With Means Regenerating Solid Sorbent Patents (Class 96/143)
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Patent number: 6375715Abstract: A receptacle (14) open in its upper part into which opens a conduit (13), is inserted between a device (11) for fast extraction and the stripping zone (18). The receptacle (14) consists at its base of at least one diffuser (15) fed in fluidization gas and to which the solid particles are put in a dense fluidized bed state (17), whose density ranges between 300 and 800 kg.m−3, then escape by overflow from the receptacle (14) toward the stripping zone (18) located below.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.Inventors: Jean-Louis Mauleon, Cyrille Mirgain
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Patent number: 6375722Abstract: A system for drying a gas includes a source of gas, a compressor connected to the source, and a heat of compression dryer connected to the compressor. The dryer includes a first tower and a second tower, each tower containing desiccant material therein. Temperature monitors are provided at the inlet of the dryer and at the outlet of the towers. Temperature readings from the temperature monitors are communicated to a controller which determines a suitable mode in which the dryer is to be placed.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Henderson Engineering Co., Inc.Inventors: Charles A. Henderson, Terry D. Henderson
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Patent number: 6364943Abstract: A gas treatment system for separating and eliminating gaseous hydrocarbon from treatment-object gas exhausted from, for example, a factory is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Taikisha Ltd.Inventor: Teisuke Maekawa
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Patent number: 6361585Abstract: A dehumidifier includes a circular rotor accommodating a humidity absorbing material, a disc member provided on each one of two circular end surfaces of the rotor and having a diameter identical to or greater than a diameter of the rotor, and a plurality of openings formed in the disc members, wherein the rotor rotates through a dehumidification zone and a recycle zone formed by a dividing plate disposed so as to project from each one of the disc members, the rotor circulating a first flow of air of relatively high humidity through the dehumidification zone so as to dehumidify and recycle the first flow of air, the rotor circulating a second flow of air of relatively low humidity through the recycle zone so as to dehumidify the humidity absorbing material. The openings in the disc members have an identical substantially fan shape and are disposed so as to radiate from a center of the disc member, thus exposing the humidity absorbing material accommodated therein.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Hisao Anzai, Akihiko Fujisaki
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Patent number: 6361584Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption system for processing an oxygen-containing feed gas mixture to extract oxygen therefrom, comprising an adsorbent bed arranged for elevated temperature sorption/desorption operation, wherein the adsorbent bed comprises a ceramic adsorbent having affinity for oxygen when the ceramic adsorbent is at elevated temperature. Suitable ceramic adsorbents include lanthanum calcium cobalt ferrites and other oxygen ionic transport ceramic metal oxide compositions. As applied to the separation of air or other oxygen/nitrogen mixtures, the PSA system is effective to produce oxygen-rich as well as nitrogen-rich product gases.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Delwyn Cummings, Philip Chen
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Publication number: 20020029693Abstract: An evaporated fuel discharge preventing apparatus, in order to sufficiently adsorb and collect an evaporated fuel generated in an intake air passage at a time when an engine stops, and to prevent an engine performance from being reduced by reducing an intake air resistance in an evaporated fuel adsorbing portion at a time when the engine is driven, has an adsorbing device arranged in a passage between an evaporated fuel generating portion and an air cleaner element, and, the adsorbing device is formed by an intake air passage portion laterally arranged within the device penetratingly and communicated with the passage at both ends, an adsorbent layer arranged on an outer periphery of the intake air passage portion, and a member covering an outer surface in a non-ventilating state except a side of the intake air passage portion in the adsorbent layer, and an inner diameter of the intake air passage portion of the adsorbing device is set to be substantially equal to or more than an inner diameter of the intake aType: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2001Publication date: March 14, 2002Inventors: Hitoshi Sakakibara, Tomonari Toki, Hideo Yamada
