Concentration Sensed Patents (Class 95/8)
  • Publication number: 20140251128
    Abstract: A process and a plant for obtaining highly pure methane from biogas where biogas coming from a fermenter is compressed and fed to at least one membrane unit having a selectively permeable membrane, which provides a product gas stream containing an elevated proportion of methane and a gas stream containing a reduced proportion of methane. A quality sensor may be arranged in the outlet line for the highly pure product gas. A vacuum pump, the capacity of which can be regulated, may be connected to the low-pressure side of one of the membrane units. It is controlled by a control unit which receives its input signal from the quality sensor in the outlet line, and if the proportion of methane measured by the quality sensor falls below a certain value, the capacity of the vacuum pump is regulated so that the pressure difference at the membrane increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: EISENMANN AG
    Inventor: Lukas Graf
  • Patent number: 8828127
    Abstract: A regeneration controller for an air dryer on a vehicle includes a location identifier that determines a current location, a regeneration profile identifier that selects a regeneration profile based on the current location, and a regeneration initiator that initiates regenerations of the air dryer based on the regeneration profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Asmis
  • Patent number: 8814996
    Abstract: Active carbon filters and systems that are operative to detect active carbon filter degradations are provided. The active carbon filter can include a carbon filter comprising activated carbon and defining a filter surface; a first piezoelectric wafer active sensor on the filter surface that is electrically isolated from the carbon filter; and a second piezoelectric wafer active sensor on the filter surface that is electrically connected to the filter surface; and an impedance monitoring device electrically connected to the first piezoelectric wafer active sensor and the second piezoelectric wafer active sensor. Methods are also disclosed for determining if any degradation has occurred in an active carbon filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Victor Giurgiutiu, Jingjing Bao, Gregory William Peterson, Glenn Rubel
  • Publication number: 20140230647
    Abstract: A wet scrubber (1) for cleaning a process gas containing sulphur dioxide comprises an absorption vessel (2) for contacting the process gas with an absorption liquid to absorb sulphur dioxide from the process gas, a sulphite sensor (68, 74) for measuring a sulphite concentration in the absorption liquid, and a control unit (52). The control unit (52) is adapted to receive a measurement signal from the sulphite sensor (68, 74) and to control, based on the measured sulphite concentration, at least one wet scrubber operating parameter influencing the sulphite concentration in the absorption liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Fredrik Jens Brogaard, Kerstin Forsgren, Mikael Larsson, Rikard Håkansson
  • Publication number: 20140224118
    Abstract: A method of pretreating a natural gas stream for a floating liquefied natural gas plant is described. A natural gas feed stream is introduced into an amine absorption unit and a temperature swing adsorption unit located on a ship. The temperature swing adsorption unit has a dehydration cycle and a CO2 removal cycle. The amount of motion of the ship, or the level of CO2 in the natural gas feed stream with reduced contaminants, or both, is monitored. If the amount of motion of the ship or the level of CO2 in the natural gas feed stream with reduced contaminants exceeds a predetermined value, temperature swing adsorption unit is switched from the dehydration cycle to the CO2 removal cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lubo Zhou, Shain Doong, Mark Schott
  • Patent number: 8801832
    Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from a gas stream prior to sending the gas stream to a gas separation membrane system are provided. Two schemes are available. When the sulfur content is high or flow is relatively high, a scheme including two columns where one tower is regenerated if the sulfur concentration exceeds a preset value can be used. When the sulfur content is low or flow is relatively low, a scheme including one column and an absorption bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Milind M. Vaidya, Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Sebastien A. Duval, Anwar H. Khawajah
  • Patent number: 8794237
