Patent Application
20240409402
This disclosure pertains to the conversion of hydrogen containing species from sulfurous and/or oxidic species to nitrous species through thermal processes or thermal processes enhanced with at least one of the following: catalyst, superimposed non-thermal energy inputs, alternating input streams or combining input streams.
Ammonia is an essential precursor for the production of a plurality of products including fertilizers. As such it is estimated that about 1.9% of the energy produced around the world is destined for its production. The industrially used process for the synthesis of ammonia is the energy intensive Haber-Bosch process. Furthermore ammonia is considered as viable energy vector within a decarbonized hydrogen economy due to its higher volumetric density relative to molecular hydrogen.
The Haber-Bosch process converts hydrogen and nitrogen to ammonia by utilizing high temperatures and pressures. While the nitrogen is purified from air though diverse separation processes, hydrogen is industrially derived from atomic hydrogen containing feed-stocks. The current primary hydrogen source involves the conversion of carbonous species, such as methane (a potent green house gas). While newer methods involve decarbonized sources, revolving around the hydrolysis of oxidic species, such as water.
Moreover, it is estimated that about 70% of the produced ammonia is utilized in the production of fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate. An intermediate step in the formation of ammonium nitrate is the ammonia oxidation to nitric acid through the Ostwald process. That nitric acid is then reacted with a subsequent ammonia molecule to form the ammonium nitrate. In other words the production of an ammonium nitrate molecule utilizes at least two ammonia molecules. Other fertilizers such as urea have similar ammonia requirements
Sulfurous species, such as for a non-limiting example of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is an ubiquitously available toxic and corrosive gas, which is commonly associated to the co-production of hydrocarbons. That being said H2S is also co-produced from renewable biological processes. Industrially, H2S is handled through the Claus process, where a H2S containing stream is combusted to produce SOx and subsequently it is reacted to produce low-value commodities such as elemental sulfur and water.
An excerpt is provided of various concepts presented within this disclosure in order to facilitate a general understanding. The summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor it is intended as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further aspects, details, advantages, and improvements on the subject mater will be described hereinafter to a greater extent.
A first non-limiting example method of the present disclosure may include: supplying a first sulfurous stream (e.g. comprising at least partially H2S) to a first (anion) carrier material, wherein the first anion carrier comprises sulfoxynitride species, namely an anion carrier material (including composite (anion) carrier material) comprising anions of sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, or traces thereof, within a plurality of stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric ratios. Contacting the first sulfurous stream with the first (anion) carrier to produce a first nitrous stream, including but not limited to ammonia, N2O, NO, NO2, NO3, nitric acid, cyanamide, thiourea, urea, ammonium nitrate, the like, and a second (anion) carrier. The embodiment further including an optional regeneration step where at least one of the following: an effluent second sulfurous stream is produced, including but not limited to liquid or gaseous sulfur and contacting the second (anion) carrier with a nitrogen containing stream in order to regenerate approximately the second (anion) carrier stoichiometry to that of the first (anion) carrier material.
A second non-limiting example method of the present disclosure may include: supplying concomitantly or sequentially, in no particular order, number of steps, or iterations, at least one of the following: a first sulfurous stream, a first oxidic stream, wherein the first oxidic stream might include but is not limited to water, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, ozone, CO, and CO2; and mixtures thereof, to a first (anion) carrier material, wherein the first (anion) carrier comprises sulfoxynitride species, namely a (anion) carrier material (including a composite anion carrier material, catalyst, catalyst support) comprising anions of sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen or traces thereof, within a plurality of stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric ratios. Contacting the first sulfurous stream with the first (anion) carrier to produce a first nitrous stream, including but not limited to at least one of the following: ammonia, nitric acid, N2O, NO, NO2, NO3, cyanamide, thiourea, urea, and ammonium nitrate as well as a second (anion) carrier. The embodiment further including at least one optional regeneration step where at least one of the following: an effluent second sulfurous stream is produced, including but not limited to liquid or gaseous sulfur, contacting the second (anion) carrier with a second sulfurous stream, contacting the second (anion) carrier with a second oxidic stream, and contacting the second (anion) carrier with a nitrogen containing stream, and a mixture thereof in order to approximately regenerate the second (anion) carrier's stoichiometry to that of the first (anion) carrier.
