Patent US4422439A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3690808A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3690808A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for sulfur dioxide emission control in combustion systems
Assignee: Ohio University
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Filing: 1970-08-28
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1990-08-28
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for burning fossil fuels containing a significant sulfur content which removes a significant portion of the sulfur oxides released to the atmosphere. The invention is characterized by the dispersal of a molten metal into a combustion chamber for intimate contact with the combustion products to combine with the sulfur compounds produced by the combustion reaction. The metal sulphide may then be collected and refined for recirculation and the sulfur dioxides collected for use or sale.
Inventors
- 👤 George R St Pierre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:32
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01G; C01G3/00; C01G3/12; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/34; B01D53/46; B01D53/48; C01G5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
25 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said metal is one taken from a group comprising copper, silver, a copper-based alloy or a silver-based alloy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method defined in claim 2 wherein said metal has a melting point below approximately 1,600* C, a significant solubility for sulfur and the ability to chemically combine with sulfur.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said metal is copper.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method defined in claim 4 wherein said copper is continuously dispersed in said combustion chamber in droplet form during the combustion reaction in intimate contact with combustion reaction products.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said metal is a copper-based alloy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein the fuel and oxidant is introduced into a first combustion chamber in an oxidant to fuel ratio less than the theoretical requirement for complete combustion; maintaining said oxidant to fuel ratio at a value required to maintain the carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide ratio in the combustion reaction products at a value of less than 100 to 1.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
77 words
The method for removing sulfur from fossil fuel combustion products comprising the steps of contacting the combustion products in a combustion chamber with molten copper droplets to combine with the sulfur constituents of said products to form copper sulfide collecting the copper sulfide removed from said combustion chamber; processing said copper sulfide to produce refined copper and sulfur dioxide; recirculating the refined copper through said combustion chamber; and collecting the sulfur dioxide produced in the refining process.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method defined in claim 8 wherein the fuel and oxidant is introduced into the combustion chamber in a predetermined quantity to establish a reducing condition in said chamber defined by the theoretical composition of the combustion products yielding a thermodynamic oxidizing potential less than required for oxidation of said metal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for removing sulfur from the combustion products of a fossil fuel comprising the steps of introducing fuel and oxidant into a first combustion chamber, the oxidant to fuel ratio being predetermined to control the ratio of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide formed by the combustion reaction at a value less than approximately 10 to 1; continuously dispersing a molten metal into said first combustion chamber for intimate contact with the gaseous combustion products formed, said metal having a melting point below approximately 1,600* C, and/or a significant solubility for sulfur, and/or the ability of chemically reacting with sulfur and sulfur containing compounds; communicating the combustion products formed in said first combustion chamber with a second combustion chamber; introducing excess oxidant into said second chamber to drive the combustion reaction therein toward completion; removing the mixture of metal and metal sulfide formed in the first combustion chamber for collection; processing said mixture of metal and metal sulfide to obtain refined metal and sulfur oxides; recirculating the refined metal through the first combustion chamber; and collecting the sulfur oxides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method defined in claim 10 wherein said metal is one taken from a group comprising copper, copper-based alloys, silver or silver-based alloys.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method defined in claim 10 wherein said metal is dispersed in said chamber in droplet form.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a combustion system for burning fossil fuels containing a significant sulfur content the combination of a combustion chamber; means for introducing an oxidant-fuel mixture into said chamber; means for continuously dispersing a molten metal into said combustion chamber in intimate contact with the combustion products formed in said chamber; a metal refining system; means for delivering the metal sulfide formed in said chamber to said metal refining system; and means for collecting the refined metal from said refining system and the sulfur oxides formed in the refining process; and means for recirculating said refined metal through said combustion chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system defined in claim 13 including control means associated with said means for introducing said oxidant-fuel mixture to maintain a predetermined oxidant to fuel ratio less than the theoretical requirement for complete combustion of tHe input fuel materials.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system defined in claim 13 including a reservoir containing a supply of molten metal received from said refining system and communicating with said combustion chamber; and means for controlling the flow of metal from said reservoir to said chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system defined in claim 13 wherein said combustion chamber includes a pool of molten metal formed in the bottom portion thereof and is provided with a first and second tap outlet communicating with said pool for removal of the metal from said chamber, one of said outlets being disposed at a higher level in said chamber relative to the other of said outlets.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |