Plural Solid Sorbent Beds Patents (Class 96/121)
  • Publication number: 20040118287
    Abstract: An adsorbent material fabricated into a reinforcement-free, self-supported coherent thin sheet and configured for use as a parallel passage contactor element in adsorption/separation applications with gases and liquids is disclosed. The adsorbent sheet material is obtained by enmeshing fine adsorbent particulates in a polymer binder. Particulates include but are not limited to carbon particles, inorganic oxides particles, or ceramic particles, or synthetic polymer resin particles, where the characteristic length of particles is in the range from 0.01 &mgr;m to 100 &mgr;m. Particles of nano scale and mixtures of particle sizes may be advantageously incorporated. The adsorbent sheet advantageously contains a large volume percentage of active adsorbent particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Stephen Mosheim Jaffe, Cristian Ion Contescu
  • Publication number: 20040118278
    Abstract: An object of the present invention to provide a method and a system for separating gas based on a PSA method, in which a plurality of components contained in a gas mixture can be separated and recovered with high purities at the same time, the system is simple, the system cost is low, and the operation is easy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Masato Kawai, Akihiro Nakamura, Tatsuya Hidano
  • Publication number: 20040083886
    Abstract: A method of operating a life support system for an aircraft, the system including a plurality of oxygen supply apparatus, each of which in use is operable to supply product gas, which may be pure oxygen or oxygen enriched gas, to a breathing gas supply apparatus, at least one of the oxygen supply apparatus being a main oxygen supply apparatus and the remainder of the oxygen supply apparatus being auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus, the main oxygen supply apparatus being operable independently of the auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus, characterized in that the method includes operating the main oxygen supply apparatus and supplying product gas to each of the auxiliary oxygen supply apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Robert John Phillips, Adrian Simons, Norman Francis Charles Barns
  • Publication number: 20040079227
    Abstract: A manifold assembly including a unitary manifold body including at least two component ports and an integral channel system connecting the component ports in series, and at least two fluid-treating components directly connected to the component ports in a substantially gas-tight manner. The fluid-treating components can include at least one of a coalescer, an adsorber, an absorber, a strainer, and a filter. At least one of the component ports includes an inner port section and an outer port section, the outer port section including a flow distributor arranged around and concentric to the inner port section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Kim Hong Lim, Franklin D. Lomax, John S. Lettow, Khalil M. Nasser
  • Patent number: 6706097
    Abstract: A molecular sieve apparatus and magnetic/adsorbent material composition facilitate molecular adsorption and separation using a magnetic field to hold, move, cool, and/or heat an adsorbent 1 that is bonded to magnetic materials 3 that are moveable by a magnetic field. An adsorbent 1 is bonded to a soft magnetic material 3 with a binder 2 into a powder composite material adsorbent attractable by a magnetic field (magnetoadsorbent 4). Magnetoadsorbent 4 functions to adsorb and desorb working substances, causing a molecular separation; thereby increasing the efficiency of the adsorption cycle by moving the adsorbent 1 to a location that optimally processes the adsorbent 1. Magnetic field manipulation of adsorbents 1 enables delivery of molecules to locations within systems. Magnetoadsorbents 4 of the present invention further increase the efficiency of the adsorption cycle by combining materials with functions including: catalyst, buoyancy, suspension, magnetic heating, and sinking in liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Hexablock, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Zornes
  • Patent number: 6702874
    Abstract: Using a distillation separator, a gas to be treated is separated into a plurality of gas groups having different boiling points. Then, the specific gases included in each of the plurality of gas groups separated at the first separator and having similar boiling points are separated using a chromatographic separator. In this manner, specific gases can be separated from the gas to be treated containing a plurality of specific gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Organo Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tajima, Takashi Futatsuki
  • Publication number: 20040040440
