Compressor Patents (Class 96/128)
  • Patent number: 10797368
    Abstract: A metal air battery system includes: a battery cell module configured to generate electricity by oxidation of a metal and reduction of oxygen; a plurality of air purification modules in fluid communication with the battery cell module; a compressed air supply unit configured to supply compressed air to the plurality of air purification modules; and a buffer tank disposed between the compressed air supply unit and the plurality of air purification modules, and configured to receive compressed air from the compressed air supply unit and to supply the compressed air to the plurality of air purification modules, wherein a bottom portion of the buffer tank includes a plurality of holes, and a hole of the plurality of holes corresponds to an inlet of an air purification module in the plurality of air purification modules, and the hole is directly connected to the corresponding inlet of the air purification module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jeongsik Ko, Hyukjae Kwon
  • Patent number: 9028592
    Abstract: A system and method of reducing the net carbon dioxide footprint of an industrial process that generates power from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in which ambient air is admixed with up to 50% by volume of an effluent gas from the power generator of the industrial process, in order to substantially increase the CO2 concentration in the air prior to treatment. The treatment comprises adsorbing CO2 from the admixed ambient air utilizing a cooled, porous substrate-supported amine adsorbent, wherein the porous substrate initially contacts the mixed ambient air containing condensed water in its pores, which act as an intrinsic coolant with respect to the exothermic heat generated by the adsorption process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Inventor: Peter Eisenberger
  • Patent number: 8951339
    Abstract: A system for compressing and drying a gas generally includes a compressor having multiple stages of compression and a dryer. The compressor includes a first heat exchanger and an after-cooler each of which utilizes a fan. A sensor is provided downstream of the after-cooler. The fan and sensor are in communication with the controller. A final stage compressed gas outlet of the compressor provides hot compressed gas to the regenerative portion of the dryer. Utilization of the final stage compressed gas for regeneration while also utilizing the compressor's after-cooler provides gas which is sufficiently hot to regenerate desiccant in the dryer and allows the communication between the sensor, the controller and compressors to remain intact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Henderson Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry D. Henderson, Charles A. Henderson
  • Publication number: 20140260967
    Abstract: Heat generated by the first stage compressor while it is running (either loaded or unloaded in the recycled purge air dryer system is recaptured by a stream of dried, cool system air drawn off of the outlet of a online drying tower in an air compressor system via a purge heat exchanger placed after the first stage compressor. The dried, hot air is used help regenerate the offline tower. This regenerating, pressurized, and heated purge air is then cooled in its passage across or through the desiccant in the regenerating tower. It then reenters the main airflow at the outlet of the first stage air compressor as wet cool pressurized purge air. This process is completely closed loop within the system, achieving zero air loss, and avoiding dew point spikes, increasing the efficiency of the air compressor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Roger's Machinery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Gitschlag
  • Publication number: 20140252276
    Abstract: A system and method for processing unconditioned syngas first removes solids and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC), then removes volatile organic compounds (VOC), and then removes at least one sulfur containing compound from the syngas. Additional processing may be performed depending on such factors as the source of syngas being processed, the products, byproducts and intermediate products desired to be formed, captured or recycled and environmental considerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ThermoChem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Daniel Michael Leo, Shawn Robert Freitas, Dave G. Newport, Hamilton Sean Michael Whitney, Daniel A. Burciaga
  • Patent number: 8728215
    Abstract: A cyclic adsorption process is provided having pressurization and depressurization steps and driven by one or more centrifugal machines operating under acceleration and deceleration conditions wherein the deceleration rate of the machine is controlled to minimize power consumption and maximize the efficiency of the process. The operating speed of the centrifugal machine during deceleration is matched to the measured pressure ratio conditions so that the centrifugal machine arrives at its minimum operating speed near the point required to begin acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Manning, Andrew C. Rosinski, Paul W. Belanger
  • Patent number: 8673056
    Abstract: The invention is directed to processes and apparatuses for gas treatment, in particular for the purification of methane rich gas streams, such as gas obtained from the conversion from organic matter (“biogas”). In accordance with the present invention there is provided an apparatus and a process for producing a purified methane comprising gas stream (P) from a methane containing gas stream (A), comprising the steps of: (a) pressurising said methane containing gas stream (A) and subsequently cooling it, whereby a stream comprising condensed contaminants (C) and a methane comprising stream (B) are obtained; (b) optionally feeding said methane comprising stream (B) to an adsorption unit and/or a catalytic conversion unit, whereby the concentration of contaminants in stream (B) is further decreased; and (c) cooling the methane comprising stream (B) to a temperature which is sufficient to condensate CO2 from said stream (B), whereby said purified methane comprising gas stream (P) is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gastreatment Services B.V.
