Movable Solid Sorbent Bed (e.g., Fluidized Bed, Etc.) Patents (Class 96/150)
  • Patent number: 7615107
    Abstract: An emission treatment system includes a first separation device that is operable to introduce one or more sorbents into an exhaust stream having emission products. The sorbent captures the emission products such that the exhaust stream includes sorbent with captured emission products. A second separation device located downstream from the first separation device receives the exhaust stream and utilizes an electrostatic potential to separate the sorbent with captured emission products from the exhaust stream into a discharge stream to produce a clean stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergei F. Burlatsky, Eric J. Gottung, Venkata R. Vedula, Michael A. Sloan, Vincent C. Nardone, Bruce H. Easom, Leo A. Smolensky, Mark S. Berry
  • Patent number: 7615101
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling mercury emissions in the gas stream from a fuel fired system includes a chamber for creating dissociated halogen to be supplied to the gas stream, with or without carbonaceous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Foundation
    Inventors: Michael J. Holmes, John H Pavlish, Edwin S. Olson, Ye Zhuang
  • Patent number: 7594956
    Abstract: A method for removing one or more strongly adsorbed components (SAC) from a process gas stream having SAC and other gaseous components adjusts the temperature of the SAC-laden process gas stream to be between about 80° and about 500° C. The temperature-adjusted process gas stream is contacted with a heat-exchange surface to transfer heat to an adsorbent, thus causing adsorbed SAC to be desorbed for collection, and to cool the process gas stream and remove any condensate from the cooled process gas stream. The cooled process gas stream is contacted with a cooled section of the adsorbent to adsorb SAC therefrom, producing a SAC-depleted process gas stream and a SAC-laden adsorbent. Desorbed SAC is withdrawn for collection and any adsorbent fines are withdrawing for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Adsorption Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent S. Knaebel
  • Publication number: 20090211444
    Abstract: Method and a system for capturing mercury in a flue gas are provided. The method includes partially oxidizing a carbonaceous solid fuel in a gasifier such that a thermally activated carbon-containing solid sorbent and gaseous gasification products are generated wherein the gasifier is proximate to a combustion system for combusting a mercury containing fuel. The method further includes storing the generated thermally activated carbon-containing solid sorbent proximate to the combustion system and combusting a mercury containing fuel in a combustion zone of the combustion system wherein mercury released during combustion is entrained in flue gas generated by the combustion. The method also includes injecting the thermally activated solid sorbent in the flue gas downstream of the combustion zone and absorbing at least a portion of the entrained mercury on the thermally activated solid sorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Vitali Lissianski, Peter Martin Maly, William Randall Seeker, Christopher Aaron Samuelson
  • Patent number: 7569095
    Abstract: Method for drying a gas from a compressor (1) by means of a drier (2) of the type which consists of a pressure tank (3) with a drying zone (4) and a regeneration zone (5), with a rotor (6) which is composed of a drying element (7) in which has been provided an adsorption and/or absorption medium (8) which is alternately put through the drying zone (4) and the regeneration zone (5), characterised in that at a low load or zero load, the inlet of the regeneration zone (5) is connected to the user network (12) via a regeneration pipe (27), and in that the outlet of the regeneration zone (5) is connected to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Airpower, naamloze vennootschap
    Inventors: Bart Etienne Agnes Vanderstraeten, Ben Paul Karl Van Hove
  • Publication number: 20090145298
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for refreshing carbon in a carbon filter system, preferably involving a plurality of canisters, wherein spent carbon is dumped from a filtering canister into a spent carbon container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Nathaniel E. Welch
  • Publication number: 20090145343
    Abstract: Systems are disclosed for making and using micro-porous particulates at least partially composed of metal sulfides, particularly alkaline earth metal and transition metal sulfides, as sorbents for removal of mercury from flue gas. Calcium sulfide micro-porous powders derived from the high temperature reduction of calcium sulfate and calcium sulfite are disclosed to be reactive substrates for a group of sorbents for adsorption of mercury from coal combustion flue gases produced by the utilities industry, as well as from natural gas and gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons. The sorbents are useful for cost-effectively adsorbing elemental mercury and oxidized mercury species such as mercuric chloride from flue gases, including those containing acid gases (e.g., SO.sub.2, NO and NO.sub.2, and HCl), over a wide range of temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Lloyd Ballard Mauldin, Jerry Allen Cook
