Activated Carbon Patents (Class 95/901)
  • Patent number: 8999036
    Abstract: Biogas is converted to a vehicle fuel equivalent to compressed natural gas high in methane in a simple, low cost process involving steps of refrigeration, non-regenerative activated carbon purification and carbon dioxide removal using low-pressure membrane technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Stearns Conrad Schmidt Consulting Engineers, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Pierce
  • Patent number: 8858685
    Abstract: A pyrolyzed monolith carbon physical adsorbent that is characterized by at least one of the following characteristics: (a) a fill density measured for arsine gas at 25° C. and pressure of 650 torr that is greater than 400 grams arsine per liter of adsorbent; (b) at least 30% of overall porosity of the adsorbent including slit-shaped pores having a size in a range of from about 0.3 to about 0.72 nanometer, and at least 20% of the overall porosity including micropores of diameter <2 nanometers; and (c) having a bulk density of from about 0.80 to about 2.0 grams per cubic centimeter, preferably from 0.9 to 2.0 grams per cubic centimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Donald Carruthers
  • Patent number: 8821819
    Abstract: A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John Henry Pavlish
  • Patent number: 8734576
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Societe BIC
    Inventor: Joerg Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 8658120
    Abstract: Disclosed is a non-thermofusible phenol resin powder having an average particle diameter of not more than 20 ?m and a single particle ratio of not less than 0.7. This non-thermofusible phenol resin powder preferably has a chlorine content of not more than 500 ppm. This non-thermofusible phenol resin powder is useful as an organic filler for sealing materials for semiconductors and adhesives for semiconductors. The non-thermofusible phenol resin powder is also useful as a precursor of functional carbon materials such as a molecular sieve carbon and a carbon electrode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Air Water Inc.
    Inventors: Naoto Yoshinaga, Satoshi Ibaraki, Yoshinobu Kodani, Takaomi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8506682
    Abstract: Provided is a method of purifying monosilane. More particularly, the method includes removing impurities from a crude material containing monosilane and ethylene by fractional distillation (operation 1), and removing ethylene and residual impurities by passing the crude material purified in operation 1 through activated carbon (operation 2). According to the method, high-purity monosilane may be more simply and effectively obtained without additional production of byproducts by selectively adsorbing ethylene, which is difficult to separate by fractional distillation, using an activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: KCC Corporation
    Inventors: Kyoung Hoon Kang, Yoon Jun Kim, Kyong Bok Hur, Moon Gue Jun
  • Patent number: 8333824
    Abstract: A sorption agent comprising activated carbon and an impregnation of the activated carbon for the sorption of air pollutants, wherein the impregnation contains a zinc compound and a molybdenum compound, as well as a gas-filtering element, such as a respirator canister, containing said sorption agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Dräger Safety AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Benjamin Brandenburg, Klaus Ammann, Björn Wiese
  • 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: 8211208
    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: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Akos Advanced Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Yiu Wai Chan, Sui Chun Law
  • Patent number: 8168147
    Abstract: A promoted activated carbon sorbent is described that is highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The sorbent comprises a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the sorbent, or to the flue gas to enhance sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish
  • Patent number: 8147589
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing spherical activated carbon, wherein polymer globules, which comprise thermally decomposing chemical groups, are carbonized. It is characterized by that during the carbonization, a supplier of free radicals is added to the polymer globules, the supplier of free radicals forming free radicals, which are different from the free radicals that are generated by the decomposition of the chemical groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Blucher GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Schonfeld, Raik Schonfeld
  • Patent number: 8071500
    Abstract: A catalyst for the oxidation of heavy metal contaminants, especially mercury (Hg), in an effluent stream is presented. The catalyst facilitates removal of mercury through the oxidation of elemental Hg into mercury (II) moieties. The active component of the catalyst is partially combusted coal, or “Thief” carbon, which can be pre-treated with a halogen. An untreated Thief carbon catalyst can be self-promoting in the presence of an effluent gas streams entrained with a halogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Evan J. Granite, Henry W. Pennline
  • Patent number: 8038778