    Inventors: Mathieu André De Bas, Jacob Kuiper, Jeroen De Pater
  • Patent number: 8657918
    Abstract: A cyclic adsorption process is provided having pressurization and depressurization steps and driven by one or more centrifugal machines operating under acceleration and deceleration conditions wherein the deceleration rate of the machine is controlled to minimize power consumption and maximize the efficiency of the process. The operating speed of the centrifugal machine during deceleration is matched to the measured ratio pressure conditions so that the centrifugal machine arrives at its minimum operating speed near the point required to begin acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Manning, Andrew C. Rosinski, Paul W. Belanger
  • Patent number: 8647409
    Abstract: An air compression system and method for an air separation plant in which air is compressed in a series of compression stages and a temperature swing adsorption unit adsorbs water vapor and carbon dioxide. The temperature swing adsorption unit is situated at a location of the compression stages such that air pressure upon entry into the adsorbent beds is between about 400 psia and about 600 psia. Each of the adsorbent beds of the unit have a minimum transverse cross-sectional flow area that will set the air velocity of the air to a level below that at which adsorbent bed fluidization would occur. Such operation allows fabrication costs of the adsorbent beds to be reduced because less adsorbent and smaller adsorbent beds are required while power consumption will be at a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Hashi, Michael C. Johnson, John Royal
  • Patent number: 8641813
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the gas/liquid separation process for a fluid flowing within a pipe is provided, wherein the method includes receiving a fluid flow having a liquid component and a gas component. The method further includes separating the liquid component from the gas component, wherein the liquid component is separated from the gas component via a separator device. The method also includes generating gas component data and liquid component data, wherein the gas component data is responsive to the liquid carry-over into the gas component and wherein the liquid component data is responsive to the gas carry-under into the liquid component. Furthermore, the method includes processing the gas component data and the liquid component data to generate apparatus optimization data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Expro Meters, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
  • Publication number: 20130312427
    Abstract: An air compression system and method for an air separation plant in which air is compressed in a series of compression stages and a temperature swing adsorption unit adsorbs water vapor and carbon dioxide. The temperature swing adsorption unit is situated at a location of the compression stages such that air pressure upon entry into the adsorbent beds is between about 400 psia and about 600 psia. Each of the adsorbent beds of the unit have a minimum transverse cross-sectional flow area that will set the air velocity of the air to a level below that at which adsorbent bed fluidization would occur. Such operation allows fabrication costs of the adsorbent beds to be reduced because less adsorbent and smaller adsorbent beds are required while power consumption will be at a minimum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Mohamed Hashi, Michael C. Johnson, John Royal
  • Patent number: 8568519
    Abstract: A portable oxygen concentrator designed for medical use with a novel housing and internal component design that reduces noise and vibration while increasing durability. The improved design of the portable oxygen concentrator further facilitates easy maintenance and repair over the life of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Inogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenton Taylor, Peter Hansen, John Stump, Patrick Burgess
  • Patent number: 8535417
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide-containing gas such as flue gas and a carbon dioxide-rich stream are compressed and the combined streams are then treated to desorb moisture onto adsorbent beds and then subjected to subambient-temperature processing to produce a carbon dioxide product stream and a vent stream. The vent stream is treated to produce a carbon dioxide-depleted stream which can be used to desorb moisture from the beds, and a carbon dioxide-rich stream which is combined with the carbon dioxide-containing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Minish Mahendra Shah
  • Patent number: 8500855
    Abstract: A method and a system to remove relatively pure carbon dioxide directly from ambient air. The method comprises generating process heat, to co-generate substantially saturated steam; alternately and repeatedly exposing a sorbent to a flow of ambient air, at substantially ambient conditions, to sorb, and therefore remove, carbon dioxide from said ambient air, and exposing the CO2-laden sorbent to a flow of the co-generated steam, at a temperature in the range of not greater than about 130° C, to release the carbon dioxide, thereby regenerating the sorbent, and capturing relatively pure carbon dioxide. To render this process more efficient, admix with the air a minor amount of a pre-treated effluent gas containing a higher concentration of carbon dioxide than in the atmosphere. The captured carbon dioxide can be stored for further use, or sequestered permanently. The purified carbon dioxide is useful for agriculture or chemical processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Peter Eisenberger