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Patent number: 6342090Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for supplying gas at a first pressure and at a second pressure. The apparatus includes a gas generating system having a gas generating system outlet. A flow switch is in communication with the gas generating system outlet and has an outlet thereof forming a gas outlet at the first pressure. A pressure regulator is in communication with the gas generating system outlet for regulating gas flowing to the gas outlet at the first pressure. A solenoid valve is electrically controlled by the flow switch and is in communication with the gas generating system outlet and has a solenoid valve outlet. A pressure intensifier is in communication with the solenoid valve for raising the pressure of the gas generated by the gas generating system for output to an outlet at a second pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.Inventor: Tuan Q. Cao
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Patent number: 6332915Abstract: A PSA, especially VSA, plant for separating a gas stream, operating in a production cycle and comprising at least one adsorber, preferably two or three adsorbers, and several valves having long and heterogeneous operating times. More specifically, the average operating time (&mgr;) of the valves is such that: 0.5 s<&mgr;<2 s and the operating time (&Dgr;t) of each of the valves is such that: &mgr;−x<&Dgr;t<&mgr;+x, with 0.1 s<x<0.5 s. The invention also relates to the use of such a PSA plant for producing a gas stream rich in oxygen, in nitrogen or in hydrogen, particularly a stream comprising more than 80% oxygen, which is then sent to an oxygen-consuming plant chosen from a combustion furnace, a paper-pulp manufacturing unit and a water treatment unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Dominique Rouge, Stephane Chantagrel, Lian-Ming Sun, Celine Graciannette, Yves Torre
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Patent number: 6309446Abstract: Activated carbon having a specific surface area of 700 to 1,500 m2/g, a pore volume of pores having a pore diameter of 10 nm or less of 0.20 to 0.8 cc/g, a proportion of a pore volume of pores having a pore diameter of 0.6 to 0.8 nm to a pore volume of pores having a pore diameter of 10 nm or less of 75% by volume or more, a grain bulk density of 0.4 to 1.1 g/cc, a packing density of 0.30 to 0.70 g/cc, an ash content of 1.0% or less, and a tensile strength of activated carbon grains of 30 kg/cm2 or more.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignees: Kanebo, Ltd., Takachibo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsutomu Nakanoya, Yuji Shibsawa, Kazuhiro Hasumi, Koji Ishimori, Satoshi Ibaraki, Akira Takauchi
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Patent number: 6294000Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 1999Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Durr Environmental, Inc.Inventor: Joseph M. Klobucar
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Patent number: 6293998Abstract: An apparatus for pressure and temperature swing adsorption processes is described. Such processes include pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, and sorption cooling. The apparatus, a spirally wound module, provides high efficiency gas separations by reducing the differential pressure required between the adsorption pressure and the desorption pressure. The apparatus comprises an adsorption zone containing at least one adsorbent paper layer containing a selective adsorbent and an adsorbent spacer spirally wound about a hollow mandrel and in intimate thermal contact with a heat transfer zone. For pressure and temperature swing processes, the adsorption zone is disposed on the outside of the heat transfer zone, and for sorption cooling processes, the heat transfer zone is disposed on the outside of the adsorption zone and the adsorption zone is contained in an envelope-like leaf.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1998Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: William B. Dolan, Mark M. Davis, Man-Wing Tang
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Publication number: 20010015131Abstract: A desorbable sorption filter, in particular for a heating or air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, has a metallic support (12) which can be heated by flow of current and an adsorber (14) mounted at or on the support (12). To provide an improved, directly heatable sorption filter which particularly enables inexpensive production and good electrical and thermal conductive contact without the use of adhesives, it is proposed for the adsorber (14) to be of planar design and to be mechanically connected to the support (12, 112) by means of holding elements (26) formed integrally on the support (12, 112).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2001Publication date: August 23, 2001Applicant: BEHR GmbH & CO.Inventors: Hans-H. Angermann, Roland Burk, Herbert Damsohn, Klaus Luz, Tilo Rinckleb
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Publication number: 20010007224Abstract: A chromatograph includes an inlet for receiving a sample and a pressurized hydrogen gas flow and in response providing a sample/fluid mixture; a separation column located in a temperature-controlled zone for receiving the sample/fluid mixture and for providing a column effluent stream; a detector for receiving the effluent stream and for providing a detector output stream; and a gas storage system for receiving the detector output stream (and optionally a split flow and a septum purge flow in the instance of a split/splitless inlet) and for storing the received gas stream for subsequent reuse. In the preferred embodiment of the gas storage system, a plurality of metal hydride storage (MHS) systems are used.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2000Publication date: July 12, 2001Applicant: HEWLETT--PACKARD COMPANYInventor: William H. Wilson