    Abstract: A method of installing a molecular sieve bed gas enriching system in a vehicle, the method including installing in the vehicle a system controller, a product gas distribution conduit which extends to at least one product gas distribution position, and a high pressure gas supply conduit which extends from a high pressure gas source, providing a plurality of molecular sieve bed modules, each module including a container containing molecular sieve bed material, a first gas communication port from the container with an outlet duct for product gas produced in use during a charging phase of the molecular sieve bed, the outlet duct including an outlet valve to prevent ingress of gas into the container through the first gas communication port, and the container including a second gas communication port which is connected to a valve assembly which, depending upon the controlled state of the valve assembly, in use permits of communication between the interior of the container and one of a gas supply duct during the cha
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Honeywell Normalair-Garrett (Holdings) Limited
    Inventor: Robert John Phillips
  • Publication number: 20040040437
    Abstract: An oxygen concentrator system with altitude compensation includes at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system and a plenum subsystem. The at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces oxygen-enriched air which is outputted to both the oxygen concentrator system output and to a plenum chamber within the plenum subsystem. The plenum chamber is trickle charged with the oxygen-enriched air when the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces an excess amount of oxygen-enriched air. Should the demand for oxygen-enriched air exceed the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system, additional oxygen-enriched air is provided by the plenum chamber until such time that the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system exceeds the demand for oxygen-enriched air. At that time, oxygen-enriched air is no longer provided by the plenum chamber, but rather the plenum chamber is again trickle charged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Q. Cao, Gary Byrd
  • Publication number: 20040040439
    Abstract: An oxygen concentrator system includes at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system and a plenum subsystem. The at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces oxygen-enriched air which is outputted to both the oxygen concentrator system output and to a plenum chamber within the plenum subsystem. The plenum chamber is trickle charged with the oxygen-enriched air when the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system produces an excess amount of oxygen-enriched air. Should the demand for oxygen-enriched air exceed the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system, additional oxygen-enriched air is provided by the plenum chamber until such time that the capability of the at least one oxygen concentrator sub-system exceeds the demand for oxygen-enriched air. At that time, oxygen-enriched air is no longer provided by the plenum chamber but rather the plenum chamber is again trickle charged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tuan Q. Cao, Gary Byrd, Lyle Berkenbosch, Craig Schledewitz
  • Patent number: 6695896
    Abstract: An evaporated fuel treatment apparatus is provided for reducing a refilling time, ensuring satisfactory adsorption/desorption performance for an evaporated fuel, and reducing the manufacturing cost through a simplified structure. The evaporated fuel treatment apparatus comprises a casing having formed therein a first chamber in communication with the fuel tank, a second chamber in communication with the first chamber, and a third chamber in communication with the second chamber and the atmosphere. Active carbons are contained in the first chamber and second chamber for adsorbing fuel components in an evaporated fuel introduced from the fuel tank. An adsorbent is contained in the third sub-chamber for adsorbing fuel components in the evaporated fuel introduced from the second chamber. The adsorbent has an air-flow resistance which is set smaller than that of the active carbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Hara, Hiroaki Mihara
  • Publication number: 20040025692
    Abstract: Product gas (Gpro) is separated from material gas (Gmat) by a PSA process utilizing a plurality of adsorption towers (A-C) each loaded with an adsorbent. The separation of the product gas (Gpro) is performed by repeating a cycle comprising an adsorption step, a decompression step, a desorption step, a cleaning step and a pressurization step. In the decompression step, remaining gas (Grem) as cleaning gas is introduced from one adsorption tower (C) to another adsorption tower (B). The amount of the remaining gas (Grem) introduced is 2 to 7 times the volume of the adsorbent loaded in the adsorption tower (B) as converted into volume at common temperature and under atmospheric pressure. To remove both of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the material gas (Gmat) by a single kind of adsorbent, use is made of zeolite having a faujasite structure with a Si/Al ratio lying in a range of 1 to 1.5 and a lithium-exchange ratio of no less than 95%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Toshihiko Sumida, Hiroaki Sasano, Masanori Miyake
  • Publication number: 20030233936
    Abstract: A gas generation method and apparatus, capable of use in an aircraft, generates oxygen with at least one On Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) and generates an inert gas with at least one On Board Inert Gas Generating System (OBIGGS) and selectively supplies an auxiliary supply of inert gas utilizing a waste gas output of the at least one OBOGS. The inert gas can include nitrogen. An auxiliary source of oxygen can also be provided. Control valves can be used to selectively supply the waste gas output of the at least one OBOGS to the atmosphere or to either of two locations. The oxygen can be used in a passenger compartment of the aircraft and the inert gas use in either a fuel tank or cargo bay of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventor: Victor P. Crome
  • Publication number: 20030205132
    Abstract: Method and system on board an aircraft for the production of an oxygen-enriched gas stream from an oxygen/nitrogen gas mixture, particularly air, comprising at least one adsorber containing at least one adsorbent for adsorbing at least some of the nitrogen molecules contained in the oxygen/nitrogen feed mixture, characterized in that the said adsorbent comprises a faujasite-type zeolite, having an Si/Al ratio of 1 to 1.50, exchanged to at least 80% with lithium cations. Aircraft equipped with such a system, in particular an airliner, especially an airliner of the long-range, large-capacity type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Stephane Lessi, Richard Zapata, Jean-Michel Cazenave, Jean Dehayes
  • Publication number: 20030205141
    Abstract: The present invention includes two beds of activated alumina or similar material, which can remove moisture during a PSA cycle. One bed is placed in series in each drive air line for the pressure intensifier or boost pump. The beds are sized such that there is sufficient material to adsorb the moisture contained in the volume of gas required to move the drive piston through a complete stroke. The present invention includes two beds of activated alumina or similar material, which can remove moisture during a PSA cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Gary N. Byrd, Timothy C. Phillis
  • Publication number: 20030192431
    Abstract: A gas concentrating method and apparatus is provided in which equalization is accomplished below two sieve beds, to thereby save compression energy, to reduce exit noise, and to obtain a gas whose gas purity with respect to an amount of flow has been enhanced. The gas concentrating method makes two sieve beds communicate with each other at their bottoms when a pressure difference between a pressurized pressure and a decompressed pressure is maximized in the multi-bed type sieve beds which alternately operate between pressurization and decompression, to equalize an internal pressure in the sieve beds. The gas concentrating apparatus includes a compressor (50), sieve beds (60-1, 60-2), solenoid valves (40-1, 40-2), an orifice (90), check valves (90-1, 90-2), a storage tank (100), a pressure controller (70), a flow meter (80), a controller (110), and a muffler (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Tae Soo Lee, Yoon Sun Choi
  • Publication number: 20030183077
    Abstract: A continuous flow dryer system for compressed air includes first and second air dryers for receiving and alternately drying compressed air from a source. The dried air from the first dryer is transmitted to the second dryer. First and second reservoirs store the dried compressed air. A plurality of control valves in the second air dryer are used for distributing the dried air to the respective reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Charles E. Eberling, Leonard A. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20030167924
    Abstract: A compact and highly portable combination pressure swing adsorption apparatus and product gas conservation device for medical use, to produce efficiently a gas with a high concentration of oxygen and to deliver the oxygen concentrated gas to a user at selectable times and in selectable doses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Norman R. McCombs, Robert E. Casey, Michael A. Chimiak, Andrzej Klimaszewski
  • Publication number: 20030164092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the removal of nitrous oxide from a feed gas stream using an adsorbent having a nitrogen diffusion parameter of 0.12 sec−1 or higher and a nitrous oxide capacity of 79 mmol/g/atm or higher at 30° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy Christopher Golden, Fred William Taylor, Elizabeth Helen Salter, Mohammad Ali Kalbassi, Christopher James Raiswell
  • Publication number: 20030145726
    Abstract: Process for purifying or separating a gas or gas mixture using a monolithic adsorbent for the separation or purification of gases or gas mixtures, having a cellular structure with open porosity in the form of a solid foam permeable to the gas molecules. The gas phase of the adsorbent possesses an essentially convex structure and the solid phase an essentially concave structure. The solid foam has a density of greater than or equal to 500 kg/m3 and an open porosity of between 20 and 60%. The gas is air or an H2/CO mixture. The process is of the VSA, PSA or TSA type. This process can be used in particular in OBOGS-type systems to supply passengers of the vehicle or a device participating in the traction of the vehicle and/or in its electrical supply, in particular a fuel cell. This process can also be used in medical oxygen concentrators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventors: Vincent Gueret, Serge Moreau
  • Publication number: 20030131732
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air purification device with oxygen-supplying function, in which air in an automobile is sucked by a vacuum pump and purified by a dust collector or an adsorbent such as activated carbon and zeolite, and oxygen is enriched in air to supply oxygen enriched air into the automobile. The air purification device enriches oxygen in air according to a VSA (vacuum swing adsorption) process using a difference between pressure in the adsorption bed and atmospheric pressure, in which nitrogen adsorbed into the adsorbent is released using the vacuum pump. The air purification device comprises an air filter for removing impurities from air sucked from an inside of the automobile by the vacuum pump, an adsorbent for adsorbing nitrogen from air passing through the air filter and passing oxygen, an oxygen tank for storing oxygen supplied from the adsorbent and releasing oxygen using a vacuum, and if necessary, an anion generator or a scent generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Oh-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 6585810
    Abstract: A gas adsorbent system includes a molded gas adsorbent within a housing. The molded gas adsorbent is disposed in the housing so that shifting is prevented without adhering the gas adsorbent to the housing, for example, by completely filling the housing. The gas adsorbent may include activated zeolite 13X. The gas adsorbent may be formed from a polymer solution such as polysulfone, and contain an organic binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Romulus Gaita, Stephen Frederic Yates, Shaojun James Zhou, Chin-Hsiung Chang
  • Publication number: 20030113598
    Abstract: A desulfurization unit is provided. In one embodiment, the present desulfurization unit comprises: a first adsorbent bed having an inlet for receiving a hydrocarbon fuel stream and comprising an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of metal oxides and zeolites; a downstream nickel adsorbent bed; and a downstream guard bed comprising an adsorbent selected from the group consisting of copper-zinc adsorbents, activated alumina, activated carbon, and zeolites. Processes for desulfurizing hydrocarbon fuel streams employing the present desulfurization unit are provided. Fuel cell electric power generation systems employing the present desulfurization unit are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Benny W. Chow, Leonard McNeilly
  • Publication number: 20030097931
    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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Masato Kawai, Akihiro Nakamura, Masayoshi Hayashida, Yoshinori Watanabe, Shinichi Marumo
  • Publication number: 20030084789
    Abstract: A concentrating chamber in an oxygen concentrating apparatus is provided, in which a process for adsorbing nitrogen to concentrate oxygen is performed in a single case. The concentrating chamber in an oxygen concentrating apparatus includes: a casing having upper and lower openings; an adsorption unit for performing an oxygen concentration through a compressed air and counter-flowing the stored oxygen to perform a nitrogen rinsing in the casing; a check valve operating according to a predetermined pressure, for supplying the oxygen concentrated in the adsorption unit and rinsing the nitrogen adsorbed in the adsorption unit; and upper and lower manifolds for supplying the concentrated oxygen through the upper and lower ends of the casing, or supplying the compressed air and simultaneously exhausting the rinsed nitrogen, through the upper and lower ends of the casing. The concentrating chamber in an oxygen concentrating apparatus includes at least two casings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: Min Jung Kim
  • Publication number: 20030075050
    Abstract: There is disclosed a carbon dioxide gas absorbent comprising lithium silicate, 0.5 mol % to 4.9 mol % of alkali carbonate per mole of the lithium silicate, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, calcium, iron, titanium and carbon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Masahiro Kato, Sawako Yoshikawa, Kenji Essaki, Kazuaki Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20030037672
    Abstract: Temperature swing adsorption of contaminants such as water and air from a gas stream such as air is conducted using adsorbent packed in tube side passages of a tube and shell heat exchanger adsorber. After a period of adsorption heating fluid is passed through the shell side passage of the adsorber during regeneration and upon exiting from the adsorber is recycled via a heater back into the shell side of the adsorber. During a cooling phase of the regeneration, a cooling fluid is passed through the shell side passage of the adsorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Shivaji Sircar