  • Patent number: 8500877
    Abstract: Systems are provided for gasification operations. The systems may use carbonous gas as part of plant operations. The systems may include a gasifier and a solid fuel feeder. The solid fuel feeder is capable of feeding solid fuel in a carbonous carrier gas to the gasifier during a startup period and also during a steady state period of the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anindra Mazumdar, Sunil Ramabhilakh Mishra, Rupinder Singh Benipal
  • 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: 8303695
    Abstract: Systems are provided for gasification operations. The systems may use carbonous gas as part of plant operations. The systems may include a first compressor configured to compress a carbonous gas and a controller. The controller is configured to control the first compressor to transition from compressing a first carbonous gas to compressing a second carbonous gas during startup of a gasification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anindra Mazumdar, Sunil Ramabhilakh Mishra, Rupinder Singh Benipal
  • Patent number: 8252089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for compressing and drying a gas flow rich in carbon dioxide, for example containing more than 50 mol % of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Tranier, Arthur Darde, Jean-François Rauch, Dominique Antonio, Christophe Michel
  • Patent number: 8231717
    Abstract: An oxidizing gas purification apparatus (1) for a fuel cell (7) has a compressor (2) that compresses oxidizing gas and sends the oxidizing gas; a cooling apparatus (4), disposed downstream from the compressor (2), that cools the oxidizing gas passing therethrough; an adsorbent unit (5b), disposed downstream from the cooling apparatus (4), that houses an adsorbent (5a) that adsorbs impurities included in the oxidizing gas sent from the cooling apparatus (4) at a prescribed adsorption temperature and releases the adsorbed impurities at a prescribed thermal regeneration temperature that is above the prescribed adsorption temperature by control of the operation of the cooling apparatus (4) to cool the oxidizing gas that has a temperature above the prescribed adsorption temperature and that is sent from the compressor (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Fujitani
  • Patent number: 8142555
    Abstract: The invention aims at making a volatile organic compound harmless, and in addition comprehensively improving the energy efficiency within a facility where treatment of the volatile organic compound is necessary. In the invention, in order to achieve this aim, a solution means is adopted where, a discharge gas containing a volatile organic compound is supplied to an adsorption apparatus to adsorb the volatile organic compound in an adsorbent. The volatile organic compound is desorbed from the adsorbent with pressurized steam and mixed with the steam. The steam containing the volatile organic compound is supplied, in the pressurized state, to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine, and burned together with a fuel gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigekazu Uji
  • Publication number: 20110132191
    Abstract: An adsorption drying apparatus, in particular for drying a compressed gas, includes an adsorption chamber (11) having a plurality of adsorption conduits (101) containing an adsorption material (123), a first feeding line (106) and a first discharging line (109) disposed at a first end (111) of the adsorption chamber (11), and a second feeding line (108) and a second discharging line (107) disposed at a second end (112) of the adsorption chamber (11). The adsorption chamber (11) is rotatable with respect to the feeding and discharging lines (106, 107, 108, 109) so that the adsorption conduits may be fluidically connected in temporal alternation, wherein the gas is dried in a drying sector (102), and the adsorption material (123) is regenerated in the regeneration sector (103). The first feeding line (106) is configured such that the gas stream to be dried may be fed to the regeneration sector (103) as a full flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: KAESER KOMPRESSOREN GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas FREDENHAGEN, René MARTIN, Michael FEISTHAUER, Michael ROHDENBURG
  • Publication number: 20100275782