  • Publication number: 20090056537
    Abstract: Method for the process-integrated gas purification of a synthesis gas, including the following steps: gasification of the feed in a reactor by the use of pulse heaters; addition of additives to the reactor or to the gas section downstream of the reactor in order to remove sulphur-containing gas components in order to achieve in-situ removal; separation of dust content of the synthesis gas in the downstream gas section; recycling of the dust content separated off to the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Oliver Neumann
  • Publication number: 20080272054
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration unit containing pellets or granules of fine-particle iron oxides and/or iron oxyhydroxides with a large specific surface area, processes for their production and processes for their use in the filtration units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Andreas Schlegel, Peter Bailly, Jurgen Kischkewitz, Klaus Rohbock
  • Publication number: 20080264252
    Abstract: The method for reducing organic chlorine compounds in the cement production facility of the present invention is a method for reducing organic chlorine compounds in cement production facility by which a quantity of organic chlorine compounds contained in cement raw materials is reduced in the cement production facility, which is provided with an organic matter adsorbing step in which an adsorbing powder is supplied into exhaust gas generated on calcination of cement clinker from the cement raw materials, thereby the organic chlorine compounds are adsorbed on the adsorbing powder and an adsorbing-powder removing step in which the adsorbing powder, which has adsorbed the organic chlorine compounds, is collected, thereby removing the adsorbing powder from the exhaust gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI MATERIALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Ichihara, Eiji Koike, Munenori Ohgoshi, Hisanobu Tanaka, Ichiro Ebato, Kimitoshi Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20080250925
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sorption element for a sorption-supported air conditioning unit for the humidification and/or heating and/or cooling of a room or an airflow. According to the invention, the heat and material transfer may be improved with a reduction in the size of the embodiment, variable amounts of the employed sorption agent and increased resistance to over-saturation, whereby the sorption element is embodied as a tubular piece with a tubular cross-section with a first and an opposing second open end with a first air-permeable grid element (23), defining the first open end and a second air-permeable grid element (14), defining the second open end thereof, whereby the grid elements do not permit a sorption agent to pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Horst Egger, Olaf Schwandt
  • Publication number: 20080060519
    Abstract: A system for removing mercury from combustion gas. The system includes a combustion device, a stack, and a duct system that couples the combustion device to the stack. The system further comprises an injection system that is coupled to the duct system. The injection system injects sorbents including alkali-based sorbents and carbon-based sorbents into the duct system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Martin Maly, William Randall Seeker, Vitali Victor Lissianski, Bradley S. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20080035669
    Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a fuel storage chamber having a fuel gas stored within a plurality of microspheres. A releasing mechanism releases the gas from the microspheres, such as by fracturing the spheres or diffusing the gas through the spheres. A ratcheting mechanism controls the release of the gas, such as hydrogen, from the microspheres. The ratcheting mechanism is controlled by either the pressure within the fuel storage chamber or an electronic controller. Additionally, the gas-generating apparatus of the present invention includes a fuel introducing system that has a fuel transporting system that is pressure regulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Andrew J. Curello, Floyd Fairbanks
  • Patent number: 7323036
    Abstract: A controller directs the operation of an air pollution control (APC) system having one or more controllable operating parameters and a defined operating limit representing a regulatory limit on an allowed amount of pollutant to be emitted by the APC system. An interface receives data representing a value of a regulatory credit available for emitting less of the pollutant than the regulatory limit on the allowed amount of pollutant. A control processor (i) determines a target set point for each of at least one of the one or more controllable operating parameters, which will maximize the regulatory credits earned, based on the received data and (ii) to directs control of each of the at least one controllable operating parameter based on the determined target set point for that parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Scott A. Boyden, Stephen Piche
  • Patent number: 7309379