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Patent number: 6245127Abstract: A low pressure swing adsorption process and apparatus for the recovery of carbon dioxide from multi-component gas mixtures, utilizing the simultaneous purge and evacuation of opposite ends of the adsorber(s) to effect controlled depressurization in the adsorber bed(s) to maintain the constant purity of a carbon dioxide-enriched product stream recovered from the adsorber inlet(s).Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael Scott Kane, Frederick Wells Leavitt, Mark William Ackley, Frank Notaro
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Patent number: 6224651Abstract: A process for separation of a gas mixture by pressure swing adsorption, in which a pressure swing cycle comprising a sequence of steps which define adsorption, decompression/regeneration and pressure rise phases is employed for the or each adsorber. The cycle furthermore comprises at least temporarily at least one step of isolating the adsorber (II; IV) during which the pressure variation in the isolated adsorber is recorded.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Christian Monereau, Yves Engler, Guillaume De Souza, Pierre Olivier Dolle
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Patent number: 6221130Abstract: A method and apparatus for compressing and drying a gas, typically air, are provided in which a multistage compressor is employed to produce interstage and final stage compressed gas. Regenerative adsorbent is employed to dry the final stage compressed gas. Interstage gas is used to regenerate the saturated adsorbent. Preferably, two beds of regenerable adsorbent are provided, each operable in a drying mode and a regeneration mode. In the drying mode, final stage compressed gas is passed through the bed of adsorbent in order to be dried, until the adsorbent is saturated. In the regeneration mode, moisture is removed from the saturated adsorbent by a stream of interstage compressed gas. The two beds are preferably alternately operated in the drying mode and the regeneration mode, in order to provide a continuous process.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 1999Date of Patent: April 24, 2001Assignee: Cooper Turbocompressor, Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Kolodziej, Edward S. Czechowski
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Patent number: 6212882Abstract: An assembly, a method and a motor vehicle for cleaning ambient air in the vicinity of an internal combustion engine (102) having combustion air inlet means (103) and energy emitting means (104)are disclosed. The assembly (101) further includes adsorbent means (105) for adsorbing at least one pollutant when in a first mode of operation and for desorbing the pollutant when in a second mode of operation. The adsorbent means have an inlet (106) for polluted ambient air (107, 107′) and an outlet (108) for cleaned ambient air (109, 109′). Furthermore, the assembly (101) includes a pollutant conduit (110) through which the desorbed pollutant is transferred from the adsorbent means (105) to the combustion air inlet means (103) when in the second mode of operation, and the adsorbent means (105) are arranged for being brought into the second mode of operation by means of energy supplied from the energy emitting means (104).Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar AB & Engelhard Corp.Inventors: Lars Greger, Göran Wirmark, Ingemar Gottberg, Ronald M. Heck, Jeffrey B. Hoke, Terence C. Poles, Wayne M. Rudy
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Patent number: 6197097Abstract: A filter for cleaning air by removing noxious and/or odorous matter from the air flow by desorption is constructed so that filter sections (12) can be sequentially heated for a desorption of the noxious and odorous matter. An air discharge (13) for desorption air is provided on the air exit side (11) of the filter (2) for the discharge of the desorbed noxious and odorous matter, preferably into the combustion air of an engine. The air discharge (13, 22) for the desorption air covers at least one filter section 12 at a time when that section is being heated. A relative motion between the filter sections (12) and the air discharge (13) assures that other filter sections keep filtering while at least one filter section at a time is regenerated.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AGInventors: Harald Ertl, Johann Goebel, Sabine Kunz
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Patent number: 6171378Abstract: A chemical preconcentrator is disclosed with applications to chemical sensing and analysis. The preconcentrator can be formed by depositing a resistive heating element (e.g. platinum) over a membrane (e.g. silicon nitride) suspended above a substrate. A coating of a sorptive material (e.g. a microporous hydrophobic sol-gel coating or a polymer coating) is formed on the suspended membrane proximate to the heating element to selective sorb one or more chemical species of interest over a time period, thereby concentrating the chemical species in the sorptive material. Upon heating the sorptive material with the resistive heating element, the sorbed chemical species are released for detection and analysis in a relatively high concentration and over a relatively short time period. The sorptive material can be made to selectively sorb particular chemical species of interest while not substantially sorbing other chemical species not of interest.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Sandia CorporationInventors: Ronald P. Manginell, Gregory C. Frye-Mason
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Patent number: 6143057Abstract: Adsorbent composites composed of microparticulate zeolites at least 90% of whose particles have a characteristic particle dimension not greater than about 0.6 micron and a macropore inert binder. The composites are useful for separating strongly adsorbed gas components from gas mixtures. Microparticulate type X zeolites composites are particularly useful for separating nitrogen or carbon dioxide from air.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1999Date of Patent: November 7, 2000Assignee: The BOC Group, Inc.Inventors: Martin Bulow, Frank R. Fitch, Adeola Florence Ojo
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Patent number: 6132693Abstract: A process for reducing pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides from combustion gases during a combustion process that takes place while oxygen is supplied, includes providing oxygen needed for the combustion process by separating oxygen from a gas mixture containing oxygen and nitrogen in a two-step process including (a) enriching the gas mixture with oxygen in a first step to provide an enriched gas mixture; and (b) separating oxygen out of the enriched gas mixture in a second step, wherein, during at least one step oxygen depleted gas mixture is removed via an outlet provided with permeability means that cause the outlet to have a higher permeability for nitrogen than oxygen.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Werner Gruenwald, Klaus Dieterich, Steffen Franke
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Patent number: 6132492Abstract: A sorbent-based gas storage and dispensing system, including a storage and dispensing vessel containing a solid-phase physical sorbent medium having a sorbate gas physically adsorbed thereon. A chemisorbent material is provided in the vessel to chemisorb the impurities for gas phase removal thereof in the storage and dispensing vessel. Desorbed sorbate gas is discharged from the storage and dispensing vessel by a dispensing assembly coupled to the vessel. The chemisorbent may be provided in a capsule including an impurity-permeable, but sorbate gas-impermeable membrane, and installed in the vessel at the time of sorbent material loading. Semiconductor manufacturing processes and products manufactured by such processes are described.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1998Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventors: Steven J. Hultquist, Glenn M. Tom, Peter S. Kirlin, James V. McManus
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Patent number: 6106593Abstract: Carbon dioxide, water, nitrous oxide and optionally ethylene are removed from a feed air stream by a temperature swing adsorption using a first adsorbent such as alumina to adsorb water, a second adsorbent such as 13X zeolite to adsorb carbon dioxide, and a third adsorbent such as binderless calcium exchanged X zeolite to adsorb nitrous oxide and optionally ethylene, prior to cryogenic separation of the purified air stream.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Christopher Golden, Fred William Taylor, Leighta Maureen Johnson, Nasim Hassan Malik, Christopher James Raiswell
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Patent number: 6099623Abstract: A humidity control apparatus for realizing the dehumidification, humidification, and ventilation operations in a compact configuration. The apparatus includes a rotary humidity control element, an electric heater, and sucking and/or forcing blowers. The rotary humidity control element is of metal silicate gel polymerized in honeycomb laminates of ceramics, and is sectioned into a drying function part, a heat recovery function part, and a humidification function part, for use. The drying function part absorbs and removes moisture from air passing therethrough at room temperatures. The heat recovery function part recovers heat of air passing therethrough. The humidification function part moistens the air passing therethrough if the air is high in temperature. The electric heater is provided on an air passageway between the heat recovery function part and the humidification function part, for heating the air to be introduced to the humidification function part.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1999Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuo Namatame, Toshio Nakayama, Masuyuki Hashimoto, Sinji Kaneko
