With Means For Vapor Or Liquid Contact (e.g., For Gas Separation, Cooling, Conditioning, Etc.) Patents (Class 96/52)
  • Patent number: 7094274
    Abstract: Manganese is added to a combustion fuel, combustion air, or the resulting combustion exhaust gas in order to improve the efficiency of an electrostatic precipitator in collecting the resulting fly ash. Further, manganese or other flame suppressant is added to a fuel, and/or combustion air, or combustion exhaust gas stream in order to reduce back-corona discharge that could otherwise occur in an electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Afton Chemical Intangibles LLC
    Inventors: Allen A. Aradi, Michael W. Adams, Stephen A. Factor
  • Patent number: 6966942
    Abstract: A process for purifying exhaust gases using a bubble generation device is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventor: Alan Hyrun Broadbent
  • Patent number: 6964698
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gas supply for an electrostatic filter and an electrostatic filter arrangement which has an electrostatic filter and a gas supply. Here, the gas supply has an incoming flow channel of constant cross-sectional area, a gas inlet hood with cross-sectional area expanding in the direction of the electrostatic filter, and an admixture arrangement for a conditioning means, wherein at least one flow distributor is arranged in the expanded cross-sectional region of the gas inlet hood. Characterizing features include a first vortex arrangement generating a leading-edge vortex arranged in the incoming flow channel, a second vortex arrangement generating a leading-edge vortex arranged in the gas inlet hood before the flow divider in the gas flow direction, and the admixture arrangement arranged in the region of one of the two vortex arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Balcke-Durr GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Davis, Hans Ruscheweyh, Michael Kaatz, Stefan Leser
  • Patent number: 6964808
    Abstract: A wall is formed by adding a predetermined amount of binding agent and water to volcanic ash sediment, which is comprised of mineral silicate including at least silicic acid and aluminum oxide, kneading them, and applying to an arbitrary plane. Through a natural reaction of positive ions included within mineral silicate and moisture included within the atmospheric air, thereby exchanging ions, minus ions are generated on an application plane. The amount of minus ions generated is, in a unit volume, between three and six times as many as that of the minus ions generally included in the atmospheric air. The combination of this application plane and humidity control apparatus is used as a minus ion generation system through adjustment of amount of moisture included within the atmospheric air so as to control the ion exchanging rate. In the case where said volcanic ash sediment includes titanium oxide, it reacts with hydrogen or oxygen generating active oxygen species or oxygen free radical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Takachiho Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Shintome
  • Patent number: 6911064
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as an in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Ebara Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Fujii, Tsukuru Suzuki, Hidetomo Suzuki, Kazuhiko Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6905029
    Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide a cross-flow migration classifier capable of separating particles. The classifier provides a channel through which a sample, having one or more particles, passes in a first direction, wherein the channel comprises two or more walls that are permeable to a flow of fluid. A cross-flow enters the channel through one of the permeable walls and exits through another of the permeable walls. An imposed field is applied in a second direction that is counter to the cross-flow and having an orthogonal component to the first direction. The imposed field causes one or more of the particles to migrate at a first velocity opposite and/or equal to a second velocity of the cross-flow. The particles that migrate opposite to the cross-flow are continuously discharged from the cross-flow migration classifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Richard C. Flagan
  • Patent number: 6887291
    Abstract: Filter devices and methods for collection of carbon nanomaterials, including fullerenes, produced in gas phase reactors are provided. The filter devices provide for in situ cleaning of filters to release captured product for collection. Product can be released and removed from the reactor without disrupting continuous synthesis of carbon nanomaterials. The filter devices facilitate increased reactor operation and larger scale production of carbon nanomaterials. The filters are cleaned by application of a motive force and/or a gas flow to the filter. In a specific embodiment filters are cleaned by a reverse flow of gas pulses to the filter provided. The invention also provides reactor systems for gas phase synthesis of carbon nanomaterials that can be operated continuously employing the filter device of this invention. Preferred reactor systems are those which synthesize carbon nanomaterials by combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: TDA Research, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Michael Alford, Michael D. Diener
  • Patent number: 6818043