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for purifying polluted air consisting of particle phase pollutants and gaseous phase pollutants, the apparatus (10) comprising: a dust level sensor (23) to measure the amount of particle phase pollutants in the polluted air; a dust removal component (14) to remove the particle phase pollutants from the polluted air; a catalyst filtering core (17) to decompose the gaseous phase pollutants by chemical reaction; a valve (22) for selectively controlling a path of air flow within the apparatus (10) and is movable between an open position and closed position, the valve (22) being positioned downstream from the dust removal component (14); wherein if the amount of particle phase pollutants measured by the dust level sensor (23) is above a predetermined value, the valve (22) is moved to the open position to enable the air to bypass the catalyst filtering core (17); and if the amount of particle phase pollutants measured by the dust level sensor (23) is less than a predetermined value, the valve (22)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Akos Advanced Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Yiu Wai Chan, Sui Chun Law
  • Patent number: 7928033
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for reducing mercury, which comprises a reagent comprising any of the sulfites of potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium, or any of the phosphates thereof, or a combination of them, as a main reagent of a catalyst component. And the present invention relates to the catalyst for reducing mercury, wherein the catalyst component is mixed with a different salt as an agent for inhibiting crystallization of the catalyst component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Horiba, Ltd., Nippon Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Akiyama, Junji Kato, Fujio Koga, Koji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7879136
    Abstract: Magnetic activated carbon and the removal of contaminants from a fluid stream using the magnetic activated carbon is described. The magnetic activated carbon is preferably magnetic powdered activated carbon and may contain titania. The magnetic activated carbon may be used to remove contaminants such as mercury from fluid streams including flue gases from a combustion plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Engineering Performance Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: David W. Mazyck
  • Patent number: 7850766
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for substantially reducing undesired cumulative effects by preferentially heating the active particles. By preferentially heating the active particles, the active particles are “cleaned” of substances that may reduce or negate particle activity. In addition, preferential heating may reduce active particle adsorption of binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Cocona, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory W. Haggquist
  • Patent number: 7776780
    Abstract: Two new classes of catalysts for the removal of heavy metal contaminants, especially mercury (Hg) from effluent gases. Both of these classes of catalysts are excellent absorbers of HCl and Cl2 present in effluent gases. This adsorption of oxidizing agents aids in the oxidation of heavy metal contaminants. The catalysts remove mercury by oxidizing the Hg into mercury (II) moieties. For one class of catalysts, the active component is selected from the group consisting of iridium (Ir) and iridum-platinum (Ir/Pt) alloys. The Ir and Ir/Pt alloy catalysts are especially corrosion resistant. For the other class of catalyst, the active component is partially combusted coal or “Thief” carbon impregnated with Cl2. Untreated Thief carbon catalyst can be self-activating in the presence of effluent gas streams. The Thief carbon catalyst is disposable by means of capture from the effluent gas stream in a particulate collection device (PCD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Evan J. Granite, Henry W. Pennline
  • Patent number: 7713503
    Abstract: A system for removing mercury from combustion gas. The system includes a combustion device, a stack, and a duct system that couples the combustion device to the stack. The system further comprises an injection system that is coupled to the duct system. The injection system injects sorbents including alkali-based sorbents and carbon-based sorbents into the duct system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Martin Maly, William Randall Seeker, Vitali Victor Lissianski, Bradley S. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7666252
    Abstract: A method of purifying an exhaust gas by way of an adsorption unit (adsorption columns 7a, 7b) including an adsorbent layer paced with precoated mesoporous active carbon capable of alternately switched operations of adsorption and desorption, wherein prior to the treatment by way of the adsorption unit, a concentration increase is effected by way of a pre-treatment unit (honeycomb rotor (11) or stationary honeycomb) including an adsorbent layer packed with precoated mesoporous active carbon for concentrating of any dilute volatile hydrocarbon contained in the exhaust gas. Consequently, there can be provided a method of purifying large amounts of exhaust gas with dilute volatile hydrocarbon concentration, in which without emission of carbon dioxide, any volatile hydrocarbon contained can be recovered with extreme easiness as a liquid. Further, there can be provided a purification method in which zero emission is attained with respect to volatile hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignees: System Eng Service Co., Ltd, Yoshiko Tsuru
