With Heating Or Cooling Patents (Class 95/99)
  • Patent number: 11958803
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of preparing a biogas purification system. Embodiments include flushing an adsorber with a gas stream that is separable by the downstream biogas purification process. Other embodiments include using the separable gas stream to flush a saturated adsorber. Additional embodiments include using a gas stream comprised of CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: CALGON CARBON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Franck Michel Honore, Thomas Anthony Ryan
  • Patent number: 11857913
    Abstract: Provided are apparatus and systems for performing a swing adsorption process. This swing adsorption process may involve performing dampening for fluctuations in the streams conducted away from the adsorbent bed unit. The process may be utilized for swing adsorption processes, such as rapid cycle TSA and/or rapid cycle PSA, which are utilized to remove one or more contaminants from a gaseous feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ananda K. Nagavarapu, Stephen Wright, Bennett D. Marshall, Brett L. Ryberg
  • Patent number: 11376543
    Abstract: Methods and systems of collecting carbon dioxide are disclosed. In one example, a method includes removing water from atmospheric air with a condenser and a desiccant material to produce dry air, adsorbing carbon dioxide to a material from the dry air, releasing the adsorbed carbon dioxide to a vacuum chamber, and transitioning the released carbon dioxide from a gas to a solid in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Anthony M. DiCenzo, Joseph P. Bruschi, James G. Parlett, Douglas Anthony Galasso, Tab Hunter Crooks
  • Patent number: 11247166
    Abstract: A compressor installation with drying device for compressed gas, with the drying device containing a housing with a drying zone and a regeneration zone; where in the housing a drying agent is provided; and where the pressure line includes a heat-exchanger for cooling the compressed gas before it enters the drying zone. A tap-off pipe is connected to the discharge line that is connected to a cooling inlet of the heat-exchanger, while the heat-exchanger further includes a cooling outlet that is connected to the inlet of the regeneration zone, while the outlet of the regeneration zone is connected to the pressure line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
    Inventors: Danny Etienne Andree Vertriest, Geert Hellemans
  • Patent number: 11091408
    Abstract: A method and system are provided to recover water and carbon dioxide from combustion emissions. The recovery includes, among other things, electrolysis and carbon dioxide capture in a suitable solvent. The recovered water and carbon dioxide are subject to reaction, such as a catalytic methanation reaction, to generate at least methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan H. Winkler, Michael V. Sassoon, Gady Golan, Shlomo A. Zerbib
  • Patent number: 9492780
    Abstract: A sorption arrangement for a gas turbine includes a sorbent-laden media. The sorbent-laden media is positioned within an inlet system for the gas turbine. The sorbent-laden media includes one or more sorbents. The sorbent-laden media contacts inlet air passing through the inlet system for the gas turbine such that gas phase contaminants are removed from the inlet air by the sorbent-laden media. A method of removing gas phase contaminants within an inlet system of a gas turbine is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: BHA Altair, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Warren Taylor, Stephen David Hiner, Paul Sherwood Bryant, Vishal Bansal
  • Patent number: 9205357
    Abstract: A separation system including a source of a gaseous mixture, the gaseous mixture comprising at least a first constituent and a second constituent, and a separation unit in communication with the source to receive the gaseous mixture and at least partially separate the first constituent from the second constituent, wherein the separation unit comprises at least one of a vortex separator and a pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John C. Hall, D. Anthony Galasso, Jon A. Magnuson
  • Patent number: 9023244
    Abstract: The invention includes a process which eliminates or reduces the CO2 emissions from a steam methane reforming and autothermal reforming plant. The process preferentially uses temperature swing adsorption units which are employed to purify the hydrogen stream instead of more conventional solvent based aMDEA plants to remove the CO2 from the gas stream when creating a higher purity hydrogen stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Raja A. Jadhav
  • Patent number: 8784534