  • Patent number: 6511525
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for extracting liquid water from moist air using minimal energy input. The method can be considered as four phases: (1) adsorbing water from air into a desiccant, (2) isolating the water-laden desiccant from the air source, (3) desorbing water as vapor from the desiccant into a chamber, and (4) isolating the desiccant from the chamber, and compressing the vapor in the chamber to form liquid condensate. The liquid condensate can be removed for use. Careful design of the dead volumes and pressure balances can minimize the energy required. The dried air can be exchanged for fresh moist air and the process repeated. An apparatus comprises a first chamber in fluid communication with a desiccant, and having ports to intake moist air and exhaust dried air. The apparatus also comprises a second chamber in fluid communication with the desiccant. The second chamber allows variable internal pressure, and has a port for removal of liquid condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Barry L. Spletzer, Diane Schafer Callow
  • Publication number: 20030000385
    Abstract: The gas separation and purification process can recover efficiently a valuable gas such as krypton and xenon to be used as an atmospheric gas in a semiconductor manufacturing equipment etc. by means of PSA process. In the process for separating a valuable gas in the form of purified product from a mixed gas, used as a raw gas, containing the valuable gas by means of pressure swing adsorption process, the valuable gas is separated and purified by using as the pressure swing adsorption process a combination of equilibrium pressure swing adsorption process for separating gas components based on the difference in equilibrium adsorption and rate-dependent pressure swing adsorption process for separating the gas components based on the difference in adsorption rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Masato Kawai, Akihiro Nakamura, Tooru Nagasaka, Shigeru Hayashida
  • Publication number: 20020194991
    Abstract: Air in a compressed air system is cleaned by consecutively passing the air through a pre-filter (6), silica gel with large pores (7), silica gel with fine pores (8), a molecular sieve (9), and a fine filter (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventors: Mats Olsson, Mats-Orjan Pogen
  • Publication number: 20020170436
    Abstract: Using zeolites as the active adsorbent, adsorbent laminates have been fabricated with various sheet supports. These adsorbent laminates have been successfully operated for oxygen enrichment at high PSA cycle frequencies, such as upwards of at least 150 cycles per minute. Methods for making suitable adsorbent laminates are described. The methods generally involve forming a slurry comprising a liquid suspending agent, an adsorbent and a binder. Laminates are made by applying the slurry to support material or admixing support material with the slurry. The slurry can be applied to support material using a variety of techniques, including roll coaters, split roll coaters, electrophoretic deposition, etc. One method for making laminates by mixing support material with the adsorbent slurry comprises depositing the slurry onto a foraminous wire, draining the slurry material, and pressing the material to form a ceramic adsorbent paper. Spacers can be formed on adsorbent laminates to space one laminate from another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Alain A. Carel, Brian G. Sellars, Ian S.D. Shaw, Belinda C. Larisch, David G. Doman, Frederick K. Lee, Andrea C. Gibbs, Bernard H. Hetzler, James A. Sawada, Aaron M. Pelman, Carl F. Hunter
  • Patent number: 6481241
    Abstract: An accumulator for an automotive air-conditioning system includes a suction tube having an inlet leg, an outlet leg, and a bight therebetween. A pickup filter is mounted to the bight of the suction tube and cooperates with a desiccant bag. The pickup filter has a clasp circumscribing a portion of the bight, wherein the clasp includes a flange extending therefrom. The pickup filter further has a screen filter body extending integrally and downwardly from the clasp. The desiccant bag includes a flap extending from one end, wherein the flap includes an aperture therethrough defining a locating edge at one end or side thereof. The aperture of the desiccant bag mounts over the pickup filter with the locating edge of the flap locating against a portion of the clasp of the pickup filter to assist in retaining the desiccant bag in position on the pickup filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Automotive Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Dale Fisk, Stephen Troy Schroder
  • Publication number: 20020134240