    Abstract: An oxygen concentrator may rely on a pressure swing adsorption process to produce an oxygen enriched gas stream from canisters filled with granules capable of separation of oxygen from an air stream. The adsorption process uses a cyclical pressurization and venting of the canisters to generate an oxygen enriched gas stream. The oxygen concentrator system may include one or more flow restrictors to allow controlled release of oxygen enriched gas between the canisters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Inova Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Wilkinson, Allan Sten Westersten, H. David Shockley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8758480
    Abstract: A Pressure Swing Adsorption filtration that separates a first set of particles and a second set of particles to produce a purified gas output can be monitored in real-time. A sentinel component can provide real-time in situ tracking of a parameter associated with the PSA filtration and dynamically adjusts the PSA filtration based upon the real-time tracked parameter. The real-time monitoring of the parameter further enables maintenance of equipment utilized with the PSA filtration as well as equipment down-the-line that utilize the purified gas output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Torosoleil, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Wellesley Heston Turnbull, Sunit Srivastava
  • Patent number: 8741028
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a carbon dioxide separating and recovering system includes an absorption tower to cause carbon dioxide to be absorbed in an absorbing solution, a regeneration tower to release the carbon dioxide from the absorbing solution, and at least one measuring apparatus to measure an ultrasound propagation speed in the absorbing solution. Each of the at least one measuring apparatus calculates a dissolved carbon dioxide concentration in the absorbing solution, based on a temperature measured by a temperature measuring unit, the ultrasound propagation speed measured by an ultrasound propagation speed measuring unit, and a correlation expression which shows a relationship between the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration and the ultrasound propagation speed in the absorbing solution, and is changed according to the temperature of the absorbing solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Daigo Muraoka, Koshito Fujita, Takashi Ogawa, Hideo Kitamura, Satoshi Saito, Masatoshi Hodotsuka
  • Patent number: 8728199
    Abstract: Provided is a novel hydrogen separation membrane formed of a Nb—W—Mo-based alloy. A method for separating hydrogen using the hydrogen separation membrane and hydrogen separation conditions are selected by a particular procedure. A hydrogen separation membrane formed of the Nb—W—Mo-based alloy membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignees: Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Nagoya University, Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan
    Inventors: Hideto Kurokawa, Takumi Nishii, Yoshinori Shirasaki, Isamu Yasuda, Masahiko Morinaga, Hiroshi Yukawa, Tomonori Nanbu, Yoshihisa Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20140130665
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system for an internal combustion engine is provided comprising an exhaust gas conduit, a particulate filter (“PF”) device, a hydrocarbon source and an electronic control module including operative logic which when implemented. The PF has a filter structure for removal of particulates in the exhaust gas and is selectively regenerated based on an amount of particulates trapped within the filter structure of the PF device. The control module is in communication with the internal combustion engine and the hydrocarbon source, and receives a regeneration signal indicating the amount of particulates trapped within the filter structure of the PF device. The electronic control module includes control logic for monitoring the internal combustion engine prior to a regeneration event. The electronic control module includes control logic for determining a plurality operating parameters of the internal combustion engine based on the monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eugene V. Gonze, Michael J. Paratore, JR., Julian C. Tan
  • Publication number: 20140060322
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for swing adsorption processes. The method includes obtaining different plates, wherein the plates have gaseous openings and a utility fluid opening. Then, the gaseous openings are substantially oriented along a common axis for gaseous openings and the plates are diffusion bonded. Once diffusion bonded, the gaseous openings within the module are wash coated with an adsorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Amar S. Wanni, Chithranjan Nadarajah, Jeffrey W. Frederick, Narasimhan Sundaram
  • Publication number: 20140060323
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system and method for efficient removal of sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) contained in an exhaust gas generated from fuel combustion and efficient treatment of water containing microorganisms (e.g. ballast water).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: KEPPEL OFFSHORE & MARINE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE PTE LTD