    Abstract: A multi-chamber canister for a pressure swing absorption system within a general housing assembly. The chambers include a first molecular sieve chamber for receiving a first molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas and at least a second molecular sieve chamber disposed within the housing assembly for receiving a second molecular sieve for separating air from the ambient environment into a concentrated gas component. Furthermore, a supply chamber is disposed within the housing for receiving air from the ambient environment and for communicating air to either first or second molecular sieve chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: RIC INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph T. DOLENSKY, ROBERT J. MADDOX, JR., ROBERT W. MURDOCH
  • Patent number: 7727305
    Abstract: A system for recycling vented atmosphere gas discharged from a heat treatment chamber utilizing a protective atmosphere gas therein. The system includes an atmosphere recycling apparatus configured to receive the vented atmosphere gas. The atmosphere recycling apparatus includes a gas separator configured to separate the vented atmosphere gas into a purified atmosphere gas stream and an impure stream. The atmosphere recycling apparatus is configured to feed the purified atmosphere gas stream to the heat treatment chamber. A storage vessel can be provided to receive the purified atmosphere gas stream from the atmosphere recycling apparatus, and configured to supplement an atmosphere gas supply to the heat treatment chamber with the purified atmosphere gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Lummus Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin D. Lomax, Jr., Gregory S. Carr, Richard S. Todd
  • Publication number: 20090165643
    Abstract: Device for drying a compressed gas which consists of a compressed gas supply (2), two pressure vessels (33 and 34) which are provided with an input (37, respectively) and an output (39, 40 respectively) and a take-up point (32) f or users of compressed dried gas, whereby at least two layers of desiccant (35 and 36) are provided in the pressure vessels (33 and 34), a first layer (35) made of a waterproof desiccant and a second layer (36) which is not necessarily made of a waterproof desiccant respectively, and whereby the pressure vessels (33 and 34) are provided with a second input (41, 42 respectively) for the supply of compressed gas to regenerate desiccant from the first layer (35).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventor: Filip Gustaaf M. Huberland
  • Patent number: 7550031
    Abstract: An energy efficient oxygen concentrator for filling high pressure portable cylinders with medical oxygen for use by ambulatory patients. Two compressors provide two pressurized air sources, one for operating an oxygen concentrator to provide a stream of oxygen enriched gas, and the other for driving a pressure intensifier for filling portable oxygen cylinders. Pressurized exhaust from the pressure intensifier is returned to the inlet side of at least one of the compressors for reducing the energy required to drive the compressor. Preferably, each compressor has a single reciprocating piston, a single motor drives both pistons and the pressurized exhaust from pressure intensifier is provided to the inlets for both compressors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Sunrise Medical HHG Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Hunter, Frank R. Frola, Karl Bowser
  • Patent number: 7449054
    Abstract: The invention teaches a purification system which uses a series of operations, in a single unit, to purify air, while extending the life of the purification units. Air is passed through a coarse water trap to remove liquid. The semi-dry air, is then passed through adsorbers, which remove the remaining moisture and all the carbon dioxide in a purification process. The present invention flows the air to be purified through adsorption columns twice, before and after passing the air through an oxygen catalyst unit. The flows of air are then rotated to a third column, which is thermally regenerating with the facilitation of a regeneration air supply from the purified air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: SAES Pure Gas, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Rabellino, Charles H. Applegarth, Matthew D. Schlotterbeck, Giorgio Vergani
  • Patent number: 7179326
    Abstract: An oxygen concentrating apparatus 10 for generating oxygen enriched gas by adsorbing and separating nitrogen gas from air, comprises; an oxygen concentrator 40 having an adsorption cylinder filled with adsorbent for adsorbing nitrogen gas, also having an air inlet port 44, an oxygen outlet port 50 and a nitrogen gas outlet port 46; a compressor 30 for supplying compressed air from the air inlet port 44; a sound insulation box 20, which surrounds the compressor 30, for reducing noise generated from the compressor 30, ribs 20a being formed on a side wall of the sound insulation box 20; a cooling fan 36 for introducing air into the sound insulation box 20 so as to cool the compressor 30 by the introduced air; a housing 12 surrounding the oxygen concentrator 40 and the sound insulation box 20; and an exhaust duct 60 arranged in the housing 12, for guiding the exhaust discharged from the cooling fan 36 to the outside of the housing 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Hitoshi Nakamura, Masakazu Tagawa, Katsuhiko Okada
  • Patent number: 7172645