    Abstract: A pressure-temperature swing adsorption process for the removal of a target species, such as an acid gas, from a gas mixture, such as a natural gas stream. Herein, a novel multi-step temperature swing/pressure swing adsorption is utilized to operate while maintaining very high purity levels of contaminant removal from a product stream. The present process is particularly effective and beneficial in removing contaminants such as CO2 and/or H2S from a natural gas at high adsorption pressures (e.g., at least 500 psig) to create product streams of very high purity (i.e., very low contaminant levels).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Preeti Kamakoti, Daniel P. Leta, Harry W. Deckman, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Thomas N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8784535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure-temperature swing adsorption process wherein gaseous components that have been adsorbed can be recovered from the adsorbent bed at elevated pressures. In particular, the present invention relates to a pressure-temperature swing adsorption process for the separation of C2+ hydrocarbons (hydrocarbons with at least 2 carbon atoms) from natural gas streams to obtain a high purity methane product stream. In more preferred embodiments of the present processes, the processes may be used to obtain multiple, high purity hydrocarbon product streams from natural gas stream feeds resulting in a chromatographic-like fractionation with recovery of high purity individual gaseous component streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Peter I. Ravikovitch, Robert A. Johnson, Harry W. Deckman, Thomas N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8784533
    Abstract: A temperature swing adsorption process for the removal of a target species, such as an acid gas, from a gas mixture, such as a natural gas stream. Herein, a novel multi-step temperature swing/pressure swing adsorption is utilized to operate while maintaining very high purity levels of contaminant removal from a product stream. The present process is particularly effective and beneficial in removing contaminants such as CO2 and/or H2S from a natural gas at relatively high adsorption pressures (e.g., at least 500 psig) to create product streams of very high purity (i.e., very low contaminant levels).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Daniel P. Leta, Preeti Kamakoti, Harry W. Deckman, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Thomas N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8747522
    Abstract: In a method for adsorptively drying purified biogas and regenerating laden absorbents, foreign matter is not allowed to enter the purified biogas, the content of methane in the gas remains virtually unchanged and the effort involved in regenerating the laden adsorbent is reduced. Drying and regeneration are effected in a closed biogas cycle, wherein separate layers based on silica gel and molecular sieves are used as the adsorbent. The biogas to be dried first flows through the silica gel layer. The adsorbent is regenerated with exclusively heated, dried biomethane having a temperature of up to 150° C. which, after contact with adsorbent, is recirculated to the outflow of purified biogas. After regeneration, the bed is cooled by biomethane, which is subsequently recirculated to the outflow of purified biogas. Methane-containing water accumulating during drying and regeneration is recirculated to the biogas generation and/or purification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: DGE Dr.-Ing. Guenther Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Guenther
  • Patent number: 8690990
    Abstract: A pre-purification method of feed air for cryogenic air separation, which includes; (a) an adsorption step wherein a compressed feed air is supplied in an adsorption column, wherein a moisture adsorbent and a carbon dioxide adsorbent are filled in this order from the side where the feed air is introduced in the column, to remove water and carbon dioxide from the feed air; (b) a decompression step wherein pressure in the adsorption column is reduced; (c) a heating step wherein the adsorbents in the decompressed column are heated and regenerated, and the heating step includes a total heating step wherein the moisture adsorbent and the carbon dioxide adsorbent are heated and a partial heating step wherein the moisture adsorbent is heated; (d) a cooling step wherein the adsorbents are cooled by introducing a purge gas, which is not heated, to the adsorption column; and (e) a pressurization step wherein the cooled adsorbents are pressurized by purified air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Morimitsu Nakamura, Masato Kawai, Hiroyuki Takei
  • Patent number: 8685175