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tahara, Hiroshi Nochi
  • Patent number: 7641720
    Abstract: The invention concerns a flow turning vane assembly for use in a duct bend portion of a clean air duct of an air induction system for a vehicle engine. The flow turning vane assembly may have a vane support housing, and a hydrocarbon adsorbent vane mounted to the vane support housing. The hydrocarbon adsorbent vane has a curved shape complimentary to the duct bend portion and includes a hydrocarbon adsorbent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Lei Li
  • Patent number: 7597745
    Abstract: A porous filter medium forms a filter or liner for extracting hydrocarbons from vapors emitted from a motorized vehicle, device or appliance fuel tank. The filter medium is a polymer network of a foam, nonwoven or collection of particles and has fine pore size and a butane working capacity (W/W %) of 4.0 percent or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Foamex Innovations Operating Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey I. Lebowitz, Joseph W. Lovette, Chiu Y. Chan
  • Patent number: 7497172
    Abstract: In a method for removing NOx from the flue gas using a coal water slurry, other carbon containing fuel and water, or unburned carbon existing in the furnace itself due to continuing combustion, the ratio of carbon to water is adjusted so that a portion of the carbon forms activated carbon after injection of the fuel slurry into the flue gas. The activated carbon is then available to collect mercury chloride from the flue gas which has been formed through the enhancement of the mercury and chlorine oxidation reaction, enhanced through the heterogeneous reaction mechanism of this same activated carbon in the primary combustion fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Breen Energy Solutions
    Inventors: Bernard P. Breen, Robert A. Schrecengost
  • Patent number: 7393381
    Abstract: A plurality of different layers of filter media are used to remove siloxanes from a gas stream. Based on an analysis of the specific gas stream to be filtered, a filter media having an average pore size enabling the preferential removal of a specific class of contaminants is selected for each different class of contaminants. The layers are arranged in sequential order such that contaminants having a higher molecular weight are preferentially removed by the first layers. Collectively, the layers define a segmented activity gradient that enables each class of contaminants present in the gas stream to be preferentially removed in a different layer, preventing removal competition between different classes of contaminants. Preferable adsorption media exhibit a relatively narrow range of pore sizes. Both inorganic adsorption media and carbon-based adsorption media exhibiting a relatively narrow range of pore sizes can be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Applied Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Tower, Jeffrey V. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 7316732
    Abstract: An activated carbon filter that treats a gas stream having a varying relative humidity, the gas stream contaminated with at least one of formaldehyde, an acid gas and an alkaline gas. The filter includes a plurality of activated carbon granules mixed together in a carbon bed filter. A first portion of the granules supports both manganese dioxide and potassium hydroxide. A second portion of the granules supports both potassium iodide and potassium hydroxide. A third portion of the granules supports phosphoric acid. The different portions operate to catalyze the oxidation of formaldehyde and other contaminants at varying humidity. The potassium hydroxide optionally chemisorbs any carboxylic acid by-products of the formaldehyde. Also provided is a method to treat a gas stream with the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Roy M. Taylor, Jr., Roy W. Kuennen, Gregory K. Evans
  • Patent number: 7264648
    Abstract: A plurality of different layers of filter media are used to remove siloxanes from a gas stream. Based on an analysis of the specific gas stream to be filtered, a filter media having an average pore size enabling the preferential removal of a specific class of contaminants is selected for each different class of contaminants. The layers are arranged in sequential order such that contaminants having a higher molecular weight are preferentially removed by the first layers. Collectively, the layers define a segmented activity gradient that enables each class of contaminants present in the gas stream to be preferentially removed in a different layer, preventing removal competition between different classes of contaminants. A polymorphous graphite is used as the filter media, because that material is available in a range of well-controlled pore sizes, as opposed to conventional activated carbon filter media, which generally exhibits poorly-controlled pore sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Applied Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey V. Wetzel, Paul M. Tower
  • Patent number: 7238223