    Inventors: Ming Liu, Nirmal Raman Gurunthalingam, Prapisala Thepsithar, Wen Sin Chong, Kok Seng Foo
  • Patent number: 8663363
    Abstract: A CO2 recovering apparatus includes: a CO2 absorber that brings flue gas containing CO2 into contact with CO2 absorbent to reduce the CO2 contained in the flue gas; a regenerator that reduces CO2 contained in rich solvent that has absorbed CO2 in the CO2 absorber to regenerate the rich solvent, so that the CO2 absorbent that is lean solvent having CO2 reduced in the regenerator is reused in the CO2 absorber; and a controller that controls to detect the absorbent concentration in the CO2 absorbent, to increase the volume of CO2 absorbent to be circulated based on a decrease in the absorbent concentration, and to adjust the volume of steam to be supplied in the regenerator based on the volume of the CO2 absorbent to be circulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Masaki Iijima, Hiroshi Tanaka, Yoshiki Sorimachi, Masahiko Tatsumi, Yasuyuki Yagi, Kouki Ogura
  • Patent number: 8657919
    Abstract: High molecular weight (HMW) gases are separated from an exhaust gas of a combustion source using a blower and an interior vent within the exhaust stack. The interior vent includes a vent wall having a top portion attached to the interior surface of the exhaust stack along the entire inner perimeter of the exhaust stack and a lower portion that extends downward into the exhaust stack to form an annular space or gap between the vent wall and the interior surface of the exhaust stack, and at least one opening in the interior surface of the exhaust stack between the top and bottom portions of the vent wall. The blower creates a tangential flow of the exhaust gas with sufficient centrifugal force to concentrate substantially all of the HMW gases along the inner surface of the exhaust stack. A transfer pipe removes the HMW gases from the interior vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Inventors: Jerry Lang, David Scott
  • Patent number: 8657938
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system for supplying breathing air to a work space, which adopts a triple air-supply structure including a main air-supply unit for compressing, drying and filtering air supplied from the atmosphere so that breathing air is supplied to the work space, a plant air-supply unit for supplying industrial air used in a process plant to the work space, and an emergency air-supply unit for supplying breathing air to the work space in an emergency, wherein the operation of respective air-supply units is organically controlled, thus increasing the reliability of the air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: SK Innovation Co., Ltd., SK Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bum Su Kim, Hong Jun Kim
  • Patent number: 8652234
    Abstract: High molecular weight (HMW) gases are separated from an exhaust gas of a combustion source using a blower and an interior vent within the exhaust stack. The interior vent includes a vent wall having a top portion attached to the interior surface of the exhaust stack along the entire inner perimeter of the exhaust stack and a lower portion that extends downward into the exhaust stack to form an annular space or gap between the vent wall and the interior surface of the exhaust stack, and at least one opening in the interior surface of the exhaust stack between the top and bottom portions of the vent wall. The blower creates a tangential flow of the exhaust gas with sufficient centrifugal force to concentrate substantially all of the HMW gases along the inner surface of the exhaust stack. A transfer pipe removes the HMW gases from the interior vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jerry Lang, David Scott
  • Patent number: 8631770
    Abstract: A waste gas combustion method that includes providing a combustible fuel source, in which the combustible fuel source is composed of at least methane and siloxane gas. A sodium source or magnesium source is mixed with the combustible fuel source. Combustion of the siloxane gas of the combustible fuel source produces a silicon containing product. The sodium source or magnesium source reacts with the silicon containing product to provide a sodium containing glass or sodium containing silicate, or a magnesium containing silicate. By producing the sodium containing glass or sodium containing silicate, or the magnesium containing silicate, or magnesium source for precipitating particulate silica instead of hard coating, the method may reduce or eliminate the formation of silica deposits within the combustion chamber and the exhaust components of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventor: Theodore M. Besmann
  • Patent number: 8603217
