Carbon Patents (Class 95/903)
  • 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: 8551216
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a fluid with a body are disclosed. Various aspects involve treating a fluid with a porous body. In select embodiments, a body comprises ash particles, and the ash particles used to form the body may be selected based on their providing one or more desired properties for a given treatment. Various bodies provide for the reaction and/or removal of a substance in a fluid, often using a porous body comprised of ash particles. Computer-operable methods for matching a source material to an application are disclosed. Certain aspects feature a porous body comprised of ash particles, the ash particles have a particle size distribution and interparticle connectivity that creates a plurality of pores having a pore size distribution and pore connectivity, and the pore size distribution and pore connectivity are such that a first fluid may substantially penetrate the pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Errcive, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Ramberg, Stephen A. Dynan, Jack A. Shindle
  • Patent number: 8357228
    Abstract: A gas purification method of the present invention uses a carbon membrane having a molecular sieving action to purify at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydride gas, a hydrogen halide gas, and a halogen gas, each gas containing an impurity at 10 ppm or less. The present invention can be used for a recovery unit that recoveries a used gas to reuse it as an ultrapure semiconductor material gas, and a unit or equipment that produces or charges an ultrapure semiconductor material gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Yuzuru Miyazawa, Yoshihiko Kobayashi, Kenji Haraya, Miki Yoshimune
  • Patent number: 8231712
    Abstract: The method enables control over carbon pore structure to provide sorbents that are particularly advantageous for the adsorption of specific gases. It involves preparation of a sorbent precursor material, carbonization of the precursor material, and, usually, activation of the carbonized material. The resultant material is subjected to heat treatment and/or to surface conditioning by a reducing gas at elevated temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Fuel Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Marek A. Wójtowicz, Eric Rubenstein, Michael A. Serio
  • Patent number: 8221524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for achieving low oxygen levels in a natural gas stream without the use of a catalytic system. In one embodiment, the method comprises: membrane treatment for the removal of the bulk of CO2 and oxygen in the natural gas feed and the addition of a PSA system using a carbon molecular sieve adsorbent for the adsorption of residual oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Guild Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Mitariten
  • Patent number: 8110026
    Abstract: A gas diffusion barrier contains a polymer matrix and a functional graphene which displays no signature of graphite and/or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Robert Prud'Homme, Christopher O'Neil, Bulent Ozbas, Ilhan Aksay, Richard Register, Douglas Adamson
  • Patent number: 8038772
    Abstract: A filter cartridge for recovering halogenated hydrocarbons (HKW), such as those occurring in inhalation anesthetics in the medical field, contains a first gas inlet; a container which contains a filter insert; wherein the container is connected over a connection with a cover and with a gas release; wherein the container is united via two sealing rings and a filter plate with the cover; wherein the filter insert contains a zeolite; wherein the filter insert has openings; wherein the filter insert adapts with the base of the filter insert to recesses in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: ZeoSys GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Fuesting, Peter Muenn, Hartmut Welke, Helmut Stach
  • Patent number: 7862646
    Abstract: An adsorbent having porosity expanded by contact with a first agent effecting such expansion and a pressurized second agent effecting transport of the first agent into the porosity, wherein the adsorbent subsequent to removal of the first and second agents retains expanded porosity. The adsorbent can be made by an associated method in which materials such as water, ethers, alcohols, organic solvent media, or inorganic solvent media can be utilized as the first agent for swelling of the porosity, and helium, argon, krypton, xenon, neon, or other inert gases can be employed as the pressurized second agent for transport of both agents into the porosity of the adsorbent, subsequent to which the agents can be removed to yield an adsorbent of increased capacity for sorbable fluids, e.g., organometallic compounds, hydrides, halides and acid gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Donald Carruthers, Frank Dimeo, Jr., Brian Bobita
  • Patent number: 7854788