    Abstract: A method for efficiently removing vapor-phase contaminants from gas streams is described. A powdered adsorbent such as activated carbon is ground into a fine powder by wet grinding to form a slurry. Chemicals are added to the slurry to impregnate the sorbent to enhance sorbent effectiveness. The slurry chemical mixture is sprayed into the gas stream in the form of small droplets which evaporate to produce an aerosol of fine adsorbent particles. Vapor-phase contaminants in the gas stream adsorb onto the fine adsorbent particle surfaces and the adsorbent particles are removed from the gas stream by a conventional particle collection method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramsay Chang, Frank Meserole, Carl Richardson
  • Patent number: 6797035
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for removing undesired particles from a gas stream including the steps of contacting an additive containing nitrate and/or nitrite anions with the gas stream; collecting the undesired particles and additive on a collection surface to form an aggregate on the collection surface comprising the additive and undesired particles; and removing the agglomerate from the collection zone. The anions can be compounded with one or more of potassium, sodium, calcium, and aluminum. In a preferred composition, the anion(s) is/are compounded with potassium. The process may be applied to electrostatic precipitators to improve undesired particle collection efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: ADA Environmental Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Baldrey, Michael D. Durham
  • Patent number: 6733570
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Ebara Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Fujii, Tsukuru Suzuki, Hidetomo Suzuki, Kazuhiko Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20040055467
    Abstract: A method for cleaning air and an air cleaner utilizing it are disclosed, by which the air cleaner can be made smaller than the conventional air cleaners when the performances are the same. According to the method of the invention, a filter formed on peripheral portion of a disk is formed along the peripheral portion of the disk so as to surround inside area of the disk is rotated, which filter is bent into wave-shape such that irregularities of the wave are formed in radial direction of the disk, thereby discharging air existing on the inside area of the disk to outside of the disk through the filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Ike, Yasushi Ishikawa, Shigemi Watanabe, Kazunari Kakuta
  • Patent number: 6663695
    Abstract: A method for cleaning air utilizing an air cleaner which is smaller than conventional air cleaners, wherein a filter is formed on the peripheral portion of a disk and the filter is bent into a wave-shape such that irregularities of the wave are formed in the radial direction of the disk, so that air existing on the inside area of the disk is discharged to the outside of the disk through the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Kankyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Ike, Yasushi Ishikawa, Shigemi Watanabe, Kazunari Kakuta
  • Patent number: 6663690
    Abstract: Elemental mercury is removed from emissions of coal-fired utilities by the selective photoionization of mercury atoms using ultraviolet light, followed by electrostatic precipitation of the mercury ions. Mercury is first exposed to light of a wavelength which boosts the mercury to an excited state. Then mercury is ionized using light of a different wavelength. The ionized mercury atoms are exposed to supersaturated water vapor to produce charged droplets which are precipitated, such that the exhaust effluent is substantially devoid of mercury or the mercury level is substantially reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Joseph L. Katz
  • Publication number: 20030200869
    Abstract: An ionizer plate design for an ionizing wet scrubber which reduces the size of a scrubber for a given mass flow, reduces the number of parts and complexity of the ionizing plates from previous designs, and utilizes components which have a low electrical conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: William A. Brock
  • Publication number: 20030056648
    Abstract: An air cleaning apparatus is disclosed which, in one embodiment, has: an inlet for ambient air; an outlet for purified air; a mechanism for the uptake of a scrubbing liquor and for the removal of impurities dissolved or dispersed in the ambient air by contact with said scrubbing liquor; an inlet for feeding a scrubbing liquor from a scrubbing liquor feeding tank; an outlet for discharging used scrubbing liquor; and a blower for drawing ambient air into the apparatus, flowing the air through the apparatus and discharging the purified air from the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Daniele Fornai, Stylianos Kouvroukoglou, Patrizio Ricci, Renzo Rizzo, Sergio Rossi, Andrea Filippo Argentieri, Stefano Scialla
  • Patent number: 6372131
    Abstract: The present invention is a waste water treatment system, which includes at least one closed, covered structure having waste water ingress and waste water egress and waste water treatment capabilities within the structure, and having an ambient air ingress with predetermined volumetric air flow rates, and having an ambient air egress for release of air to the atmosphere; and further includes an ionic oxygen generator connected to the air ingress or egress and has sufficient capacity to generate at least 200 ions of ionic oxygen for removal of odor from exiting air before it is released to the atmosphere. In some preferred embodiments, the waste water treatment is a dissolved air flotation treatment with at least one covered tank containing solid-liquid waste content, and includes sufficient pumping capacity to floatate a solid component of the solid-liquid waste content of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventors: Bernard J. Mirowsky, Paul D. Mirowsky
  • Publication number: 20020014707
    Abstract: The invention relates to a flue gas conditioning device (1) comprising an inlet (2), a diffuser (3) in extension of the inlet, and an essentially cylindrical pipe area (4) in extension of the diffuser, said pipe area being equipped with a bottom (5) and an outlet (6) opposite the diffuser, said diffuser and said cylindrical pipe area defining a conditioning chamber, means being provided in an area of the conditioning chamber near the inlet to introduce conditioning water into the flue gas, wherein means (10) are provided in the device to impart a rotating momentum to the flue gas stream, and means (10) are also provided to impart to the rotating flue gas stream a momentum in the axial direction. This may e.g. be realized by the provision of guide blades (11) which extend radially in the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Applicant: FLS miljo a/s
    Inventor: Jamshid Zamany
  • Patent number: 6340381
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Ebara Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Fujii, Tsukuru Suzuki, Hidetomo Suzuki, Kazuhiko Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6302945
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator for removing sulfur dioxide and other polluting particles has a wet liquid removal area or compartment down stream and in the last section of plates of the electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ralph F. Altman, Richard G. Rhudy
  • Patent number: 6267802
    Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention are directed to conditioning particulate-containing gas streams using novel additives. The additive is an organometallic salt, preferably of a carboxylic acid, that decomposes in the gas stream to produce mobile metal compounds that significantly reduce the resistivity of the particles. The additive is particularly effective under hot-side conditions when used to condition particles to be collected by an electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: ADA Environmental Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Eugene Baldrey, Ramon Edward Bisque, Michael Dean Durham, Douglas W. Jackson
  • Patent number: 6224653
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus includes a reaction chamber. A stream of contaminated gasses flows through the chamber. An elongated coronating electrode is positioned in the reaction chamber for producing a corona discharge within the chamber. A multi-stage Fitch generator connected to the electrode produces a high level, rapidly pulsating voltage in the electrode. Controlled amounts of an inert gas or inert gas-air mixture are combined with the contaminated gases to provide a high concentration of inert gas in the reaction chamber. In the inert gas-enriched atmosphere, the pulsating corona discharge produces a high concentration of metastable intermediates that greatly increase the rate of chemical conversion of the contaminants. Switching circuitry allows the pulsating voltage output of the Fitch generator to be superimposed on a constant direct current voltage in the electrode, setting up an electrostatic field in the reaction chamber for removing conversion byproducts from the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Pulsatron Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Adolf Pavlovich Shvedchikov, Aleksander Zalmanovich Ponizovsky, Lazar Zalmanovich Ponizovsky, Sergei Petrovich Kryutchkov, Vladimir Yakovlevich Starobinsky
  • Patent number: 6190630
    Abstract: This invention provides a flue gas treating process for removing sulfur oxides and dust from exhaust gas containing sulfur oxides and dust by using an absorption tower into which an absorbing fluid containing an alkaline agent is sprayed, comprising the steps of equipping the absorption tower with integrally formed dust collection means comprising dust collecting plates and discharge electrodes, and with dust separation means for sweeping off the dust collected by the dust collection means; and treating the exhaust gas in the dust collection means and subsequently cleaning the exhaust gas in the absorption tower, whereby desulfurization and dust removal are effected while sweeping off the collected dust by the dust separation means. Thus, desulfurization and dust removal can be effected in a simple manner, and the capacity of an electrostatic precipitator installed on the upstream side can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Onizuka, Toru Takashina, Kiyoshi Okazoe, Hiroyuki Katayama
  • Patent number: 6171368
    Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method of operation are disclosed for removal of gaseous contaminants, particularly oxygen, from closed containers. The apparatus is economical, simple to install and operate, of convenient size, and highly effective. A gas extractor communicates with a container for a gas-sensitive product. A high gas concentration in the container causes operation of the extractor until the gas concentration is reduced to a desired low level, when the extractor operation stops. Separate sensors and controllers responsive to concentrations can be present, or the extractor can be self-actuated by use as a power source of a battery which operates on gas generated by operation of the extractor. The system preferably is used for oxygen extraction from containers holding oxygen-sensitive contents. The preferred extractor includes an electrochemical cell which has a ion-permeable membrane disposed between two electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Med-E-Cell
    Inventors: Henri J. R. Maget, Robert J. Rosati
  • Patent number: 6074458