    Abstract: Embodiments of recirculating filtration and exhaust systems for material processing systems are disclosed herein. A material processing system configured in accordance with one embodiment includes an enclosure for processing a workpiece, the enclosure having an enclosure inlet and an enclosure outlet. The system also includes a first flow path fluidly coupled to the enclosure inlet and the enclosure outlet, and a first filtration assembly in the first flow path. The first filtration assembly draws airflow from the enclosure and returns the airflow to the enclosure. The system further includes a second flow path in fluid communication with the first flow path upstream from the enclosure inlet, and a second filtration assembly in the second flow path. The second filtration assembly draws airflow from the first flow path and returns airflow to the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Laser Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yefim P. Sukhman, Christian J. Risser, Nathan H. Schuknecht, James W. Rabideau, Joseph T. Hillman
  • Patent number: 8591625
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for preventing server contamination. The system includes a server rack and a contamination filter secured to the server rack. The contamination filter may be configured to filter particulate substances and/or chemical substances from air. The system may include a reaction coupon configured to indicate the presence of particulate substances and/or chemical substances in the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Prabjit Singh
  • Patent number: 8591633
    Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment system treats a mixed gas containing at least hydrogen and monosilane discharged from a semiconductor fabrication equipment. The exhaust gas treatment system includes a pump unit which emits the mixed gas discharged from the semiconductor fabrication equipment, a compressor which compresses the mixed gas emitted by the pump unit and sends the mixed gas to a rear stage, a gas accommodation unit which collects and accommodates the compressed mixed gas, a flow rate control unit which controls a flow rate of the mixed gas supplied from the gas accommodation unit, and a membrane separation unit which causes the hydrogen to selectively permeate therethrough and separates the monosilane and the hydrogen from the mixed gas. Accordingly, the exhaust gas treatment system may be stably operated in a state where a change in pressure of the mixed gas discharged from the semiconductor fabrication equipment is alleviated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Tai Ohuchi, Takashi Okabe, Tsuyoshi Asano
  • Patent number: 8585799
    Abstract: The present technology provides an air pre-treatment and monitoring device that includes an inlet port configured to receive an air flow and an outlet port configured to expel the air flow. The illustrative air pre-treatment device further includes a multiple-stage filter arranged between the inlet and outlet ports and that is configured to filter particles from the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Yasuhisa Fujii, Masahiro Ueda
  • Publication number: 20130255483
    Abstract: A fast gas is recovered from a feed gas containing a fast gas and at least one slow gas using a gas separation membrane. A controller may control a control valve associated with a partial recycle of a permeate gas from the membrane for combining with the feed gas. A controller may control a control valve associated with the backpressure of a residue gas from the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Edgar S. SANDERS, JR., Sarang Gadre, Michael D. Bennett, Ian R. Roman, David J. Hassee, Indrasts Mondal
  • Publication number: 20130247755
    Abstract: An absorber that uses a gasified gas containing CO2 and H2S formed by gasifying coal, for example, as an introduced gas, and that makes the CO2 and H2S absorbed from the introduced gas by bringing the introduced gas into contact with an absorbent for absorbing C02 and H2S; an absorbent regenerator-that extracts absorbent that has absorbed CO2 and H2S from the bottom of the absorber and introduces the absorbent from the top of the absorber, and that regenerates the absorbent by releasing the CO2 and H2S; a second supply line that returns the regenerated absorbent from the regenerator to the absorber; and a third supply line that extracts the absorbent (semi-rich solution) that has absorbed a part of the CO2 and H2S from the vicinity of the middle of the absorber, and that introduces the semi-rich solution in the vicinity of the middle of the regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Kouji Horizoe, Shinya Tachibana, Moritoshi Murakami, Masaki Yushima, Kazuo Ishida
  • Patent number: 8535412
