Patent US3888652A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3888652A
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US
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Irrigation engine exhaust conversion to obtain fertilizing solution
Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
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Filing: 1973-05-29
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Granted: 1975-06-10
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Expires: 1993-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for fertilizing crop areas by dispensing aqueous ammonia solutions from irrigation engines by utilizing the body of water which moves through the engine-driven pumps. The ammonia is formed in place by catalytically converting nitrogen oxide emissions present in the engine exhaust. The ammonia is thereafter dissolved in the body of water which moves through the irrigation pump driven by the engine.
Inventors
- 👤 Gene G Yie
- 👤 S J Cummingham
- 👤 Robert E Rosenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:38
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/09; A01C; A01C21/00; A01C23/00; A01C23/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S71/00; Y10S71/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A METHOD OF FERTILIZING BY CONVERTING EXHAUSTS FROM IRRIGATION PUMP ENGINES TO OBTAIN AQUEOUS AMMONIA SOLUTIONS WHICH INCLUDES THE STEPS OF: DELIVERING EXHAUST FROM THE IRRIGATION PUMP ENGINE TO A CATALYTIC CONVERSION ZONE, SAID CATALYTIC CONVERSION ZONE CONTAINING CATALYSTS FOR TREATING NITRIC OXIDE EMISSIONS TO DIRECTLY OBTAIN AMMONIA IN PLACE UNDER EXHAUST TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, DELIVERING A PORTION OF A BODY OF WATER PUMPED BY THE IRRIGATION ENGINE TO A SCRUBBING CHAMBER, INTIMATELY CONTACTING THE FORMED GASEOUS AMMONIA WITH THE WATER IN SAID SCRUBBING CHAMBER TO FORM AN AQUEOUS AMMONIA SOLUTION, RETURNING SAID AQUEOUS AMMONIA SOLUTION TO THE BODY OF WATER, AND DISCHARGING SAID AQUEOUS AMMONIA SOLUTION TO FERTILLIZE A CROP AREA.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A METHOD OF FERTILIZING BY CONVERTING EXHAUSTS FROM IRRIGATION PUMP ENGINES TO OBTAIN AQUEOUS AMMONIA SOLUTIONS WHICH INCLUDES THE STEPS OF: DELIVERING EXHAUST FROM THE IRRIGATION PUMP ENGINE TO A CATALYTIC CONVERSION ZONE, SAID CATALYTIC CONVERSION ZONE CONTAINING CATALYSTS FOR TREATING NITRIC OXIDE EMISSIONS TO DIRECTLY OBTAIN AMMONIA IN PLACE UNDER EXHAUST TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS, DELIVERING A PORTION OF A BODY OF WATER PUMPED BY THE IRRIGATION ENGINE TO A SCRUBBING CHAMBER, INTIMATELY CONTACTING THE FORMED GASEOUS AMMONIA WITH THE WATER IN SAID SCRUBBING CHAMBER TO FORM AN AQUEOUS AMMONIA SOLUTION, RETURNING SAID AQUEOUS AMMONIA SOLUTION TO THE BODY OF WATER, AND DISCHARGING SAID AQUEOUS AMMONIA SOLUTION TO FERTILLIZE A CROP AREA.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method which includes the steps of claim 1 above, wherein the catalyst is a metallic alloy when exhaust engine temperatures are above about 500*C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method which includes the steps of claim 1 above wherein said catalyst is a supported base metal oxide when the vehicle exhaust temperature is up to about 400*C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method which includes the steps of claim 1 above, wherein the catalyst is iron oxide supported on alumina, the exhaust temperature is at least 500*C, and said exhaust contains carbon monoxide emissions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method which includes the steps of claim 1 above, wherein the catalyst is a base metal, the exhaust contains oxygen, and the exhaust temperature is at least 500*C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method which includes the steps of claim 1 above which further includes delivering the exhaust to a scrubbing chamber to condense the water vapor therein, and adding said water condensate to the body of water pumped by said vehicle engine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
In an irrigation pump, an internal combustion engine and an associated body of irrigation water for dispersing onto a crop area, the improvement which comprises a catalytic conversion unit positioned to receive exhaust gas stream from the internal combustion engine, said unit having a catalytic system to convert nitrogen oxide pollutant emissions directly to ammonia in place under exhaust temperature conditions, and means to deliver the formed gaseous ammonia to at least a portion of the body of irrigation water to obtain an aqueous ammonia solution to be dispensed onto the crop area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
In an irrigation pump, an internal combustion engine and an associated body of irrigation water for dispersing onto a crop area, the improvement which comprises a catalytic conversion unit positioned to receive exhaust gas stream from the internal combustion engine, said unit having a catalytic system to convert nitrogen oxide pollutant emissions directly to ammonia in place under exhaust temperature conditions, and means to deliver the formed gaseous ammonia to at least a portion of the body of irrigation water to obtain an aqueous ammonia solution to be dispensed onto the crop area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A combination of features as in claim 7 above which further includes by-pass means to deliver a portion of the body of irrigation water to a scrubbing chamber, wherein the water intimately contacts the gaseous ammonia at water pressure levels insufficient to increase the back pressure of the exhaust system.
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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) | 1978-06-09 | 1978-12-09 | 1979-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-09 | 1982-12-09 | 1983-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-09 | 1986-12-09 | 1987-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |