NETL Technology Transfer: Partnership Opportunites http://www.netl.doe.gov/rss/tech-transfer.xml NETL has a variety of technologies available for partnership (i.e., a CRADA or License Agreement). Some of these technologies are patented or are in the patenting process. Other technologies are available without a patent. Individual partnership opportunity notices are listed in the table below. Contact information for the partnership opportunities is included in the individual notices. en Wednesday, 9 May 2012 7:00:00 EST netl.webmaster@netl.doe.gov netl.webmaster@netl.doe.gov 1440 RSSeditor v0.9.54 (http://www.rss-info.com) Oxy-fuel Retrofit of Air-Fueled Boilers http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Air-Fueled Boilers.pdf

Oxy-fuel combustion of fossil fuels using pure oxygen instead of air as the primary oxidant offers many advantages including increased boiler efficiency, reduced combustion by-products, increased condensable vapor concentration, and increased concentration of pollutants. These advantages offer specific benefits in terms of emission control, cleanup, and compliance. Additionally CO2 capture is facilitated due to the reduction of nitrogen form the intake oxidant. However, the use of oxygen results in significantly different heat transfer characteristics within the air-fired boiler. As a result, oxy-fuel combustion is incompatible with many exiting air-fired boilers without extensive and costly modifications.

The current invention describes a method using an auxiliary heat unit to retrofit conventional air-fired boilers to oxy-fuel systems in a manner that accommodates existing steam demands of downstream loads without exceeding boiler design constraints or requiring extensive changes to heat transfer mechanics. The process overcomes many of the issues associated with retrofitting of existing air -fired boilers by utilizing oxy-fuel flames in an existing boiler design for air-firing in a configuration with an auxiliary heater that eliminates the need to mimic air-fired conditions in order to meet steam load demands. The process redistributes the release of chemical energy in the fuel such that heat transfer requirements in the radiant zone are dissociated from the convective heat transfer requirements in the convection zone. The method allows the use of superheat or reheats capabilities in the convection zone of the existing boiler and provides significant flexibility allowing oxy-fuel combustion in a wide range of existing boiler configurations

 Wednesday, 9 May 2012 7:00:00 EST Method for Determining Solids Circulation Rate http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8116992.pdf This invention provides a method to measure the rate of solids circulation, particularly in those applications where the solids are recycled back to processes for further use. The applications include processes such as circulating fluidized bed gasifiers and combustors, as well as chemical looping. Wednesday, 9 May 2012 7:00:00 EST Process for CO2 Capture Using Zeolites from High Pressure and Moderate Temperature Gas Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8128735.pdf This invention discloses a method for separating CO2 from a high-pressure and moderate- temperature gas stream composed of CO2 and other gaseous constituents using a zeolite sorbent in a temperature-swing adsorption process, which produces a CO2 stream at a high CO2 pressure contributing to low compression costs for CO2 sequestration. Friday, 27 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST Production of synthesis gas from hydrocarbons http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6793910.pdf Disclosed in this patent is an invention that provides a method and related apparatus required to produce a synthesis gas from a variety of hydrocarbons. The apparatus consists of a semibatch, nonconstant volume reactor that generates the synthesis gas. The key feature is that the apparatus feeds mixtures of air, steam, and hydrocarbons into a cylinder to raise temperature without causing heat transfer from an external source. This invention's quick-start capability shares an advantage with internal combustion engines and can start and stop more readily than continuous flow reactor technologies. Like internal combustion engines, this invention is also sulfur tolerant, which is a distinct advantage because many catalyst based systems are poisoned by sulfur. As a result, this invention's sulfur conversion capabilities outperform other commercialized methods. Monday, 23 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST Method for enhancing selectivity and recovery in the fractional flotation of particles in a flotation column http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7992718.pdf Froth flotation—one of the primary solid-solid separation processes for fine particles—has been widely practiced for a century in the mining industry for concentrating valuable minerals such as copper, lead, precious metals, and coal. In this process, specific particulate constituents of a slurry or suspension of finely dispersed particles attach to gas bubbles, separating them from other constituents of the slurry or suspension. The buoyant bubble/particle aggregate rises to the surface of the flotation vessel for separation. Higher recoveries (amount) and grades (concentration)of particles are desired in a separation process. Previously used methods of separation may produce a high amount of low-grade product, are difficult to control under certain conditions, or require other materials to be added, which must be removed at the end of the process. This patent provides a method of particle separation from a feed stream of particles varying in hydrophobicity by injecting the feed stream directly into the froth zone of the vertical flotation column with a counter-current reflux stream. This creates attachments between bubbles in the froth zone and the hydrophobic particles, which has several benefits to the process. The resulting grade of the product increases, and the grade of the slurry increases. The froth injection method allows flexibility to influence recovery and grade independently, by varying the vertical level of feed stream and the magnitude of reflux stream. Wednesday, 04 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST Electrically Distributed Optically Pumped Laser Spark Plug and Ignition System http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Laser Spark Plug.v1.pjb.031912.pdf This invention describes an electrical distribution system that delivers high-current pulses to optical pumping devices producing optical pumping power that can be collected and focused to coaxially pumped, solid state, passively Q-switched lasers. The lasers, in turn, produce high-peak power output, which can be focused into a combustion chamber to ignite a lean, high pressure air/fuel mixture. When used as an ignition source for reciprocating engines, laser spark ignition has been shown to improve efficiency and reduce harmful emissions. The recent development of laser diode bars with Bragg gratings and microlenses has greatly reduced temperature dependency of the output wavelength and improves array divergence and focusability, allowing the high-power diode pump source to be located at the laser spark plug. Electrical distribution is now a viable competitor in today's marketplace because laser optics, coatings, materials, and pump sources are now small enough and have sufficient power and low cost. Monday, 26 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy System Using a Passively Q-Switched Laser http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Q-Switched Laser.v2.pjb.032612.pdf Atomic spectroscopy systems such as LIBS are used in many applications where the elemental composition of a solid, liquid or gas sample is desired. In addition, this detection technology has the advantage of providing composition data without sample destruction. In LIBS systems, precise timing and control between the laser and the spectrometer detector are key parameters for producing high quality data. Current systems use active Q-switches to control these parameters because the time between initiation of the Q-switch and opening of the detector shutter are fairly short and known. Passively Q-switched lasers are not considered usable for LIBS applications because they lack Q-switch electronic controls needed for precise laser and spectrometer timing and control. This invention describes the use of passive Q-switches in place of active Q-switches for LIBS systems resulting in reduced system complexity and significant cost savings. Further, this technology can sense passive Q-switch output, which can be used for precise timing and control of the LIBS system while eliminating the expensive active Q-switch used in traditional systems. Monday, 26 Mar 2012 14:00:00 EST Transpiration Purged Optical Probe http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6672725.pdf To control power plant pollutants, optical monitoring is needed in harsh environments (e.g., combustion chambers, reactor vessels, the gas and solid flows in fluidized beds, some hot gas filters and heat exchangers). When optical probes are used, contaminants in these high-temperature, high-pressure areas collect on the optical surfaces, reducing their quality and impairing their ability to transmit data. Because there is no way to clean optical surfaces during operation, the particular plant component must be shut down. This transpiration purged optical probe maintains a clean optical surface throughout its lifetime and may be continually used for optical inspection or for control system applications. The invention has been successfully used to view combustion processes and provide data for feedback control to optimize combustion, saving fuel and operation costs and increasing efficiency. Friday, 23 Mar 2012 15:00:00 EST Method for the Production of Mineral Wool and Iron from Serpentine Ore http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8033140.pdf This invention discloses a method to fabricate a product that has the potential to replace asbestos, which harbors health and environmental risks, with magnesium silicate-based mineral wools. The mineral wool product yields advantages similar to asbestos while eliminating its inherent detriments. An important need exists to create an alternative to asbestos that still retains the key advantages of liquidus temperature (melting point) and heat resistance. Although alternative mineral wool fibers have been developed from basalt, diabase, and similar materials, these alternatives have a liquidus temperature ranging from about 1,100 to about 1,200 degrees Centigrade, which is significantly lower than asbestos-based insulation. This magnesium silicate-based mineral wool invention addresses the shortcomings of basalt-like material by having a liquidus temperature of at least 1,400 degrees Centigrade, thereby providing an excellent heat insulating material. Monday, 6 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST Poly (Hydroxyl Urethane) Adhesives and Binders from CO<sub>2</sub>-Based Intermediates http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-126394.pdf NETL has a new technology titled "Poly (Hydroxyl Urethane) Compositions and Methods of Making and Using the Same." Polyurethane compounds are useful in many commercial applications, including high-performance adhesives, surface coatings, sealants, binders, hydrogels, and resins. A polyurethane compound is any polymer composed of a chain of organic units joined by carbamate (—NCOO—) links. Polyurethanes are conventionally formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate and polyfunctional compounds in the presence of a catalyst. The new technology provides a single-step method for the synthesis of crossed-linked PHUs from CO2-based intermediates. Crossed-linked compositions are obtained through the use of cyclic carbonate chemistry involving the reaction of a CO2-derived cyclic carbonate, a thiol, and a compound having two or more amine functional groups. The synthetic process is efficient, simple, flexible, and scalable allowing for the production of less toxic, non-isocyanate containing PHU composites having adhesive properties. Monday, 6 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST Arc Position Sensing http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Electric-Current-Locator.pdf The Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is seeking collaborative research and licensing partners interested in further development and implementation of an innovative technology for arc position sensing. Vacuum arc remelting (VAR) is a process used to refine alloys with the advanced properties and performance needed for certain applications in the aerospace, power generation, defense, and medical and nuclear industries. A VAR melt occurs within a crucible typically made of copper with a water jacket that cools the metal being formed. The control between the heat transfer and remelting is critical to producing defect-free material. The problem is that VAR, an expensive procedure, sometimes produces an ingot that must be rejected because of defects and/or lack of uniformity. Present controls of the remelting process rely on system current and voltage, which cannot reliably show what the electric arcs are doing and what causes ingots to sometimes be defective. Without knowing when problems occur, it is impossible to devise ways to fix them. However, with arc position sensing technology utilizing the ECL, variations in arc positions (and hence energy distribution into the molten metal) can be visualized. This information is a crucial first step toward devising control methods that will permit VAR to produce consistent defect-free ingots. Thursday, 26 Jan 2012 015:30:00 EST Semi-Continuous Detection of Mercury in Gases http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8069703.pdf The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a national regulation for mercury removal from coal-derived flue and fuel gases in December 2011, and many states are promulgating their own rules. These rules typically require at least 91 percent capture of mercury. The levels of mercury in untreated coal-derived flue gas are on the order of 1 part-per-billion (ppb) by volume; 91 percent removal requires treated flue gas with levels of 0.1 ppb. Methods for detection of mercury in coal-derived gas streams are needed to insure compliance with emission regulations. The potential market for mercury analyzers in U.S. coal-utilizing facilities is estimated to be in excess of $100 million. This invention discloses a method for the quantitative detection of heavy metals, especially mercury, in effluent gas streams. The method employs photo-deposition and an array of surface acoustic wave sensors where each sensor monitors a specific metal. Wednesday, 18 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST Thief Carbon Catalyst for Oxidation of Mercury in Effluent Stream http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/8071500.pdf This invention discloses a catalyst for the oxidation of heavy metals, such as mercury, from high temperature gas streams generated from industrial sources. The active component of the catalyst is partially combusted coal, termed "Thief" carbon, which can be pretreated with a halogen or left untreated in the presence of an effluent gas entrained with a halogen. The invention provides operators with a catalyst that has the dual advantage of high oxidation levels and high adsorption levels for halogens or halogen-containing compounds. The "Thief" carbon technology, which contains between 20 and 80 percent ash by weight, also yields the advantages of a longer catalyst life and concurrent lower long term costs. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST Method for Regeneration of Immobilized Amine Sorbents for Use in CO<sub>2</sub> Capture (the BIAS Process) http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-119419 (BIAS process).pdf Carbon sequestration entails a multi-step process in which anthropogenic CO2 emissions are captured from CO2-laden process gas streams and permanently stored. Carbon capture is a critical step in the process and accounts for a considerable portion of the overall cost. Newly developed, high-capacity amine-based sorbents offer many advantages over existing technology including: 1) increased CO2 capture capacity; 2) reduced corrosion, energy requirements, and costs; and 3) minimized water usage. Additionally, amine based sorbents are scalable for use in industrial applications, including coal combustion and gasification power generating systems.The current advanced technology describes a steam regeneration process for amine-based solid sorbents used in CO2 capture. Thur, 22 Dec 2011 14:50:00 EST Carbonaceous Chemistry for Computational Modeling http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/Market_C3M.pdf Carbonaceous Chemistry for Computational Modeling (C3M) is a software platform available for licensing that is used to access a variety of kinetic processes and reaction mechanisms typically found in coal gasification, gas clean-up, and carbon capture processes. This unique software provides the user the ability to conduct virtual kinetic experiments using leading kinetic packages and available experimental data to evaluate kinetic predictions as a function of fuel and sorbent type and/or operating conditions. Thur, 22 Dec 2011 14:50:00 EST Method for the Photocatalytic Conversion of Gas Hydrates http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6267849.pdf Methane hydrates, a frozen mixture of methane contained within an ice-water mix, are found in deep ocean sediments and the Arctic permafrost. The methane hydrates constitute a large natural reserve of methane that scientists estimate have an energy potential more than twice that of all other fossil fuels combined. This technology demonstrates a way to convert methane hydrates to methanol or hydrogen through exposure to light. Harvesting the methane not only provides a significant energy source but has the environmental advantage of producing less carbon dioxide (CO2) than other forms of fossil fuels. Production of methane from this source could reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 20 percent worldwide. Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:50:00 EST Regenerable Immobilized Aminosilane Sorbents for Carbon Dioxide Capture http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/S-122196.pdf This unique method reduces the impact of water loading on sorbent regeneration by utilizing a conditioner following the steam regeneration step. This allows for optimization of the carbon dioxide removal capacity for a given absorption and regeneration reactor size. Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:50:00 EST Carbon Dioxide Capture Process with Regenerable Sorbents http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6387337.pdf Patent Information: 6,387,337 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:50:00 EST Method to Remove Ammonia Using a Proton-Conducting Ceramic Membrane http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6630116.pdf Patent Information: 6,630,116 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:50:00 EST Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with Staged Indirect-Internal Air and Fuel Preheating and Reformation http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6635375.pdf Patent Information: 6,635,375 Fri, 30 Sep 2011 7:00:00 EST Gas Sampling System for a Mass Spectrometer http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6670608.pdf Patent Information: 6,670,608 Thur, 08 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST Device and Method for Separating Minerals, Carbon and Cement