    Abstract: The present system is an adsorption system for separating air into a concentrated gas component, which has an air supply, a compressor for receiving and compressing the air supply, providing a compressed air supply, and molecular sieve material for separating the compressed air supply into a concentrated gas component. The adsorption system delivers at least 5 liters per minute (LPM) of concentrated gas component from the molecular sieve material in which the system has a specific total weight per LPM <9 lbs/LPM. Additionally, an output quantity of the concentrated gas is delivered by the adsorption system and a purging quantity of the concentrated gas is dispensed into a sieve chamber of the adsorption system undergoing a purge cycle. The purging quantity has a value equal to or less than the difference between the maximum quantity and the output quantity, and the purging quantity is controlled based on the output quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph T. Dolensky
  • Publication number: 20130233169
    Abstract: A gas concentrating system is provided. The system includes, for example, a gas separation system having at least one separation space, at least one sensor connected to the separation space and providing at least one output signal indicative of the progress of gas separation, at least one pump system associated with gas separation system; and a controller. The controller includes, for example, logic reading the sensor output signal and logic controlling at least one parameter of the pump system based on the sensor output signal. The parameter of the pump system can be any parameter affecting the characteristics or operation of the pump system. Examples are disclosed but are not intended to be limiting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: William J. Daniels, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130205999
    Abstract: The invention relates to an on-site medical gas production plant (100) comprising a unit (50) for purifying gas, such as air, a first vessel (A) for storing purified gas, and a main gas line (10) fluidically connecting the gas purification unit (50) to the said first storage vessel (A). It furthermore comprises a three-way solenoid valve (VA) arranged on the main gas line (10) upstream of the first storage vessel (A), and furthermore connected to the atmosphere (at 12) via a vent line (11), as well as an operating device (4) which controls at least the three-way solenoid valve (VA), and at least a first gas analysis device (D1) of which a first measurement line (29) is fluidically connected (at 28) to the main line (10), upstream of the three-way solenoid valve (VA), and which is electrically connected to the said operating device (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
  • Publication number: 20130205997
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a plant (100) for on-site production of medical gas, such as air or oxygen, comprising a main gas line (10) comprising, in series, a first vessel (A) for storing gas and a second vessel (B) for storing purified gas, and a secondary line (20) fluidically connected to the main line (10), downstream of the first vessel (A) for storing gas, and comprising a third vessel (C) for storing gas, the main gas line (10) and the secondary line (20) each supplying at least one gas consumer site (30), in particular a network of pipes in a hospital.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventor: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
  • Patent number: 8496806
    Abstract: Provided is a dehydrator that requires no excessively large apparatus structure and achieves cost-saving while maintaining suction efficiency at a desired level by use of suction means. A dehydrator 100 for separating water from a target liquid 13 includes at least two water separation membrane units 1a and 1b which are provided in series in a flow direction of the target liquid 13. The water separation membrane unit 1a on an upstream side out of the water separation membrane units 1a and 1b is connected to suction means 7 for sucking a gas phase containing water through one condenser 4, and the one condenser 4 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water. The gas phase sucked by the suction means 7 from the one condenser 4 is transferred to at least one downstream condenser 8 provided downstream of the one condenser 4, and the downstream condenser 8 condenses water in the gas phase and thereby separates the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Yukumoto, Hiroyuki Osora, Yoshio Seiki, Haruaki Hirayama, Yukio Tanaka, Hideo Kashiwagi, Katsufumi Inoue
  • Patent number: 8470070
    Abstract: Detecting ash in a diesel particulate filter includes receiving data indicative of signal attenuation for ash-responsive and ash-insensitive RF signals transmitted through a diesel particulate filter containing trapped soot and ash. A difference between the RF signals, such as a difference in signal attenuation, may be leveraged to detect a relative ash loading state or a change in relative ash loading state of the diesel particulate filter, and responsively indicate that filter cleaning is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vadiraj P. Kulkarni, Matthew E. Leustek, Sara K. Michels, Rajesh N. Nair, Michael A. Snopko, Andrew A. Knitt