    Abstract: A filter membrane includes a substrate, a polymer layer provided on the substrate and a plurality of filter openings each having a width of from about 2 nanometers to about 5 nanometers provided in the polymer layer. A method of controlling pore size of a filter membrane and a method of decontaminating a filter membrane are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrd, James P. Huang, Gwen Gross
  • 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: 7799120
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide storage system includes a container and a conduit attached to the container for introducing or removing a carbon dioxide-containing composition from the container. A carbon dioxide storage material is positioned within the container. The carbon dioxide-storage material includes a metal-organic framework, which has a sufficient surface area to store at least 10 carbon dioxide molecules per formula unit of the metal-organic framework at a temperature of about 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Omar M. Yaghi, Andrew Robert Millward
  • Patent number: 7708810
    Abstract: A gas permeable, carbon based, nanocomposite membrane comprises a nanoporous carbon matrix comprising a pyrolyzed polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles of carbon or an inorganic compound disposed in the matrix. The matrix is prepared by pyrolyzing a polymer, and nanoparticles of the particulate material are disposed in the polymer prior to pyrolysis. The particles may be disposed in a precursor of the polymer, which precursor is subsequently polymerized, or in the polymer itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Henry C. Foley, Ramakrishnan Rajagopalan, Anna R. Merritt
  • Patent number: 7625426
    Abstract: A nano-scale filter (10) includes a porous supporting component (14) and a carbon nanotube filtration membrane (12) sintered on a top surface of the porous supporting component. The porous supporting component has a number of micro-scale pores. The filtration membrane is configured as a network formed by aggregating a number of multi-junction carbon nanotubes. The multi-function carbon nanotubes are selected from the group consisting of two-dimensional junction carbon nanotubes (30, 40, 50, 60), three-dimensional junction carbon nanotubes (20) and an admixture thereof. A method for making the nano-scale filter is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mong-Tung Lin
  • Patent number: 7597744
    Abstract: Use of molecular sieves to reduce the amount of trifluoromethane (HFC-23) present in a mixture of HFC-23 with other materials, particularly from mixtures containing HFC-23 and trifluoroiodomethane (CF3I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond H. Thomas, Rajiv R. Singh, Thomas W. Morris, Roy P. Robinson
  • Patent number: 7503960
    Abstract: Filters and smoking articles include at least one carbon fiber composite molecular sieve sorbent capable of selectively removing one or more selected constituents from mainstream smoke. Methods for making cigarette filters and smoking articles using the carbon fiber composite molecular sieve sorbent and methods for treating mainstream tobacco smoke in a cigarette comprising the carbon fiber composite molecular sieve sorbent are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Philip Morris USA Inc.
    Inventors: Susan E. Plunkett, Kenneth H. Shafer
  • Patent number: 7468096
    Abstract: The present invention concerns the apparatus for producing oxygen, comprising: a first zeolite bed connected to an external air pressurizing device and a depressurizing device for increasing or decreasing an internal pressure thereof; a second zeolite bed connected to the first zeolite bed in parallel and connected to the external air pressurizing device and the depressurizing device for decreasing or increasing an internal pressure thereof, the first and second zeolite beds being arranged such that the internal pressure of the second zeolite bed is decreased when the internal pressure of the first zeolite bed is increased, and the internal pressure of the second zeolite bed is increased when the internal pressure of the first zeolite bed is decreased; and a carbon molecular sieve bed communicated in fluid with the first and second zeolite beds for receiving and adsorbing oxygen produced in the first and second zeolite beds and discharging the produced oxygen to the outside and discharging selectively some of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignees: Yonsei University, Daesung Industrial Gases Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-Ha Lee
  • Patent number: 7431900
    Abstract: A hydrogen peroxide vapor generation unit (10) receives hydrogen peroxide and water solution at an interface (20) and interconnects with an air dryer (14) by way of nipples (72, 92). In one embodiment, the dryer includes a clamping assembly (42) which is latched (74, 94) with the nipples and which receives a disposable desiccant cartridge (40). In an alternate embodiment, a reusable desiccant cartridge (40?) is connected directly to the nipples (72, 92). When the desiccant cartridge (40?) is saturated, it is removed and placed in a regenerator unit (120). A regenerated cartridge is installed in its place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Steris Inc
