With Means Regenerating Solid Sorbent Patents (Class 96/143)
  • Patent number: 8147597
    Abstract: The present system is an adsorption system (100) for separating air into a concentrated gas component, which has an air supply, a compressor (115) for receiving and compressing the air supply, providing a compressed air supply, and molecular sieve material for separating the compressed air supply into a concentrated gas component. The adsorption system delivers at least 5 liters per minute (LPM) of concentrated gas component from the molecular sieve material in which the system has a specific total weight per LPM<9 lbs/LPM. Additionally, an output quantity of the concentrated gas is delivered by the adsorption system and a purging quantity of the concentrated gas is dispensed into a sieve chamber of the adsorption system undergoing a purge cycle. The purging quantity has a value equal to or less than the difference between the maximum quantity and the output quantity, and the purging quantity is controlled based on the output quantity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph T. Dolensky, Marvin Zeigler
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8133305
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing a contaminant, such as carbon dioxide, from a gas stream, such as ambient air. The contaminant is removed from the gas stream by a sorbent which may be regenerated using a humidity swing, a thermal swing, or a combination thereof. The sorbent may be a substrate having embedded positive ions and individually mobile negative ions wherein the positive ions are sufficiently spaced to prevent interactions between the negative ions. Where a thermal swing is used, heat may be conserved by employing a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the regenerated sorbent to an amount of sorbent that is loaded with the contaminant prior to regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Kilimanjaro Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus S. Lackner, Allen B. Wright
  • Publication number: 20110315016
    Abstract: An exhaust-gas treating apparatus, which includes an adsorption tower for removing various harmful substances in an exhaust gas using an adsorbent, a regeneration tower for releasing adsorbed substances from the adsorbent, a first transfer passage for transferring the adsorbent from the adsorption tower to the regeneration tower, a second transfer passage for transferring the adsorbent from the regeneration tower to the adsorption tower, a lock hopper connected to one end of the regeneration tower on a higher differential pressure side of a first differential pressure between an inside of the regeneration tower and an inside of the first transfer passage and a second differential pressure between the inside of the regeneration tower and an inside of the second transfer passage to thereby secure gas-tightness, a sealing unit connected to the other end of the regeneration tower on a lower differential pressure side to thereby secure gas-tightness, and an adjusting unit for maintaining the differential pressure
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: J-POWER EnTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuninori Furuyama, Masahiro Miya, Ryo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8080095
    Abstract: A preferred embodiment steady state tracking desorption system achieves steady tracking of either a fixed sorbate output set point, or a set point that changes over time. The system includes an electrically heated thermal adsorption/desorption device A temperature sensor senses the temperature of an adsorbent material within the adsorption/desorption device. A sorbate sensor senses a sorbate level from an outlet of the adsorption/desorption device. A power sensor senses the power supplied by the desorption device. A controller interprets levels sensed by the temperature sensor, the sorbate sensor and the power sensor and provides a signal to achieve steady set point tracking of a sorbate level from the outlet of the adsorption/desorption device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Mark J. Rood, K. James Hay, Byung J. Kim, Hamidreza Emamipour, Zaher M. Hashisho
  • Patent number: 8075677
    Abstract: A carbon canister with a valve activated by the weight of nearly saturated or saturated carbon communicates with piping from an underground tank. The invention includes carbon within a casing inside a canister, a weight actuated valve, and piping in communication with the atmosphere. When an ORVR vehicle refuels, the pressure lowers in the tank that draws air into the canister. After refueling, the tank remains subject to conditions that generate hydrocarbon vapors. Those vapors then return to the canister and adhere to the surface of the carbon. The carbon, heavier with hydrocarbons, lowers the canister and closes the weight actuated valve. Closing the valve returns pressure control to an external pressure vacuum relief valve. The next refueling draws in atmospheric air to purge the hydrocarbons in the canister and thus lighten it. A secondary purge valve also removes hydrocarbons from the canister. Once the carbon lightens, the inlet valve opens and the vapors return to the canister for adsorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Husky Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Schroeder, Darrell Vilmer, Arthur C. Fink, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8052777