    Abstract: Moving bed adsorber and desorber apparatus and methods, wherein adsorbent material (e.g., beads of resin) moves over a series of vane members and a fluid flow passes between the vane members and through the flowing bed of adsorbent. An adsorbent depth regulator is positioned a spaced distance from the vanes to regulate the depth of the flowing adsorbent bed. In some embodiments, the adsorbent flow may be divided into 2 or more separate streams that pass over 2 or more separate arrays of vane members. Also disclosed are shell and tube desorber apparatus wherein the shell and tube are positioned at certain angle(s) to optimize flow and recovery of contaminant from an adsorbent material and/or wherein vacuum is applied to the adsorbent concurrently with heat to enhance the desorption of contaminant from the adsorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: TW Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Dai, legal representative, XiangFeng Dai, deceased
  • Publication number: 20070283812
    Abstract: A system for removing sulfur compounds from a gaseous stream includes an adsorption zone comprising a first fluidized bed comprising a sulfur adsorption material configured to receive a fuel gas stream comprising sulfur compounds and to adsorb and remove the sulfur compounds from the fuel gas stream. The system is configured to generate a product stream substantially free of sulfur and a saturated sulfur adsorption material. The system further includes a regeneration zone comprising a second fluidized bed configured to receive an oxidant and steam to regenerate the saturated sulfur adsorption material. The adsorption zone and regeneration zone are in direct fluid communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ke Liu, Vladimir Zamansky
  • Patent number: 7297314
    Abstract: A fluidized bed apparatus has a rotary rotor 4 arranged at the bottom center thereof, a disintegrator mechanism 5 arranged above the rotary rotor 4, and a cylindrical draft tube 6 installed above the disintegrator mechanism 5. A fluidizing gas jetted from a gas dispersion plate 3 causes powder particles P in a processing container 1 to form a fluidized bed in which they circulate so as to ascend through the gap between the outer periphery of the rotary rotor 4 and the bottom inner wall of the processing container 1, the space between the disintegrator mechanism 5 and the inner wall of the processing container 1, and the space between the outer periphery of the draft tube 6 and the inner wall of the processing container 1, and descend through the inner portion of the draft tube 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Powrex
    Inventors: Susumu Natsuyama, Nobuyuki Watanabe, Kazuyoshi Otaki, Kenji Nagatsuma, Takuya Nagato, Yoshiyuki Kanoh, Ran Tabata, Makoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7101414
    Abstract: A method of reducing the sorbate concentration of a process fluid stream using a sorption bed system includes the following steps. A mass of a sorbent material is rotated so that, in a cycle of operation, a given volume of the sorbent mass sequentially passes through first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth zones, before returning to the first zone. A process fluid stream is passed through the sorbent mass in the first zone, and a regeneration fluid stream is passed through the sorbent mass in the fourth zone. A first isolation fluid stream is recycled in a closed loop, independent of the process fluid stream and the regeneration fluid stream, between the sorbent mass in the second zone and in the sixth zone. A second isolation fluid stream, meanwhile, is recycled in a closed loop, independent of the process fluid stream, the regeneration fluid stream, and the first isolation fluid stream, between the sorbent mass in the third zone and in the fifth zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Munters Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Dinnage, Stephen C. Brickley
  • Patent number: 7094275
    Abstract: A rotary module for implementing a high frequency pressure swing adsorption process comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator. The stator includes a first stator valve surface, a second stator valve surface, a plurality of first function compartments opening into the first stator valve surface, and a plurality of second function compartments opening into the second stator valve surface. The rotor includes a first rotor valve surface in communication with the first stator valve surface, a second rotor valve surface in communication with the second stator valve surface, and a plurality of flow paths for receiving adsorbent material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: QuestAir Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, David G. Doman, Christopher R. McLean
  • Patent number: 7048779
    Abstract: A method of removing mercury from a coal fired power plant exhaust gas includes passing the exhaust gas through a bulk particle filter to remove coarse particles, introducing powdered activated carbon into the exhaust gas downstream of the bulk particle filter, introducing mercury laden powdered activated carbon containing exhaust gas into a fine particle filter to separate the mercury containing powdered activated carbon from the exhaust gas, separating the powdered activated carbon from the mercury at an elevated temperature in an inert gas environment and recirculating the separating powdered activated carbon into the exhaust gas upstream from the fine particle filter. The desorption is preferably effected at a temperature of about 300 to 500° C. for about 5 to 60 minutes. The method is adapted to remove mercury which may be on the order of about 1 to 1000 ppm to 1 to 10 micrograms/cubic meter of exhaust gas. Corresponding apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Pittsburgh Mineral and Environmental Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Weyand, Dale Nickels, Michael Sawayda
  • Patent number: 6923940
    Abstract: A bath tub solids container for containing solids separated from cracked product vapors produced in a riser reactor and issuing from a separator. The bath tub solids container receives and contains solids from the separator, has a collar which fits around the riser reactor to keep the solids from contacting the riser reactor, an aeration device for fluidizing the solids within the container and an outlet for the solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Stone & Webster Process Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kelly Benham
  • Patent number: 6902602
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for adsorptive gas separations where a first gas mixture including components A and B is to be separated so that a first product of the separation is enriched in component A, while component B is mixed with a third gas component C contained in a displacement purge stream to form a second gas mixture including components B and C, and with provision to prevent cross contamination of component C into the first product containing component A, or of component A into the second gas mixture containing component C. The invention may be applied to hydrogen (component A) enrichment from syngas mixtures, where dilute carbon dioxide (component B) is to be rejected such as directly to the atmosphere, and with preferably nitrogen-enriched air as the displacement purge stream containing residual oxygen (component C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: QuestAir Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Andre Jason Joseph Boulet, Aaron M. Pelman, Brian G. Sellars, Surajit Roy
  • Publication number: 20040226450
    Abstract: Moving bed adsorber and desorber apparatus and methods, wherein adsorbent material (e.g., beads of resin) moves over a series of vane members and a fluid flow passes between the vane members and through the flowing bed of adsorbent. An adsorbent depth regulator is positioned a spaced distance from the vanes to regulate the depth of the flowing adsorbent bed. In some embodiments, the adsorbent flow may be divided into 2 or more separate streams that pass over 2 or more separate arrays of vane members. Also disclosed are shell and tube desorber apparatus wherein the shell and tube are positioned at certain angle(s) to optimize flow and recovery of contaminant from an adsorbent material and/or wherein vacuum is applied to the adsorbent concurrently with heat to enhance the desorption of contaminant from the adsorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Chemical Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventor: XiangFeng Dai
  • Patent number: 6780227
    Abstract: A species transfer device in communication with at least two streams, one stream having a higher potential of a species than a lower potential stream. The species transfer device is capable of removing a portion of the species from the high potential stream, and transferring the removed species into the low potential stream. The species transfer device incorporates a housing assembly, exchange matrix and optionally, a sorbent. The housing assembly contains both the exchange matrix and optionally a sorbent inside a housing enclosure and between a sealing enclosure, and provides for the entrance and exhaust of the first and second streams therethrough. The exchange matrix can be, but need not be, in the form of a wheel having an average linear coefficient of thermal expansion at 25 to 800° C. of less than about 20×10−7/° C. The housing assembly with the housing and sealing enclosures enables the species transfer device to run efficiently through a range of pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Emprise Technology Associates Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald Arthur DuBose, Craig Hanson, Peter J. Fehl, Robert Matus
  • Publication number: 20040129137
    Abstract: Distributed valve simulated moving beds are described in which junctions located between successive columns interrupt the flow of process fluid between columns, and either transmit the process fluid through a zone bypass to a succeeding column within the same zone or, if the junction is located between zones, direct the process fluid to an input/output line that is dedicated to the particular zone that immediately follows the junction. At each step of the SMB's operation, the distribution of flows in each junction is modulated to accomplish movement of ports consistent with the SMB's design. Further described are simulated moving beds that contain one or more decoupled on-line regeneration zones. The regeneration zone is decoupled from the separation zones in the sense that it observes a step time (a “regeneration interval”) that is different than the step time observed by the separation zones of the SMB.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Nien-Hwa Linda Chin, Chim Yong Chin
  • Patent number: 6726020