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon which includes a first drier and a second drier; and a reaction zone communicating with at least the first drier. The first drier operates at a first condition to dry the reactant and the second drier operates at a second condition during regeneration. The used regenerant remaining in the second drier after regeneration can (1) pass through a vent-to-flare assembly in a batch-wise manner; (2) pass through a downflow-depressure-to-low-pressure-device assembly in a batch-wise manner; (3) pass through a cross-over piping purge assembly to minimize upsets in the reaction and fractionation zones when the second drier is placed back in operation; or any combination of (1) (2) and/or (3) to minimize upsets in the reaction and fractionation zones when the second drier is placed back in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan S. Garney, Jocelyn C. Daguio, Kurt A. Detrick, David J. Shecterle, John M. Krupczak, Andrew D. Mezera, Douglas A. Becci
  • Publication number: 20140083294
    Abstract: TSA method for purification by means of adsorption of a synthetic gas including hydrogen, CO and/or methane, implementing at least one adsorber having at least one adsorbent and subjected to a pressure cycle comprising at least an adsorption step, a step of producing a flow enriched with a main component and a regeneration step, characterised in that the regeneration step includes: regenerating the adsorbent using a regeneration gas including more than 95 mol of nitrogen; and scavenging the adsorbent using a scavenging gas corresponding to a fraction of the synthetic gas to be purified or a fraction of the purified synthetic gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude l'Expl oitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Céline Carriere, Christian Monereau, Itziar Urrutia
  • 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: 8496738
    Abstract: A mixed gas is separated with collection of at least one constituent gas. An inlet leads to a blower or other gas compression element through a valve. This blower feeds a chamber which contains media which selectively adsorbs the constituent gas to be collected, such as nitrogen from air. An exhaust from the chamber leads to an exhaust through a check valve. The blower can be reversed after nitrogen has been adsorbed within the chamber to desorb nitrogen and deliver nitrogen back through the blower. The inlet valve is closed after blower reversing and a separate diversion pathway is opened so that nitrogen is delivered from the blower to a nitrogen collection region. A variant system also includes an oxygen collection region on a side of the chamber opposite the blower for collection of both nitrogen and oxygen separated from air simultaneously, or collection of other constituent gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Pacific Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tarik Naheiri, Steve Schellhase, Javier Lopez, James Yang
  • Patent number: 8480770
    Abstract: A hydrogen manufacturing system for performing offgas flow control includes: a vaporizer (1) for heating a material mixture containing a hydrocarbon material; a reforming reactor (2) for generating hydrogen-containing reformed gas by reforming reactions of the material; a PSA separator (5) for repeating a cycle of adsorption and desorption, where in the adsorption PSA separation is performed with an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbent to adsorb unnecessary components in the reformed gas and extract hydrogen-enriched gas out of the tower, and in the desorption the offgas containing the unnecessary components from the adsorbent and remaining hydrogen is discharged from the tower; and a buffer tank (6) for holding the offgas before supplying to the vaporizer. The offgas flow supply from the tank (6) to the vaporizer is changed continuously over time when the cycle time is changed according to load change on the separator (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Sumida, Masanori Miyake, Hidenori Minami, Yoshinori Ueda
  • Patent number: 8372375
    Abstract: For recovering hydrogen with a high recovery from a reformed gas and contributing to downsizing and cost reduction of facilities, a high-purity hydrogen E is obtained by reforming a reformable raw material A through a reforming unit 1 to yield a hydrogen-rich reformed gas B, compressing the hydrogen-rich reformed gas B with a compressor 2, allowing the compressed gas to pass through a PSA unit 3 to remove unnecessary gases other than carbon monoxide by adsorption, and allowing the resulting gas to pass through a carbon monoxide remover 4 packed with a carbon monoxide adsorbent supporting a copper halide to remove carbon monoxide by adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Nakao, Takeshi Yamashita, Akitoshi Fujisawa, Keita Yura
  • Patent number: 8337592
    Abstract: A method of purifying or separating a gas using a number of adsorbers on phase-shifted cycles, and more particularly to the purification of atmospheric air, prior to cryogenic separation of the said air by cryogenic distillation is provided. More specifically still, it relates to the purification of air with a TSA cycle using radial adsorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Christian Monereau, Ingrid Bellec
  • Patent number: 8298305