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing constituents from a fluid stream is provided. The apparatus includes a duct, a collection device, a sorbent injector, and an acoustic generator. The duct has a fluid passageway to receive a fluid stream having constituents. The collection device filters the fluid stream. The sorbent injector injects a sorbent in the fluid passageway of the duct. The acoustic generator generates an acoustic field in the fluid passageway of the duct to promote sorption of the constituents for collection by the collection device. Additionally, a method is provided for removing constituents from a fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Board of the Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: G. Douglas Meegan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7160360
    Abstract: Purification material for removing a contaminant from an impure hydride gas comprising an adsorbent comprising a reduced metal oxide on a porous support and a desiccant. The porous support may be selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, alumina, silica, zeolite, silica alumina, titania, zirconia, and combinations thereof. The reduced metal oxide may comprise one or more metals selected from the group consisting of Group I alkali metals (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium), Group II alkaline earth metals (magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium), and transition metals (manganese, nickel, zinc, iron, molybdenum, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, cobalt, and rhodium). The desiccant may be selected from the group consisting of hygroscopic metal salts, zeolites, single metal oxides, mixed metal oxides, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Dingjun Wu, Timothy Christopher Golden, Chun Christine Dong, Paula Jean Battavio
  • Patent number: 7101417
    Abstract: An activated carbon/metal oxide filter element is disclosed. The filter element may be prepared by blending an activated carbon, a metal oxide, and a binder to form a filter media mixture, shaping the filter media mixture into a filter body. The filter body may be calcined to form a filter element. The activated carbon/metal oxide filter element may be used to remove odorous compounds, acidic gases, and volatile organic compounds from a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: USFilter Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Graham
  • Patent number: 7022162
    Abstract: It is the object of the invention to provide a material for retaining polyhalogenated compounds, the material avoiding the drawbacks of activated carbon and polyolefins. The object is accomplished by the use of a material for retaining polyhalogenated compounds, having a filler, which is suitable for adsorbing polyhalogenated compounds, and a polyolefin matrix, into which the material is completely incorporated and enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Siegfried Kreisz, Hans Hunsinger
  • Patent number: 6964695
    Abstract: A regenerable adsorber for removing VOCs from gas streams consists of a porous monolithic carbon which can be regenerated by heating by passing an electric current through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Carbon Technologies NV
    Inventors: Roger Nicholas Place, Andrew John Blackburn, Stephen Robert Tennison, Anthony Paul Rawlinson, Barry David Crittenden
  • Patent number: 6960243
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the extraction of water from a gas stream, such as atmospheric air. The method includes contacting the gas stream with a porous adsorbent material having a surface modifying agent adsorbed on the surface of a porous support. The surface modifying agent creates a hydrophilic surface for the adsorption of the water. After the water is adsorbed into the pores, the surface modifying agent is selectively desorbed from the surface. The water then evaporates from the pore and can be collected in a condenser. The method and apparatus of the present invention advantageously operate in a substantially isothermal manner, thereby reducing the size and power consumption of the device. The device can advantageously be used to extract potable drinking water from atmospheric air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Smith, James S. Dusenbury, William L. Warren
  • Patent number: 6953494
    Abstract: A method for removing mercury and mercury-containing compounds from a combustion gas in an exhaust gas system has the steps of providing a mercury sorbent; injecting the mercury sorbent into a stream of the mercury-containing combustion gas for a sufficient time to allow at least an effective amount of the mercury and mercury-containing compounds in the combustion gas to adsorb onto the mercury sorbent, and collecting and removing the mercury sorbent from the combustion gas stream. The mercury sorbent is prepared by treating a carbonaceous substrate with an effective amount of a bromine-containing gas, especially one containing elemental bromine or hydrogen bromide, for a time sufficient to increase the ability of the carbonaceous substrate to adsorb mercury and mercury-containing compounds. The points of injecting and collecting and removing the mercury sorbent may be varied, depending upon the exact configuration of the exhaust gas system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Sidney G. Nelson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6843831
    Abstract: A process for the purification of flue gas, comprising the step of contacting flue gas with a carbonaceous material comprising a solid carbonaceous residue of synthetic rutile production from titaniferous ores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Norit Nederland B.V.