  • Publication number: 20130152782
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating an exhaust gas containing CO2, that can adjust the concentration of an oxidation inhibitor in an absorbent to the concentration enough to inhibit oxidation, without measuring the concentration of the oxidation inhibitor in an alkanolamine contained in a CO2 absorbent. Disclosed are a method and a device for adjusting the compositional ratio of an absorbent, in which absorption and release of carbon dioxide are performed by adding an oxidation inhibitor to an alkanolamine absorbent when the sum of the concentrations of ammonia and an alkylamine in an absorber column outlet gas of a CO2 absorption equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: BABCOCK-HITACHI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Yokoyama, Shigehito Takamoto, Eiji Miyamoto, Naoki Oda
  • Patent number: 8454728
    Abstract: A method is described for recycling hydrogen (H2) supplied to a chamber (10) in a gas stream comprising hydrogen and at least one other gas, such as silane. A gas comprising at least hydrogen is drawn from the chamber (10) using a first vacuum pump (32) that exhausts gas therefrom at a sub-atmospheric pressure. A portion of the gas exhausted from the first vacuum pump (32), for example between 70 and 95% of this gas, is diverted away from a second vacuum pump (34) backing the first vacuum pump (32). In one embodiment, the diverted portion of the sub-atmospheric pressure gas is treated to produce a purified gas comprising hydrogen, which is stored in a storage vessel (14). The composition of the purified gas is analysed, and, depending on the results of the analysis, at least one of hydrogen and silane is added to the stored gas so that the composition of the stored gas is similar to that of the gas initially supplied to the chamber (10). Gas is then supplied to the chamber (10) from the storage vessel (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventor: Robert Bruce Grant
  • Patent number: 8454724
    Abstract: A system and process for the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from a feed natural gas having variable flow rates and inlet CO2 levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bhargav Sharma, William Echt
  • Publication number: 20130104733
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include air-treatment mask systems having at least one controllable air-treatment device that is controlled responsive to one or more signals from at least one pollutant sensor, and related methods of operation and air-treatment masks. In an embodiment, an air-treatment mask system includes a wearable air-treatment mask having a mask body including a face-securing member, and at least one controllable air-treatment device supported by the mask body. The air-treatment device is configured to treat incoming air. The system includes at least one pollutant sensor configured to sense ambient air for a presence of at least one pollutant and output one or more signals responsive to the sensing. The system includes control electrical circuitry operably coupled to the air-treatment device and the pollutant sensor and configured to control operation of the controllable air-treatment device responsive to receiving the signal(s) from the pollutant sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Elwha, LLC
    Inventors: Mahalaxmi Gita Bangera, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood
  • Patent number: 8425670
    Abstract: The invention refers to a plant and a method for separating oil in form of particles and/or mist from a fossil gas mixture for obtaining a separated gas. The plant comprises a centrifugal separator with a stationary casing defining a separation space. The casing permits a pressure of at least 10 bars in the separation space. The centrifugal separator comprises an inlet for the gas mixture, a gas outlet for the separated gas and an oil outlet for discharging separated oil. A separating member for separating the gas mixture comprises a plurality of separating discs and is provided in the separation space. A drive motor is connected to the separating member via a spindle and rotate the separating member about an axis (x) of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Alfa Laval Corporate AB
    Inventors: Claes-Göran Carlsson, Göran Ström
  • Patent number: 8414673
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for enhancement of inlet air mass for processes by progressive filtration and intermediate cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Freudenberg Filtration Technologies India Pvt. Ltd.