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a first gas from a mixture of the first gas and at least one second gas comprises a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port and an adsorbent which is positioned in the housing. The adsorbent comprising a carbon based foam monolith that has an affinity for the first gas. Thus, as the gas mixture flows through the housing, the first gas will be adsorbed onto the adsorbent and the second gas will exit the housing through the outlet port. In this manner, the first gas is separated from the second gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Pfister, Charles M. Byrd
  • Patent number: 7166149
    Abstract: Using a high pressure rotary adsorbent wheel, a high value compressed gas feed can be purified by concentrating the impurity such as water, condensing it out, before final purification. Instead of exhausting gas from the system, the effluent can be put back into the feed at a point prior to condensation of the high value gas feed, and therefore the entire feed is purified without any high value gas feed going into a waste stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Stephen R. Dunne, Peter K. Coughlin, Rustam H. Sethna
  • Patent number: 7135059
    Abstract: A portable gas fractionalization apparatus that provides oxygen rich air to patients is provided. The apparatus is compact, lightweight, and low-noise. The components are assembled in a housing that is divided into two compartments. One compartment is maintained at a lower temperature than the other compartment. The lower temperature compartment is configured for mounting components that can be damaged by heat. The higher temperature compartment is configured for mounting heat generating components. An air stream is directed to flow from an ambient air inlet to an air outlet constantly so that there is always a fresh source of cooling air. The apparatus utilizes a PSA unit to produce an oxygen enriched product. The PSA unit incorporates a novel single ended column design in which all flow paths and valves can be co-located on a single integrated manifold. The apparatus also can be used in conjunction with a satellite conserver and a mobility cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Inogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Frank Deane, Brenton Alan Taylor, Rex O. Bare, Bradley J. Sargent, Andrew J. Scherer
  • Patent number: 7029521
    Abstract: Process in conjunction with the production of oxygen (22), wherein incoming air (10, 16, 16a, 16b,) is brought to pass through a sorbent/zeolite structure (18), which comprises at least three zeolite units (50a–f) intermittently operated in a first stage comprising adsorption of nitrogen from the air and a second stage comprising desorption (20, 20a, 20b) of thus adsorbed nitrogen. At least two of the zeolite units are operated in the adsorption stage, the incoming air being brought to pass consecutively (53a) through the at least two zeolite units to form an increasing nitrogen gradient; and/or at least two units of the zeolite units are operated in the desorption stage, a pressure being released and/or a desorbing gas (22a, 22b) being brought to pass consecutively (53b) through the at least two zeolite units to form a decreasing nitrogen gradient in the zeolite units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Ifo Ceramics Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Thomas Johansson
  • Patent number: 7014683
    Abstract: A method for the regeneration of humidity-laden drying cartridges includes heating to 220 to 300° C. and introducing it into a drying cartridge for regeneration. Subsequent cooling of the drying cartridge is achieved by a partial stream of air diverted from the dried process air. An arrangement suitable for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Wittmann Robot Systeme GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Vierling
  • Patent number: 6960243
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the extraction of water from a gas stream, such as atmospheric air. The method includes contacting the gas stream with a porous adsorbent material having a surface modifying agent adsorbed on the surface of a porous support. The surface modifying agent creates a hydrophilic surface for the adsorption of the water. After the water is adsorbed into the pores, the surface modifying agent is selectively desorbed from the surface. The water then evaporates from the pore and can be collected in a condenser. The method and apparatus of the present invention advantageously operate in a substantially isothermal manner, thereby reducing the size and power consumption of the device. The device can advantageously be used to extract potable drinking water from atmospheric air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Nanopore, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Smith, James S. Dusenbury, William L. Warren
  • Patent number: 6908503
    Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption apparatus for producing a gas mixture with a higher concentration of a particular gas such as oxygen from ambient air, in which the noisier components of the apparatus are contained in an internal removable module that is separated by sound insulation from the balance of the apparatus to attenuate structure borne vibration, reduce radiated noise, and to absorb airborne sound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: AirSep Corporation