    Inventors: Dirk van de Kleut, Robert Jan de Jonge
  • Patent number: 6764755
    Abstract: A channelized sorbent material comprises porous sorbent particles characterized by an average pore diameter. Each sorbent particle has at least one interior channel of an average transverse dimension (i.e. transverse diameter) that is at least ten times larger than the average pore diameter of the porous sorbent particle. The interior channel may constitute a single cylindrical through-bore in the sorbent particle, or alternatively, an array of intersecting or non-intersecting channels. The porous sorbent particles preferably comprise bead activated carbon particles. Such channelized sorbent material is particular useful as sorbent media in an adsorption-desorption apparatus for storage and dispensing of a sorbable fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, Steven J. Hultquist
  • Patent number: 6761753
    Abstract: A filter includes at least two different adsorptive media. First, chemisorptive media, which is porous and includes an acidic functional group, is used to remove molecular bases, including ammonia, organic amines, imides and aminoalcohols, from the atmosphere used in semiconductor fabrication and other processes that require uncontaminated gaseous environments of high quality. Second, physisorptive media is able to adsorb condensable contaminants, particularly those having a boiling point greater than 150 degrees C. The physisorptive media can include untreated, activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Extraction Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Oleg P. Kishkovich, Devon Kinkead, Anatoly Grayfer, William M. Goodwin, David Ruede
  • Patent number: 6743278
    Abstract: A fluid storage and dispensing apparatus, including a fluid storage and dispensing vessel having an interior volume, in which the interior volume contains a physical adsorbent sorptively retaining a fluid thereon and from which the fluid is desorbable for dispensing from the vessel, and a dispensing assembly coupled to the vessel for dispensing desorbed fluid from the vessel. The physical adsorbent includes a monolithic carbon physical adsorbent that is characterized by at least one of the following characteristics: (a) a fill density measured for arsine gas at 25° C. and pressure of 650 torr that is greater than 400 grams arsine per liter of adsorbent; (b) at least 30% of overall porosity of the adsorbent including slit-shaped pores having a size in a range of from about 0.3 to about 0.72 nanometer, and at least 20% of the overall porosity including micropores of diameter <2 nanometers; and (c) having been formed by pyrolysis and optional activation, at temperature(s) below 1000° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Donald Carruthers
  • Patent number: 6716271
    Abstract: A germane storage and dispensing system, in which germane gas is sorptively retained on an activated carbon sorbent medium in a vessel containing adsorbed and free germane gas. The activated carbon sorbent medium is deflagration-resistant in relation to the germane gas adsorbed thereon, i.e., under deflagration conditions of 65° C. and 650 torr, under which free germane gas undergoes deflagration, the activated carbon sorbent medium does not sustain deflagration of the adsorbed germane gas or thermally desorb the germane gas so that it undergoes subsequent deflagration. The deflagration-resistance of the activated carbon sorbent medium is promoted by pre-treatment of the sorbent material to remove extraneous sorbables therefrom and by maintaining the fill level of the sorbent medium in the gas storage and dispensing vessel at a substantial value, e.g., of at least 30%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Arno, Edward Sturm, Luping Wang, James Dietz
  • Patent number: 6709482
    Abstract: Trace impurities such as organic compounds and carbon monoxide in reactive fluids such as ammonia, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen bromide, and chlorine are reduced to sub-ppb levels using gas purifying systems that contain a preconditioned ultra-low emission (P-ULE) carbon. P-ULE is capable of removing impurities from a reactive fluid down to parts-per-billion (ppb) and sub-ppb levels without concurrently emitting other impurities such as moisture or carbon dioxide into the purified reactive fluid. The P-ULE carbon is prepared by heating a carbon material to temperatures from 300° C. to about 800° C. in an ultra-dry, inert gas stream, to produce an ultra-low emission (ULE) carbon material, subjecting the ULE carbon to a second activation process under a reactive gas atmosphere to produce a P-ULE carbon and storing the P-ULE carbon in an environment that minimizes contamination of the P-ULE prior to its use in a gas purifier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans H. Funke, Dan Fraenkel, Virginia H. Houlding
  • Patent number: 6702875