    Inventors: Atul Raje, Anand Singh
  • Patent number: 8414681
    Abstract: A system includes an air separation unit configured to separate air into an oxygen rich stream and a nitrogen rich stream and a purity control system configured to receive input indicative of a target diluent level. The purity control system is configured to control the air separation unit to adjust an oxygen percentage and a nitrogen percentage of the oxygen rich stream based on the target diluent level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Raymond Douglas Steele
  • Patent number: 8409324
    Abstract: An air dehydration membrane module is provided with a sweep gas which is taken from the waste gas of a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit. No additional compressor is required, other than the compressor forming part of the PSA unit. In another embodiment, the sweep gas includes the combination of dried product gas, taken from the dehydration membrane module, and a supplemental gas, which may be ambient air, or permeate gas from an air separation membrane, or waste gas from a PSA unit. An air ejector combines the streams, without the use of an additional compression step, and the combined gas is used as a sweep stream for the dehydration module. The invention also includes the method of selecting an optimum point at which the sweep gas is injected into the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Generon IGS, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Straub, John A. Jensvold, Raymond K. M. Chan
  • Patent number: 8409323
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the electrical power applied to an electrically driven oxygen separation device having one or more composite membrane elements to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing feed. The composite membrane elements have a resistance increasing during the operation thereof that would act to reduce oxygen output if applied voltage were held constant. In order to increase the time interval for renewing the composite membrane elements, the electrical potential difference is controlled such that the electric current drawn by the elements remains at a substantially constant level by increasing the electrical potential difference as the resistance increases until a predetermined voltage level is reached. Once this level is obtained, the electrical potential difference is maintained at a constant level and the electric current being drawn and the oxygen output is allowed to decay to a predetermined low level after which the element or elements are replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Collins, David F. Suggs, Sadashiv M. Swami, Richard M. Kelly
  • Publication number: 20130061747
    Abstract: A Pressure Swing Adsorption filtration that separates a first set of particles and a second set of particles to produce a purified gas output can be monitored in real-time. A sentinel component can provide real-time in situ tracking of a parameter associated with the PSA filtration and dynamically adjusts the PSA filtration based upon the real-time tracked parameter. The real-time monitoring of the parameter further enables maintenance of equipment utilized with the PSA filtration as well as equipment down-the-line that utilize the purified gas output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOROSOLEIL, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Wellesley Heston Turnbull, Sunit Srivastava
  • Publication number: 20130055890
    Abstract: An apparatus is configured for filtering a cooling duct of a battery for an electric vehicle. More specifically, a dust sensor is installed in the cooling duct through which cooling air is introduced into the battery for the vehicle and a variable filter is installed in the cooling duct to filter the cooling air and open/close the cooling duct via a driving unit. A control unit configured to control the driving unit according to a signal or sensing value from the dust sensor and a measured temperature of the battery. In particular, when dust is not detected, the cooling duct is fully opened by folding the variable filter. If, however, dust is detected an opening degree of the variable filter is adjusted to close or at least partially close the cooling duct according to the temperature of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hae Kyu Lim
  • Publication number: 20130034464
    Abstract: Filtration devices, methods, and systems comprising a decontamination filtration medium. The filtration medium comprises a remotely-triggered decontamination material stored in microcapsules that are embedded in or attached to a filter element. The microcapsules contain a decontamination agent that will detoxify one or more toxins, including but not limited to chemical and biological warfare agents, and industrial materials and chemicals, among other things. The microcapsules can be locally or remotely triggered to release the detoxifying agent by a triggering agent such as light, electrical potential, pressure, temperature, or other methods. One method of use of the filtration device comprises the following: when a target toxin is detected in the vicinity of the device, the microcapsules are actively triggered to release the detoxifying agent, thereby neutralizing the toxic agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: SRC, INC.