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided, which separate out at least a portion of fine dust, including fluoride, from recycled alumina. The difference in natural drop velocity and flow properties of fine and coarse particles is used to effect the separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Fläkt AB
    Inventors: Odd E. Bjarnø, Ole K. Bøckman
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6652628
    Abstract: Desiccants employed in dehumidifying moisturized air present within a water-damaged building are themselves dehumidified to liberate collected moisture through the use of ambient air drawn over and about a heat exchanger fired by diesel fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Spencer W. Hess
  • Patent number: 6615612
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is taught for preheating of glass batch materials by direct contact with glass furnace exhaust gases. Furnace gases 15 flow through a batch hopper 1 in horizontal tunnels formed by open bottom tubes 6, with a free surface of batch forming the bottom portion of the tunnel. The tubes are electrically grounded and a high voltage discharge electrode 18 is located axially in each tunnel. The corona discharge from the electrode acts to retain batch and prevent it's entrainment into the flowing gases. Particulate matter from the gases is simultaneously precipitated onto the batch surface. Acidic gas components such as SO2, HCl, and HF are chemically reacted with batch constituents, thereby removing them from the gas stream. Heat is transferred from the gases to the batch by direct contact. Cooled gases 16 exit the hopper, cleaned of pollutants to levels in compliance with strict environmental regulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6605141
    Abstract: An exhaust gas processing apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a rotor concentrator installed in an inlet, an active carbon adsorption system installed in an outlet, and a switch located between the zeolite rotor concentrator and the active carbon adsorption system for selecting any one (or both) of the two systems to process exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Ching-Tien Lee, Wei-Jen Mai
  • Patent number: 6601402
    Abstract: This invention relates to enthalpy wheels and systems containing enthalpy wheels. The enthalpy wheel subasssembly includes a first plate, a cap, a compliance element between the first plate and the cap and a pressure producing element between the fist plate and the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Plug Power Inc.
    Inventor: Ryan Dunham
  • Patent number: 6527836
    Abstract: A rotating drum adsorber process and system includes a rotating drum of adsorbent medium in a shell including partitions which define an adsorption sector, a regeneration sector and a cooling sector, and which continuously rotates through the sectors. The process and system includes an arrangement for sensing the temperature difference between the temperature of the discharge exiting the leading edge of the regeneration sector and the regeneration sector average discharge temperature for automatically controlling various operating conditions of the rotating drum adsorber system. A computerized method for accurately predicting the contamination level of the gas stream exiting the adsorption sector and optimizing the performance and fractionation efficiency of the rotating drum adsorber system is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Flair Corporation
    Inventors: Donald H. White, Jr., John E. Thelen, Robert G. Thomas, Byron P. George, Mkhail Tsargorodsky, Agustin Acosta
  • Patent number: 6514319
    Abstract: Gas separation by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA), to obtain a purified product gas of the less strongly adsorbed fraction of the feed gas mixture, is performed with an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers. The adsorbers cooperate with first and second valves in a rotary PSA module, with the PSA cycle characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between the higher and lower pressures of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the immediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing laminated sheet adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: QuestAir Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Christopher McLean
  • Publication number: 20030019356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for the removal of dust, HF, HCl, SO2, SO3, heavy metals, heavy-metal compounds, polyhalogenated hydrocarbons and polycyclic hydrocarbons from combustion flue gases by treating the pollutant-containing combustion flue gases with a sorbent in a circulating fluidized bed. The process is characterized in that the sorbent used is a mixture of Ca(OH)2, at least one naturally occurring zeolite and a carbon-containing substance, in that the treatment of the pollutant-containing combustion flue gases with the sorbent is carried out at from 120 to 180° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Hansjorg Herden, Barbara Roth, Robert Mergler, Berthold Stegemann, Harald Sauer
  • Patent number: 6511527
    Abstract: A method of removing dioxins from an exhaust gas, including the steps of introducing carbon nanotubes into a stream of the dioxin-containing exhaust gas, and sorbing dioxins on the carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ralph T. Yang, Ruiqiang Long, Tomonori Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6506235