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a pressure swing adsorber vessel. The pressure swing adsorber vessel can include one or more walls. Generally, the one or more walls contain an adsorbent bed having a first side and a second side and at least one spacer forming a cusp. Usually, the one or more walls and the adsorbent bed define at least one void volume adjacent to the adsorbent bed, and the cusp of the at least one spacer may be positioned in the at least one void volume. The cusp can be positioned opposing an incoming feed stream or a desorbent stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Paul A. Sechrist
  • Patent number: 8043414
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for desorption and a dehumidifier are provided in the present invention, in which an electrical potential is applied to electrodes disposed on both ends of an absorbing material so as to desorb the substances absorbed within the absorbing material whereby the absorbing material is capable of being maintained for cycling the absorbing operation. By means of the method and the apparatus of the present invention, the desorbing efficiency can be enhanced and the energy consumption can be reduced during desorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Ming-Shan Jeng, Ming-Shiann Shih, Jau-Chyn Huang, Yu-Li Lin, Ya-Wen Chou, Ting-Wei Huang, Yu-Ming Chang
  • Publication number: 20110239867
    Abstract: A moisture exchange status monitoring device is provided. The moisture exchange status monitoring device is provided with: a temperature difference detecting portion; an evaluating portion; a setting value storing portion; and an evaluation result outputting portion. The temperature difference detecting portion detects a temperature difference ?t in the air on the treating side before and after passing through a desiccant rotor. The evaluating portion receives the temperature difference ?t from the temperature difference detecting portion and compares the temperature difference ?t to a setting value ?tth that is stored in the setting value storing portion, to evaluate the status of moisture adsorption of the moisture from the air on the treating side of the desiccant rotor. The evaluation result outputting portion outputs the evaluation result for the status of moisture adsorption, from the evaluating portion, as the monitoring result for the status of exchange of the moisture of the desiccant rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: YAMATAKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadahiko MATSUBA, Ryouta DAZAI, Yoshitaka TAKAKURA
  • Publication number: 20110226126
    Abstract: An arrangement for generating oxygen in a facility is described, which arrangement has at least one unit for generating medical air (V, R), a vacuum system (VS), and a PSA unit (A), which serves to generate an oxygen product stream. According to the invention, the PSA unit (A) and the vacuum system (VS) are interconnected in such a way that the adsorber or adsorbers of the PSA unit (A) can be regenerated by means of the vacuum system (VS), and/or the unit for generating medical air (V, R) is connected to the PSA unit (A) in such a way that at least a subsidiary stream (2) of the generated medical air is delivered as feed gas to the PSA unit (A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Matthias GRAHL, Philippe SAGE, Alfred BOLKART, Paul LEITGEB
  • Patent number: 8012247
    Abstract: A gas treatment unit includes an absorber, a liquid-jet ejector, a gas-liquid separator, a regenerator and a pump. A liquid outlet of the regenerator is connected to an inlet of the pump. An outlet of the pump is connected to a liquid inlet of the absorber. A liquid outlet of the absorber is connected to a liquid inlet of the jet-ejector. A regenerator gas outlet is connected to a gas inlet of the liquid-jet ejector. A liquid-gas outlet of the liquid-jet ejector is connected to an inlet of the separator. A liquid outlet of the separator is connected to a liquid inlet of the regenerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Serguei A. Popov, Michael S. Green
  • Publication number: 20110189075
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for removing carbon dioxide from a gas stream without consuming excess energy, wherein a solid sorbent material is used to capture the carbon dioxide. The solid sorbent material may utilize a water-swing for regeneration. Various geometric configurations are disclosed for advantageous recovery of CO2 and regeneration of the sorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ryuhei Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20110158872
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a multi-component system for adsorbing contaminants and/or pollutants from a contaminated hot fluid by using a turbulent air stream, to adiabatically cool the temperature of the fluid, in association with one or more adsorbents. The system of the present invention can also be coupled to a recovery and recycling unit to recover and recycle the contaminant and/or pollutant and the adsorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventor: Parisa A. Ariya