    Abstract: An improved pressure swing adsorption process and system for producing a high recovery of a highly purified product gas, such as argon, from a feed gas stream containing the product gas and impurity gases employs first and second adsorption stages with beds for adsorbing impurity gases. The system and process provides for sequential steps of: feed pressurization; simultaneous feed pressurization and product pressurization; adsorption; adsorption and purge; adsorption in the absence of purge; pressure equalization between beds; evacuation and depressurization of adsorbent bed; evacuation with product purge; evacuation without purge; and pressure equalization between beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: Guoming Zhong, Mohamed Safdar Allie Baksh, Frank Notaro, Frederick Wells Leavitt
  • Patent number: 6447582
    Abstract: This PSA unit is of the type comprising 2N adsorbers (N≧2) whose production outlets can be connected by gas circulation lines. The adsorbers are coupled in the form of pairs of adsorbers (A1-A4, A2-A5, A3-A6); the outlets of the adsorbers of each pair are connected by a direct line (L14, L25, L36) provided with two first valves (i3, (N+i)3); and an intermediate point (B1, B2, B3) of the direct line located between the two first valves is connected to a transverse line (2) common to all the pairs by a connection valve (12, 22, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Guillaume de Souza
  • Patent number: 6402811
    Abstract: A sorbent filter for use with an air-purifying apparatus. The filter includes a flexible bag and a sorbent material in granular form. The flexible bag defines at least one storage region and is formed of a porous material. The sorbent material is disposed within the storage region. With this configuration, the porosity of the flexible bag is configured to allow passage of air such that the air, including air-borne gaseous molecules or odors, can interact with and be adsorbed by the sorbent material. Conversely, however, the porosity of the flexible bag limits passage of sorbent material granules and dust. As such, the filter generates little if any dust during handling. In one preferred embodiment, the flexible bag is selectively attachable to a separate frame that in turn is designed for mounting within the air-purifying apparatus. With this configuration, the frame can be re-used such that filter replacement requires only a new sorbent filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventors: Anthony E. Shanks, Patrick J. Monnens, Richard R. Bahn, Edward L. Schwarz
  • Publication number: 20020033095
    Abstract: A component gas concentrator includes an air compressor, an air-tight first container containing a molecular sieve bed, the first container in fluid communication with the compressor through a first gas conduit, and an air-tight second container in fluid communication with the first container through a second gas conduit. A gas flow controller such as PLC controls actuation of valves mounted to the gas conduits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventor: John Lee Warren
  • Publication number: 20020029691
    Abstract: A compact multiple bed pressure swing adsorption apparatus to produce a high concentration of oxygen efficiently and at minimum noise levels by using inactive pressurized adsorber beds to purge adsorbed nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Norman R. McCombs, Robert E. Casey
  • Patent number: 6344071
    Abstract: Filter medium includes at least two kinds of filter media particles. A first plurality of filter media particles includes an extended surface area substrate comprising at least one transition metal impregnant. A second plurality of filter media particles includes an extended surface area substrate comprising a tertiary amine impregnant. In preferred embodiments, at least one and preferably both of the kinds of filter media particles is/are substantially free of chromium, and more preferably contain no detectable chromium. The filtering medium has very broad filtering capabilities. The filtering medium successfully achieves performance levels mandated both by applicable industrial filter approval specifications and by international military filter performance specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Simon J. Smith, Jamie A. Hern
  • Publication number: 20020005117
    Abstract: In the removal of chemical and biological agents from air, the air is passed through a pressure swing adsorber including a layer mesoporous carbon and then a 13X Zeolite 21. The mesoporous carbon filter removes higher boiling point agents and the 13X Zeolite removes lower boiling point agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventor: Ronald Frederick Cassidy
  • Publication number: 20010047723
    Abstract: A casing 13 of a canister C includes a main chamber 11 and a sub-chamber 12. Mounting portions 13a are formed between the main chamber 11 and the sub-chamber 12. The canister C is mounted on a mounting plate 35 with bolts 15 which pass through bolt holes 13b in the mounting portions 13a.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Applicant: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentaro Miura, Kiyohumi Shida, Takeaki Nakajima
