reactor byproduct and light components are treated in an absorption process to additionally recover the monomers. The absorption process comprises contacting the reactor waste gas stream(s) with an absorption solvent in an absorption zone to produce a gas stream comprising the light components, and a liquid stream comprising the absorption solvent, absorbed reactor byproduct and absorbed monomers. The liquid stream is fractionated in a distillation column to produce a distillation column bottoms stream that is the absorption solvent which is conveyed to the absorption zone, and an overhead stream comprising the monomers and reactor byproduct which is further fractionated in a splitter column to reject the reactor byproduct as a bottoms stream. The recovered monomers from the splitter overhead can be conveyed to the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 1996Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Yuv R. Mehra, Robert H. Stodghill
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Patent number: 5669958Abstract: A membrane separation process for treating a gas stream containing methane and nitrogen, for example, natural gas. The separation process works by preferentially permeating methane and rejecting nitrogen. We have found that the process is able to meet natural gas pipeline specifications for nitrogen, with acceptably small methane loss, so long as the membrane can exhibit a methane/nitrogen selectivity of about 4, 5 or more. This selectivity can be achieved with some rubbery and super-glassy membranes at low temperatures. The process can also be used for separating ethylene from nitrogen.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 1996Date of Patent: September 23, 1997Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. Baker, Kaaeid A. Lokhandwala, Ingo Pinnau, Scott Segelke
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Patent number: 5643421Abstract: A gas drying method is disclosed in which gas streams are dehydrated to low dew points by contacting the wet gas with a dry liquid desiccant, with the liquid desiccant regenerated by heating it and stripping it with a stripping agent that is dried with solid desiccant.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 1995Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: OPC Engineering, Inc.Inventor: Robert Sherwood Smith
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Patent number: 5637442Abstract: A method is disclosed for using the simple, environmentally friendly organic compounds gamma-butyrolactone and benzyl alcohol to develop and to strip free radical-initiated, addition polymerizable resists, cationically cured resists and solder masks and Vacrel photoresists. In all cases the developers and strippers include gamma butyrolactone or benzyl alcohol. The developers and strippers optionally also include a minor amount of methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, propylene glycol monomethylacetate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, formamide, nitromethane, propylene oxide, or methyl ethyl ketone, acetone and water. During development of the photopatterned resist or solder mask, the unpolymerized regions are dissolved in the disclosed developers. During stripping of the resist or solder mask, the polymerized regions are debonded from a circuit board in the disclosed strippers.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1995Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Anilkumar C. Bhatt, Gary S. Ksenak, Kostas I. Papathomas, James A. Shurtleff, Jerome J. Wagner
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Patent number: 5624577Abstract: Oil and water continuously collected during an oil spill skimming operation s initially heated for flow through a separator wherein water is separated and discharged into the sea to reduce the water content of a heated oil and water solution fed to a combustion chamber under pressure for continuous in-situ burning interrelated by feedback control with the heating step to provide combustion products, including combustion gas that is cooled and cleansed by scrubbing before discharge to atmosphere, and a slurry of cooled non-gaseous combustion products that are evaporatively dried to form a reduced quantity of carbonaceous solid waste.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: John P. Wehrle, Eugene C. Fischer, John R. Ness, Barbara Howell
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Patent number: 5618333Abstract: In the method of the instant invention, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) liberated in the course of solvent-based painting of a workpiece, are recovered. The atmosphere within a closed spray-booth is maintained at a fixed humidity such that vaporized water, supplied in the form of steam or nebulized water vapor, acts as a carrier for VOCs liberated in the course of spray painting or heat curing of a workpiece. The VOCs may be recovered continuously, including during the spray-painting or heat curing of the workpiece. The VOC laden, humidified air is circulated through a condenser such that VOCs dissolved in the water vapor condense and are directed to a recovery means. The water and solvent are separated, recovered and purified for re-use or placed in an appropriate container for disposal, thereby eliminating the usual practice of expelling VOC laden air into the atmosphere. The system is provided with a flame-free heat source to cure the painted workpiece and to guard against the danger of explosion.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 1995Date of Patent: April 8, 1997Inventors: LeRoy H. Buchholz, Jr., Loretta P. Buchholz
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Patent number: 5614159Abstract: In the purification of an off-gas stream originating from a process of oxidizing a liquid mixture of para-xylene with methyl para-toluate with an oxygen-containing gas under pressure, the off-gas being contaminated with at least one of an aliphatic and an aromatic impurity, which comprises expanding the off-gas stream in an expansion turbine for generating mechanical or electrical energy so as to obtain an at least partial recovery of the energy contained in the off-gas, the improvement comprising subjecting the off-gas to at least one absorption step under pressure to remove at least one component from the off-gas and subjecting the resultant off-gas stream to combustion under a pressure of more than 3 bar prior to expanding the off-gas stream in the expansion turbine.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Huls Aktiengesellschaft, Werk TroisdorfInventors: Rudolf Modic, Hermann-Josef Korte, Anton Schoengen, Johann-Heinrich Schroeder, J org Porschen
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Patent number: 5611844Abstract: A method for sampling and analyzing landfill gas, in which the landfill gas, which consists primarily of methane and contains volatile organic components, is passed through a quantity of liquid tetraglyme to cause the volatile organic components to be absorbed in the tetraglyme. The tetraglyme containing the absorbed volatile organic components, is then disposed in a sealed container with zero headspace and transported to a laboratory testing facility. At the testing facility, at least a portion of the tetraglyme is withdrawn from the container, dispersed in water, and subjected to a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry procedure to analyze the volatile organic components.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.Inventors: John Troost, George Prokuda, James A. Petersen
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Patent number: 5597402Abstract: This invention relates to a self-regulated apparatus and method for extracting biodegradable and/or strippable constituents from a gaseous stream by the action of biomass which consumes or degrades such substances. Such self-regulation permits the monitoring and optimization of the bioactivity of the system and the overall degree of treatment of the gaseous stream.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1995Date of Patent: January 28, 1997Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Mark A. LaPack, Terry J. Nestrick, William F. Martin, Gary M. Klecka
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Patent number: 5595648Abstract: Acidic halides, especially chlorides, are removed from dry liquid hydrocarbon streams such as catalytic reformate by contact with large particles of low surface area solid caustic such as a bed of NaOH pellets. Effective neutralization is achieved in a bed which is essentially free of any aqueous phase. Salt formed by the neutralization reaction deposit as solids on the surface of the solid caustic. A process for producing a low chloride, dry reformate product is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1994Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Mobil Oil CorporationInventor: Tsoung Y. Yan