  • Patent number: 7959712
    Abstract: A continuous concentration system for volatile organic compounds for concentrating volatile organic compounds that undergo an absorption process and a removal process includes: a moving-bed chamber in which modules for absorbing volatile organic compounds are absorbed. An absorption bed line to which the volatile organic compounds are supplied to be absorbed to the module is provided on one side of the moving-bed chamber. A removal-cooling bed line for performing a removal process for removing the volatile organic compounds absorbed to the module and a cooling process for cooling the module that has undergone the removal process is provided on the other side of the moving-bed chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventor: Sang-guk Kim
  • Publication number: 20110132197
    Abstract: Provided is an exhaust recycling system, which can burn and remove efficiently a VOC in an exhaust gas discharged from a predetermined zone and which can recycle the clean air after the removal of VOC. Also provided is a technique capable of stabilizing the concentration of the VOC contained in the exhaust gas to be fed to an adsorption apparatus. The exhaust recycling system comprises a coating zone (111) for discharging the exhaust gas containing the VOC, an adsorption apparatus (200) for adsorbing the VOC in the exhaust gas discharged from the coating one (111), and a clean air recycle apparatus for releasing the VOC adsorbed by the adsorption apparatus (200), from the adsorption apparatus (200), thereby to make the adsorbed VOC into a combustion fuel for a regenerative combustion apparatus (300), and for introducing again the clean air cleaned by passing through the adsorption apparatus (200), into the coating zone (111).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bansei Nagase, Hisashi Saito, Masahiro Nakao
  • Publication number: 20110107914
    Abstract: The present invention relates to articles for extracting a component from a fluid stream, the article including a body portion having a plurality of bores extending therethrough, the bores facilitating the flow of the fluid stream through the body portion in use, wherein the body portion is formed from a mixture of a binder and at least one component selected from the group consisting of carbon fibres, carbon nanotubes and mixtures thereof. The present invention also relates to a method of forming such articles and methods and systems including same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
    Inventors: Shi Su, Ramesh Thiruvenkatachari
  • Publication number: 20110088552
    Abstract: A method by which water may be extracted from the air even without a supply of electricity from a power source or even without a supply of fuel, as well as an apparatus therefor, is disclosed. The apparatus used for the method for extracting water from the air comprises at least a rotatably mounted hygroscopic moisture-absorbing rotor having at least one region through which air can pass in the direction of thickness thereof; a passage for regeneration through which air for regeneration is circulated, of which both ends are opened at the opposing two surfaces of a regeneration region, respectively, the regeneration region being a part of the moisture-absorbing rotor, at which the moisture-absorbing rotor that absorbed moisture is regenerated; and a drain hole for taking out condensed water from the passage for regeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Hidetoshi IKE, Nao Okuhata
  • Publication number: 20110088549
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and other acid gases capture via adsorption at high pressure using mesoporous materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Abdelhamid SAYARI, Youssef BELMABKHOUT
  • Patent number: 7922789
    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 compressor system which includes the use of free piston linear compressors so as to reduce power consumption, noise and vibration reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Inogen, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Frank Deane, Brenton Alan Taylor
  • Patent number: 7922790
    Abstract: Compressor device having a compressor (2) with an inlet (3) and an outlet (4); a compressed air line (5) which connects the outlet (4) of the compressor (2) to a user network (6); a drier (7) which is incorporated in the compressed air line (5) and which includes at least two air receivers (13-16) which are each provided with an inlet (14) and an outlet (15) and which are filled with desiccant or drying agent, which air receivers (13-16) work alternately, such that while one air receiver (13) is drying the compressed gas, the other air receiver (16) is regenerated; and a blow-off device (28) for blowing off at least a part of the gas compressed by the compressor when the compressor (2) works in no-load or in partial load, characterized in that mechanisms are provided which make it possible to guide the part of the compressed gas which is blown off via the blow-off device (28) through the regenerating air receiver (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Airpower Naamloze Vennootschap
