US 10926218

US Patent 10,926,218: Sorbents for the Oxidation and Removal of Mercury

Title: Sorbents for the oxidation and removal of mercury

Current Assignee: Birchtech Corp. (as of November 7, 2024)

Original Assignee: Midwest Energy Emissions Corp.

Inventors: Edwin S. Olson, Michael J. Holmes, John H. Pavlish

Filing Date: July 11, 2019

Issue Date: February 23, 2021

Abstract:
The patent describes a promoted activated carbon sorbent that is highly effective for removing mercury from flue gas streams. This sorbent incorporates a new modified carbon form containing reactive forms of halogen and halides. The patent notes that optional components can be added to increase reactivity and mercury capacity, either directly with the sorbent or into the flue gas to enhance performance. The disclosed methods achieve mercury removal efficiencies that exceed conventional techniques. Additionally, the sorbent can be regenerated and reused. The patent details sorbent treatment and preparation methods, including novel approaches for "in-flight" preparation, introduction, and controlled injection of the active sorbent into mercury-contaminated gas streams.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

US Patent 10,926,218 includes 17 claims, with claims 1, 10, and 17 being the independent claims.

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a promoted carbon sorbent. It specifies that this sorbent comprises a base activated carbon that has been reacted with a promoter. The promoter is chosen from halogens, halides, or combinations of these. The key characteristic is that the resulting reaction product is effective at removing mercury from a gas stream.
• Independent Claim 10: This claim outlines a method for preparing a promoted carbon sorbent. The method involves providing a granular activated carbon and then reacting this activated carbon with a promoter. Similar to Claim 1, the promoter is selected from halogens, halides, or combinations thereof, and the reaction product is a promoted carbon sorbent effective for mercury removal from a gas stream.
• Independent Claim 17: This claim describes a method for reducing mercury in flue gas. This method involves providing a sorbent, injecting it into a mercury-containing flue gas stream, collecting more than 70 weight percent of the mercury on the sorbent to produce cleaned flue gas, and then substantially recovering the sorbent from the cleaned flue gas. This claim does not explicitly detail the composition of the sorbent but focuses on the process of mercury reduction and sorbent recovery.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:
A search of CAFC 2026 dockets for patent number 10926218 did not return any specific results or active litigation directly referencing this patent as of April 26, 2026. The search results provided general summaries of other cases heard by the Federal Circuit in April and May 2026.