    Abstract: A hydrogen manufacturing system for performing offgas flow control includes: a vaporizer (1) for heating a material mixture containing a hydrocarbon material; a reforming reactor (2) for generating hydrogen-containing reformed gas by reforming reactions of the material; a PSA separator (5) for repeating a cycle of adsorption and desorption, where in the adsorption PSA separation is performed with an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbent to adsorb unnecessary components in the reformed gas and extract hydrogen-enriched gas out of the tower, and in the desorption the offgas containing the unnecessary components from the adsorbent and remaining hydrogen is discharged from the tower; and a buffer tank (6) for holding the offgas before supplying to the vaporizer. The offgas flow supply from the tank (6) to the vaporizer is changed continuously over time when the cycle time is changed according to load change on the separator (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Sumida, Masanori Miyake, Hidenori Minami, Yoshinori Ueda
  • Publication number: 20120222553
    Abstract: A pressure-temperature swing adsorption process for the removal of a target species, such as an acid gas, from a gas mixture, such as a natural gas stream. Herein, a novel multi-step temperature swing/pressure swing adsorption is utilized to operate while maintaining very high purity levels of contaminant removal from a product stream. The present process is particularly effective and beneficial in removing contaminants such as CO2 and/or H2S from a natural gas at high adsorption pressures (e.g., at least 500 psig) to create product streams of very high purity (i.e., very low contaminant levels).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Preeti Kamakoti, Daniel P. Leta, Harry W. Deckman, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Thomas N. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8062613
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for isomerizing a hydrocarbon stream rich in a C4 hydrocarbon and/or at least one of a C5 and C6 hydrocarbon which includes a first drier and a second drier; and a reaction zone communicating with at least the first drier. The first drier operates at a first condition to dry the reactant and the second drier operates at a second condition during regeneration. The used regenerant remaining in the second drier after regeneration can (1) pass through a vent-to-flare assembly in a batch-wise manner; (2) pass through a downflow-depressure-to-low-pressure-device assembly in a batch-wise manner; (3) pass through a cross-over piping purge assembly to minimize upsets in the reaction and fractionation zones when the second drier is placed back in operation; or any combination of (1) (2) and/or (3) to minimize upsets in the reaction and fractionation zones when the second drier is placed back in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Bryan S. Garney, Jocelyn C. Daguio, Kurt A. Detrick, David J. Shecterle, John M. Krupczak, Andrew D. Mezera, Douglas A. Becci
  • Patent number: 8038771
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with purge control systems, and hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same. The PSA assemblies are operated according to a PSA cycle to produce a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream from a mixed gas stream. The byproduct stream may be delivered as a fuel stream to a heating assembly, which may heat the hydrogen-producing region that produces the mixed gas stream. The PSA assemblies may be adapted to regulate the flow of purge gas utilized therein, such as according to a predetermined, non-constant profile. In some embodiments, the flow of purge gas is regulated to maintain the flow rate and/or fuel value of the byproduct stream at or within a determined range of a threshold value, and/or to regulate the flow of purge gas to limit the concentration of carbon monoxide in a heated exhaust stream produced from the byproduct stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventor: Travis A. Bizjak
  • Patent number: 8020553
    Abstract: An oxygen concentrator comprises an oxygen reservoir and adsorbent columns that each have an inlet, an outlet, and a bed of adsorbent material. The concentrator also comprises an air inlet, an exhaust outlet, and a vacuum pump for pumping nitrogen rich gas from one of the column inlets to the exhaust outlet. A product control pump pumps oxygen rich gas from one of the column outlets to the oxygen reservoir. A control valve controls flow in and out of the columns by selectively connecting the air inlet to one column inlet, connecting the vacuum pump to another column inlet, and connecting the product control pump to a column outlet. A motor drives the vacuum pump and control valve to produce vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) cycles in which oxygen-rich product gas is separated and accumulated in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Vbox, Incorporated
