# US 8,147,592 B2 · Using a metallocene to remove oxygen from a stream of gas

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- Number: US 8,147,592 B2
- Document ID: US8147592B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/049,135
- Filed: 2008-03-14
- Published: 2009-09-17
- Granted: 2012-04-03
- Earliest claimed: 2008-03-14
- Assignees: The Boeing Company
- Inventors: Norman Robert Byrd; Charles A. Smith
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8147592B2

## CPC

- B01D 53/0407: {Constructional details of adsorbing systems}
- B01D 53/02: by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography {(solid sorbent compositions B01J20/00, preparation of inorganic compounds or elements C01)}
- B01J 20/223: {containing metals, e.g. organo-metallic compounds, coordination complexes}
- B01J 20/3204: {Inorganic carriers, supports or substrates}
- B01J 20/3265: {with an organic functional group containing a metal, e.g. a metal affinity ligand}
- B01J 20/3293: {Coatings on a core, the core being particle or fiber shaped, e.g. encapsulated particles, coated fibers}
- B01J 20/3433: {of sorbents or filter aids other than those covered by B01J20/3408 - B01J20/3425}
- B01J 20/3441: {Regeneration or reactivation by electric current, ultrasound or irradiation, e.g. electromagnetic radiation such as X-rays, UV, light, microwaves}
- B01J 20/3483: {by thermal treatment not covered by groups B01J20/3441 - B01J20/3475, e.g. by heating or cooling}
- B64D 37/32: Safety measures not otherwise provided for, e.g. preventing explosive conditions
- B01D 53/0462: {Temperature swing adsorption}
- B01D 2253/10: Inorganic adsorbents
- B01D 2253/20: Organic adsorbents
- B01D 2256/10: Nitrogen
- B01D 2257/104: Oxygen
- B01D 2259/40098: with other heating means
- B01D 2259/4575: in aeroplanes or space ships
- B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28)
- B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT

## Abstract

A filter includes a metallocene for removing oxygen from a gas stream. The filter further includes a support for the metallocene.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising a fuel tank, a source of pressurized air, and a fuel inerting system including metallocene for removing oxygen from the pressurized air to produce nitrogen-enriched air, the fuel inerting system supplying the nitrogen-enriched air to an inlet of the fuel tank.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the metallocene is coated on a support.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a source for regenerating the metallocene.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The filter of claim 3, wherein the source provides at least one of ultraviolet and visible light for regenerating the metallocene.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The filter of claim 3, wherein the source provides heat for regenerating the metallocene.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a source for regenerating the metallocene; and a housing for the metallocene and the regenerative source, the housing having an inlet for admitting the pressurized air, a first outlet for the stream after it has been filtered by the metallocene, and a second outlet for oxygen that has been desorbed from the metallocene.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the metallocene is contained in a plurality of filters; the system further comprising a regeneration chamber for simultaneously regenerating several of the filters.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, further comprising means for rotating the plurality of filters such that oxygen-saturated filters are moved into the regeneration chamber.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising means for desorbing oxygen from the metallocene; and a device for using the desorbed oxygen.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

A method of using the system of claim 1, comprising pressurizing a stream of air, and flowing the pressurized air over the metallocene.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, further comprising heating the air to a temperature between 25° C. and 60° C. prior to flowing the pressurized air over the metallocene.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, further comprising heating the metallocene to promote oxygen adsorption.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, further comprising regenerating the metallocene.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein during regeneration, the metallocene is heated to desorb adsorbed oxygen into a separate gas stream; and wherein the temperature of oxygen adsorption is lower than the temperature of desorption during regeneration.