    Inventors: Aaron L. Hill, Arthur T. Nagare, Frank E. Dougherty, Stanley M. Voyten
  • Patent number: 7419601
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are articles for removing contaminants from a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, the article comprising carbon nanotubes, which comprise at least one molecule or cluster attached thereto or located therein, wherein the carbon nanotubes are present in the article in an amount sufficient to reduce the concentration of contaminants in fluid that come into contact with the article. A method of making the nanomesh material used in such articles is also disclosed, as are methods of purifying fluids using these articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Seldon Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher H. Cooper, Alan G. Cummings, Mikhail Y. Starostin, Charles P. Honsinger
  • 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: 7306647
    Abstract: A mixed matrix membrane for separating gas components from a mixture of gas components is disclosed. The membrane comprises a continuous phase polymer with inorganic porous particles, preferably molecular sieves, interspersed in the polymer. The polymer has a CO2/CH4 selectivity of at least 20 and the porous particles have a mesoporosity of at least 0.1 cc STP/g. The mixed matrix membrane exhibits an increase in permeability of least 30% with any decrease in selectivity being no more than 10% relative to a membrane made of the neat polymer. The porous particles may include, but are not limited to, molecular sieves such as CVX-7 and SSZ-13, and/or other molecular sieves having the required mesoporosity. A method for making the mixed matrix membrane is also described. Further, a method is disclosed for separating gas components from a mixture of gas components using the mixed matrix membrane with mesoporous particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Miller, Alexander Kuperman, De Q. Vu
  • 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: 7250074
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for separating methane or nitrogen from a fluid mixture comprising methane and nitrogen, the process comprising: (A) flowing the fluid mixture into a microchannel separator, the microchannel separator comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing a sorption medium, the fluid mixture being maintained in the microchannel separator until at least part of the methane or nitrogen is sorbed by the sorption medium, and removing non-sorbed parts of the fluid mixture from the microchannel separator; and (B) desorbing the methane or nitrogen from the sorption medium and removing the desorbed methane or nitrogen from the microchannel separator. The process is suitable for upgrading methane from coal mines, landfills, and other sub-quality sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Dongming Qiu, Terence Andrew Dritz, Paul Neagle, Robert Dwayne Litt, Ravi Arora, Michael Jay Lamont, Kristina M. Pagnotto
  • Patent number: 7060653
    Abstract: The gas storage method comprises a step of keeping a gas to be stored and an adsorbent in a vessel at a low temperature below the liquefaction temperature of the gas to be stored so that the gas to be stored is adsorbed onto the adsorbent in a liquefied state, a step of introducing into the vessel kept at the low temperature a gaseous or liquid medium with a freezing temperature that is higher than the above-mentioned liquefaction temperature of the gas to be stored, for freezing of the medium, so that the gas to be stored which has been adsorbed onto the adsorbent in a liquefied state is encapsulated by the medium which has been frozen, and a step of keeping the vessel at a temperature higher than the liquefaction temperature and below the freezing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6916358
    Abstract: An adsorbent for separating nitrogen from a mixed gas of oxygen and nitrogen is MSC wherein an oxygen and nitrogen separation ratio ? and a ratio (t95/t50) of a time t50 required for adsorbing 50% of the oxygen equilibrium adsorption amount and a time t95 required for adsorbing 95% of the oxygen equilibrium adsorption amount satisfy the inequality (t95/t50)<0.4×(??24)??35. The amount of adsorbent used with respect to a predetermined amount of nitrogen generated can be reduced since a method is carried out which uses this adsorbent to produce nitrogen by separating nitrogen from the mixed gas of oxygen and nitrogen by means of a PSA method. By this method, it is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus and reduce and miniaturize the scale of the apparatus, and the power consumption amount can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Akihiro Nakamura, Masato Kawai, Masayoshi Hayashida, Yoshinori Watanabe, Shinichi Marumo
  • Patent number: 6767386