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating carbon particles from flyash includes one of increasing a relative humidity of the flyash or decreasing the relative humidity of the flyash to within an optimum humidity range, and introducing the flyash within the optimum humidity range into a triboelectric separator so as to triboelectrically charge the carbon particles and the flyash and so as to electrostatically separate the charged carbon particles from the charged flyash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Separation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Bittner, Thomas M. Dunn, Frank J. Hrach, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6017381
    Abstract: Collection of particles from a gas stream and the separation of dissimilar particles from a gas stream by a field effect auxiliary gas cyclone (FEAGC) is enhanced by providing an inductive field that attracts or repels particles and an auxiliary gas system that complements the field effect by providing an additional independent internal control for particle velocity, particle concentration, and system delta p. The FEAGC has three adjustable operating variables: (1) an auxiliary high pressure air input orifice located in the cyclone input which is used to increase the product velocity while reducing the solids to gas ratio; (2) an electric field between the cone and the vortex that subjects charged particles to either an attractive or repelling field; and (3) an auxiliary air venturi located in the inlet of the vortex to control the delta p and to control the operating temperature of the vortex and insulating materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Advance Electrostatic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Dunn, Henri DeMoras
  • Patent number: 6001152
    Abstract: The present invention provides compositions including a salt selected from the group consisting essentially of sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, ammonium nitrate, lithium nitrate, barium nitrate, cerium nitrate, and mixtures thereof, as flue gas conditioning formulations for use in controlling particulates, hazardous substances, NO.sub.x, and SO.sub.x. For the purpose of obtaining greater yields of particulate and hazardous substance removal, the compositions may further include a polyhydroxy compound, preferably selected from the group consisting essentially of sucrose, fructose, glucose, glycerol, and mixtures thereof. Methods are also provided for adding these compositions to the flue gas stream to control particulate, hazardous substance, NO.sub.x, and SO.sub.x emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Rabindra K. Sinha
  • Patent number: 5968231
    Abstract: A device and a method for purifying and decontaminating air uses an exchanger of the cyclone type and furthermore employs a combination of the action of cyclonic centrifugation and the action of at least one path enhancing field. A tranquilizing chamber, which is separated from the cyclone exchanger by a vent, maintains a volume of liquid into which particles and droplets are received from the peripheral wall. To this end, particulates are partially electrified before entering the enhancing field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Grignotage, (SARL)
    Inventors: Michel Parmentier, Jean-Charles Weber
  • Patent number: 5922105
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Ebara Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Fujii, Tsukuru Suzuki, Hidetomo Suzuki, Kazuhiko Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5922290
    Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidation system for reducing the VOC content of asphalt vapors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Owens Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Jenne, Kenneth E. Carney
  • Patent number: 5846301
    Abstract: An integrated flue gas treatment condensing heat exchanger having a particle charger located upstream of the second stage heat exchanger of the system for improved cleaning of flue gas and increased removal of fine particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: McDermott Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis W. Johnson, Robert B. Myers, Karl H. Schulze, Ralph T. Bailey
  • Patent number: 5792241
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitator including a cylindrical tube the upper end of which is provided with a gas outlet while the lower end is provided with a gas inlet. Mounted adjacent the upper end of the tube is an ion source. Adjacent the lower end of the tube is a diaphragm which is vibrated by an ultrasonic transducer. A liquid is supported on the diaphragm and caused to vibrate in order to produce a mist. An electric potential is established between the ion source and the liquid so that carbon particles contained in the gas stream passing through the precipitator are trapped by liquid droplets which are then conveyed back to a reservoir for the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignees: Allrad No. 28 Pty Ltd., Allrad No. 29 Pty Ltd., Allrad No. 19 Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodney Browitt
  • Patent number: 5707422
    Abstract: A method for use in an electrostatic precipitator unit, of controlling, with a view to cleaning an incoming dust-laden gas, the supply of conditioning agent to the incoming contaminated gas upstream of the precipitator unit. The precipitator unit includes discharge electrodes and collecting electrodes, between which a varying high voltage is maintained by means of a pulsating direct current supplied thereto. The frequency, the pulse charge and/or pulse length of the pulsating direct current are so varied that a plurality of frequency-charge-length combinations are obtained. For each combination, a figure of merit is measured or calculated. The figures of merit are used for establishing an optimal combination. The supply of conditioning agent is adjusted in dependence upon the pulse frequency of the established optimal combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: ABB Flakt AB
    Inventors: Hans Jacobsson, Kjell Porle
  • Patent number: 5678493
    Abstract: A flue gas conditioning system generates sulfur trioxide which is injected into boiler flue gas to condition it by reducing the resistance of the particulate matter entrained in the flue gas. The conditioned flue gas is passed through an electrostatic precipitator which collects the particulate matter by electrostatic precipitation. The sulfur trioxide concentration in the flue gas is measured with a mass spectrometer downstream of where the sulfur trioxide was injected into the flue gas and upstream of the electrostatic precipitator. The concentration of the sulfur trioxide in the flue gas is measured with a mass spectrometer at a point where the injected sulfur trioxide has uniformly mixed with the flue gas. The measured sulfur trioxide concentration is used to control the flue gas conditioning system, such as by comparing the measured concentration to a desired concentration range and adjusting the amount of sulfur trioxide being injected into the flue gas accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Wilson Eugene Kelley
    Inventors: Wilson Eugene Kelley, Robert A. Wright
  • Patent number: 5665142
    Abstract: A flue gas conditioning system and method generates and introduces sulfur trioxide into flue gas produced by a boiler to condition the flue gas before it passes through an electrostatic precipitator. Flue gas is withdrawn from the flue duct which couples the boiler to the electrostatic precipitator and cleaned to provide a source of sulfur dioxide. The withdrawn flue gas is passed through a heater and then into a catalytic converter which converts native SO.sub.2 in the flue gas into SO.sub.3 which is then introduced back into the flue duct to condition the flue gas. The SO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Wilhelm Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Wright
  • Patent number: 5626652
    Abstract: An electrostatic precipitation system (100) utilizes laminar flow of a particulate-laden gas in order to enhance the removal of sub-micron sized particulates. The system incorporates a vertically oriented housing (105) through which the gas flows downwardly therethrough to a lower outlet port (110). The gas, which may be a flue gas enters the laminar flow precipitator (102) through an inlet port (108) for passage through a charging section (104). The charging section (104) imparts a charge to the particulates carried by the flue gas. The flue gas and charged particles then flow to a collecting section (106) which is downstream and below the charging section (104). The collecting section (106) is formed by a plurality of substantially parallel tubular members, each tubular member defining a collecting passage therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Environmental Elements Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Kohl, Paul L. Feldman, Krishnaswamy S. Kumar
  • Patent number: 5597403
    Abstract: A system for preconditioning flue gas to be treated in an electrostatic precipitator having a set of electrostatic elements and a power supply, which supplies an intermittent power to the electrostatic elements, includes a source of a conditioning agent, and a current sensor and a voltage sensor for detecting the half-cycle current and voltage supplied to the electrostatic elements. The system also includes a power measuring circuit, responsive to the current sensor and to the voltage sensor, which develops an indication of the power supplied to the electrostatic elements and a controller, responsive to the power indication, which controls the amount of conditioning agent added to the flue gas in order to maintain the power at a substantially predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: The Chemithon Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Hankins
  • Patent number: 5591249
    Abstract: A method is used for preconditioning flue gas to be treated in an electrostatic precipitator having a set of electrostatic elements which are intermittently energized by a power supply. The method uses a current sensor and a voltage sensor to detect the current and the voltage supplied to the electrostatic elements during an energized half-cycle of the power delivered to the electrostatic precipitator and develops an indication of the intermittent power supplied to the electrostatic elements from the current and voltage sensor measurements. The amount of a conditioning agent added to the flue gas is controlled to maintain the power indication at a substantially predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: The Chemithon Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Hankins
  • Patent number: 5578113
    Abstract: An air treatment system includes a housing having a from cylindrical chamber and a rear rectangular chamber, the front and rear chambers being separated by an internal wall. The front chamber is provided with a series of outlet vents, the rear chamber is provided with a series of inlet vents, and the internal wall is provided with a series of interchamber vents. A pair of electrically-powered cylindrical fan blades are disposed within the front chamber and are used to draw air into the rear chamber through the inlet vents, to move the air from the rear chamber to the front chamber through the interchamber vents and to exhaust the air from the front chamber through the outlet vents. A plurality of ionizer needles are also disposed within the front chamber. The rear chamber is shaped to include a generally rectangular reservoir. The air treatment system also includes a water tank removably mounted within the rear chamber for use in supplying water to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Holmes Product Corp.
