Steven W Benson

US Patent:

7981835, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

May 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/120639

Inventors:

Srivats Srinivasachar - Sturbridge MA, US
Steven Benson - Grand Forks ND, US
Charlene Crocker - Newfolden MN, US
Jill Mackenzie - Carmel IN, US

Assignee:

Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation - Grand Forks ND

International Classification:

C01B 31/08
F01K 13/00
F01K 17/00
C09C 1/56

US Classification:

502423, 502421, 502432, 60645, 60648, 60676, 423460

Abstract:

A system and method for producing activated carbon comprising carbonizing a solid carbonaceous material in a carbonization zone of an activated carbon production apparatus (ACPA) to yield a carbonized product and carbonization product gases, the carbonization zone comprising carbonaceous material inlet, char outlet and carbonization gas outlet; activating the carbonized product via activation with steam in an activation zone of the ACPA to yield activated carbon and activation product gases, the activation zone comprising activated carbon outlet, activation gas outlet, and activation steam inlet; and utilizing process gas comprising at least a portion of the carbonization product gases or a combustion product thereof; at least a portion of the activation product gases or a combustion product thereof; or a combination thereof in a solid fuel boiler system that burns a solid fuel boiler feed with air to produce boiler-produced steam and flue gas, the boiler upstream of an air heater within a steam/electricity generation plant, said boiler comprising a combustion zone, a boiler-produced steam outlet and at least one flue gas outlet.

US Patent:

8277542, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Jul 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/507168

Inventors:

Srivats Srinivasachar - Sturbridge MA, US
Steven A. Benson - Grand Forks ND, US

International Classification:

B01D 53/02

US Classification:

95107, 95134

Abstract:

The present invention relates to use of carbon-based sorbents such as activated carbon for controlling vapor phase mercury emissions in coal-fired power plant flue gases or waste incineration flue gases. The invention features new methods that improve the performance of carbonaceous sorbents for mercury control compared to the previous methods. One method consists of injecting the sorbent (consisting of at least some carbonaceous material) into the flue gas where the flue gas temperature is at a value above about 1100 F. and below about 2000 F. The invention also consists of injecting the sorbent within or upstream of an economizer section in a coal-fired power boiler. Injecting the sorbent at the locations indicated above, rather than further downstream, provides increased residence time for contact between the flue gas and the sorbent resulting in increased mercury capture, improved sorbent utilization, and improved fly ash properties.

US Patent:

20100113267, May 6, 2010

Filed:

Nov 11, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/616237

Inventors:

Srivats Srinivasachar - Sturbridge MA, US
Steven Benson - Grand Forks ND, US
Charlene Crocker - Newfolden MN, US
Jill Mackenzie - Fargo ND, US

International Classification:

C01B 31/08
F01K 13/00
F01K 17/00
C01B 31/10

US Classification:

502421, 60645, 60676, 60648, 502432

Abstract:

A system and method for producing activated carbon comprising carbonizing a solid carbonaceous material in a carbonization zone of an activated carbon production apparatus (ACPA) to yield a carbonized product and carbonization product gases, the carbonization zone comprising carbonaceous material inlet, char outlet and carbonization gas outlet; activating the carbonized product via activation with steam in an activation zone of the ACPA to yield activated carbon and activation product gases, the activation zone comprising activated carbon outlet, activation gas outlet, and activation steam inlet; and utilizing process gas comprising at least a portion of the carbonization product gases or a combustion product thereof; at least a portion of the activation product gases or a combustion product thereof; or a combination thereof in a solid fuel boiler system that burns a solid fuel boiler feed with air to produce boiler-produced steam and flue gas, the boiler upstream of an air heater within a steam/electricity generation plant, said boiler comprising a combustion zone, a boiler-produced steam outlet and at least one flue gas outlet.