John M Richards

US Patent:

6541677, Apr 1, 2003

Filed:

May 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/847476

Inventors:

John R. Richards - Durham NC
Daniel M. Richards - Chapel Hill NC
Todd T. Brozell - Raleigh NC
Tommy E. Holder - Cary NC
David G. Goshaw - Cary NC

Assignee:

Air Control Techniques, P.C. - Cary NC

International Classification:

A62D 300

US Classification:

588210, 20415794, 20415715

Abstract:

A photochemical process for removing or minimizing the concentration of PCDD or PCDF compounds within an industrial gas stream. The process includes the gas phase of PCDD or PCDF compounds. Light within a particular spectral range is irradiated into the gas stream and is absorbed by the PCDD and PCDF compounds in the presence of a free radical hydrogen donor and this results in producing a lower chlorinated PCDD or PCDF compound form. In addition, the gas stream may be treated by removing particular matter therefrom and thereafter subjected to the above-described irradiation. Further, as another optional step, the gas stream may be irradiated with the specific purpose of targeting PCDD and PCDF precursor compounds. In this case, the irradiation is absorbed by the precursor compounds causing them to be chemically modified to different chemical compounds that do not participate in chemical reactions that result in the formation of PCDD and PCDF compounds.

US Patent:

6770174, Aug 3, 2004

Filed:

Mar 14, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/098759

Inventors:

John R. Richards - Durham NC
David G. Goshaw - Chapel Hill NC

Assignee:

Air Control Techniques, P.C. - Cary NC

International Classification:

B01D 5300

US Classification:

2041573, 588219

Abstract:

An adsorption-desorption photochemical oxidation process for destroying formaldehyde within an industrial process effluent gas stream is disclosed. The process includes an adsorption-desorption step to concentrate the formaldehyde into a seprate gas stream. The desorbed formaldehyde is oxidized in a photochemical reactor using ultraviolet light. The frequency of light in one embodiment is set at a spectral range of from 220 to 370 nanometers. A conventional wet scrubber is included downstream to control the effluent gas stream from the photochemical reactor. Formaldehyde that escapes the adsorption removal step is directly photolyzed using ultraviolet light in the spectral range of 220 to 370 nanometers.

US Patent:

7198698, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

Aug 18, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/643062

Inventors:

John R. Richards - Cary NC, US
David G. Goshaw - Chapel Hill NC, US

Assignee:

Air Control Techniques, P.C. - Cary NC

International Classification:

B01D 53/00

US Classification:

2041573

Abstract:

The present invention entails a method of removing ammonia from a gas stream. The method entails irradiating the gas stream with light in the spectral range of 200–350 nanometers and disassociating hydrogen free radicals from ammonia to form NH. Once NHis formed, then reacting the NHwith NOto form Nand water. In one specific embodiment of the present invention, the method entails removing ammonia from a gas stream associated with a cement producing process. In particular, a raw feed is directed into a pyroprocessing system of a cement manufacturing facility. This raw feed is heated and in the process of producing cement, a gas stream results. Ammonia present in the gas stream is removed or substantially reduced by irradiating the gas stream and disassociating hydrogen free radicals from the ammonia to form NH. NHis then reacted with NOto form water.

US Patent:

39842967, Oct 5, 1976

Filed:

Sep 13, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/505557

Inventors:

John R. Richards - Durham NC

International Classification:

B01J 110
B01K 100
B03C 301

US Classification:

2041571R

Abstract:

The present invention relates to a system and process for controlling air pollution and basically relates to a photochemical method of removing contaminant compounds, such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, from polluted effluent gas systems. Such contaminant compounds are first formed into complexes (such as an electron donor-acceptor molecular complexes) and clusters. After the contaminant compounds become associated with these complexes and clusters, ultraviolet light is introduced into the system resulting in the complexes or clusters being photooxidized. The photooxidization of the complexes or clusters generally tends to internally rearrange the complexes or clusters and to form non-volatile acid products that readily condense on available nuclei. The acid-like products resulting from the photooxidization treatment of the complexes or clusters can be removed from the gas system by conventonal particulate removal techniques.

US Patent:

20150136710, May 21, 2015

Filed:

Nov 17, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/543247

Inventors:

- Cary NC, US
John R. Richards - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

AIR CONTROL TECHNIQUES, P.C. - Cary NC

International Classification:

C02F 11/00
B09C 1/08
C02F 11/12

US Classification:

21074813, 40512875

Abstract:

A method or process is provided for treating contaminated sludge or soil that includes adsorbed polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCB) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (collectively termed “dioxin-furans compounds”), the method includes pulverizing the sludge or soil and thereafter directing the sludge or soil to an extraction tank where the PCB and dioxin-furan compounds are extracted from the sludge or soil and are caused to become dissolved in a solvent. The treated sludge or soil is separated from the solvent and the solvent is subjected to an ultraviolet irradiation process that destroys the PCB and dioxin-furan compounds.