    Abstract: A method of cleaning flue gases from gaseous pollutants formed during combustion of oil during start-up of a boiler and/or operational disturbances in the boiler, wherein the boiler is for combustion of fuel including one of fossil fuel, coal, biomass fuel and waste. Flue gases are conducted from the boiler through a flue duct to a barrier filter for seperation of particulate pollutants. Finely-dispersed particles are introduced into and mixed with the flue gases in the flue duct in at least one of upstream of and in the barrier filter. The finely-dispersed particles are separated in the barrier filter while forming a dust cake. Condensed gaseous pollutants and droplets are taken up on the surface of the finely-dispersed particles in the flue gases and in the dust cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom Power Holding AB
    Inventor: Jens Gertner-Hansen
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20020170431
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing trace contaminants from a gas stream or flue gas. In one embodiment, the present invention an apparatus for removing a trace contaminant from a gas stream, comprising a gas duct configured to receive a gas stream comprising a trace contaminant; a plurality of substrates disposed within the gas duct; a trace contaminant sorbent disposed on at least a portion of each of the substrates; an isolation device for separating the portion of each of the substrates from the gas stream; and a regenerator for regenerating the trace contaminant sorbent. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for removing a trace contaminant from a gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Sharon Sjostrom
  • Patent number: 6451095
    Abstract: A rotary module for implementing a high frequency pressure swing adsorption process comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator. The stator includes a first stator valve surface, a second stator valve surface, a plurality of first function compartments opening into the first stator valve surface, and a plurality of second function compartments opening into the second stator valve surface. The rotor includes a first rotor valve surface in communication with the first stator valve surface, a second rotor valve surface in communication with the second stator valve surface, and a plurality of flow paths for receiving adsorbent material therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: QuestAir Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bowie Gordon Keefer, David G. Doman, Christopher R. McLean
  • Publication number: 20020124725
    Abstract: A method of removing trace contaminants, such as mercury, from a flue gas by passing the gas over a sorbent structure on which is coated a renewable layer of sorbent. The sorbent structure can be a tube or plate and can be porous or non-porous and is placed inside a duct through which the flue gas flows. The sorbent particles comprise noble metal or activated carbon particles and can be injected into the gas stream before it passes over the sorbent structures. The sorbent structures can be periodically recoated with sorbent while the gas is still flowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Sharon Sjostrom
  • Patent number: 6440198
    Abstract: A moving granular bed filter for removing contaminants from a gas or vapor stream employs a quantity of granular media that is passed through a vessel while the contaminant-laden gas stream is passed through the granular media to remove at least a portion of the contaminants from the gas stream and into the granular media. The vessel includes a media inlet that extends between a pair of opposite regions of the vessel and delivers the granular media into the interior of the vessel such that the granular media forms a freely-formed filtration pile within the interior of the vessel to define first and second chambers above the upper surface of the pile and on opposite sides of the media inlet. In one embodiment, the media inlet is disposed at the lower end of a media delivery channel that extends downwardly into the interior of the vessel and which supplies the granular media to the media inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Ching Yang, Richard A. Newby
  • Patent number: 6436161
    Abstract: Provided herein is a granular filtration apparatus for the removal of particulate material from hot gas by contacting said hot gas with granular filtration material. The apparatus being of the type having a filtration chamber containing granular filtration material and having a tapered lower portion comprising at least one inlet tubing for feeding therein hot gases to be filtered and at least one outlet tubing for drawing filtered hot gas. The main feature of the present invention consists in a filtration unit mounted in the filtration chamber above each inlet tubing. The filtration unit comprising a first tubular member mounted above the inlet tubing so as to prevent granular material from entering or blocking said inlet tubing and a second tubular member having a bottom and a top end and being mounted essentially in a co-axial and spaced relationship above the first tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Kemestrie Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Abatzoglou, Jacques Bureau, Aca Mincic, Esteban Chornet
