Northern States Power Company

Other

Powermax, Inc.

John M Lehto

Raymond Smith

John Tyson

A system and method for dehumidifying air including a multiple effect evaporator that creates a concentrated desiccant solution. The desiccant solution from the multiple effect evaporator is conveyed to a desiccant spray chamber that sprays the cooled desiccant solution into an air stream. The desiccant solution absorbs water vapor from the air stream creating a desiccant and water solution. A conduit transfers the water and desiccant solution to the multiple effect evaporator for removal of the water from the desiccant solution.

Dehumidification using desiccants and multiple effect evaporators

A method and arrangement for providing air to a gas turbine inlet, to facilitate energy production, are provided. In general, preferred methods involve both cooling air to be delivered to the gas turbine inlet, and also reducing the humidity content thereof. Preferred apparatus to accomplish the methods include: a water spray cooling arrangement; a liquid desiccant contactor; and, a vapor compression chiller arrangement. Preferably, cold solutions for operation of the water spray cooler and the liquid desiccant contactor are provided via absorption chiller arrangements.

Method and arrangement for cooling air to gas turbine inlet

A process and arrangement are provided for the efficient generation of energy from coal, while at the same time providing for a relatively inexpensive step in processing of iron or steel, and the extraction of valuable materials such as oils from coal. An advantage to the process is that relatively low quality coals can be utilized, since the coal is pretreated before any burning operation. Generally, the process involves three interacting stages. In the First Stage, a coal liquefaction/pyrolysis procedure is utilized to drive off volatiles, and form a very low volatile char. The volatiles can be collected and utilized as a valuable oil product, such as for diesel fuel or the like. The char material is preferably pelletized and utilized as a reductant, in a Second Stage of iron reduction and melting. Preferably the iron reduction and melting operation is conducted in a pressurized cupola and the high pressure hot product gases are utilized directly and/or indirectly, to generate electricity in Stage Three, and to produce hot steam for use in driving certain portions of Stages One and Two. High pressure product gases have a greater energy content than gases at atmospheric pressure and facilitate more efficient production of electricity in Stage Three. Problems of handling molten iron from a pressurized cupola are solved using the pressure to drive the molten iron up a vertical tap mechanism. The weight of the metal offsets the pressure as the metal rises so that the metal is driven up to a point at which the metal's pressure is decreased to atmospheric pressure. Also, preferably steel is formed from the reduced iron product of Stage Two. Also, preferably slag formed during the process is converted to a fiber product.

Cogeneration process for production of energy and iron materials,

A process and arrangement are provided for the efficient generation of energy from coal, while at the same time providing for a relatively inexpensive step in processing of iron or steel, and the extraction of valuable materials such as oils from coal. An advantage to the process is that relatively low quality coals can be utilized, since the coal is pretreated before any burning operation. Generally, the process involves three interacting stages. In the First Stage, a coal liquefaction/pyrolysis procedure is utilized to drive off volatiles, and form a very low volatile char. The volatiles can be collected and utilized as a valuable oil product, such as for diesel fuel or the like. The char material is preferably pelletized and utilized as a reductant, in a Second Stage of iron reduction and melting. Preferably the iron reduction and melting operation is conducted in a cupola and the hot product gases are utilized directly and/or indirectly, to generate electricity in Stage Three, and to produce hot steam for use in driving certain portions of Stages One and Two. Also, preferably steel is formed from the reduced iron product of Stage Two. Preferred arrangements for generating steel are shown.

Apparatus for production of energy and iron materials, including steel

A process and arrangement are provided for the efficient generation of energy from coal, while at the same time providing for a relatively inexpensive step in processing of iron or steel, and the extraction of valuable materials such as oils from coal. An advantage to the process is that relatively low quality coals can be utilized, since the coal is pretreated before any burning operation. Generally, the process involves three interacting stages. In the First Stage, a coal liquefaction/pyrolysis procedure is utilized to drive off volatiles, and form a very low volatile char. The volatiles can be collected and utilized as a valuable oil product, such as for diesel fuel or the like. The char material is preferably pelletized and utilized as a reductant, in a Second Stage of iron reduction and melting. Preferably the iron reduction and melting operation is conducted in a cupola and the hot product gases are utilized directly and/or indirectly, to generate electricity in Stage Three, and to produce hot steam for use in driving certain portions of Stages One and Two.