A third non-limiting example system of the present disclosure may include: a reaction chamber (enclosure), a first (anion) carrier material within the reaction chamber, supplying concomitantly or sequentially, in no particular order, number of steps, or iterations, at least one of the following: a first sulfurous stream, a first oxidic stream, wherein the first oxidic stream might include but is not limited to water, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, ozone, CO, and CO2; a nitrous stream, and mixtures thereof, to a first (anion) carrier material, wherein the first (anion) carrier comprises sulfoxynitride species, namely a (anion) carrier material (including composite anion carrier material) comprising anions of sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen or traces thereof, within a plurality of stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric ratios. Contacting the first sulfurous stream with the first (anion) carrier to produce a first nitrous stream, including but not limited to at least one of the following: ammonia, nitric acid, N2O, NO, NO2, NO3, cyanamide, thiourea, urea, and ammonium nitrate as well as a second (anion) carrier. The embodiment further including an optional regeneration step where at least one of the following: an effluent second sulfurous stream is produced, including but not limited to liquid or gaseous sulfur, contacting the second (anion) carrier with a second sulfurous stream, contacting the second (anion) carrier with a second oxidic stream, contacting the second (anion) carrier with a nitrogen containing stream, and a mixture thereof in order to approximately regenerate the second (anion)'s stoichiometry to that of the first (anion) carrier.
In a further non-limiting embodiment, a mode of operation wherein an anion carrier is subjected to at least one or more of the following: a stimulus and/or a stream being of at least one of the following: oxidic, nitrous, sulfurous, reducing (e.g. including hydrogen), inert and a combination thereof in order to mobilize species (e.g. atomic, such as ionic or neutral; molecular; and combination thereof) from, to, or a combination thereof to the interface and producing an interfacial layer and a modified carrier with the purpose of making at least one atomic species available to at least one of the following: react with a other species (as in the non-limiting example of mobilizing lithium, magnesium, manganese, to name a few, to react with nitrogen and/or oxygen, such as Li in LiαNaβNx, to facilitate nitrogen reactivity with oxygen), phase change (as in the non-limiting example of removing Li from LiSx to facilitate sulfur evaporation), dissolve, desorb (as in the non-limiting example of oxygen or sulfur desorption). The atomic species mobilization include but are not limited to the creation, formation, destruction, occupation, the like, and combinations thereof of at least one of the following: interfacial layer, interstitial sites, particles, alloys, composites, compound, stoichiometric variations of a carrier material, stoichiometric variations of a catalytic material, phase segregations, the like, and combinations thereof. Further providing a stimulus and optionally an input stream to produce an effluent stream (as in the non-limiting example of sulfur, oxygen, NOx, ammonia, nitric acid, ammonium nitrate, the like and combinations thereof) and a further carrier. Subjecting the carrier to a subsequent stimulus (e.g. as in the non-limiting step of regeneration) and an input stream to mobilize an atomic species to, from, or a combination thereof the interface and producing an interfacial layer and a modified carrier with the purpose of making at least one atomic species available to at least one of the following: react with another species, phase change dissolve, absorb, adsorb, catalyse, and combinations thereof producing an carrier. Results of the atomic species mobilization include but are not limited to the creation, formation, destruction, occupation, and combinations thereof of at least one of the following: interfacial layer, interstitial sites, particles, composites, compounds, stoichiometric variations of a material, phase segregations, and combinations thereof.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures. Like elements in the various figures may be denoted by like reference numerals for consistency. Further, in the following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. Additionally, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the scale of the elements presented in the accompanying Figures may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Variations can include yet are not limited to at least one of the following: process step reordering, step repetition, steps omission, steps merging and combinations thereof.
Embodiments of this disclosure relate to the need to develop sustainable, clean, and efficient methods for the production and conversion of energy vectors and chemicals within the scope of the hydrogen economy. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an abundant health hazardous and reactive gas. This gas is conventionally considered as an industrial burden with negative economic value, yet it poses unique advantages for the hydrogen economy as a low energetic source for H2 production.