  • Patent number: 6406524
    Abstract: A decentralized cleaning plant for dry cleaning by removing fluorine containing waste gases from a reduction process in several electrolytic cells for aluminum, comprising: a storing place for aluminum oxide; a transportation system to distribute aluminum oxide from the storing place to the decentralized cleaning plant, a filter portion to store aluminum oxide before and after use in the decentralized cleaning plant; and an exhaust fan integrated with a top filter part of the plant, wherein a chimney and a separate silo are not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventor: Geir Wedde
  • Patent number: 6406522
    Abstract: An apparatus and system, as well as corresponding methods of operation and treatment of air, are provided which make use of a rotatable desiccant bed such as to permit the effective and selective alternative reduction of humidity of incoming air or energy recovery from air to be discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: David H. McFadden, Paul Lukas Brillhart
  • Patent number: 6406523
    Abstract: Gas separation by pressure swing adsorption (PSA) is performed within an apparatus having a plurality of adsorbers cooperating with first and second valves in a rotary PSA module, with the PSA cycle characterized by multiple intermediate pressure levels between the higher and lower pressures of the PSA cycle. Gas flows enter or exit the PSA module at the intermediate pressure levels as well as the higher and lower pressure levels, under substantially steady conditions of flow and pressure. The PSA module comprises a rotor containing laminated sheet adsorbers and rotating within a stator, with ported valve faces between the rotor and stator to control the timing of the flows entering or exiting the adsorbers in the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: QuestAir Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Denis J. Connor, David G. Doman, Les Jeziorowski, Bowie G. Keefer, Belinda Larisch, Christopher McLean, Ian Shaw
  • Publication number: 20020071979
    Abstract: A species transfer device in communication with at least two streams, one stream having a higher potential of a species than a lower potential stream. The species transfer device is capable of removing a portion of the species from the high potential stream, and transferring the removed species into the low potential stream. The species transfer device incorporates a housing assembly, exchange matrix and optionally, a sorbent. The housing assembly contains both the exchange matrix and optionally a sorbent inside a housing enclosure and between a sealing enclosure, and provides for the entrance and exhaust of the first and second streams therethrough. The exchange matrix can be, but need not be, in the form of a wheel having an average linear coefficient of thermal expansion at 25 to 800° C. of less than about 20×10−7/° C. The housing assembly with the housing and sealing enclosures enables the species transfer device to run efficiently through a range of pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Ronald Arthur DuBose, Craig Hanson, Peter J. Fehl, Robert Matus
  • Patent number: 6379435
    Abstract: An adsorbing device comprising a main body having an intake port and an exhaust port and accommodating therein an adsorbing composition capable of adsorbing a gaseous specific substance; regenerating means attached to the main body for releasing the specific substance from the adsorbing composition; a sensor capable of detecting the specific substance arranged at least near the exhaust port of the main body; and a control unit for instructing the regenerating means to operate when the sensor detects the specific substance at a higher value than a predetermined value. The present invention intends to facilitate an operation to regenerate the adsorbing composition by heating and enable automation of the operation, thereby to prevent deterioration of the adsorbing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukunaga, Takuya Noro, Takenori Hirano
  • Patent number: 6375715
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Total Raffinage Distribution S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Mauleon, Cyrille Mirgain
  • Patent number: 6364943
    Abstract: A gas treatment system for separating and eliminating gaseous hydrocarbon from treatment-object gas exhausted from, for example, a factory is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Taikisha Ltd.
    Inventor: Teisuke Maekawa
  • Patent number: RE38893
    Abstract: A novel method and apparatus to dehumidify air provides enhanced dehumidification efficiency over conventional dehumidification apparatuses. A reusable dehumidification element disk provides a disk section to strip water from an air stream. The disk is rotated so that the saturated disk section enters a separate chamber where the water can be stripped from the disk with a stream of regeneration air. The regeneration air stream is recycled and is not split from or mixed with the air stream requiring dehumidification. The result is a more efficient dehumidification than in appara- tuses which require the influent air stream to be divided into separate streams for dehumidification and regeneration functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuyuki Fujimura