    Abstract: Described are filters containing free-activated carbon fibers or activated carbon fibers in the form of a composite used for filtering a variety of contaminants, including pathogens, from air. These filters can provide effective and efficient removal of contaminants from air, requiring only short contact time between the air being filtered and the filter itself, with only a minimum pressure drop across the filter. The characteristics of these filters allow for effective filtration with only thin filter layers being required. The process of filtering air utilizing these filters is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Marit Jagtoyen, Francis John Derbyshire
  • Patent number: 6669760
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for removing C2F6 as an impurity from a CF4 containing gas, preferably CF4 produced by the reaction of F2 with carbon. The improvement in the process comprises the steps: contacting the CF4 containing gas, containing C2F6 impurity, with an activated carbon having a CCl4 activity from 43 to 55 in an adsorption bed to effect adsorption of the C2F6 impurity; and, recovering purified CF4 product in the effluent from the adsorbent bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Bruce Henderson, Timothy Christopher Golden
  • Patent number: 6660064
    Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process for recovering a product gas from a feed gas, includes: supplying a pressure swing adsorption apparatus including an adsorbent composition containing activated carbon as a major ingredient, wherein the adsorbent composition and the apparatus are substantially free of zeolite adsorbents; feeding a feed gas into the pressure swing adsorption apparatus during a feed period not exceeding 20 seconds; and recovering the product gas from the pressure swing adsorption apparatus. The process and apparatus are particularly suitable for use with fuel cells and other applications requiring compact, rapid cycling systems for producing high purity hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Christopher Golden, Edward Landis Weist
  • Patent number: 6645902
    Abstract: An adsorbent and process for producing an absorbent capable of decomposing an organic halogen compound, is provided. The adsorbent can adsorb organic halogen compounds contained in waste gases and can assuredly decompose them without synthesizing them. A salt of Pt and/or Pd, an organic titanium compound and an organic binder are reacted in a solvent, to thereby synthesize a dispersion of an organic metal compound precursor containing Pt and/or Pd and Ti in molecules thereof, a sol of TiO2 is added to the dispersion to prepare a catalyst-coating solution, an activated carbon is impregnated with the catalyst-coating solution, and the resulting mixture is heated, thereby allowing the activated carbon to carry thereon an organic halogen compound-decomposing catalyst comprising TiO2 and, dispersed therein, fine particles of Pt and/or Pd. In a low temperature range of 130 to 150° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakatsu Hiraoka, Katsuhiro Tokura, Kazuyuki Oshita
  • Patent number: 6613126
    Abstract: A method for storing natural gas by adsorption which comprises separating an available natural gas in an infrastructure side (10) into a low carbon number component mainly containing methane and ethane and a high carbon number component mainly containing propane, butane and the like, and storing the low carbon number component by adsorption in a first adsorption tank (16) and storing the high carbon number component by adsorption in a second adsorption tank (18). The method can solve the problem that the high carbon number component condenses within a pore of an adsorbing agent and hence the adsorption of the carbon number component, the main component of natural gas, is inhibited, and thus improves the storage density. Accordingly, the method can be used for ensuring a high storage density also for an available natural gas. An adsorbing agent for use in the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyoichi Tange, Tamio Shinozawa, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Kouetsu Hibino
  • Patent number: 6558454
    Abstract: A process for removing vapor phase contaminants from a gas stream includes the step of adding a raw carbonaceous starting material into a gas stream having an activation temperature sufficient to convert the raw carbonaceous starting material into an activated material in-situ. The raw carbonaceous starting material can be either a solid-phase, liquid phase or vapor-phase material. The activated material then adsorbs the vapor phase contaminants, and the activation material containing the vapor phase contaminants is removed from the gas stream using a particulate collection device. The process is particularly suited for the removal of vapor phase air toxics, such as mercury, from the flue gas of a combustion process. An apparatus for the removal of vapor phase contaminants from a gas stream is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Massoud Rostam-Abadi, Sharon Sjostrom
  • Patent number: 6537347