    Inventor: Danny Etienne Andrée Vertriest
  • Publication number: 20110079150
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110081712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Publication number: 20110079149
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Allen B. Wright, Klaus S. Lackner, Ursula Ginster
  • Patent number: 7896950
    Abstract: Provided are plasma-aided gas storage methods and apparatus. In one embodiment, a porous powder bed assembly equipped with corona discharge electrodes is used to generate a non-equilibrium plasma of negatively ionized gas molecules which absorb onto porous particles, e.g., activated charcoal, to form a gas storage entity. Gas adsorbed onto the particles is desorbed at moderate temperatures by aid of ultraviolet light illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Yashen Xia
  • Publication number: 20110041689
    Abstract: Heat-exchangers and biogas conditioners including a heat exchange member disposed between upper and lower flanges of the apparatus in which at least the heat exchange member is formed of a highly thermally conductive material (e.g., at least 50 W/m?K) such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. A bed of zeolite is loaded within the apparatus so as to be in contact with the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member is shaped and configured so that any given location of the zeolite bed is no more than about 3 inches from the heat exchange member comprising the highly thermally conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jaron C. Hansen, Lee D. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20110031103
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for preparing gaseous utility streams from gaseous process streams, particularly, removing oil contamination from such streams prior to use in a dry gas seal. The methods and systems may include at least one kinetic swing adsorption process including pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, calcination, and inert purge processes to treat gaseous streams for use in dry gas seals of rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines and pumps and other utilities. The adsorbent materials used include a high surface area solid structured microporous and mesoporous materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Harry W. Deckman, Preeti Kamakoti, Peter I. Ravikovitch, Bruce T. Kelley, Paul Scott Northrop, Peter C. Rasmussen, Paul Lawrence Tanaka, Martin N. Webster, Wieslaw Jerzy Roth, Edward W. Corcoran
  • Publication number: 20110011264
    Abstract: A fuel vapor processor has a fuel tank, a canister, a vapor pipe, a recovery pipe, an air pipe, a suction device, a vapor pipe valve, an air pipe valve, and a pressure regulator. The vapor pipe leads fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank to the canister for trapping the fuel vapor in the canister. The recovery pipe recoveries the fuel vapor desorbed from the canister into the fuel tank. The air pipe communicates the canister with the atmosphere. The suction device is disposed on the recovery pipe for desorbing the fuel vapor trapped in the canister. The pressure regulator is communicated with the air pipe between the air pipe valve and the canister in order to allow gas flow from the atmosphere toward the canister. During desorption of the fuel vapor due to the suction device, the vapor pipe valve and the air pipe valve are closed, and negative pressure is kept in the canister such that the fuel vapor is desorbed from the canister and fresh air is led into the canister via the pressure regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuhiko MAKINO, Masanobu SHINAGAWA, Hideki TESHIMA, Takashi MANI
  • Publication number: 20110005395
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and method to treat large amounts of flue gas from a pulverized coal combustion power plant. The flue gas is contacted with solid sorbents to selectively absorb CO2, which is then released as a nearly pure CO2 gas stream upon regeneration at higher temperature. The method is capable of handling the necessary sorbent circulation rates of tens of millions of lbs/hr to separate CO2 from a power plant's flue gas stream. Because pressurizing large amounts of flue gas is cost prohibitive, the method of this invention minimizes the overall pressure drop in the absorption section to less than 25 inches of water column. The internal circulation of sorbent within the absorber assembly in the proposed method not only minimizes temperature increases in the absorber to less than 25° F., but also increases the CO2 concentration in the sorbent to near saturation levels. Saturating the sorbent with CO2 in the absorber section minimizes the heat energy needed for sorbent regeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Southern Company
    Inventors: Pannalal Vimalchand, Guohai Liu, Wan Wang Peng
  • Publication number: 20100326275