    Abstract: CMS adsorbents having suitable indexes are used to improve greatly the performance of nitrogen-producing apparatuses where nitrogen is obtained from the air with a PSA method, so as to improve the efficiency of nitrogen production. A nitrogen PSA apparatus is formed with two adsorbing columns where an adsorption step and a regeneration step are performed alternatively and periodically. The adsorption step is for adsorbing oxygen and conducting nitrogen to a product tank with the supply of compressed air from an air compressor, and the regeneration step for releasing the adsorbed gas after the adsorption step. The adsorbing columns are filled with a carbon molecular sieve (CMS) that selectively adsorbs oxygen as an adsorbent. The CMS adsorbs an oxygen/nitrogen amount of 50% of the saturated adsorption amount with a period TO/TN starting from oxygen/nitrogen supply, wherein TO is 5˜10 seconds and TN is larger than TO by more than 41 times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Kawai, Akihiro Nakamura, Masayoshi Hayashida, Yoshinori Watanabe, Shinichi Marumo
  • 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: 6592653
    Abstract: A fluid storage and dispensing system including a vessel containing a low heel carbon sorbent having fluid adsorbed thereon, with the system arranged to effect desorption of the fluid from the sorbent for dispensing of fluid on demand. The low heel carbon sorbent preferably is characterized by at least one of the following characteristics: (i) Heel, measured for gaseous arsine (AsH3) at 20° C. at 20 Torr, of not more than 50 grams AsH3 per liter of bed of the sorbent material; (ii) Heel, measured for gaseous boron trifluoride (BF3) at 20° C. at 20 Torr, of not more than 20 grams boron trifloride per liter of bed of the sorbent material; (iii) Heel, measured for gaseous germanium tetrafluoride (GeF4) at 20° C. at 20 Torr, of not more than 250 grams AsH3 per liter of bed of the sorbent material; (iv) Heel, measured for gaseous arsenic pentafluoride (AsF5) at 20° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Luping Wang, Joseph Salsbury
  • Patent number: 6290753
    Abstract: In a method for storing hydrogen in a carbon material containing microstructures in the form of cones with cone angles being multiples of 60°, the carbon material is introduced in a reaction vessel which is evacuated while the carbon material is kept at a temperature of 295-800 K, after which pure hydrogen gas is introduced in the reaction vessel, the carbon material being exposed to a hydrogen gas pressure in the range of 300-7600 torr such that the hydrogen gas is absorbed in the carbon material, and after which the reaction vessel is left at the ambient temperature with the carbon material under a fixed hydrogen gas pressure. For use the hydrogen is released in the form of a gas from the carbon material either at ambient temperature or by heating the carbon material in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Institutt for energiteknikk
    Inventors: Arnulf Julius Maeland, Arne Torbjørn Skjeltorp
  • Patent number: 6113673
    Abstract: This invention is directed to the synthesis of high bulk density high gas absorption capacity adsorbents for gas storage applications. Specifically, this invention is concerned with novel gas absorbents with high gravimetric and volumetric gas adsorption capacities which are made from fullerene-based materials. By pressing fullerene powder into pellet form using a conventional press, then polymerizing it by subjecting the fullerene to high temperature and high inert gas pressure, the resulting fullerene-based materials have high bulk densities and high gas adsorption capacities. By pre-chemical modification or post-polymerization activation processes, the gas adsorption capacities of the fullerene-based adsorbents can be further enhanced. These materials are suitable for low pressure gas storage applications, such as oxygen storage for home oxygen therapy uses or on-board vehicle natural gas storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Materials and Electrochemical Research (MER) Corporation
    Inventors: Raouf O. Loutfy, Xiao-Chun Lu, Weijiong Li, Michael G. Mikhael
  • Patent number: 5827355
    Abstract: An electrically regenerable gas filter system includes a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) filter medium. After a separate medium-efficiency pre-filter removes particulate from the supply airstream, the CFCMS filter sorbs gaseous air pollutants before the air is recirculated to the space. When saturated, the CFCMS media is regenerated utilizing a low-voltage current that is caused to pass through the filter medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk A. Wilson, Timothy D. Burchell, Roddie R. Judkins
  • Patent number: 5518527
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for economical recovery of ethylene from ethylene-containing vent gas from a plant for production of ethylene oxide, wherein ethylene is separated from saturated hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane and oxygen and then recovered efficiently. In this method, the vent gas is made to contact with molecular sieve carbon to selectively adsorb ethylene without substantial adsorption of the oxygen contained in the vent gas, the ethylene then being desorbed and recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignees: Mitsubishi PetroChemical Engineering Co., Ltd., Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tomizuka, Yoshihiro Saitou, Kiyoshi Itoga, Masanori Tsuji