Cogeneration process for production of energy and iron materials

A process and arrangement are provided for the efficient generation of energy from coal, while at the same time providing for a relatively inexpensive step in processing of iron or steel, and the extraction of valuable materials such as oils from coal. An advantage to the process is that relatively low quality coals can be utilized, since the coal is pretreated before any burning operation. Generally, the process involves three interacting stages. In the First Stage, a coal liquefaction/pyrolysis procedure is utilized to drive off volatiles, and form a very low volatile char. The volatiles can be collected and utilized as a valuable oil product, such as for diesel fuel or the like. The char material is preferably pelletized and utilized as a reductant, in a Second Stage of iron reduction and melting. Preferably the iron reduction and melting operation is conducted in a pressurized cupola and the high pressure hot product gases are utilized directly and/or indirectly, to generate electricity in Stage Three, and to produce hot steam for use in driving certain portions of Stages One and Two. High pressure product gases have a greater energy content than gases at atmospheric pressure and facilitate more efficient production of electricity in Stage Three. Problems of handling molten iron from a pressurized cupola are solved using the pressure to drive the molten iron up a vertical tap mechanism. The weight of the metal offsets the pressure as the metal rises so that the metal is driven up to a point at which the metal's pressure is decreased to atmospheric pressure. Also, preferably steel is formed from the reduced iron product of Stage Two. Preferred arrangements for generating steel are shown.

A method for the processing of fly ash scrubber sludge or the like is provided. The method yields unique products, including a usable calcium silicate material and a high purity alumina material. The process involves a plurality of stages including a first magnetic separation in an acid leach. During the acid leach, valuable mineral components are converted into soluble sulfates. The leach residue, containing calcium materials, is extracted with ammonia solution to yield a desirable calcium silicate product. The leach liquor is treated in a preferred manner to precipitate relatively acid free aluminum sulfate. The aluminum sulfate is then converted into a desirable alumina product.

Method for the processing of fly ash, scrubber sludge and the like; and

A scrubber module (16) of the wet type includes a partition (26) extending across the upper end of a tank (20) between the dirty flue gas inlet (28) and the clean flue gas outlet (30). The partition (26) takes the form of a plurality of hollow fingers (32), the zigzag lower edge of which is submerged in the aqueous absorbent (22). Oxygen-containing gas such as air is introduced into the lower end of the tank (20) as the partially cleaned flue gas from a baghouse or precipitator (76) is forced underneath the partition (26) at the upper end of the tank to facilitate oxidation and absorption of the sulfur dioxide into calcium sulfate in solution.

Retrofit flue gas scrubber system

A scrubber module (16) of the wet type includes a partition (26) extending across the upper end of a tank (20) between the dirty flue gas inlet (28) and the clean flue gas outlet (30). The partition (26) takes the form of a plurality of hollow fingers (32), the zig-zag lower edge of which is submerged in the aqueous absorbent (22). Oxygen-containing gas such as air is introduced into the lower end of the tank (20) as the flue gas is forced underneath the partition (26) at the upper end of the tank without pre-cleaning of the flue gas to facilitate wetting and capture of the fly ash particulate as well as oxidation and absorption of the sulfur dioxide into calcium sulfate in solution, in the same vessel. A spray dryer and separator (84) is provided for removal of chloride in dry particulate form as calcium chloride before passage of the flue gas through the aqueous absorbent in the tank (20).

Flue gas scrubber system with chloride removal

A scrubber module (16) of the wet type includes a partition (26) extending across the upper end of a tank (20) between the dirty flue gas inlet (28) and the clean flue gas outlet (30). The partition (26) takes the form of a plurality of hollow fingers (32), the zig-zag lower edge of which is submerged in the aqueous absorbent (22). Oxygen-containing gas such as air is introduced into the lower end of the tank (20) as the flue gas is forced underneath the partition (26) at the upper end of the tank without pre-cleaning of the flue gas to facilitate wetting and capture of the fly ash particulate as well as oxidation and adsorption of the sulfur dioxide into calcium sulfate in solution, in the same vessel.

Flue gas scrubber system

A scrubber module (16) of the wet type includes a partition (26) extending across the upper end of a tank (20) between the dirty flue gas inlet (28) and the clean flue gas outlet (30). The partition (26) takes the form of a plurality of hollow fingers (32), the zig-zag lower edge of which is submerged in the aqueous absorbent (22). Oxygen-containing gas such as air is introduced into the lower end of the tank (20) as the flue gas is forced underneath the partition (26) at the upper end of the tank without pre-cleaning of the flue gas to facilitate wetting and capture of the fly ash particulate as well as oxidation and absorption of the sulfur dioxide into calcium sulfate in solution, in the same vessel.

Growing community of inventors

Cokato, MN, United States of America

John M Lehto