    Abstract: A chemical filter unit 10 is made of a chemical filter 12 and a filter life detection sensor 1. The filter life detection sensor 1 is provided with an adsorption state detection sensor 3 and a reference sensor 4 to which a flow of air is blocked. The sensors 3 and 4 are made of the same filter material as the chemical filter 12 with a pair of electrodes sandwiching the filter material. An oscillation circuit, in which the sensors 3 and 4 constitute a part of the oscillating conditions, detects changes in impedance of the sensors 3 and 4 based on the changes in oscillation frequencies. A measurement of the adsorption state detection sensor 3 is corrected with a measurement of the reference sensor 4 in order to remove effects of temperature and humidity, obtain a measurement corresponding to the amount of adsorption of chemical substances, and decide on the timing of replacing the chemical filter based on the corrected measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignees: Omron Corporation, Tokyo Electron LTD
    Inventors: Satoshi Motouji, Iichi Hirao, Teruyuki Hayashi, Misako Saito
  • Patent number: 6521021
    Abstract: A system and method for removing mercury from the flue gas of a coal-fired power plant is described. Mercury removal is by adsorption onto a thermally activated sorbent produced in-situ at the power plant. To obtain the thermally activated sorbent, a lance (thief) is inserted into a location within the combustion zone of the combustion chamber and extracts a mixture of semi-combusted coal and gas. The semi-combusted coal has adsorptive properties suitable for the removal of elemental and oxidized mercury. The mixture of semi-combusted coal and gas is separated into a stream of gas and semi-combusted coal that has been converted to a stream of thermally activated sorbent. The separated stream of gas is recycled to the combustion chamber. The thermally activated sorbent is injected into the duct work of the power plant at a location downstream from the exit port of the combustion chamber. Mercury within the flue gas contacts and adsorbs onto the thermally activated sorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Henry W. Pennline, Evan J. Granite, Mark C. Freeman, Richard A. Hargis, William J. O'Dowd
  • Patent number: 6497750
    Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of nitrogen from a mixture of same with methane, utilizing two separate PSA stages, one containing a nitrogen selective adsorbent and the second containing a methane-selective adsorbent. In the process, the first PSA unit containing a nitrogen selective adsorbent forms a product methane stream and a waste stream rich in nitrogen which is passed to a second PSA unit containing a methane selective adsorbent which forms a product nitrogen stream and a waste stream rich in methane. The waste stream rich in methane can be treated to remove heavy hydrocarbons therefrom before the methane is recycled to feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth F. Butwell, William B. Dolan, Steven M. Kuznicki
  • Patent number: 6451094
    Abstract: A process for removing vapor phase contaminants from a gas stream includes the step of adding a raw carbonaceous starting material into a gas stream having an activation temperature sufficient to convert the raw carbonaceous starting material into an activated material in-situ. The activated material then adsorbs the vapor phase contaminants, and the activation material containing the vapor phase contaminants is removed from the gas stream using a particulate collection device. The process is particularly suited for the removal of vapor phase air toxics, such as mercury, from the flue gas of a combustion process. An apparatus for the removal of vapor phase contaminants from a gas stream is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Massoud Rostam-Abadi, Shiaoguo Chen
  • Patent number: 6444012
    Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of nitrogen from natural gas utilizes two separate pressure swing adsorption stages, the first containing a hydrocarbon-selective adsorbent and the second containing a nitrogen-selective adsorbent. In the process, the product stream from the first pressure swing adsorption unit contains a natural gas stream having a reduced hydrocarbon content and the product stream from the second pressure swing adsorption unit is a natural gas stream having a reduced nitrogen concentration. The product from the second pressure swing adsorption unit is used to desorb the hydrocarbons from the first pressure swing adsorption unit so as to add the hydrocarbons, which have heat value to the product natural gas stream. Periodically, heating the nitrogen-selective adsorbent with heated product stream from the second pressure swing adsorption unit has been found to improve the capacity of the nitrogen-selective adsorbent to adsorb nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: William B. Dolan, Kenneth F. Butwell
  • Publication number: 20020117094
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling or removing mercury, mercury compounds and high molecular weight organics, if present, from a resource recovery exhaust stream by separately adding a carbonaceous char to the flue gas while it is still within the unit. The char can be produced in situ by adding a carbonaceous material and allowing it to thermally decompose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Aaron J. Teller, Jonathan R. Lagarenne