  • Patent number: 5447557
    Abstract: An oxygen selective adsorbent and a method for making an oxygen selective adsorbent wherein a porous carbon substrate such as a carbon molecular sieve, activated carbon, carbon black, coal, or petroleum coke, is impregnated with a solution of an acidic species and the impregnated substrate is dried. The oxygen selective adsorbent can be used in a pressure swing adsorption process for the separation of oxygen from nitrogen, for example, in air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Golden, Wilbur C. Kratz, Mindy N. Mead
  • Patent number: 5429664
    Abstract: The present invention is a pressure swing adsorption process for separating a more strongly adsorbed gas component from a less strongly adsorbed gas component in a feed gas mixture at higher recoveries and productivity and less capital cost by the use of void space gas recycle, membrane based nitrogen enrichment of feed gas and the elimination of pressure equalization steps. The process is particularly amenable to air separation wherein nitrogen product is recovered and an oxygen byproduct is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Sang K. Lee
  • Patent number: 5417742
    Abstract: Perfluorocarbons are recovered from gas streams by subjecting the gas stream to an adsorption process in a bed of one or more energetically homogeneous adsorbents such as silicon-rich adsorbents of the FAU structure, silicon-rich adsorbents of the BEA structure, silicon-rich adsorbents of the MOR structure. The adsorption process is preferably pressure swing adsorption or temperature swing adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Satish S. Tamhankar, Ramakrishnan Ramachandran, Martin Bulow, Theodore R. Galica
  • Patent number: 5411577
    Abstract: A method for separating gases wherein the gases to be separated are contacted with a particulate composite material with a carbon matrix to selectively adsorb gases. The material contains a microporous phase which is essentially carbon with a microporous volume between 0.1 cm.sup.2 /g and 1 cm.sup.2 /g, which is associated with an amorphous mineral dispersed phase containing an oxide of silicon, aluminum, titanium or magnesium disposed on the carbon phase at a thickness of less than 10 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: l'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Serge Moreau, Bernard Sardan, Pierre Ehrburger
  • Patent number: 5261948
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of a carbon molecular sieve capable of separating acid gases and fluorocarbons of the formula C.sub.a H.sub.b X.sub.c F.sub.d, wherein a is from 1 to about 6, b is from 0 to about 13, c is from 0 to about 13, d is from 1 to about 14, and X is a halogen; on the basis of shape selectivity and size exclusion. A precursor resin is heated at about 0.2.degree. C. per minute to about 500.degree. C. Then the resin is soaked at about 500.degree. C. for about 6 hours in flowing inert gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignees: University of Delaware, E. I. Du Pont de Nemours Co.
    Inventors: Henry C. Foley, Ravindra K. Mariwala, Leo Manzer
  • Patent number: 5240474
    Abstract: Nitrogen is produced by separating air in a pressure swing adsorption process using a high capacity kinetically O.sub.2 selective material as the adsorbent. An example of such an adsorbent is a carbon molecular sieve made from coconut shell char. Such a coconut shell char having a high oxygen volumetric capacity is provided by crushing and sizing coconut shells to form granules which are then heated in flowing inert gas at a temperature ramp rate of about 2 to 12.degree. C. per minute to a peak temperature of 775 to 900.degree. C. which is then held so that the total heating time is up to 8 hours and thereafter the granular char is cooled in an inert gas atmosphere. The granular char thus produced is kinetically selective for O.sub.2 over N.sub.2 without further modification to narrow the openings of its micropores and has an oxygen volumetric capacity in excess of 8.0 cc/cc at 1 atm. and ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven R. Auvil, Joan M. Schork, Rajagopalan Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 5238888
    Abstract: Provided are carbon molecular sieves produced by treating carbonacious materials with plasma. One of their most important uses is adsorbent for pressure swing adsorption processes, which are widely used for the separation of gases on industrial scales. The carbon molecular sieves meet the strong demand in this field where the performance of the adsorbent used governs the efficiency of gas separation.The carbon molecular sieves of the present invention are particularly effective in separating nitrogen gas from air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Kuraray Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunio Abe