    Inventors: Theodore W. Jagger, Nicholas P. Van Brunt, John A. Kivisto, Perry B. Lonnes
  • Patent number: 8021464
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for combined production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a mixture of hydrocarbons wherein the residual PSA is treated to produce a carbon dioxide-enriched fluid, and wherein: the residual PSA is compressed to a pressure such that the partial pressure of the CO<SUB>2</SUB> contained ranges between about 15 and 40 bar; the residue is subjected to one or more condensation/separation steps with production of CO<SUB>2</SUB>-rich condensate(s) and a purge of noncondensable gas; the purge of noncondensable gas is preferably treated to produce a H<SUB>2</SUB>-rich permeate which is recycled to the PSA, and a residue which is recycled to syngas generation, Preferably, the condensate(s) are purified by cryogenic distillation to produce food grade CO<SUB>2</SUB>. The invention also concerns an installation for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre-Robert Gauthier, Bernd Polster, Pascal Marty
  • Patent number: 7954490
    Abstract: Concentrated oxygen product gas is produced and delivered to a patient. Product gas is produced by (a) introducing ambient air into a first end of a column containing an adsorbent material that preferentially adsorbs nitrogen and removes oxygen-rich product gas out a second end of the column; (b) evacuating the column through the first end to remove adsorbed gas from the column; (c) repressurizing the column by introducing ambient air into the first end of the column until the column is near 1.0 atmosphere; and (d) repeating steps (a)-(c). Product gas is delivered as needed to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Vbox, Incorporated
    Inventors: Theodore W. Jagger, Nicholas P. Van Brunt, John A. Kivisto, Perry B. Lonnes
  • Publication number: 20110100214
    Abstract: A process for improving the thermodynamic efficiency of a hydrogen generation system is provided. This includes producing a syngas stream in a reformer, wherein the reformer has a combustion zone. This also includes introducing a syngas stream into a pressure swing adsorption unit, thereby producing a product hydrogen stream and a tail gas stream. This also includes heating the tail gas stream by indirect heat exchange with a heat source, thereby producing a heated tail gas stream; and introducing the heated tail gas stream into the combustion zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Air Liquide Process and Construction, Inc.
    Inventor: Bhadra S. Grover
  • Publication number: 20110061529
    Abstract: A process is described for purifying synthesis gas by means of a pressure swing adsorption unit which is desorbed by a vacuum produced by a so-called ejector, which is driven by steam generated by a heat exchanger which uses the heat in the flue gas duct or in the useful-gas duct for the generation of steam. The pressure swing adsorption unit is operated advantageously in cyclic turns of adsorption under excess pressure, depressurization desorption and vacuum desorption and the gas desorbed by the ejector being cooled in a cooler so that the contained steam can be condensed and discharged or is advantageously returned to the feed gas for the synthesis gas production. The foreign gas desorbed by the pressure swing adsorption unit, which contains at least partly not yet consumed fuel gas, is recycled to the fuel gas. In an advantageous embodiment, the vacuum from the ejector is stored in an intermediate tank and applied to the pressure swing adsorption unit according to the vacuum desorption cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: UHDE GMBH
    Inventors: Thilo Von Trotha, Vincent Liu, Michael Wyschofsky
  • Patent number: 7896935
    Abstract: A process of conducting a catalyst reaction or fluid separation in comprising: at least one process microchannel having a height, width and length, the height being up to about 10 mm, the process microchannel having a base wall extending in one direction along the width of the process microchannel and in another direction along the length of the process microchannel; at least one fin projecting into the process microchannel from the base wall and extending along at least part of the length of the process microchannel; and a catalyst or sorption medium supported by the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Dongming Qiu, Richard Q. Long, Barry L. Yang, Thomas Yuschak, Steven T. Perry
  • Patent number: 7833311
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with temperature-based breakthrough detection systems, as well as to hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same, and to methods of operating the same. The detection systems are adapted to detect a measured temperature associated with adsorbent in an adsorbent bed of a PSA assembly and to control the operation of at least the PSA assembly responsive at least in part thereto, such as responsive to the relationship between the measured temperature and at least one reference temperature. The reference temperature may include a stored value, a previously measured temperature and/or a temperature measured elsewhere in the PSA assembly. In some embodiments, the reference temperature is associated with adsorbent downstream from the adsorbent from which the measured temperature is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventor: James A. Givens
  • Publication number: 20100251892
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases (i.e., containing less than about 10 volume % helium and more typically, less than about 5% helium by volume). The present invention more particularly relates to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases using temperature swing adsorption (TSA) systems and multiple (e.g. two) stage vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) systems. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the first stage VPSA system is configured to provide regeneration gas for the TSA system, and/or the VPSA second stage tail gas is recycled to the first stage VPSA system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Mohamed Safdar Allie Baksh
  • Patent number: 7799117
    Abstract: A thermal sink is used to recover heat from a product gas leaving an adsorption vessel in a thermal swing adsorption process. Heat that is recovered from the product gas is used to heat a regeneration gas during the subsequent regeneration of the adsorbent material within the adsorption vessel. The step in which the regenerated bed of adsorbent material is cooled prior to returning to adsorption mode is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Lin Li, Mark E. Schott, Andrew S. Zarchy, Bradley P. Russell
  • Publication number: 20100224061
    Abstract: A process for the recovery of CO2 from a flue gas is provided. This process includes compressing a flue gas to a first pressure, cooling the flue gas to a first temperature, and drying flue gas by a drying means. This process includes adsorbing CO2 in a first adsorbent bed, wherein the first adsorbent bed is isothermally maintained by a first cooling means. The process includes pressurizing the first adsorbent bed to a second pressure with CO2 at a second temperature, wherein the second pressure is greater than the initial pressure, wherein the second temperature is greater than the initial temperature. The process includes heating the first adsorbent bed to a third temperature with a first heating means, thereby increasing the first adsorbent bed to a third pressure, wherein the third temperature is greater than the second temperature, wherein the third pressure is greater than the second pressure, thereby releasing a first portion of adsorbed CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Air Liquide Process and Construction Inc.
    Inventor: Bhadra S. Grover
  • Patent number: 7771670
    Abstract: A method for treating air flow containing particulates and oxidized compounds of carbon, sulfur, iron, and other elements. The method includes supplying an air flow to a reaction zone formed between an electrically insulated electrode node having a plurality of point source electrodes and a grounded receptor. A continuous film of electrically grounded water is supplied on the receptor. The water is filtered after traveling over the receptor and collecting elemental materials formed in the reaction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: ABsalut Ecology Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Vasilievich Borisenko
  • Patent number: 7766010
    Abstract: A method of providing concentrated oxygen product gas to a patient. The method comprises producing product gas by a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) process with an oxygen concentrator comprising a plurality of separation columns connected to a vacuum source driven by a motor. Separated product gas is then pumped to a product reservoir. The pressure of the reservoir is monitored and used to adjust the speed of the motor based on the reservoir pressure. The separated gas is then delivered to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: VBOX, Incorporated
    Inventors: Theodore W. Jagger, Nicholas P. Van Brunt, John A. Kivisto, Perry B. Lonnes
  • Patent number: 7749306
    Abstract: A method of restarting a TSA apparatus includes, in the case where the TSA apparatus was stopped when or after when a temperature of a purge gas which flows out from a first adsorption column (5a) during a regeneration process became a peak temperature, in the first adsorption column (5a), closing an entrance valve, an exit valve, and an atmosphere-releasing valve; in a second adsorption column (5b) during an adsorption process, closing an entrance valve and an exit valve and opening an atmosphere-releasing valve so as to release a gas in the opposite direction to feed air flow, followed by closing the atmosphere-releasing valve; pressurizing, just before a restart, the second adsorption column (5b) with feed air to a pressure necessary for the adsorption process; and performing, after the restart, the regeneration process and the adsorption process continuously from the time point of stopping the TSA apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Morimitsu Nakamura, Masato Kawai
  • Patent number: 7744676
    Abstract: In a TSA process of an at least two-component raw gas, to adjust for fluctuation in load, the cycle time of at least one method step is extended in the event of falling below the design load value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Werner Leitmayr, Ralf Müller
  • Patent number: 7694674
    Abstract: An electronic controller (16) controls the operation of an electrochemical oxygen generating system (14) producing a desired gas. The product gas is fed to a storage unit (12) or a regulator (28) and pulsing valve (28) controlling the gas flow to a user. A two-stage system (180) combines a low pressure 100 and a high pressure (150) gas generating subsystems. The low pressure subsystem (100) uses IMAT's (106) to pump oxygen from ambient air to generate a low-pressure. The high pressure subsystem (150) uses IMAT's (160) to pump oxygen to high-pressure oxygen storage devices (194).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Carleton Life Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor P. Crome, Gary N. Byrd, Russell F. Hart, Scott R. Sehlin, Tuan Q. Cao, Courtney Joseph Monzyk, Timothy P. Raleigh, Lyle J. Berkenbosch, Craig L. Schledewitz
  • Patent number: 7691183
    Abstract: Method for drying the compressed gas of a compressor device (1) having at least two pressure stages (4-5), whereby a dryer (3) is used with at least two pressure vessels (9-12) which are filled with a desiccant and which work alternately, such that when one pressure vessel (12) is in action to dry the compressed gas, the other pressure vessel (9) is being regenerated, whereby, in order to regenerate the other pressure vessel (9), at least a part of this compressed gas is guided through the regenerating pressure vessel (9), and at least at the end of the regeneration cycle, this part of the compressed gas, after its passage through the regenerating pressure vessel, is guided to the pressure pipe (6) between two pressure stages (4-5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Airpower Naamloze Vennootschap
    Inventor: Danny Etienne Andrée Vertriest
  • Publication number: 20090293717
    Abstract: The present invention provides a low-cost ozone production method and apparatus for carrying out ozone/oxygen separation using an ozone adsorbent, that re-uses the recovered oxygen as a feed for ozone production, and that desorbs and recovers the adsorbed ozone using dry air. In the method and apparatus, a gas containing an ozone and oxygen two-component gas supplied from an ozone generator is pressurized, introduced into an ozone adsorbent-packed adsorption column, and brought into contact with the adsorbent to adsorb the ozone to the adsorbent. Using dry air as a counterflow purge gas for the adsorbed ozone, the ozone is desorbed from the ozone adsorbent-packed adsorption column loaded with adsorbed ozone by depressurizing the adsorption column or air is introduced as a purge gas from the rear of the column into the adsorbent bed, whereby an ozone and air two-component gas is recovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Jun IZUMI, Hong X. WANG
  • Publication number: 20090025554
    Abstract: A method of purifying an exhaust gas by means of an “adsorption unit (adsorption columns (7a, 7b)) including an adsorbent layer packed with precoated mesoporous active carbon” capable of alternately switched operations of adsorption and desorption, wherein prior to the treatment by means of the adsorption unit, a concentration increase is effected by means 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicants: SYSTEM ENG SERVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tahara, Hiroshi Nochi
  • Patent number: 7399342
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with purge control systems, and hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same. The PSA assemblies are operated according to a PSA cycle to produce a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream from a mixed gas stream. The byproduct stream may be delivered as a fuel stream to a heating assembly, which may heat the hydrogen-producing region that produces the mixed gas stream. The PSA assemblies may be adapted to regulate the flow of purge gas utilized therein, such as according to a predetermined, non-constant profile. In some embodiments, the flow- of purge gas is regulated to maintain the flow rate and/or fuel value of the byproduct stream at or within a determined range of a threshold value, and/or to regulate the flow of purge gas to limit the concentration of carbon monoxide in a heated exhaust stream produced from the byproduct stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Idatech, LLC
