Dwain Frank Spencer

US Patent:

6352576, Mar 5, 2002

Filed:

Mar 30, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/538704

Inventors:

Dwain F. Spencer - Half Moon Bay CA
Robert P. Currier - Santa Fe NM

Assignee:

The Regents of the University of California - Oakland CA

International Classification:

B01D 5378

US Classification:

95236, 423220, 4234371

Abstract:

Methods are provided for the selective removal of CO from a multicomponent gaseous stream to provide a CO depleted gaseous stream having at least a reduction, e. g. 30 to 90%, in the concentration of CO relative to the untreated multicomponent gaseous stream. In practicing the subject methods, the multicomponent gaseous stream is contacted with an aqueous fluid, e. g. CO nucleated water, under conditions of selective CO clathrate formation to produce a CO clathrate slurry and CO depleted gaseous stream. A feature of the subject invention is that a CO hydrate promoter is employed, where the CO hydrate promoter is included in the multicomponent gaseous stream and/or the aqueous fluid. The CO hydrate promoter serves to reduce the minimum CO partial pressure required for hydrate formation as compared to a control. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to selectively remove CO from a multicomponent gaseous stream.

US Patent:

6797039, Sep 28, 2004

Filed:

Dec 27, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/331171

Inventors:

Dwain F. Spencer - Redding CA 96003

International Classification:

B01D 5314

US Classification:

95153, 95236, 96243, 423220, 4234371, 585 15

Abstract:

Methods are provided for the selective removal of CO from a multicomponent gaseous stream to provide a CO depleted gaseous stream. In practicing the subject methods, an initial multicomponent gaseous stream that includes a gaseous CO hydrate promoter is contacted with an aqueous fluid, e. g. , CO nucleated water, in a hydrate formation reactor under conditions of selective CO clathrate formation to produce a CO clathrate slurry and CO depleted gaseous stream. Also provided are systems that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and systems find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to selectively remove CO from a multicomponent gaseous stream.

US Patent:

7128777, Oct 31, 2006

Filed:

Jun 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/869457

Inventors:

Dwain F. Spencer - Redding CA, US

International Classification:

B01D 53/14
B01D 53/78

US Classification:

95195, 95236, 423220

Abstract:

Methods are provided for the selective removal of COfrom a multicomponent gaseous stream to provide a COdepleted gaseous stream. In practicing the subject methods, an initial multicomponent gaseous stream is contacted with an aqueous fluid under conditions of selective COclathrate formation to produce a COclathrate slurry and COdepleted gaseous stream. A feature of the subject methods is that the COclathrate slurry is then compressed to high pressure to produce a high-pressure COproduct. Also provided are systems that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and systems find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to selectively remove COfrom a multicomponent gaseous stream.

US Patent:

20070248527, Oct 25, 2007

Filed:

Apr 25, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/380117

Inventors:

Dwain Spencer - Redding CA, US

International Classification:

B01D 53/62
C07C 9/00
B01D 53/14
C01B 31/20
B01J 19/00

US Classification:

423437100, 423220000, 422198000, 585015000

Abstract:

Methods are provided for the selective multi-stage removal of COfrom an oxygen combustion flue gas stream to provide a COdepleted gaseous stream. In practicing the subject methods, an initial flue gas stream is contacted with an aqueous fluid under conditions of COhydrate formation to produce a COhydrate slurry and COdepleted gaseous stream. A feature of the subject methods is that the COhydrate slurry is separated from the COdepleted gaseous stream and then compressed to high pressure to produce a high-pressure COproduct. A further feature is that the CO-depleted gaseous stream is sent to at least one additional hydrate reactor for further removal of CO. Also provided are systems that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and systems find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to remove COselectively from an oxygen combustion flue gas stream

US Patent:

20100021361, Jan 28, 2010

Filed:

Jul 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/178479

Inventors:

DWAIN F. SPENCER - Redding CA, US

International Classification:

B01D 53/62

US Classification:

423220, 422170

Abstract:

The present invention provides for methods for selectively removing COfrom a multi-component gaseous stream to provide a COdepleted gaseous stream. In practicing the subject methods, an initial multi-component gaseous stream is contacted with an aqueous fluid under high-pressure COhydrate-formation reaction conditions to produce a mixture of a COhydrate slurry and a COdepleted gaseous stream. Aspects of the subject methods is that the mixture of the COhydrate slurry and the COdepleted gaseous stream is transferred directly to a second step hydrate formation reactor in a one-stage, two-step process for further removal of CO. Also provided are systems that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and systems find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to selectively remove COfrom a multi-component gaseous stream.

US Patent:

53096720, May 10, 1994

Filed:

Oct 5, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/956539

Inventors:

Dwain F. Spencer - Half Moon Bay CA
Larry L. Lewis - San Rafael CA

Assignee:

Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

A01G 700
A01H 1300
A01K 600
E02B 306

US Classification:

47 14

Abstract:

Disclosed is an open ocean farm structure for attachment of macroalgal plants. The farm structure is made up of linear elements connected with nodes to form a three dimensional truss. The linear elements are composed of tubes containing solid rods which are screw connected to the nodes. The ends of the tubes abut the nodes so that screwing the rods into the nodes puts the tubes in compression. The truss structure thus formed is strong and flexible. Because the truss structure is made of tubes having minimal cross-sectional area, the structure is relatively transparent to the forces of wave motion.

US Patent:

62350927, May 22, 2001

Filed:

Mar 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/533618

Inventors:

Dwain F. Spencer - Half Moon Bay CA

International Classification:

B01D 5378

US Classification:

96242

Abstract:

Systems are provided for the selective removal of CO. sub. 2 from a multicomponent gaseous stream to provide a CO. sub. 2 depleted gaseous stream having at least a reduction in the concentration of CO. sub. 2 relative to the untreated multicomponent gaseous stream. In the subject systems, the multicomponent gaseous stream is contacted with CO. sub. 2 nucleated water under conditions of selective CO. sub. 2 clathrate formation, where the CO. sub. 2 nucleated water serves as liquid solvent to produce a CO. sub. 2 clathrate slurry and CO. sub. 2 depleted gaseous stream. In a preferred embodiment, the CO. sub. 2 clathrate slurry is then decomposed to produce CO. sub. 2 gas and nucleated water. The subject systems find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to selectively remove CO. sub. 2 from a multicomponent gaseous stream, including chemical feedstock processing applications and air emissions control applications.

US Patent:

60901861, Jul 18, 2000

Filed:

Apr 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/067937

Inventors:

Dwain F. Spencer - Half Moon Bay CA

International Classification:

B01D 5378

US Classification:

95236

Abstract:

Methods are provided for the selective removal of CO. sub. 2 from a multicomponent gaseous stream to provide a CO. sub. 2 depleted gaseous stream having at least a reduction in the concentration of CO. sub. 2 relative to the untreated multicomponent gaseous stream. In the subject methods, the multicomponent gaseous stream is contacted with CO. sub. 2 nucleated water under conditions of selective CO. sub. 2 clathrate formation, where the CO. sub. 2 nucleated water serves as liquid solvent to produce a CO. sub. 2 clathrate slurry and CO. sub. 2 depleted gaseous stream. In a preferred embodiment, the CO. sub. 2 clathrate slurry is then decomposed to produce CO. sub. 2 gas and nucleated water. The subject methods find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to selectively remove CO. sub. 2 from a multicomponent gaseous stream, including chemical feedstock processing applications and air emissions control applications.