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a pressure swing adsorber vessel. The pressure swing adsorber vessel can include one or more walls. Generally, the one or more walls contain an adsorbent bed having a first side and a second side and at least one spacer forming a cusp. Usually, the one or more walls and the adsorbent bed define at least one void volume adjacent to the adsorbent bed, and the cusp of the at least one spacer may be positioned in the at least one void volume. The cusp can be positioned opposing an incoming feed stream or a desorbent stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventor: Paul A. Sechrist
  • Publication number: 20100319547
    Abstract: A reciprocating compressor includes a motor having a motor shaft, four cylinders provided in perpendicular directions relative to an axial direction of the motor shaft, and four pistons Each piston has a piston head part and a rod part formed integrally with the piston head part. Each piston head part is fitted into one of the four cylinders in a reciprocable fashion. Each rod part is rotatably mounted to an eccentric shaft that is fixed to the motor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Kondou, Satoshi Ueda, Yuki Kuwamura
  • Patent number: 7854793
    Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption system comprising two or more vessels, each having a feed end, a product end, and adsorbent material adapted to adsorb one or more components from a multi-component feed gas mixture; piping adapted to (1) introduce the feed gas mixture into the feed ends, withdraw a product gas from the product ends, and withdraw a waste gas from the feed ends of the vessels, and (2) place the product ends of any pair of vessels in flow communication; a feed pipe adapted to supply the feed gas mixture to the system; a product pipe adapted to withdraw the product gas from the system; and a waste gas pipe adapted to withdraw the waste gas from the system. An indexed rotatable multi-port valve is adapted to place the product end of each vessel in sequential flow communication with the product end of each of the other vessels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Inventors: David Lester Rarig, Roger Dean Whitley, Matthew James LaBuda
  • Patent number: 7854788
    Abstract: A filter membrane includes a substrate, a polymer layer provided on the substrate and a plurality of filter openings each having a width of from about 2 nanometers to about 5 nanometers provided in the polymer layer. A method of controlling pore size of a filter membrane and a method of decontaminating a filter membrane are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrd, James P. Huang, Gwen Gross
  • Patent number: 7854790
    Abstract: A method of processing a volatile organic compound is provided, wherein a volatile organic compound contained in gas to be treated is adsorbed in an adsorbent; the thus-adsorbed volatile organic compound is desorbed with the aid of steam and mixed in the steam; and the steam containing the volatile organic compound is combusted. This method further includes: separating a vessel for the adsorption and desorption into an inner side room and an outer side room by means of a separation member part of which is formed of the adsorbent; thermally retaining the vessel for the adsorption and desorption; at the time of adsorption, supplying the gas to be treated to the inner side room and therefrom to the outer side room; and at the time of desorption, supplying the steam to the outer side room and therefrom to the inner side room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigekazu Uji, Masahito Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7850762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing emissions due to gaseous decomposition products of an electrolyte of electrochemical storage devices in a motor vehicle, preferably double-layer capacitors with organic solvents as the electrolyte. According to this invention, the gaseous decomposition products are sent to an activated carbon filter and/or a molecular sieve for deposition of at least a portion of the decomposition products and/or a chemically reactive material and/or a catalytically active material for conversion of at least a portion of the decomposition products. In addition, devices for implementing the inventive method are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Steffen Lutz, Sebastian Scharner
  • 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: 7819958
    Abstract: A purge valve for use with an air drying system is provided. The valve includes a housing or body, a piston disposed within the body, and a valve in communication with the piston. The respective geometries of the piston body and the valve define a circumferential cavity between and around the piston body and the valve. A sealing means is disposed within the circumferential cavity for forming a seal between the valve and the body. A plurality of guide members attached to or formed integrally with the valve provide positional stability to the valve within the body and provide enhanced airflow in, through, and around the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Bendix Commerical Vehicle Systems LLC
    Inventors: Fred W. Hoffman, Leonard A. Quinn, Randall W. Nichols
  • Patent number: 7815722