The Claus process is the currently widespread mature method for handling H2S within a relevant industrial environment. This method is hosted within sulfur recovery units where H2S (and CO2) is concentrated from a hydrocarbon stream, conventionally through an amine stripping process. The concentrated H2S is mixed with an oxygen containing stream and in some cases with gaseous hydrocarbons. The mixture is combusted to produce SOx, water, CO2. Subsequently that feed is further reacted with H2S to produce sulfur, water alongsides of CO2, traces of H2S and other gases from the oxygen containing stream. Sulfur is separated and the tail gases are either further processed or released to the atmosphere.
Hydrogen is considered as the up and coming energy vector. The current primary source for hydrogen production is through the reformation of fossil fuels such as methane (CH4). Widely available reformation methods have a relative high carbon emission footprint when the produced CO2 is not captured and sequestered. As an alternative, water electrolysis is posed as a low-carbon hydrogen production method, particularly when the energy is derived from renewable energy sources. That being said through a simple energetic analysis and considering no CO2 emissions, the absolute best-case scenario for producing hydrogen from water and methane would entail, 273 KJ/mol and 50 KJ/mol (yielding 2 mol H2), respectively. Comparatively H2O requires about an energetic input of about an order of magnitude higher. Other factors to consider include water purification, desalinisation and overpotentials which are employed by current industrial electrolysis devices.
Advantages in this disclosure relate to the energetics of considering H2S as well as H2S and H2O as the hydrogen source. In the best case scenario H2S would require 33 KJ/mol. Furthermore the reactivity of H2S rather than a drawback could be considered an advantage for diverse conversion methods. Previous ammonia producing methods employing carrier or looping materials for temporarily fixing atomic nitrogen within their structure and subsequently reacting them with H2 or H2O to produce ammonia. Within the scope of this disclosure it is included the production of nitrogen containing species (e.g. ammonia, nitric acid, N2O, NO, NO2, NO3, cyanamide, thiourea, urea, ammonium nitrate and extending to hydrogen), from a sulfurous stream (e.g. containing atomic sulfur species such as at least one of the following: H2S, sulfur, SO, SO2, SO3, and a combination thereof, with of at least one of the following: nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, pentane, noble gas, and a mixture thereof) and optionally an oxidic stream (e.g. H2O, O2, H2O2, O3, CO, and CO2) utilizing sulfoxynitride species. Furthermore prior art in carrier materials for H2S conversion to hydrogen are restricted primarily to single cationic and anionic species such as for the production of hydrogen. This disclosure relates to methods leveraging multi-ionic (multi-anionic) carrier species on carrier support materials based on ionic conductors, wherein hereinafter ionic conductors further comprises ionic and electronic (e.g. mixed) conductive materials, as well as further composites including catalysts (e.g. metals) and catalyst supports, hereinafter comprehensively referred to as an anion carrier.
Additional improvements within the scope of this disclosure include production of nitrous species with a thermal input, wherein temperature ranges between −20° C. to 1100° C., in synergy with orthogonal energy stimuli enabling at least one of the following advantages: a wider-scope of available materials, improved overall required thermal input, operation within a narrower temperature range, and enhanced throughput (kinetics). Appraised energy stimuli orthogonal to thermal energy include at least one of the following stimuli: electric (e.g. potential, field, current the aforementioned applied in at least one of the following constantly, variable, alternating in high or low frequencies and a combination thereof), chemical (e.g. partial pressure changes, alternating between sulfurous & oxidic streams, mixing sulfurous & oxidic streams), magnetic, photonic (e.g. direct absorption, indirect absorption, plasmonic), plasma, ultrasonic, chemical (e.g. variations in the partial pressure of species surrounding the carrier), overall pressure or a combination thereof (e.g. including: photo-electrical, electrochemical, photo-chemical and photo-electrochemical), hereinafter comprehensively or individually referred to indistinguishably stimuli or state.
In one aspect, the embodiments herein relate to a system for processing a sulfurous stream reacted with an anion carrier material, and optionally a composite anion carrier material composed of at least one of the following anion carrier material support, a catalyst, a catalyst support, and a combination thereof, at a given state to produce a nitrous stream or hydrogen stream. Such embodiments relate to steps or procedures which could be conducted concomitantly, sequentially, in another order, in one or more reactors as well as skipping, merging or adding steps or procedures without deviating from the present disclosure.