    Inventor: Neville R. Glenn
  • Patent number: 5567226
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method to improve the performance of a variety of particulate collection devices. Gaseous ammonia is injected by one or more injectors into a waste gas upstream from a particulate collection device. The amount of ammonia injected from each injector is controlled so that the local concentration of ammonia in the waste gas is approximately the same as the corresponding local concentration of sulfur trioxide in the waste gas. The flow of ammonia from each injector is controlled by measuring several local sulfur trioxide concentrations in the waste stream after the ammonia has been injected. The sulfur trioxide can occur naturally or result from injection. By keeping the concentration of ammonia approximately equal to the concentration of sulfur trioxide, ammonia and sulfur trioxide react to form a liquid product. This liquid reaction product coats the surfaces of particles entrained in the gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Inventors: Aziz A. Lookman, Roger W. Glickert, James E. Gabrielson
  • Patent number: 5562755
    Abstract: A process for after-purifying a kieserite mixture pre-concentrated electrostatically across a number of stages is characterized in that the outside air used in the after purification stage is adjusted by dehumidification in a conventional dehumidification plant to an absolute moisture of 4.5 g/m.sup.3, and the kieserite mixture to be separated by triboelectrically charging with said air at a temperature of below 40.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Kali und Salz Beteiligungs AG
    Inventors: G unter Fricke, Ingo Stahl, Peter-M. Beier
  • Patent number: 5547495
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flue gas conditioning system and method for generating conditioning agent used in the removal of entrained particles in a flue gas flow with an electrostatic precipitator. The invention involves a catalytic converter that is operable between an operative position where the flue gas is exposed to the catalyst and converts SO.sub.2 contained in the flue gas to SO.sub.3 when conditioning agent is needed and an inoperative position where the flue gas is not exposed to the catalyst when conditioning agent is no longer needed. The catalytic converter and related assembly may take variable configurations to accommodate various flue gas ductworks and space limitations and may carry one or more SO.sub.2 /SO.sub.3 converters providing a plurality of open and generally parallel flow paths of the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Wilhelm Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Wright
  • Patent number: 5540755
    Abstract: A method for the selective control of the sulfur trioxide concentration in flue gases, to enhance the ash removal efficiency of electrostatic precipitators, which includes: catalytically converting a portion of the sulfur dioxide contained within the flue gas to sulfur trioxide, by passing a portion of such flue gas through at least one catalyst containing converter module which is positioned within such a flue gas stream; and selectively varying the quantity of flue gas passing through such module by providing an aspirating force to cause flue gas to be drawn through such a converter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Wahlco, Inc
    Inventors: Fellix E. Spokoyny, Vincent F. Middleton
  • Patent number: 5538539
    Abstract: An apparatus for the selective control of the sulfur trioxide concentration in flue gases, to enhance the ash removal efficiency of electrostatic precipitators, which includes: catalytically converting a portion of the sulfur dioxide contained within the flue gas to sulfur trioxide, by passing a portion of such flue gas through at least one catalyst containing converter module which is positioned within such a flue gas stream; and selectively varying the quantity of flue gas passing through such module by providing an aspirating force to cause flue gas to be drawn through such a converter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Wahlco, Inc.