  • Publication number: 20010023640
    Abstract: Gas separation by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA), to obtain a purified product gas of the less strongly adsorbed fraction of the feed gas mixture, is performed with an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers. The adsorbers cooperate with first and second valve means in a rotary PSA module, with the PSA cycle characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between the higher and lower pressures of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the intermediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing laminated sheet adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor. Feed gas is compressed prior to entry to the first valve means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Publication date: September 27, 2001
    Applicant: QUESTAIR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Julie C. Scott, Christopher McLean
  • Patent number: 6196014
    Abstract: A high efficiency air conditioning system is proposed, in which, while operating on a batch system, desiccant regeneration and process air dehumidification can be carried out simultaneously with a simple configuration. The air conditioning system comprises at least two desiccant members, a process air passage for providing a process air to one of the desiccant members for dehumidification of the process air, and a regeneration air passage for providing a regeneration air to the other of the desiccant members for regeneration of the regeneration air. The desiccant members are movable with respect to the process air passage and the regeneration air passage to alternatingly switch each of the desiccant members from one of the regeneration air passage and the process air passage to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventor: Kensaku Maeda
  • Patent number: 6152163
    Abstract: A unique switching valve for use with a multi-chamber adsorbent air and gas fractionation system for controlling the flow of fluid which comprises a valve housing including an inlet port, two outlet ports and an exhaust port and first valve and second valve members in the valve housing which are moveable between a first position and second position for alternately permitting and blocking fluid flow between the inlet port and the outlet ports and between the outlet ports and the exhaust port. The first and second valve members include mean for permitting a predetermined controlled flow of fluid between the inlet port and the outlet ports and means for permitting a predetermined controlled flow between the outlet ports and the exhaust port which simplify the design and control of the switching valve by eliminating the need for separate repressurization and depressurization valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: United Dominion Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Tsargorodski, John E. Thelen
  • Patent number: 6083303
    Abstract: An adsorbent package is provided for mounting to a filter or bleed nipple that is, in turn, attached to a bight tube or other fluid flow conduit in an auto or truck accumulator or receiver dryer. In a preferred form of the invention, a centrally disposed opening is provided in the adsorbent package and is surrounded by a rigid collar. The aperture is dimensioned so that it will be force or snap fit over a flange or the like on a filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Stanhope Products Company
    Inventors: Douglas E. LeConey, Raymond B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5964927
    Abstract: An adsorption apparatus has a housing including an inlet and an outlet, and defining an inlet plenum extending vertically below the inlet and an outlet plenum extending vertically below the outlet. A plurality of adsorption bed assemblies in a vertically stacked configuration are retained in the housing in fluid communication with the inlet plenum. Each of the adsorption bed assemblies has a bottom opening and a top opening and layers of adsorption material with the assembly oriented in a V-type configuration. A plurality of baffles angle upward from the inlet plenum to the outlet plenum, including a baffle disposed between each pair of adjacent stacked adsorption bed assemblies, to direct flow up toward the bottom opening of the adsorption bed assembly immediately above the baffle and to direct flow passing from the top opening of the adsorption bed assembly immediately below the baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Kristine M. Graham, Paul Peterson, Donald R. Monson, Jarren B. Mills, Timothy H. Grafe
  • Patent number: 5925323
    Abstract: The invention places a concentration averaging device in an inlet line leading to an air treatment system. The device includes an adsorbent material which has the quality of increasing its equilibrium concentration of impurities with increasing percentage or concentration of impurities in the air stream. In this way, the concentration device tends to "average" the amount of impurities in the air stream delivered to the air treatment system. When used on an oxidizer, as an example, this allows the use of smaller combustion chambers, and reduces the fuel requirements for operation of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Durr Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Ajay Gupta