In a non-limiting embodiment, a mode of operation is illustrated as in
In a non-limiting embodiment, a mode of operation is illustrated as in
In a non-limiting embodiment, a mode of operation is illustrated as in
From the previous embodiments it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that further permutations and step insertions could be conceived such as a further nitrogenizing step between a sulfur rich anion carrier and an oxygen rich anion carrier, multistep regeneration such as to include at least one of the following: absorption, transport, dissolution, incorporation, diffuse (e.g. including to the surface, to the interface, interstitial sites, to name a few), exsolve, intercalate, desorb and a combination thereof of atomic species (cationic, anionic or neutral) into, to and/or from the anion carrier material (composite, anion carrier support, catalyst, catalyst support).
In a non-limiting embodiment, a mode of operation and/or regeneration is illustrated in
As an non-limiting embodiment of a device 5000 (illustrated in
As a non-limiting embodiment of an anion carrier material could comprise of a structure including at least one of the following structures: fluorite, perovskite, cubic, double perovskite, spinel, ruddlesen-popper, cubic, tetragonal, orthorombic, amorphous, monoclinic, triclinic, a defective structure thereof, inverse structure thereof, and combinations thereof. Furthermore the anion carrier comprised of at least one of the following: Li, Mn, Mg, Ca, Ce, Bi, Zr, Al, V, Zn, Co, Cu, Ni, In. Non-limiting examples of envisioned anion carriers or composite anion carriers comprising an overall composition of: CeαMnβOxSyNz, CeαAuβOxSyNz, CeαPtβOxSyNz, CeαLiβOxSyNz, CeαLiβMnγOxSyNz, CeαLiβMnγBiδOxSyNz, CeαLiβMnγBiδAuεOxSyNz, CeαLiβMnγBiδPtεOxSyNz, CeαLiβMnγBiδAgεOxSyNz the aforementioned doped with Gd or Sm, LiOxSyNz, LiαPβOxSyNz, LiαGeβPγOxSyNz, LiαSiβPγOxSyNz, LiαSiβPγAδOxSyNz, LiαLaβZrγOxSyNz, LiαLaβCeγOxSyNz, LiαCeβPγOxSyNz, CaOxSyNz, AgLiOxSyNx, MnOxSyNz, MgOxSyNz, ZnOxSyNz, LiαYβZrγOxSyNz, MnαYβZrγOxSyNz, MgαYβZrγOxSyNz, CaαYβZrγOxSyNz, LiαVβOxSyNz, LaαSrβVγOxSyNz, GdαTiβMoγOxSyNz, BiαMeβVγOxSyNz, DyαGdβBiγLiδOxSyNz, DyαGdβBiγMnδOxSyNz, DyαGdβBiγMgδOxSyNz, DyαGdβBiγCaδOxSyNz, BaZrYOxSyNz, BaCeYOxSyNz, Me, Me exsolutions, MeOxSyNz exsolutions, solutions thereof, the aforementioned graphene coated, the aforementioned graphene encapsulated, and combinations thereof wherein α+β+γ+δ+ε=1 and x+y+3/2z ranges between 0.00 and 3, Me is comprised of at least one of the following: a transition metal (e.g. including but not limited to: Mn, Au, Ag, Rh, Ir, Re), Li, Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba, Na, K, a lanthanide (e.g. including but not limited to: Ce, Sm, Dy, Er, La, Pr, to name a few), or combinations thereof, and A is a halide.
As a non-limiting introductory embodiment, a lithium rich Li10+αGeP2OxS12−x−zNz (LGPS(ON)) material with an optional doping of at least one of the following: oxygen, nitrogen, nitrogen-oxygen could be considered. A device of the aforementioned material further comprised of an electrode composed of graphene/graphite encapsulated NiCo, is taken to a temperature between −20° C. and 400° C. (not being bound by theory and/or experiments one could extrapolate the temperature range between 100° C. and 700° C.) and applied an electrical potential of about 6 volts. Lithium migrates towards the anion carrier interface creating an interfacial layer. The lithium reacting with a nitrogen containing stream to form interfacial lithium nitride. The benefits of exsolving interfacial (superficial) lithium from a carrier material is that it tends to form nanoparticles, which reduces the temperature at which they can react with nitrogen and/or melt. Reacting that interfacial lithium nitride with hydrogen sulfide to form ammonia and interfacial lithium sulfide, lithium thionitride or a combination thereof. A further electrical potential of about −10 volts being applied as to reabsorb the lithium into the LGPS(ON) matrix, while sulfur remains at the interface. Removing that sulfur through evaporation or liquefaction with or without a carrier gas stream e.g. at temperatures of about 150° C. and above, thus regenerating at least partially the anion carrier material.