    Abstract: This invention provides a pre-concentrator device including an electrostatically operated valve and an electrically heated desorber, the electrostatically operated valve comprising a movable flap or membrane carrying a chemically adsorbing coating, suspended by an elastic element above an orifice in an insulated substrate. The device is constructed by planer processing. The flap or membrane can be deflected towards the substrate to block the flow of gas through the orifice by applying a voltage between the substrate and the membrane. The coating provides an adsorbing surface for a volatile organic compound. The coating may be heated electrically, by applying an alternating voltage between the substrate and the flap, thermally desorbing any adsorbed chemical species. When combined with other similar valves in a stacked assembly, the device may be used in a chemical pre-concentrator with very low dead volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Microsaic Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Yeatman, Richard Syms
  • Publication number: 20100258007
    Abstract: A gas treatment unit includes an absorber, a liquid-jet ejector, a gas-liquid separator, a regenerator and a pump. A liquid outlet of the regenerator is connected to an inlet of the pump. An outlet of the pump is connected to a liquid inlet of the absorber. A liquid outlet of the absorber is connected to a liquid inlet of the jet-ejector. A regenerator gas outlet is connected to a gas inlet of the liquid-jet ejector. A liquid-gas outlet of the liquid-jet ejector is connected to an inlet of the separator. A liquid outlet of the separator is connected to a liquid inlet of the regenerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Serguei A. Popov, Michael S. Green
  • Patent number: 7803219
    Abstract: A method for treating waste gas containing inorganic acid is disclosed. The method includes the following steps: (a) forming a mixture of inorganic acidic gas and a nebulized alkaline solution wherein the nebulized alkaline solution can be produced continuously or periodically; (b) forcing the mixture to pass through an adsorbent bed; and (c) releasing the treated gas. An apparatus for treating the inorganic acid gas with the method illustrated above is also disclosed here. The method can regenerate poisoned adsorbents online, and save time, space and cost simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Keh-Perng Shen, Li-Ting Wang
  • Patent number: 7799280
    Abstract: A non-planar, tortuous path chemical preconcentrator has a high internal surface area having a heatable sorptive coating that can be used to selectively collect and concentrate one or more chemical species of interest from a fluid stream that can be rapidly released as a concentrated plug into an analytical or microanalytical chain for separation and detection. The non-planar chemical preconcentrator comprises a sorptive support structure having a tortuous flow path. The tortuosity provides repeated twists, turns, and bends to the flow, thereby increasing the interfacial contact between sample fluid stream and the sorptive material. The tortuous path also provides more opportunities for desorption and readsorption of volatile species. Further, the thermal efficiency of the tortuous path chemical preconcentrator is comparable or superior to the prior non-planar chemical preconcentrator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald P. Manginell, Patrick R. Lewis, Douglas R. Adkins, David R. Wheeler, Robert J. Simonson
  • Patent number: 7785548
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel filter for removing sulfur containing compounds from an internal combustion fuel stream. In one embodiment, the fuel filter comprises at least one column comprising an adsorbent. In one exemplary embodiment the adsorbent is capable of removing sulfur containing compounds, especially sulfur containing aromatic compounds, from fuels used in internal combustion engines, especially diesel fuels. Also disclosed is an apparatus for extending the life cycle of a post combustion emission control device. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a fuel filter for removing sulfur containing compounds from an internal combustion fuel stream and an emission control device. Finally, a method for removing sulfur containing compounds from an internal combustion fuel stream is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald P. Rohrbach, Peter D. Unger, Gary B. Zulauf, Daniel E. Bause, Russ Johnson, David R. Rockwell
  • Publication number: 20100212493
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for preparing gaseous utility streams from gaseous process streams, nitrogen process streams, and other types of streams. The methods and systems may include at least one swing adsorption process including pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, and rapid-cycle adsorption processes to treat gaseous streams for use in dry gas seals of rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines and pumps and for other utilities. The systems and processes of the present disclosure are further applicable to high pressure gaseous streams, for example, up to about 600 bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventors: Peter C. Rasmussen, Paul L. Tanaka, Bruce T. Kelley, Stanley O. Uptigrove, Harry W. Deckman
  • Patent number: 7780763