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Patent number: 6096116Abstract: A sorbent material, an activated carbon canister and a method are described which can be utilized to remove organic compounds from a vaporous stream with a relatively greater degree of safety, as compared to previously known methods. In the invention, essentially dry and wetted activated carbon particles are intermixed in a substantially homogeneous mixture which inhibits accidental combustion. The heat capacity of wetted carbon particles retards the heating of nearby unwetted particles, so as to inhibit the ignition of the nearby unwetted particles. The presence of wetted particles intermixed in the substantially homogeneous mixture has relatively little effect on the hydrocarbon adsorption performance of the mixture.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: BP Amoco CorporationInventors: George A. Huff, Jr., Om P. Mahajan, Don M. Washecheck, John A. Mahoney, Howard Wong, Stanley W. Sorrels
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Patent number: 6077330Abstract: Device and method for the regeneration of a drying agent in compressed air system. The wetting degree of the drying agent is estimated and recorded by a control unit. The control unit ensures that the drying agent is dehumidified as soon as the wetting degree has reached a certain wetting degree. This certain wetting degree may be set to different levels for different operational condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1998Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: AB VolvoInventor: Mats Sabelstrom
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Patent number: 6070653Abstract: A separation device comprises a vessel (1) having an essentially circular cylindrical shape around a center axis (2), a first passage (4) provided in the cylindrical wall of the vessel and a second passage (5), provided in the cylindrical wall of the vessel on a diametrically opposite part thereof. An enclosure means (6) is provided in the vessel (1) to enclose a bed (7) of particulate material and comprises a first and second enclosure panel (8, 9) provided inside the first and second passages (4, 5), respectively, at a distance therefrom to provide a flow distribution space (11) therebetween and being perforated (15) to permit fluid flow therethrough. Each of said enclosure panels (8, 9) has an outer surface which is essentially parallel with the center axis (2) and convex seen from the respective passage (4,5).Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1999Date of Patent: June 6, 2000Assignee: AGA AktiebolagInventor: Torgny Wingbro
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Patent number: 6063166Abstract: A chromatograph includes an inlet for receiving a sample and a pressurized hydrogen gas flow and in response providing a sample/fluid mixture; a separation column located in a temperature-controlled zone for receiving the sample/fluid mixture and for providing a column effluent stream; a detector for receiving the effluent stream and for providing a detector output stream; and a gas storage system for receiving the detector output stream (and optionally a split flow and a septum purge flow in the instance of a split/splitless inlet) and for storing the received gas stream for subsequent reuse. In the preferred embodiments of the gas storage system, a plurality of metal hydride storage (MHS) systems are used.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventor: William H. Wilson
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Patent number: 6019816Abstract: Process gases from microelectronic device fabrication processes are pumped through a filter unit including a plurality of absorbers for absorbing water entrained within the process gases. Residues deposited within the filtering unit are removed by spraying water on the absorbers. Water is prevented from escaping from the filtering unit into other portions of an exhaust gas system or into the environment by providing a curtain of pressurized, inert gas, within the filtering unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yu-il Lim
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Patent number: 6007609Abstract: The present invention uses a flow restrictor in the form of a tube containing multiple capillary sized passages to minimize any discharge of toxic gases from compressed gas cylinders in the unlikely event of the control valve or regulator failure. The use of this arrangement to provide a flow restriction in combination with a regulator in the form of dispensing check valve provides a virtually fail safe system for preventing hazardous discharge of fluid from a pressurized cylinder or tank. The multiple capillary passage structure provides carefully sized openings that minimize any discharge of gas. Location of the inlet to the capillary tube at the midpoint of the cylinder can also prevent the discharge of liquid from the cylinder if the control valve system fails. Limiting the accidental discharge of fluid from the cylinder to gas phase fluids greatly reduces the uncontrolled mass flow rate at which fluid can escape from the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: UOP LLCInventors: Roy V. Semerdjian, David A. Le Febre, Thomas B. Martin, Jr.
