| Hatch Ltd. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20110174155 | METHOD FOR REMOVING SULFUR FROM A GAS STREAM - A method for removing elemental sulfur from a hot gas stream, such as an autoclave vent gas, while simultaneously cooling the gas stream. The method results in conversion of sulfur in the hot gas stream to the form of solid, non-sticky sulfur allotropes such as rhombic sulfur while avoiding formation of sticky sulfur allotropes such as monoclinic sulfur, thereby avoiding scaling and fouling of plant equipment. According the method, the hot gas stream is contacted with an aqueous medium containing a particulate material inside a quench vessel having a first inlet for the hot gas stream, a second inlet for the aqueous medium, and an outlet for removing a sulfur-containing liquid fraction from the vessel. At least a portion of the sulfur contained in the hot gas stream, along with other condensable materials, becomes incorporated into the aqueous medium and is subsequently drained from the vessel. The aqueous medium may comprise a slurry of tailings or other waste material, and the particulate matter contained in the aqueous medium may provide nucleation sites for the preferential formation of non-sticky solid forms of sulfur. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110173885 | ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE GASIFICATION PROCESS AND SYSTEM - A fuel supply system for supplying pulverized feedstock to a gasifier includes a feedstock storage apparatus for storing pulverized feedstock. The feedstock storage apparatus operates at a first pressure. The fuel supply system also includes a mechanical conveyance apparatus linking the feedstock storage apparatus to a fuel distribution apparatus. The mechanical conveyance apparatus is operable to continuously convey the pulverized feedstock from the feedstock storage apparatus to the fuel distribution apparatus at a first flow rate. The fuel distribution apparatus operates at a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure. The fuel distribution apparatus includes at least one outlet communicably connected to at least one burner on the gasifier for transferring pulverized feedstock from the fuel distribution apparatus to the at least one burner. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110146278 | POWER GENERATION PLANT AND METHOD OF GENERATING ELECTRIC ENERGY - A power generation plant and a method of generating electric energy from recovered heat during an industrial process that uses steam as a means of transferring energy. The method comprises: a) generating a first saturated steam in a first heat exchanger heated by a first source of recovered heat; b) feeding the first saturated steam into a first steam turbine generator, where the first steam turbine generator outputs exhaust steam; c) removing moisture from the exhaust steam with a moisture separator; d) superheating the moisture reduced exhaust steam from step c) in a main heat exchanger with a heat source; and e) feeding the superheated exhaust steam into a second steam turbine generator. The power generation plant comprises a first source of saturated steam, a first steam turbine generator, a moisture separator, a second source of saturated steam, a heat exchanger and a second steam turbine generator. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110143296 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN A REACTOR VESSEL - A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling a temperature within a reactor vessel such as an autoclave operating at elevated temperature and pressure. The apparatus includes a preheating vessel for preheating a feed material such as an aqueous slurry. The preheating vessel forms part of a preheating control system which provides the primary means of temperature control within the reactor vessel, and the reactor temperature is used as the setpoint for the preheating control system. The apparatus also comprises secondary means for heating and cooling the reactor. The feed material temperature is increased or decreased by the preheating control system, based on the reactor temperature. This is sufficient to heat or cool the reactor under most process conditions. Where the preheating control system is at or near its capacity for heating or cooling, the secondary heating or cooling means is activated to bring the reactor temperature within an optimum range. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110133373 | APPARATUS FOR REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF A HINGED LID ON A METALLURGICAL TRANSPORT VESSEL - An apparatus for the removal and replacement of a lid on a metallurgical transport vessel such as a ladle or a torpedo car. The apparatus comprises a frame, means for supporting the frame such that the vessel may be moved into position thereunder, a linkage including at least one lifting member pivotally connected to the frame, and at least one actuator connected to the linkage. The actuator is operable to move the lifting member such that when the vessel is moved to a designated position below the apparatus, the lifting member can be moved by the actuator and linkage from a first position providing clearance above the vessel, through a curved path to an intermediate position where it engages the lid, providing a vertical lifting force and a horizontal hinge releasing force to the lid, and to a second position where the lid is raised to a sufficient height to clear the vessel. The lifting member may subsequently be moved back by means of the actuator and linkage through a reverse curved path to the first position, and thereby lower the lid back on to the vessel. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20100071793 | APPARATUS FOR STABILIZATION AND DECELERATION OF SUPERSONIC FLOW INCORPORATING A DIVERGING NOZZLE AND PERFORATED PLATE - An apparatus is disclosed for reducing pressure and velocity of a particulate-laden, supersonic vent gas stream from a pressure vessel such as an autoclave. The apparatus includes a diverging duct in which the vent gas expands, and a perforated plate located inside the diverging duct. The perforated plate provides an area reduction that increases back pressure and forces an upstream normal shock in the diverging duct, thereby bringing about a desired reduction in pressure and velocity. The perforated plate is comprised of a material, such as a ceramic, that is resistant to erosion by the abrasive particulate entrained in the high velocity vent gas. The perforated plate has a central portion provided with holes and an imperforate peripheral portion which is resiliently received between connection flanges of the duct. | 03-25-2010 |