    Inventors: Norman R. McCombs, James A. Alessi, Rober E. Casey
  • Patent number: 6878186
    Abstract: A pure vacuum swing adsorption/desorption system and method, wherein supplied air feedstock gas is consistently separated to obtain a high-purity oxygen end-product gas mixture, is described. The system and method separate high-purity oxygen product from air by sequenced adsorption and desorption operations occurring exclusively under vacuum pressure conditions. This allows for greatly reduced kilowatt-hours of electric-oxygen power consumption per oxygen ton produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: David Lloyd Neary
  • Publication number: 20040244594
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for treating a gas by adsorption wherein additional heat is provided to the regeneration fluid by external means prior to its use in the regeneration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Norbert Niclout, Marc Wagner
  • Patent number: 6666911
    Abstract: A treatment system for waste gas containing VOCs is composed of a zeolite revolver (10), an incinerator (20) and a network of pipes, valves and filters. The zeolite revolver (10) consists of an adsorption zone (11), a purge zone (12), and a desorption zone (13) to remove VOCs from untreated waste gas in the adsorption zone (11) and then separate the VOCs from the saturated zeolite in the desorption zone (13). The zeolite is cooled down in the purge zone (12) so it can be used again. The separated VOCs are piped into the incinerator (20) to be used as fuel. Whereby, the treatment system for waste gas containing VOCs operates efficiently and economically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Zhong Huan Environment Advisor Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Shean Chou, Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet, Thomas W. Wideman
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6585192
    Abstract: 1. An inerting system for a vented controlled atmosphere container, for inerting a flammable gas comprising a flammable vapor and oxygen, comprising: (i) a container; (ii) an outlet in the container for the flammable gas; (iii) a compressor, in fluid communication with the outlet, which compresses the flammable gas from the container; (iv) a separator, in fluid communication with the compressor, for removing oxygen from the flammable gas to produce an oxygen-depleted flammable gas; (v) an inlet in the container, which is in fluid communication with the separator; through which the oxygen-depleted flammable gas is fed into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme A'Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Karl S. Beers
  • Publication number: 20030070546
    Abstract: A method for the separation of a gas mixture comprises (a) obtaining a feed gas mixture comprising nitrogen and at least one hydrocarbon having two to six carbon atoms; (b) introducing the feed gas mixture at a temperature of about 60° F. to about 105° F. into an adsorbent bed containing adsorbent material which selectively adsorbs the hydrocarbon, and withdrawing from the adsorbent bed an effluent gas enriched in nitrogen; (c) discontinuing the flow of the feed gas mixture into the adsorbent bed and depressurizing the adsorbent bed by withdrawing depressurization gas therefrom; (d) purging the adsorbent bed by introducing a purge gas into the bed and withdrawing therefrom an effluent gas comprising the hydrocarbon, wherein the purge gas contains nitrogen at a concentration higher than that of the nitrogen in the feed gas mixture; (e) pressurizing the adsorbent bed by introducing pressurization gas into the bed; and (f) repeating (b) through (e) in a cyclic manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Daniel Patrick Zwilling, Timothy Christopher Golden, Edward Landis Weist, Keith Alan Ludwig
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6508865
    Abstract: Atmospheric air passes through a droplet separator and then through one or more filtration stages. The first filtration stage is made of bag-filter elements with filter medium made up of synthetic fibres with a density which increases in the direction of air flow. The air is introduced thereinto at its natural temperature when between approximately −20° C. and +5° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Alain Colson
  • Patent number: 6488747
    Abstract: A gas separation system for separating a feed gas mixture into a first component of the gas mixture and a second component of the gas mixture includes an adsorbent bed assembly and an axial or centrifugal compression machine. The adsorbent bed assembly includes a number of flow paths for receiving adsorbent material therein for preferentially adsorbing the first gas component in response to increasing pressure in the flow paths in comparison to the second gas component. Each flow path includes a pair of opposite ends and a valve communicating with each opposite end for controlling a flow of the feed gas mixture through the flow paths. Preferably, the compression machine consists of a gas turbine including a number of pressure inlet and outlet ports coupled to the valves for exposing each flow path to a number of different pressures between an upper pressure and a lower pressure for separating the first gas component from the second gas component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: QuestAir Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bowie Gordon Keefer, Denis J. Connor