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Patent number: 5985008Abstract: A solid-phase physical sorbent-based fluid storage and dispensing system, in which the sorbent is a particulate activated carbon of specific pore character. The sorbent may be washed, e.g., with hydrofluoric acid, to remove adverse trace metals and oxidic transition metal species therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, James V. McManus
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Patent number: 5985007Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing impurities from a noble gas or nitrogen utilizing a single purifier vessel having three zones. In the first zone, the gas is preheated to a temperature greater than 200.degree. C.; in the second zone, the preheated gas is contacted with a getter material at greater than 335.degree. C. for removal of impurities such as methane and other hydrocarbons, water, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide; in the third zone, the gas is contacted with a second getter material at a temperature greater than 150.degree. C. for removal of hydrogen. Hot gas exiting the purifier vessel is passed through a recuperative heat exchanger where the hot exiting gas preheats in-coming gas before it enters the first zone of the purifier vessel.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: D.D.I. Ltd.Inventors: Giovanni Carrea, Brian D. Warrick
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Patent number: 5972077Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating one constituent, especially carbon dioxide, from a fluid mixture, such as natural gas. The fluid mixture flows through an adsorbent member having an affinity for molecules of the one constituent, the molecules being adsorbed on the adsorbent member. A voltage is applied to the adsorbent member, the voltage imparting a current flow which causes the molecules of the one constituent to be desorbed from the adsorbent member.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 1998Date of Patent: October 26, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventors: Roddie R. Judkins, Timothy D. Burchell
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Patent number: 5935305Abstract: An adsorption-desorption apparatus (102), and process for storage and dispensing of a gas, e.g., hydride and halide gases, and organometallic Group V compounds, which is selectively dispensed by pressure differential desorption of the sorbate gas from the sorbent material. The sorbent material is preferably a material which is devoid of concentration of trace components such as water, metals and oxidic transition metal species which would significantly decompose the sorbate gas in apparatus (102).Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1998Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, James V. McManus
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Patent number: 5928610Abstract: An improved oxygen generator (20) includes an air compressor (21) having a pressure port (22) and a suction port (23) and being selectively operable to produce a flow of air from the suction port to the pressure port; a molecular sieve (30) having an inlet communicating with the compressor and having an outlet, the sieve being adapted to adsorb nitrogen from a flow of gas passing therethrough; a storage tank (33) communicating with the sieve outlet and adapted to store oxygen-rich gas passing through the sieve; and a control valve (24) operatively arranged between the compressor and the sieve and being selectively movable between a first position in which air flows from the compressor suction port through the sieve to the storage tank and a second position in which oxygen-rich gas flows from the storage tank through the sieve and control valve to desorb nitrogen in the sieve.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1998Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: Oxygen Generating Systems, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Moran, Joseph M. McMahon, Shane R. Manning
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Patent number: 5925322Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 18, 1997Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: H Power CorporationInventor: John Werth
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Patent number: 5917140Abstract: An apparatus, for storage and dispensing of a sorbable fluid, including a storage and dispensing vessel containing a solid-phase physical sorbent medium for holding a sorbable fluid, with heat transfer means being associated with the vessel for thermally managing heat effects due to adsorption and desorption of the sorbable fluid.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1997Date of Patent: June 29, 1999Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventor: Glenn M. Tom