Additives from Fly Ash http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6681938.pdf Patent Information: 6,681,938 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST Lean Blowoff Detection Sensor http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7197880.pdf Patent Information: 7,197,880 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 9:30:00 EST Optimum Catalyst Size Selection for Slurry Bubble Column Reactors http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7619011.pdf Patent Information: 7,619,011 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 7:30:00 EST Low Temperature Sorbents for Removal of Sulfur Compounds from Fluid Feed Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6743405.pdf Patent Information: 6,743,405 Wed, 03 Aug 2011 7:30:00 EST Rapid Gas Hydrate Formation Process http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/4060211.pdf U.S. Patent Pending Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:50:00 EST Process for Sequestering Carbon Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7604787.pdf Patent Information: 7,604,787 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:50:00 EST Multi-component Removal in Flue Gas by Aqua Ammonia http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7255842.pdf Patent Information: 7,255,842 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:35:00 EST Ultrasound Analysis of Slurries http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6959589.pdf Patent Information: 6,959,589 Fri, 20 May 2011 14:35:00 EST Solid sorbents for removal of carbon dioxide from gas streams at low temperatures http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/6908497.pdf Patent Information: 6,908,497 Fri, 20 May 2011 14:30:00 EST Method for Sequestering Carbon Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide Utilizing a Plurality of Waste Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7922792.pdf Patent Information: 7,922,792 Mon, 02 May 2011 9:00:00 EST Method for Producing Components with Internal Architectures, Such as Micro-Channel Reactors, via Diffusion Bonding Sheets http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7900811.pdf Patent Information: 7,900,811 Fri, 22 Mar 2011 9:30:00 EST CO<sub>2</sub> Separation from Low-Temperature Flue Gases http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7842126.pdf Patent Information: 7,842,126 Mon, 11 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST Thermal Barrier Coatings http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7740948.pdf Patent Information: 7,740,948 Mon, 10 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST Method of Detecting Leakage from Geologic Formations Used to Sequester CO<sub>2</sub> http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7704746.pdf Patent Information: 7,704,746 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST Regenerable Hydrogen Chloride and Hydrogen Sulfide Removal Sorbents for High Temperature Gas Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7767000.pdf Patent Information: 7,767,000 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST Capacitance Probe for Detection of Anomalies in Nonmetallic Plastic Pipe http://www.netl.doe.gov/business/crada/pdfs/7839282.pdf Patent Information: 7,839,282 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 09:00:00 EST High Speed Particle Image Velocimetry http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#116773 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST Catalysts for Oxidation of Mercury in Flue Gas http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7776780 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST Thief Process for the Removal of Mercury from Flue Gas http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#6521021 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:15:00 EST Method for Removal of Mercury from Various Gas Streams http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#6576092 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST Real-Time Combustion Control and Diagnostics Sensor-Pressure Oscillation Monitor http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7559234 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST Module-Based Oxy-fuel Boiler http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7516620 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST Piezoelectric Axial Flow Microvalve http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7159841 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST Direct Fired Reciprocating Engine and Bottoming High Temperature Fuel Cell Hybrid http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#6994930 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:45:00 EST Fail Save Shut Off Valve for Filtering Systems Employing Candle Filters http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#6981516 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Energy Recovery During Expansion of Compressed Gas Using Power Plant Low-Quality Heat Sources http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7007474 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Energy Recovery During Expansion of Compressed Gas Using Power Plant Low-Quality Heat Sources http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7314847 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Laser Spark Distribution and Ignition System http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7421166 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Mercury Sorbent Delivery System for Flue Gas http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7494632 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Ionization Based Multi-directional Flow Sensor http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7523673 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Method of Applying a Cerium Diffusion Coating to a Metallic Alloy http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#7553517 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 09:45:00 EST Improved Catalysts for Fuel Reformation Licensing Partnership Opportunity http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#IC U.S. Patent Pending Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST Carbonaceous Chemistry for Continuum Modeling http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#C3M U.S. Patent Pending Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST Real-Time Raman Gas Composition Analyzer http://www.netl.doe.gov/tech-transfer/technologies.html#MRS Energy Systems Dynamics Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:00:00 EST