    Inventor: Travis A. Bizjak
  • Patent number: 7393382
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies with temperature-based breakthrough detection systems, as well as to hydrogen-generation assemblies and/or fuel cell systems containing the same, and to methods of operating the same. The detection systems are adapted to detect a measured temperature associated with adsorbent in an adsorbent bed of a PSA assembly and to control the operation of at least the PSA assembly responsive at least in part thereto, such as responsive to the relationship between the measured temperature and at least one reference temperature. The reference temperature may include a stored value, a previously measured temperature and/or a temperature measured elsewhere in the PSA assembly. In some embodiments, the reference temperature is associated with adsorbent downstream from the adsorbent from which the measured temperature is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: IDATECH LLC
    Inventor: James A. Givens
  • Patent number: 7326821
    Abstract: This invention is to a process for removing dimethyl ether from an olefin stream. The process includes contacting the olefin stream with a molecular sieve that has improved capacity to adsorb the dimethyl ether from the olefin stream. The molecular sieve used to remove the dimethyl ether has low or no activity in converting the olefin in the olefin stream to other products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Risch, John Di-Yi Ou
  • Patent number: 7272942
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for purifying exhaust gas, especially a solvent-containing exhaust gas from refrigerator recycling, wherein the dried, pressurized exhaust gas is cryogenically condensed, the condensed components are separated from the remaining exhaust gas, the cold and purified pressurized exhaust gas is passed through an adsorber to adsorbe the remaining condensed components, the adsorber is purged with a warmed gas stream, namely either a warmed inert gas stream or the purified exhaust gas respectively at reduced pressure, and the desorbed gas is recycled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Erler, Peter Zollner, Klaus Hermanns, Norbert Hagenbruck
  • Patent number: 7153344
    Abstract: A process for the separation and recovery of carbon dioxide from waste gases produced by combustible oxidation is described comprising the steps of feeding a flow of waste gas to a gas semipermeable material, separating a gaseous flow comprising high concentrated carbon dioxide from said flow of waste gas through the gas semipermeable material, and employing at least a portion of the gaseous flow comprising high concentrated carbon dioxide as feed raw material in an industrial production plant and/or stockpiling at least a portion of the gaseous flow comprising carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Ammonia Casale S.A.
    Inventors: Ermanno Filippi, Federico Zardi
  • Patent number: 7066986
    Abstract: An adsorber vessel for use in the adsorption of a component from a gas and subsequent regeneration by thermally induced desorption of the component comprises an inlet for regeneration gas having an inlet nozzle containing at least one heater element, and an outlet for regeneration gas, the inlet and outlet for regeneration being separated by a flow path including a flow chamber containing a body of adsorbent, and wherein the body of adsorbent has a first end which is adjacent the inlet for regeneration gas and a second end which is remote from the inlet for regeneration gas, and the or each heater element is located so as not to penetrate through the first end of the body of adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Haben, Mohammad Ali Kalbassi, Declan Patrick O'Connor
  • Patent number: 7022159
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus related to the reduction of the level of a component in a feed gas such as air involving passing the gas to at least three parallel thermal swing adsorption zones charged with an adsorbent and operating according to an adsorption cycle, wherein the cycle of each zone is phased with respect to that of the other zones so that at any point during the cycle, the number of zones in the adsorption step is greater than the number of zones not in the adsorption step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad Ali Kalbassi, Paul Higginbotham
  • Patent number: 6916359
    Abstract: Methods of providing ozone at a selected pressure above atmospheric pressure include supplying a purge gas supply (22) pressurized above the selected pressure to at least one ozone adsorption apparatus (12); desorbing ozone from the ozone adsorption apparatus (12) with the pressurized purge gas supply (22); and delivering a mixture of ozone and the purge gas supply (24) at the selected pressure without further compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravi Jain