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Patent number: 5912424Abstract: Systems and methods for electrical swing natural gas adsorption are described. An apparatus includes a pressure vessel; an electrically conductive gas adsorptive material located within the pressure vessel; and an electric power supply electrically connected to said adsorptive material. The adsorptive material can be a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS). The systems and methods provide advantages in that both a high energy density and a high ratio of delivered to stored gas are provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research CorporationInventors: Roddie R. Judkins, Timothy D. Burchell
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Patent number: 5912423Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing contaminates from an air stream in which an adsorbent activated carbon cloth is positioned in said air stream. The method and apparatus provide for impressing an electric current through the cloth adsorbent to desorb any contaminates adsorbed thereon.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: Calgon Carbon CorporationInventors: David T. Doughty, Michael Greenbank, Daniel D. Thayer
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Patent number: 5846296Abstract: In a method for recovering and/or purifying water which is absorbed from a humid atmosphere, the moisture from the air is adsorbed on a suitable medium (3) in a defined space, whereupon by the application of heat the moisture is brought to a condenser (1) where it passes into a liquid state (10) and is collected in a suitable manner. In order to improve the efficiency of this method the defined, sealed space is opened for the adsorbing medium (3), for free access to air at night-time and is closed during the hot day-time period. Condensed water is passed out through a collecting funnel (2) and a channel (5) to a collection container (6). A device is also described in the form of a housing with walls (7) which can be opened and closed, in which there is located an adsorbing medium (3). In the upper part of the housing there is provided a condenser (1). The condenser (1) is equipped with a drop collector (2) which is connected to an outlet pipe (5) to a collection container (6).Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1997Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Inventor: Per K.ang.re Krumsvik
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Patent number: 5824139Abstract: An adsorber for purifying flue gases of a furnace includes a housing having a flue gas inlet and a flue gas outlet. The housing has an adsorption medium chamber. A fill socket extends from the top of the housing. A removal device extends from the bottom of the housing. The chamber includes substantially vertical, gas-permeable walls for delimiting the chamber at the inlet side and at the outlet side. The chamber also includes a vertical gas-permeable partition and a slanted non-gas-permeable wall. The wall at the inlet side is a louver wall extending upwardly to the level of the fill socket. The wall at the outlet side is a slotted screen connected with the slanted, non-gas-permeable wall to the fill socket. The flue gas outlet is located opposite the non-gas-permeable wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1997Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: STEAG AktiengesellschaftInventor: Hermann Bruggendick
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Patent number: 5779767Abstract: A process for the adsorption of at least carbon dioxide, water and oxides of nitrogen and preferably acetylene from a feed gas, comprises contacting the feed gas with an adsorbent mixture of a zeolite and an alumina. The process may be operated as a swing adsorption process comprising contacting the gas with the adsorbent at a first temperature and pressure to adsorb at least carbon dioxide, water and oxides of nitrogen therefrom and periodically regenerating the adsorbent by reducing the pressure and or increasing the temperature to which the adsorbent is exposed.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 1997Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Christopher Golden, Mohammed Ali Kalbassi, Fred William Taylor, Rodney John Allam
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Patent number: 5766310Abstract: A single stage secondary oxygen concentrator for receiving a gas mixture from a first stage oxygen concentrator and a method of use therefor is disclosed. The concentrator includes a first carbon molecular sieve bed and a second carbon molecular sieve bed. A first inlet valve is connected to an inlet of the first carbon molecular sieve bed and a second inlet valve is connected to the inlet of the second carbon molecular sieve bed. A first product outlet valve is connected to the outlet of the first carbon molecular sieve bed and a second product outlet valve is connected to the product outlet of the carbon molecular sieve bed. The oxygen concentrator has control means for controlling a first cycle in which the first carbon molecular sieve bed is being charged with the gas mixture and the second carbon molecular sieve bed is being desorbed.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Assignee: Litton Systems IncorporatedInventor: Robert Louis Cramer
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Patent number: 5720798Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-liquid solvent introduction of analyte into an analytical instrument and, more particularly, to a bonded liquid phase analyte trap with integral flow switching that may include a rapid solid-state heating and cooling device. The analyte trap includes a first wafer having a flow channel formed on its bottom side such that a second wafer attached to the bottom side of the first wafer encloses the flow channel and a stationary phase coating is chemically bonded to the walls of the flow channel to provide a mechanism for trapping analytes of interest.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1996Date of Patent: February 24, 1998Assignee: Hewlett-Packard CompanyInventors: Mark A. Nickerson, W. Dale Snyder
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Patent number: 5718872Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the hydrogen sulfide concentration in an acid gas stream and the hydraulic loading of a sulfur recovery unit of the type having an absorber for contacting a sour gas stream with an absorbent, a regenerator for regenerating the absorbent to form an acid gas stream and a recycle system. Embodiments using multiple absorbers and/or multiple regenerators are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1996Date of Patent: February 17, 1998Inventor: Tofik K. Khanmamedov
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Patent number: 5716427Abstract: The equipment, for example of the PSA type, comprises gas circulation elements for passing the gas horizontally through an adsorbent (3), which comprise, on at least one vertical side of the adsorbent, a gas distribution volume comprising a first subvolume (5; 9) adjacent to the adsorbent, and a second subvolume (6; 10) separated from the first subvolume by a wall provided with passages (40) having cross-sections and/or a distribution which are selected so as to reduce the variations in local flow rate along the adsorbent. The equipment is particularly useful in separating gases from air.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude et L'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Philippe Andreani, Christian Monereau
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Patent number: 5716587Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for removal of contaminate(s) from a gas stream in an oil or gas refinery using an absorber-regenerator process wherein a portion of the contaminate rich overhead gas from the regenerator is utilized to increase the partial pressure of the contaminate at the absorber so as to enhance selective absorption of the contaminate(s).Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Inventor: Tofik Khanmamedov
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Patent number: 5707424Abstract: A process system with an integrated gas storage and delivery unit comprising an adsorption-desorption apparatus, for storage and dispensing of a gas wherein the gas is dispensed by pressure differential desorption of the sorbate gas from the sorbent material. A motive fluid driver, e.g., a pump, blower, compressor, eductor, or the like, is arranged for flowing the dispensed gas to a gas-utilizing unit, such as an ion-implant unit, wastewater treatment unit, gas-liquid contacting chamber, chemical vapor deposition reactor, gas laser assembly, etc.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, James V. McManus
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Patent number: 5704967Abstract: An adsorption-desorption apparatus, for storage and dispensing of a sorbable gas, wherein a physical sorbent medium bearing the adsorbed gas to be selectively dispensed is delivered by pressure differential desorption and/or thermal desorption of the sorbate gas from the sorbent material. The sorbent material preferably comprises a material which is characterized by a Sorbent Working Capacity, measured for arsine at 40 Torr and at 650 Torr, of at least 50 grams arsine per liter of bed of the sorbent material.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1996Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.Inventors: Glenn M. Tom, James V. McManus, W. Karl Olander
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Patent number: RE35913Abstract: An adsorber having an upright longitudinal extent includes two perforated parallel panels extending within the vessel formed therein and spaced apart defining an adsorbent mass chamber. The adsorbent mass is in two longitudinal parts having a first part of fine particles and a second part of larger particles. The gas to be treated is circulated horizontally between the two perforated panels. This device allows the treatment cycle to be less than 60 seconds with the same or better performance. This adsorber and process are preferably used for the separation of oxygen from air.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Leon Hay, Xavier Vigor