Many manufacturing processes currently emit large quantities of gas effluent into the atmosphere or dispose of by techniques such as thermal oxidation or bio-...
Many manufacturing processes currently emit large quantities of gas effluent into the atmosphere or dispose of by techniques such as thermal oxidation or bio-filtration (which both consume auxiliary fuel and produce CO2). These are usually carrier gases that contain dilute concentrations of organic gas (contaminants). This invention is a new device process for separating dilute gas(es) (e.g. organic gases) from gas streams for reuse as a liquid or other useful purposes (e.g. auxiliary fuel or chemical manufacturing).
The invention provides gas purification methods and systems for the recovery and liquefaction of low boiling point organic and inorganic gases, such as methane, propane, CO.sub.2, NH.sub.3, and chlorofluorocarbons. Many such gases are in the effluent gas of industrial processes and the invention can increase the sustainability and economics of such industrial processes. In a preferred method of the invention, low boiling point gases are adsorbed with a heated activated carbon fiber material maintained at an adsorption temperature during an adsorption cycle. During a low boiling point desorption cycle the activated carbon fiber is heated to a desorption temperature to create a desorption gas stream with concentrated low boiling point gases. The desorption gas stream is actively compressed and/or cooled to condense and liquefy the low boiling point gases, which can then be collected, stored, re-used, sold, etc. Systems of the invention include an active condensation loop that actively cools and/or compresses a desorption gas stream from said vessel to liquefy low boiling point gases.
Applications
Packaging Material
Gas purification (O2/N2 Separation, Ethane/Butane/Propane Separation)
Chemical Manufacturing
Petrochemical
Printing & Painting
Natural Gas
Benefits
Converts waste gas stream into 1) useful liquid (close to 100% pure) and/or 2) purified gas stream
Generate auxiliary fuel by recycling purified carrier gas
Closed loop system (reduces operating cost, energy, and material consumption)
Reduces CO2 gas production (thousands of metric tons per year)
Uses gas, not vapor (therefore boiling point is not an issue)
To license the entire Vapor Phase Removal and Recovery System portfolio, click here.
The University's Vapor Phase Removal and Recovery System (VaPRRS) is a patented long-lasting filter that effectively removes dilute volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and...
The University's Vapor Phase Removal and Recovery System (VaPRRS) is a patented long-lasting filter that effectively removes dilute volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from gas streams and recovers them as pure liquids. The technology can be integrated into a variety of manufacturing facilities and air pollution control (APC) systems to make them more effective. VaPRRS is a VOC/HAP recovery system that uses an activated carbon fiber cloth and electrothermal desorption (ED) to inexpensively and selectively remove vapors from gas streams. The system rapidly adsorbs and then efficiently regenerates the sorbent and allows for condensation of the sorbate gas all within one control volume.
This portfolio of four patented technologies is available for ready-to-sign licensing. The technologies within this bundle can also be licensed individually.
Thermal Swing Adsorption Based on Electrical Properties of the Adsorbent (TF11145)
A method for indirectly monitoring and controlling an electrically resistive adsorption system. Adsorption of a predetermined adsorbate is conducted while indirectly monitoring electrical resistance of a unified adsorbent element. Breakthrough is predicted based upon the indirectly monitored electrical resistance and a previously measured mass loading relationship between the resistance of the unified adsorbent element and the loading of the unified resistance element with the predetermined adsorbate. Adsorption, regeneration, and cooling cycles are controlled by a controller without any direct measurement of temperature or resistance of the element and characterizations of mass loading and temperature. Systems of the invention can have no sensors that contact the element, are in an adsorption vessel, and/or are downstream adsorption vessel.
To license this technology individually, click here.
Gas Purification Device with Liquefaction of Dilute Gas Components (TF09117)
Many manufacturing processes currently emit large quantities of gas effluent into the atmosphere or dispose of by techniques such as thermal oxidation or bio-filtration. These are usually carrier gases that contain dilute concentrations of organic gas. This invention is a new device process for separating dilute gas(es) from gas streams for reuse as a liquid or other useful purposes.
The invention provides gas purification methods and systems for the recovery and liquefaction of low boiling point organic and inorganic gases, such as methane, propane, CO.sub.2, NH.sub.3, and chlorofluorocarbons. Many such gases are in the effluent gas of industrial processes and the invention can increase the sustainability and economics of such industrial processes. In a preferred method of the invention, low boiling point gases are adsorbed with a heated activated carbon fiber material maintained at an adsorption temperature during an adsorption cycle. During a low boiling point desorption cycle the activated carbon fiber is heated to a desorption temperature to create a desorption gas stream with concentrated low boiling point gases. The desorption gas stream is actively compressed and/or cooled to condense and liquefy the low boiling point gases, which can then be collected, stored, re-used, sold, etc. Systems of the invention include an active condensation loop that actively cools and/or compresses a desorption gas stream from said vessel to liquefy low boiling point gases.
To license this technology individually, click here.
A System and Method to Integrate Adsorption, Steady-State Electrothermal Desorption, and Subsequent Destruction of Air Pollutants (TF05053)
A preferred embodiment steady state tracking desorption system achieves steady tracking of either a fixed sorbate output set point, or a set point that changes over time. The system includes an electrically heated thermal adsorption/desorption device. A temperature sensor senses the temperature of an adsorbent material within the adsorption/desorption device. A sorbate sensor senses a sorbate level from an outlet of the adsorption/desorption device. A power sensor senses the power supplied by the desorption device. A controller interprets levels sensed by the temperature sensor, the sorbate sensor and the power sensor and provides a signal to achieve steady set point tracking of a sorbate level from the outlet of the adsorption/desorption device.
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Selective Sorption, Desorption, and Liquefaction of Vapors from Gas Streams (TF00018)
This technology uses activated-carbon fiber cloth (ACFC) as an alternative adsorbent to traditional granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove and recover organic vapors from gas streams. The ACFC is microporous, has up to 250% of the adsorption capacity of GAC, has faster mass and heat transfer properties than GAC, and is ash free to inhibit chemical reactions between the ACFC and the adsorbed vapors. Electrothermal desorption can be used to rapidly regenerate the ACFC with lower energy requirements than steam- or heated nitrogen-based regeneration. ED also eliminates the need for an adsorbent drying step and the recovered solvent/water separation processes usually required with conventional steam regeneration technology.
This technology consists of two adsorption/desorption units that enclose hollow elements containing ACFC and provide gas ports at either end. The compounds are adsorbed onto ACFC cartridges that are electrothermally regenerated at a very rapid rate, causing the adsorbate to condense within the adsorption vessel itself and produce two-phase flow of the effluent during regeneration. The ACFC elements provide controlled electrical resistance, allowing for direct electrothermal heating and rapid regeneration of the ACFC and recovery of the VOCs/HAPs. Rapid ED with in-vessel condensation results in significant reductions in system complexity, cycle times, and nitrogen consumption. This new system also operates without the use of steam, heated inert gas, vacuum, or a refrigeration system. The pilot-scale system regenerates the ACFC within 40 minutes.
To license this technology individually, click here.
Dr. Kenis from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new method and device for reducing CO2 to value added platform chemicals such as carbon...
Dr. Kenis from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed a new method and device for reducing CO2 to value added platform chemicals such as carbon monoxide and formic acid. This technology will allow CO2 emitters to produce valuable products while reducing the amount of CO2 pollution released into the atmosphere. Dr. Kenis' technology requires less energy input than state of the art CO2 reduction techniques. This makes CO2 reduction more economically feasible and allows for the use of grid electricity (>90% produced from burning fossil fuels) to power the system while still remaining carbon neutral or even carbon negative.
Dr. Vishal Verma from the University of Illinois has developed an instrument for the analysis of oxidative potential in PM2.5. This semi-automated instrument can analyze all five of...
Dr. Vishal Verma from the University of Illinois has developed an instrument for the analysis of oxidative potential in PM2.5. This semi-automated instrument can analyze all five of most used endpoints (AA, DTT, GSH, OH radical generation) for a given sample in only 3 hours. Moreover, this instrument can yield the kinetic properties for antioxidant consumption and reactive oxygen species generation which typically can not be obtained otherwise. This technology will be of use to end users for analytical instrumentation in environmental testing applications such as regulatory laboratories, contract testing laboratories, municipal wastewater utilities, power generation utilities, pharmaceutical organizations, chemical and petrochemical companies, oil and gas companies, food manufacturers, academic and research institutions, among others.
Professor Xiao Su and researchers at the University of Illinois have developed an electrochemical/electrocatalytic system capable of separating PFAS from solution and...
Professor Xiao Su and researchers at the University of Illinois have developed an electrochemical/electrocatalytic system capable of separating PFAS from solution and degrading it in-situ. This electrochemical system is comprised of a redox-polymer working electrode, that that is responsible for electrochemically separating the PFAS (charged or uncharged) from solution, and a counter electrode that is responsible for electrochemically degrading the PFAS. When incorporated into an electrochemical device the redox copolymers presents an exceptionally high adsorption capacity for PFAS (>1500 mg PFOA/g adsorbent) and separation factors (500 vs. chloride), and demonstrates exceptional removal efficiencies in diverse per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and halogenated aromatic compounds. This technique represents the state of the art in PFAS remediation, and is more versatile than activated carbon, less expensive than ion exchange systems, and capable of handling large loads than high pressure membranes.
Dr. Kyle Smith and his research group have developed a battery-based alkaline electrochemical cycle that can capture CO2 under concentrated and atmospheric conditions and...
Dr. Kyle Smith and his research group have developed a battery-based alkaline electrochemical cycle that can capture CO2 under concentrated and atmospheric conditions and mineralizing it. This invention has a CO2 capturing efficiency of rates up to 1000 times greater than other similar electrochemical cycling methods. Indeed, a prior test found that using the new approach developed by Dr. Smith, up to 2 mol- CO2 /L were absorbed, while under the traditional approach only 2 μmol- CO2 /L were absorbed. This invention can be applied toward the capture and storage of CO2 from flue gas and also applied towards the capture of CO2 under atmospheric conditions.