    Abstract: A method of desorbing a volatile component from a spent adsorbent is disclosed, which includes flowing a stream of supercritical carbon dioxide through a rotating packed bed of the spent adsorbent; and collecting an effluent from the rotating packed bed, which contains supercritical carbon dioxide and the volatile component entrained therein. In one embodiment of the present invention a spent activated carbon from a process for recovering 2,2,3,3-tetrafluro-1-propanol from a gas stream containing 2,2,3,3-tetrafluro-1-propanol is regenerated by flowing a stream of supercritical carbon dioxide through a rotating packed bed of the spent activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Chung-Sung Tan, Pei-Lun Lee
  • Patent number: 7776140
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating exhaust particulates from an exhaust gas stream, includes a ceramic honeycomb body with ducts through which exhaust gas can flow and which extend in the longitudinal direction of the honeycomb body, with the honeycomb body being provided with electrodes for generating an electric field which are each oriented transversally to the axis of the ducts. The electrodes are each formed by a group of ducts in which an electric conductor is introduced at least partly along their axial extension. It preferably includes a metallic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Carl M. Fleck
  • Patent number: 7766998
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for the extraction of water from air incorporated into a wall of a building has a cavity formed in the wall. The cavity has an air inlet and an air outlet. A condensing surface is disposed within the cavity and is adapted to direct condensed water to a water storage unit. In another aspect of the present invention, the cavity is formed between two different building walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Tyson J. Wilde, Andrew Gerla, Joshua Larsen
  • Publication number: 20100180771
    Abstract: A system includes an adsorber having a fluidized bed of a plurality of adsorption materials. The adsorber is configured to receive the gaseous fuel stream including the plurality of pollutants and adsorb the said plurality of pollutants in a single unit from the gaseous fuel stream to generate a clean gas stream substantially free of the pollutants. Different adsorption materials are designed to remove different pollutants over a similar temperature range. The pollutants include at least one of sulfur compounds, chlorine, ammonia, mercury, arsenic, selenium, cadmium, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ke Liu, Vladimir Zamansky
  • Patent number: 7753993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for treating contaminated water in a steam power installation, and to a corresponding steam power installation. According to the invention, steam and water are separated between a first steam-collecting drum of a pressure level and a second steam-collecting drum of a lower pressure level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Schöttler, Anja Wallmann, Rainer Wulff
  • Patent number: 7736416
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide (CO2) removal system includes a first sorbent bed and a second sorbent bed. Each of the first and second sorbent beds has a molecular sieve sorbent for adsorbing or desorbing CO2. One of the sorbent beds adsorbs CO2 and the other of the sorbent beds desorbs CO2. The first and second sorbent beds are thermally connected to transfer heat between the sorbent beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy A. Nalette, Tony Rector
  • Patent number: 7731779
    Abstract: Stranded natural gas, when contaminated by difficult to remove constituents such as Nitrogen and Oxygen, has long been considered uneconomical to process into pipeline quality gas and is abandoned or utilized in other energy applications where economically viable. Landfill Gas (LFG) is often considered a stranded gas although in many instances it is available at reasonable distances to natural gas pipelines, and has only rarely been processed for injection into natural gas pipelines. Other stranded contaminated gases, such as gases vented from remote oil wells or coal beds where access to transportation pipelines is not feasible are also candidates for collection. In many instances, billions of cubic feet of methane rich LFG has been vented or flared into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: David J. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 7727306
    Abstract: A system for use in the treatment of contaminated fluid is provided. The system includes a source from which contaminated fluid may be introduced into the system, and a reservoir for an adsorbent material designed to remove contaminants from the fluid. The system also includes a reactor within which the adsorbent material and the contaminated fluid may be accommodated for treatment. A separation device may further be included for removing spent adsorbent materials from the system. A method for treating contaminated fluid is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Perry Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Krogue, Timothy L. Holmes, Michelle Hewitt