  • Patent number: 5925322
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined cycle system of enhanced efficiency. The system comprises a top stage, such as a fuel cell, a partial oxidation reactor or a heat engine, and an oxygen-enriching device, such as a temperature swing adsorption device or a chemical reactor bed device, as its bottom stage. The bottom stage uses waste heat produced by the top stage to enrich the oxygen content of air that is inputted to the bottom stage, thereby producing an oxygen-enriched gas mixture as the bottom stage output. This output mixture constitutes a superior oxidant which is fed back as an input for the top stage, thus enhancing the energy conversion efficiency, cheapness, and compactness of the combined cycle system as compared to that of ordinary fuel cells, partial oxidation reactors and heat engines that use unenriched air as their oxidant input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: H Power Corporation
    Inventor: John Werth
  • Patent number: 5914456
    Abstract: An adsorbent material containing package is provided for use within the sealed canister of a liquid accumulator for an air conditioning system of the kind in which the suction tube within the canister has spaced upwardly extending legs connected by a bottom bite and in which the bleed opening in the bite is formed as a downwardly extending nipple. The adsorbent material package is formed with substantially identical first and second pouches formed of tubular porous polyester felt material with sealed upper and lower ends containing a quantity of adsorbent material. The pouches making up the package are joined to each other at upper flanges with the junction being located along an extension of a median line through the pouches and leaving the ends of the flanges free of attachment. The transverse width of the pouch flanges exceeds the spacing of the suction tube legs so that the flange end portions are splayed to receive one of the legs therebetween thereby locating the package in relation to the suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Stanhope Products Company
    Inventors: Douglas E. LeConey, Raymond B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5902561
    Abstract: A two-stage process method for removal of impurities such carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, hydrogen, and methane from inert gases at ambient temperature (0.degree.-60.degree. C.). In the first stage the inert gas is contacted with a nickel catalyst, and in the second stage the inert gas is passed over a getter alloy. Purified gas exiting the second stage of the purifier contains less than one part per billion (ppb) levels of the impurities. The nickel catalyst and getter alloy are initially activated at elevated temperature. The catalyst and getter may be reactivated by heating and purging, and hydrogen previously removed from impure gas can be used in the reactivation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: D.D.I. Limited
    Inventors: Giovanni Carrea, Brian D. Warrick
  • Patent number: 5837039
    Abstract: An adsorbent material containing package is provided for use within the sealed canister of a liquid accumulator for an air conditioning system of the kind in which the suction tube within the canister has spaced upwardly extending legs connected by a bottom bite and in which the bleed opening in the bite is formed as a downwardly extending nipple. The adsorbent material package is formed with substantially identical first and second pouches formed of tubular porous polyester felt material with sealed upper and lower ends containing a quantity of adsorbent material. The pouches making up the package are joined to each other at upper flanges with the junction being located along an extension of a median line through the pouches and leaving the ends of the flanges free of attachment. The transverse width of the pouch flanges exceeds the spacing of the suction tube legs so that the flange end portions are splayed to receive one of the legs therebetween thereby locating the package in relation to the suction tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Stanhope Products Company
    Inventors: Douglas E. LeConey, Raymond B. Wood
  • Patent number: 5603753
    Abstract: A filter device includes a housing having an inlet for a gaseous medium to be filtered and an outlet for the filtered medium. Disposed in the housing is a flat carrier providing a plurality of mutually adjacent layers forming a stack. The layers are so arranged in the housing that they extend in the direction of flow of the medium from the inlet through the housing to the outlet. Adsorber particles of elongate configuration are fixed on the layers and oriented at least approximately in the direction of flow of the medium through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Helsa-Werke Helmut Sandler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Manfred Krull, Gerald Rosenberg