Prior art — US Patent 10668430

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 10668430, I will analyze the citations listed within the patent itself. The patent document on Google Patents provides a "Prior art keywords" section and lists "Other versions" and "Family has litigation" information, but for specific prior art citations, I need to examine the full patent text. The "References Cited" section within the full patent text details the prior art patents and publications that were considered by the patent examiner during prosecution.

I will go through the cited references in US10668430 and extract the requested information.

Most Relevant Prior Art for US Patent 10668430:

Based on the provided patent text, the following prior art references are cited:

U.S. Patent Documents:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,629
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes porous beds containing a mercury oxidizing reagent on a solid support, specifically mentioning triiodide or other mixed halogens.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates claims related to the use of halogen-containing reagents for mercury oxidation on a sorbent. For example, it could be relevant to aspects of Independent Claim 1, which broadly covers a promoted carbon sorbent using halogens/halides for mercury removal, and Independent Claim 13, concerning the method of preparing such a sorbent. The specific mention of "triiodide or other mixed halogens" suggests a direct overlap with the concept of using halogens as promoters.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,662,523
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes porous beds containing a mercury oxidizing reagent on a solid support, specifically mentioning triiodide or other mixed halogens.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,629, this patent potentially anticipates claims related to the use of halogen-containing reagents for mercury oxidation on a sorbent, specifically aspects of Independent Claim 1 and 13.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,631
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes porous beds containing a mercury oxidizing reagent on a solid support, specifically mentioning sulfur.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent might be relevant to claims that include mercury-stabilizing reagents like sulfur, as mentioned in various dependent claims and methods in US10668430. For instance, the method described in Independent Claim 17, particularly if further comprising adding a mercury-stabilizing reagent (as allowed by the description), could be anticipated in part.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,853
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes porous beds containing a mercury oxidizing reagent on a solid support, specifically mentioning sulfur.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,631, this patent might anticipate aspects of claims involving mercury-stabilizing reagents such as sulfur.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,483
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes porous beds containing a mercury oxidizing reagent on a solid support, specifically mentioning peroxomonosulfate.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference anticipates the general concept of a mercury oxidizing reagent on a solid support, which is a broad feature of US10668430.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,698
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Mentions the collection of mercury chemisorbed to a sorbent particle from a gas stream in a bag house or ESP along with ash particulates.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent could be relevant to the collection and separation steps described in Independent Claim 17 (collecting mercury on sorbent and substantially recovering sorbent) and Independent Claim 21 (separating sorbent particles from ash particles).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,162
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Mentions the collection of mercury chemisorbed to a sorbent particle from a gas stream in a bag house or ESP along with ash particulates.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,698, this patent could anticipate aspects of the collection and separation steps in Independent Claim 17 and 21.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,766
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Mentions the collection of mercury chemisorbed to a sorbent particle from a gas stream in a bag house or ESP along with ash particulates.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,698, this patent could anticipate aspects of the collection and separation steps in Independent Claim 17 and 21.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,323
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Mentions the collection of mercury chemisorbed to a sorbent particle from a gas stream in a bag house or ESP along with ash particulates.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,698, this patent could anticipate aspects of the collection and separation steps in Independent Claim 17 and 21.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,352
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Mentions the collection of mercury chemisorbed to a sorbent particle from a gas stream in a bag house or ESP along with ash particulates.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,698, this patent could anticipate aspects of the collection and separation steps in Independent Claim 17 and 21.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,324
- Full Citation: Nelson et al.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes an activated carbon containing an acid (HCl, H2SO4, or H3PO4) for the removal of mercury contained in a liquid phase, such as in the oil industry. The model presented was that mercury is adsorbed from the liquid into the solid carbon phase at relatively low temperatures.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is particularly relevant to Independent Claim 1 (promoted carbon sorbent) and 13 (method of preparing it) as it discusses acid-treated activated carbon for mercury removal. However, the current patent distinguishes itself by focusing on gas phase removal and specific halogen/halide promotion for oxidation, rather than liquid phase adsorption. The patent text explicitly states that the Nelson method "lacks many of the features described in this application that impart exceptional activity to the sorbent in a convenient way, for example, the addition of smaller amount of a second more powerful promoting agent, the use of facile solvent systems, including aqueous bromine, and the use of in-flight bromine treatment. Additionally, the patent application does not mention regeneration, recycling, or reuse, or the use of moving contactors or larger particle size to facilitate sorbent-ash separation."
U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,551
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Mentions the collection of mercury chemisorbed to a sorbent particle from a gas stream in a bag house or ESP along with ash particulates.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,698, this patent could anticipate aspects of the collection and separation steps in Independent Claim 17 and 21.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,136,072
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes amalgamating noble metals (gold, silver) on a suitable support for mercury removal, which can be regenerated by microwave heating.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent deals with mercury removal and regeneration, which are broad concepts in US10668430 (Independent Claim 17 and 21 implicitly, and the overall spirit of regenerable sorbents). However, the specific sorbent composition (noble metals) and regeneration method (microwave heating) differ from the halogen-promoted carbon and other regeneration techniques described in US10668430.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,304
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Mentions sodium sulfide particles as fine-particle injection sorbents for mercury removal.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is relevant to the general concept of injecting fine-particle sorbents for mercury removal, which is a feature of Independent Claim 17. However, the specific chemical nature of the sorbent (sodium sulfide vs. halogen-promoted carbon) differs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,334
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes porous beds containing a mercury oxidizing reagent on a solid support, specifically mentioning sulfur.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,631, this patent might anticipate aspects of claims involving mercury-stabilizing reagents such as sulfur.
U.S. Patent Application 2001/0003116
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: 2001/0003116
- Brief Description: Describes the regeneration of a plate or honeycomb material composed of transition metal oxides used for sorption of mercury in flue gas. The process involves heating the sorbent in a reducing gas stream to remove poisons, followed by impregnation with a polyfunctional complex-forming reagent containing the catalyst active component to restore mercury capture capacity.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This application is highly relevant to the regeneration and reuse aspects of US10668430, particularly those implied in Independent Claim 17 and 21. The method of regeneration described, though different in specific chemical components, shares the goal of restoring sorbent capacity after mercury capture.
U.S. Patent Application 2002/0150516
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: 2002/0150516
- Brief Description: Describes a process of injecting manganese oxide sorbent particles, with regeneration claimed by removal of spent oxide particles from the reaction zone and rinsing with dilute aqueous acid.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This application directly addresses the injection of sorbent particles and their regeneration for mercury removal, making it relevant to Independent Claims 17 and 21 of US10668430. The specific sorbent material (manganese oxide) and regeneration method differ, but the overall functional concept is similar.