As a non-limiting introductory embodiment, a (exsolved) platinum, palladium, or gold nanoparticle on a doped strontium titanate support. The nanoparticles being reacted with hydrogen sulfide to form hydrogen and a sulfidized nanoparticle. Furthermore the sulfidized nanoparticle being reacted with a water containing stream or an oxidic stream to produce a sulfurous stream, an oxidized nanoparticle and/or a metallic nanoparticle. Raising the temperature of the anion carrier to regenerate the nanoparticles (e.g. palladium above 900° C.), which could optionally be performed conjointly or independently through a photonic stimulus, electric stimulus, or a combination thereof (e.g. using platinum).
A further non-limiting introductory embodiment, where a Li, Mn, and/or Mg doped ceria, reduced ceria (including Sm and Gd dopped ceria and/or cerium OxSyNz) or MoOxSyNz (e.g. molybdenum sulfide, MoSx, where x=1-2). The cerium based anion carrier material is heated (e.g. below 950° C.) in a reducing atmosphere to exsolve the Li, Mn, Mg, Zn, with or without an electrical potential. Further the anion carrier is held under a nitrogen atmosphere to nitrogenize the particles at subsequent state temperature (e.g. a lower temperature of about 300° C. for Li) with an optional electric potential, subsequently a hydrogen sulfide stream is provided generating ammonia and a sulfidized nanoparticle. After which the nanoparticle can be subjected to an electrical potential and/or an oxidic stream to reabsorb the exsolved cations into the matrix. Other co-exsolvable materials include Ag, Ni, In, Ir, Cu, V, and alloys made thereof with the former exsolvable materials. Alternative matrix materials for exsolution include other ionic conductors such as those from the BiMeVOx ionic conductor family.
A further non-limiting embodiment relates to the oxidation of nitrogen rich anion carrier to produce at least one of the following: N2O, HNO, H2N2O2, cyanamide, thiourea, urea, NO1+x, HNO2+x, where x ranges between 0 and 1. An additional embodiment route includes the reabsorption of an exsolved species. A non-limiting example includes the dealloying (delithiation) of an (AgxLiyNaz)3N particle and its subsequent oxidation in the presence of a catalyst (e.g. including but not limited to: Cu, Ni, Ta, Nb, Nd, Mn, V, La, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr their sulphides, their oxides such as LaCo0.75Mn0.125Ni0.125O3−x, their nitrides such as TiN, ZrN, VN their oxynitrides such as plasmonic TiNxOy, ZrNxOy and VNxOy, to name a few) alternative materials for such process could include other battery type of materials such as those for at least one of the following: Mg-ion, Mn-ion, Na-ion, K-ion and combinations thereof. (e.g. mixed ion conductors such as Li and Na such as LiαSiβGeγPδOxSyNzClw, LiαNa(1−α)SrβZrγPδOxSyNz, Li3Na3−xPS4). Optionally the anion carrier can be taken to the melting point of at least one of its atomic species (e.g. Li and Na) and optionally plasmonic catalyst materials from literature could be excited.
It is envisioned within the scope of this invention that a synergy between the diverse orthogonal energy stimuli can provide diverse advantages from the material selection as well as the process and/or device design perspective. Thermal limitations of the aforementioned considerations are generally related to diffusion, melting, or evaporation of a component or subcomponent. It is envisionable for those skilled in the art that materials diffusion and reaction are generally dependent on each other, yet in-situ or ex-situ application of at least one of the following: an electric field, a magnetic field, an electromagnetic field (e.g. UV-Vis-IR or microwave), a plasmon, a plasma (e.g. thermal or non-thermal), a chemical potential, ultrasound, and a combination thereof, to name a few, can promote a reaction without significantly altering the diffusion or degradation of a material in relation to the required thermal energy to achieve similar yields.