    Inventor: Jesse W. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20120325084
    Abstract: Electrostatic aerosol in vitro exposure systems and methods are disclosed and can be used for collecting and depositing particulate matter onto tissue without pre-concentration, and without any intermediate collection steps such as use in water or on a filter. The system can include an inlet configured to receive air containing particulate matter, a receptacle configured to hold one or more tissue samples, a porous membrane providing support for an air-liquid interface of the tissue sample, and an electrostatic precipitation area. Particulate matter contained in the air received at the inlet can be electrically charged in the electrostatic precipitation area and flowed over the tissue sample, where it can be collected and measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Sexton, Harvey E. Jeffries, Ilona Jaspers, David H. Leith, Glenn W. Walters, Melanie Lynn Doyle-Eisele, Kim M. Lichtveld, Sandra W. Irwin, James J. Jetter, Seth M. Ebersviller, William Vizuete, Jose Zavala Mendez
  • 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: 8328903
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one of an effluent concentration profile, a breakthrough time and a filter cartridge recommendation includes receiving at least one input parameter, determining at least one of the effluent concentration profile, the breakthrough time and the filter cartridge recommendation based on the input parameter, and graphically displaying at least one of the effluent concentration profile, the breakthrough time, and the filter cartridge recommendation. The effluent concentration profile includes a plot of a concentration of a chemical species over a period of time. The breakthrough time includes a time at which a predetermined concentration of the chemical species passes through a filter cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Scott Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Parham, Amy Staubs, Yuqing Ding
  • Publication number: 20120291627
    Abstract: A dispensing assembly for a pressure dispense package includes a connector having separate and distinct liquid and extraction conduits, and having a pressurization gas conduit. A liner fitment adapter may include a longitudinal bore to receive a probe portion of a connector defining a liquid extraction conduit, and may include a lateral bore to enable removal of gas. Insertion of a connector into a dispensing assembly simultaneously makes fluidic connections between (a) a gas extraction conduit and a dispensing volume; (b) a liquid extraction conduit and the dispensing volume, and (c) a pressurization gas conduit and a space to be pressurized within a pressure dispense vessel. Presence of fluid or change in phase of flowing fluid within a fluid circuit may be sensed by comparing outputs of first and second temperature sensing elements, with one sensing element including a heater to increase temperature of the sensing element in exposure to gas but not in exposure to liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, Joseph Patrick Menning, Matthew Kusz, Amy Koland, Donald D. Ware, Richard D. Chism
  • Patent number: 8303697
    Abstract: A method for purifying polluted air having particle phase pollutants and gaseous phase pollutants is provided. The method comprising: separately purifying and treating particle phase and gaseous phase pollutants present in the air; providing a dust cleaning apparatus, a catalytic filter core and a valve for controlling an airflow path within an air purification apparatus; controlling the airflow path for the air to bypass the catalytic filter core in a way that: if the amount of particle phase pollutants is above a predetermined value, the valve is moved to the open position to enable the air to bypass the catalyst filtering core; if the amount of particle phase pollutants is less than a predetermined value, the valve is moved to the closed position to force the air to pass through the catalyst filtering core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Akos Advanced Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Yiu Wai Chan, Sui Chun Law
  • Patent number: 8252087
    Abstract: Apparatus, process and article for treating a gas containing one or more of a chemical and/or biological contaminant. The process includes contacting the gas with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a gas depleted of chemical and active biological contaminants. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The composition comprises no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate has been sintered. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate. In one embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder. Although intended for a variety of fluid treatment applications, such applications specifically include the treatment of breathing gases such as air that may contain chemical and/or biological contaminants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Molycorp Minerals, LLC
    Inventors: John L. Burba, III, Tim L. Oriard
  • Patent number: 8241394
    Abstract: A system and method for supercritical fluid enrichment of radioactive isotope/s are disclosed. The method involves pressurizing an outer chamber and an inner centrifugal chamber of a stage to supercritical pressure; supplying material including target isotope/s at supercritical pressure to the inner chamber; spinning the inner chamber to centrifuge the material including target isotope/s; providing a differential pressure between the inner chamber and the outer chamber; wherein windows in the inner chamber enable passage of the target isotope from the inner chamber to the outer chamber in response to the differential pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: SWCE Inc.
    Inventor: Terrene K. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 8231716
    Abstract: A self-alarming air cleaner is disclosed. The air cleaner includes an air filter element (1), a light emitting element (2) and a light sensor (3). The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) are both faced to the air filter element (1). The light emitted from the light emitting element (2) is reflected by the air filter element (1) or permeated to the air filter element (1), then forms an area of light attenuation where the light sensor (3) is located. The light emitting element (2) and the light sensor (3) connect with a circuit which has an alarming device. When much dust is accumulated on the air filter element (1), the intensity of the light reaching the light sensor (3) is weakened and the alarming device (4) can give an alarm automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Inventor: Chiwai Patrick Poon