Foreign Patent Documents:

Japanese Patent JP 49-43197
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes the treatment of Hg-contaminated electrolysis cell gas using a metal iodide salt on a support.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is relevant to the use of halides (iodide) for mercury removal, which could potentially anticipate aspects of Independent Claim 1 and 13. However, US10668430 specifies a carbon sorbent reacted with a halogen/halide to form a halide-modified carbon, differentiating it from a metal iodide salt on a support. The patent text explicitly states, "These patents do not appear to represent a carbon bromide compound as specified in this patent application."
Japanese Patent JP 50-6438
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes a treatment using a resin impregnated with a metal iodide.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to JP 49-43197, this patent is relevant to halide-based mercury removal, but the resin-based support and metal iodide impregnation distinguish it from the carbon-halide reaction product of US10668430. The patent text explicitly states, "These patents do not appear to represent a carbon bromide compound as specified in this patent application."
German Patent 34 26 059
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Describes the use of a very thick carbon bed for treatment of flue gases containing polyhalogenated compounds. The spent sorbent is burned and not regenerated, and the carbons are not pretreated.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent uses a carbon bed for flue gas treatment, which is a broad area of overlap with US10668430. However, the critical differences lie in the pretreatment of the carbon and the regeneration aspect of US10668430, both of which are explicitly stated as absent in the German patent. Therefore, while it relates to carbon and flue gas treatment, it is unlikely to anticipate the specific promoted sorbent or regeneration methods of US10668430.

Other Publications:

Ghorishi, B.; Gullet, B. K. Waste Manage Res. 1993, 16, 582.
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: 1993
- Brief Description: Mentions basic silicate or oxide sorbents as fine-particle injection sorbents effective only for oxidized mercury.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This publication is relevant to the broader field of fine-particle injection sorbents for mercury removal (Independent Claim 17), but the chemical nature of the sorbents (silicate/oxide vs. promoted carbon) and their effectiveness (only for oxidized mercury, whereas US10668430 addresses elemental mercury) differentiate it from the claimed invention.
Lancia references
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: Mentions basic silicate or oxide sorbents as fine-particle injection sorbents effective only for oxidized mercury.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to the Ghorishi reference, this publication relates to fine-particle injection sorbents for oxidized mercury.
Tsuji, K.; Shiraishi, I.; Dague, R. F. Proceedings, Sixth International Symposium, Air & Water Management Assoc., New Orleans, La., Mar. 10-12, 1993 (GE-Mitsui-BF system)
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: March 10-12, 1993
- Brief Description: Describes the GE-Mitsui-BF system employing a recirculating carbon bed where mercury is removed along with acid gases, and the carbon is regenerated at high temperatures. Attrition of the sorbent results in significant cost, and the carbons are not pretreated.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant to the concepts of carbon beds for mercury capture, recirculation, and regeneration, as broadly covered by Independent Claims 17 and 21. However, US10668430 distinguishes itself by the pretreatment of the carbon to create a halogen/halide-promoted sorbent and improved economics due to enhanced reactivity and regenerability. The patent text explicitly notes, "The carbons are not pretreated."
Streng reference
- Full Citation: Not fully available in the provided text.
- Publication/Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text.
- Brief Description: General mention of Hg removal.
- Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Too general to assess specific anticipation without further detail.

Most Relevant Prior Art Summary:

The most relevant prior art appears to be U.S. Pat. No. 5,891,324 (Nelson et al.) which describes acid-treated activated carbon for mercury removal, and the GE-Mitsui-BF system (Tsuji et al.) which discusses recirculating carbon beds with regeneration for mercury capture. Both deal with fundamental aspects of mercury removal using carbon sorbents and regeneration, but US10668430 explicitly identifies differences in its approach, such as the gas-phase application, specific halogen/halide promotion for oxidation, in-flight treatment, and the regenerability of the promoted sorbent, as well as the larger particle size for separation from ash. The Japanese patents on metal iodide salts on supports are also relevant due to the use of halides, but are distinguished by the composition of the sorbent. The German patent and the Ghorishi/Lancia references are more general in their scope concerning carbon beds and sorbent injection, respectively, and are distinguished by the lack of pretreatment or the specific type of mercury removed.