In the case of plasmonic materials it is believed that the oscillating nature of the created electric fields can temporarily align the band structures as to promote a reaction as if the chosen materials were in proper band alignment as well as hot electrons could promote reactions not typically available at given overall material temperature. Notable high temperature reactions involve the reaction between nitrogen and oxygen to form NOx. Furthermore the photonic degradation of a material can induce vacancies in the anion carrier. These phenomena are conventionally termed as photo-bleaching or photo-corrosion, yet from the carrier material perspective it can be appreciated as the regeneration of the material. Hence anybody of ordinary skill in the art could envision without departing from the scope of this disclosure that a highly photo-corroding sulfide material would be beneficial for the regeneration step or in a continuous type of process where the overall sulfur content of the material may be stabilized by the equilibrium of the photo-corrosion or vacancy creation with the concomitant occupation of vacancies with H2S.
A further non-limiting embodiment relates to the above room temperature decomposition of H2S utilizing plasmonic materials such as TiNx, ZrNx, VNx or their oxynitrides such as TiNxOy, ZrNxOy and VNxOy, the aforementioned doped with lithium, the aforementioned doped with sulfur, or a combination thereof in order to produce hydrogen, and/or ammonia as well as for the desulfurization or deoxidation of an anion carrier.
Furthermore it could be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a continuous process could be envisioned, particularly when operating near the thermodynamic inflection point from changing from a thermodynamically and/or kinetically preferred anion loading state to another (e.g. MeSX and MeSX+1), that an orthogonal energy input could promote a given reaction with a reduced thermal budget. Such reduced operational temperature window could reduce the energy expenditure of the overall process ensuing sustainability and economic benefits. As a further non-limiting embodiment considers mobile anion carriers being particularly displaced between diverse atmospheres (e.g. nitrogen, reducing, nitrogen and oxidizing) as well as between dark and a photonic stimuli (e.g. to a solar reactor).
A further non-limiting embodiment relates to the use of hydrogen sulfide with open (external) cathode batteries such as a lithium-air, lithium-nitrogen, and a potential lithium-H2S as well as other metal versions (e.g. Na) of them. Lithium-nitrogen batteries form lithium nitride in the cathode. In order to reverse this process a higher voltage is required than for lithium sulfide, hence reacting that lithium nitride with H2S could improve the overall charging electric potential requirements of the cell while producing a nitrous stream. The left sulfur can be molten or evaporated and the cell could be used again. In the case of the lithium-air batteries they tend to form lithium oxide species, some of which are considered as irreversible. By exposing such lithium oxide species to H2S the oxygen release, reaction, or exchange with sulfur would result in a lower charging potential and in select cases as a restoration of capacity.
Throughout the application ordinal numbers (for example, first, second, third) may be used as an adjective for an element (that is, any noun in the application). The use of ordinal numbers does not imply or create a particular ordering of the elements or limit any element to being only a single element unless expressly disclosed, such as by the use of the terms “before,” “after,” “single,” and other such terminology. The use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish between the elements. By way of an example, a first element is distinct from a second element and the first element may encompass more than one element and succeed (or precede) the second element in an ordering of elements.
It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a active catalyst” includes references to one or more of such catalyst.
Terms such as “approximately” or “substantially” mean that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviation or variations, including, for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those skilled in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the millionth of the unit of the lower limit (unless the context clearly dictates otherwise), between the upper and lower limit of the range, and any other stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.
It is to be understood that one ore more of the steps shown in the flowcharts may be omitted, repeated or performed in a different order than shown. Accordingly, the scope disclosed should not be considered limited to the specific arrangement of the steps shown in the flowcharts.
Although multiple dependent claims are not introduced, it would be apparent to one of skill in the art that the subject matter of the dependent claims of one or more embodiments may be combined with other dependent claims without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.
Within the skill of the art are to be included, unless otherwise indicated, techniques of physics, chemistry, engineering, catalysis, material science & engineering, analysis & quantification, economics, and the like. Such techniques are fully explained in the literature.
Although only a few example embodiments have been described in detail above those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as a defined in the following claims.