    Inventors: Felix E. Spokoyny, Vincent F. Middleton
  • Patent number: 5468270
    Abstract: An assembly for wet cleaning combustion gases includes at least one dust extracting device and at least one dust absorbing device. The main vessel of the dust extracting device includes a bottom having a ridge roof structure. An inlet is provided for introducing combustion gases into the main vessel, and an outlet is provided for extracting at least partially cleaned combustion gases from the main vessel. A filter is located between the inlet and outlet. First and second auxiliary vessels are arranged with respect to the main vessel so as to form a Z-shape, when viewed from above. Sediment tanks located in the bottom of the auxiliary vessels receive sediment introduced therein from conveyors provided in the low portions of the main vessel. Waste fluid is discharged from the sediment tanks into the auxiliary vessels. The assembly also includes a dust absorbing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Inventor: Wac aw Borszynski
  • Patent number: 5458663
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing emissions, originated in the manufacturing industry, especially from polymerization operations and thermoplastic polymer processing operations which has a duct system for collecting the air, containing emissions, with an entrance and an exit, a first heat exchanger, which is connected to the entrance of the duct system, a liquid removal system which is connected to the first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, which is connected to the liquid removal system and a fan which is connected to the second heat exchanger and the exit of the duct system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Beth O. Teague, David F. Mitchell, Joseph T. Flack, Dennis G. Shealy
  • Patent number: 5449390
    Abstract: A flue gas conditioning system uses the waste heat of the flue gas to heat a sulfuric acid solution to add sufficient heat energy to the solution to vaporize the solution before being injected into the flue gas to condition the flue gas so that particulate removal by a precipitator is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1995
    Assignee: Wilhelm Environmental Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent S. Duncan, Robert A. Wright
  • Patent number: 5439508
    Abstract: For the separation of dioxins and furans from exhaust gases from combustion plants, particularly from refuse incinerating plants, a process is described in which the dust and the gaseous pollutants HF, HCl, SO.sub.2, and SO.sub.3 are first substantially entirely separated from the exhaust gases in known manner, the thus prepurified exhaust gas is then supplied to a wet-process electrostatic precipitator, and 10 to 500 mg activated carbon powder per sm.sup.3 are added to the prepurified exhaust gas immediately before it enters the wet-process electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gernot Mayer-Schwinning, Gunter Boning
  • Patent number: 5433761
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for removing emissions, originated in the manufacturing industry, especially from polymerization operations and thermoplastic polymer processing operations which has a plurality of ducts, an entrance for collecting air, containing the emissions and an exit for exiting exhaust air, a first heat exchanger which has a hot side with an entrance and an exit and a cold side with an entrance and an exit, a second heat exchanger, which has a hot side with an entrance and an exit and a cold side, a liquid removal system, and a fan, whereby the first heat exchanger is connected with the entrance of the hot side to the entrance of the duct system and with the exit of the hot side to the entrance of the hot side of the second heat exchanger by a duct; the exit of the hot side of the second heat exchanger is connected to the entrance of the cool side of the first heat exchanger by a duct; the precipitator is connected to the exit of the cool side of the first heat exchanger by a duct and to the f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Beth O. Teague, David F. Mitchell, Joseph T. Flack, Dennis G. Shealy
  • Patent number: 5424044
    Abstract: An integrated SCR ESP employs catalytic collector plates for NO.sub.x and particulate removal. Ammonia injected either directly in the ESP or upstream therefrom catalytically reduces NO.sub.x to nitrogen and water. The excess ammonia assists in capturing particulates in the ESP. This prevents problems of ammonia slippage. The SCR catalytic collector plates are positioned in at least one field of the ESP and preferably in at least the first field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: The Babcock & Wilcox Company
    Inventor: Daniel S. Kalka
  • Patent number: 5310416
    Abstract: The separation process and apparatus is based on conducting the explosive gas or vapour through a mass transfer column which is charged with an absorbent and filled with an electrically conductive packing. The packing (2) of the mass transfer column (1) must be earthed and have such a dense lattice spacing that no electric charge sufficient for ignition can accumulate at any point in the packing. Under these conditions, a non-conductive electrostatically chargeable liquid may be used as absorption liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gotz-Gerald Borger, Uwe Listner, Gunther Luttgens