  • Patent number: 6478849
    Abstract: A vapor recovery system for a fuel storage tank. The system includes a pair of VOC adsorbent canisters that alternately recover VOC vapors from the fuel tank ullage or are regenerated. Regeneration of the VOC adsorbent canisters is provided by exhausting the VOC vapors from the VOC canisters using a vacuum pump and back into the fuel tank ullage. When the operating pressure of the fuel tank ullage is elevated, an auxiliary VOC adsorbent canister is operated in parallel with the pair of canisters in order to recover the increased amount of VOC vapors in the tank ullage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignees: Dresser, Inc., Nitrotec Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ken W. Taylor, Robert G. McKinney, Herbert E. Reinhold
  • Publication number: 20020117052
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventor: Karl S. Beers
  • Patent number: 6402812
    Abstract: An integrated environmental control (IEC) system includes a decontamination Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) system in which a contaminated decontamination bed is purged through a purge exhaust duct and subsequently dumped overboard through a purge ejector. The energy from a high pressure drain duct serves as the primary motive force for the purge ejector to create a sub-atmospheric region therein and reduce back pressure upon the PSA filtration system. The reduced back pressure creates additional pressure drop across the PSA filtration system which improves performance. Risk of the purge exhaust duct and the purge ejector freezing in a low temperature environment is further minimized by mixing the purge exhaust with the relatively warmer high pressure drains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Perrotta, Clement I. Anekwe
  • Patent number: 6294000
    Abstract: A rotary concentrator heats media in a desorption zone to a desorption temperature, then removes the pollutants using a second cold desorbent gas stream in a desorbent zone. First, the adsorbent media is rotated and an inlet gas stream is passed over the media in the adsorbent zone, thereby removing the adsorbable pollutants. A first gas stream having a temperature equal to or greater than the desorption temperature of the adsorbable pollutants is passed over the media in the desorbent zone to heat the media to generally the desorption temperature of the adsorbable pollutants. A second gas having a temperature less than the desorption temperature of the adsorbent media is passed over the media in the desorbent zone to remove the adsorbable pollutants from the desorbent zone. Subsequently, the gas containing the adsorbable pollutants received from the desorbent zone is processed by destroying or removing the adsorbable pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Durr Environmental, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph M. Klobucar
  • Publication number: 20010011500
    Abstract: A compression machine (compressor 4 and/or pump 5) of the plant (1) for the treatment of a fluid, typically by pressure swing adsorption, comprises at least one detector (7) for detecting clearance between a moving part (6) and a stator and delivering a measurement signal used so as to vary, depending on this measurement, the operation of the plant and especially to automatically shorten the phases during which the machine is running at an excessively high speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude et L'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Frederic Despreaux, Nathalie Derive-Teuscher, Chrisian Monereau
  • Patent number: 6251172
    Abstract: A water dispenser has an apparatus for removing water from the air and an apparatus for treating the water to provide a consumer with potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne Ernest Conrad
  • Patent number: RE39122
    Abstract: A system for drying a gas, such as air, includes a source of gas to be dried, a multistage compressor having an inlet connected to the source, and a dryer connected interstage to the compressor and to the outlet of the compressor. The dryer is connected interstage to the compressor between a compression stage and a heat exchanger of one of the compressor stages for regenerating a first desiccant filled tower. The dryer is also connected to the outlet of the compressor for drying the gas using a second desiccant filled tower. A communication structure can be activated to connect the first tower to the outlet of the compressor for drying the gas using the first tower, and to connect the second tower interstage to the compressor for regeneration of the second tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Henderson Engineering Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Henderson, Terry D. Henderson