Remedial system: a pollution control device for utilizing and abating volatile organic compounds

• US 8,776,734 B1
• Filed: 05/19/2009
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innovative Environmental Solutions, LLC, Remediation Service, Int'l
• Original Assignee: International Environmental Solutions Corporation
• Inventors: Neill, Lawrence, Roy, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamen, Noah
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Long T
• Application Number:
  US12/468,789
• Time in Patent Office: 1,883 Days
• Field of Search: 123/1.R, 123/1.A, 123/2, 123/3
• US Class Current: 123/1.A
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/702 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/708 Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/06 Polluted air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/416 involving cryogenic temperature treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4516 for fuel vapour recovery systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 5/009 Collecting, removing and/or treatment of the condensate
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/005 by heat treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/047 Pressure swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1487 Removing organic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/229 Integrated processes (Diffusion and at least one other process, e.g. adsorption, absorption)
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 2290/10 Recycling of a stream within the process or apparatus to reuse elsewhere therein
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 2290/24 Mixing, stirring of fuel components
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 2290/30 Pressing, compressing or compacting
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 3/00 Gaseous fuels; Natural gas; Synthetic natural gas obtained by processes not covered by subclass C10G, C10K; Liquefied petroleum gas
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 63/00 Adaptations of engines for driving pumps, hand-held tools or electric generators; Portable combinations of engines with engine-driven devices of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston engines F02B53/14
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 19/0671 Means to generate or modify a fuel, e.g. reformers, electrolytic cells or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0209 Hydrocarbon fuels, e.g. methane or acetylene
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0218 Details on the gaseous fuel supply system, e.g. tanks, valves, pipes, pumps, rails, injectors or mixers
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0227 Means to treat or clean gaseous fuels or fuel systems, e.g. removal of tar, cracking, reforming or enriching
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 21/0287 characterised by the transition from liquid to gaseous phase F02M21/06 takes precedence; Injection in liquid phase; Cooling and low temperature storage
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 25/00 : Engine-pertinent apparatus for adding non-fuel substances or small quantities of secondary fuel to combustion-air, main fuel or fuel-air mixture adding secondary air to fuel-air mixture F02M23/00; adding exhaust gases F02M26/00; fuel-injection apparatus operating simultaneously on two or more fuels or on a liquid fuel and another liquid F02M43/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 : Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/10 : Greenhouse gas [GHG] capture, material saving, heat recovery or other energy efficient measures, e.g. motor control, characterised by manufacturing processes, e.g. for rolling metal or metal working
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/30 : Use of alternative fuels, e.g. biofuels

Abstract

A remedial pollution control system for treating volatile organic compounds that may include a vapor concentrator connected to a line that is laden with volatile organic compounds, the concentrator has an organic condensate output line and a vapor output line; a mixing chamber adapted to receive air provided from an air supply line, combustible fuel from an alternate fuel supply line, and a vapor stream from the vapor output line to produce a mixed fuel supplied to an internal combustion engine, a control mixing system with a controller for producing a proper air to fuel ratio in the mixed fuel supply, and power generated to operate other devices used to more efficiently abate volatile organic compounds and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Claims

1. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio;

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line; and

a feed pump having a pump inlet and a pump output line, wherein the pump inlet is connected to the vapor fuel output line.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a recycle line connected from the pump output line to the concentrator input line.

3. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio;

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line; and

a compressor having a compressor input line and a compressor output line, wherein the compressor input line is connected to the source.

4. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio;

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line; and

a compressor having a compressor input line and a compressor output line, wherein the compressor output line is connected to an oxygen-nitrogen separator.

5. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio;

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line; and

a generator to convert energy produced by the internal combustion engine into electricity.

6. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio;

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line; and

a hydraulic pump to convert energy produced by the internal combustion engine into hydraulic power.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the hydraulic pump is capable of generating hydraulic power to power the concentrator and operate all related equipment.

8. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio; and

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line,

wherein the concentrator is a membrane separator device.

9. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio; and

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line,

wherein the concentrator is a cryogenic device.

10. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio;

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line; and

a process gas valve and a vacuum pump in the vapor fuel output line, and a pressure differential control loop, wherein the process gas valve is opened and closed proportionately, as controlled by the pressure differential control loop, in order to control the vacuum pump and thus increase vacuum capacity of the system.

11. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio;

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line; and

an adjustable orifice valve, mounted in the concentrator input line close to the source, and a process vacuum control loop to maintain required vacuum capacity in the system.

12. A remedial system for treating volatile organic compounds comprising:

a concentrator input line to receive volatile organic compounds from a source;

a concentrator connected to the concentrator input line, the concentrator having a liquid output line and a vapor fuel output line;

a mixing chamber to receive an air supply line, an alternate fuel supply line and the vapor fuel output line, wherein the mixing chamber has a mixed fuel outlet line;

a control mixing system having a valve in the air supply line, a valve in the alternate fuel supply line, and a valve in the vapor fuel output line and an air fuel controller to control the flow through those valves to blend the air and fuel without reformation to keep a ratio of air and fuel in the mixed fuel outlet line at or near a stoichiometric air to fuel ratio; and

an internal combustion engine configured to receive the mixed fuel outlet line,

wherein the concentrator is to reduce the BTU content (energy) of the source so as to allow a lower rated BHP internal combustion engine to combust volatile organic compounds.