Patents Assigned to GTL Energy
  • Patent number: 9499756
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which high moisture low rank coal or other carbonaceous material may be transformed into a high-energy, water resistant product. The raw feed is comminuted then mechanically compacted by a roller press with rolls of a specified profile to mobilize the inherent moisture and collapse most of the interstitial pore space. The mobilized moisture is then removed by low-temperature drying and the material is sized and shaped to form a product that is resistant to re-absorption of water or other liquids. The present invention will promote the use of low rank coal for liquefaction and gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: GTL Energy Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves, Patrick B. Auell
  • Publication number: 20140311022
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which high moisture low rank coal or other carbonaceous material may be transformed into a high-energy, water resistant product. The raw feed is comminuted then mechanically compacted by a roller press with rolls of a specified profile to mobilize the inherent moisture and collapse most of the interstitial pore space. The mobilized moisture is then removed by low-temperature drying and the material is sized and shaped to form a product that is resistant to re-absorption of water or other liquids. The present invention will promote the use of low rank coal for liquefaction and gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: GTL Energy Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves, Patrick B. Auell
  • Patent number: 8673030
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which high moisture low rank coal or other carbonaceous material may be transformed into a high-energy, water resistant product. The raw feed is comminuted then mechanically compacted by a roller press with rolls of a specified profile to mobilize the inherent moisture and collapse most of the interstitial pore space. The mobilized moisture is then removed by low-temperature drying and the material is sized and shaped to form a product that is resistant to re-absorption of water or other liquids. The present invention will promote the use of low rank coal for liquefaction and gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GTL Energy Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves, Patrick B. Auell
  • Patent number: 8673032
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of transforming low rank coals into high quality metallurgical coke, and the coke products produced by such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GTL Energy Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20130326938
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of reducing the energy required to remove moisture from biomass, carbonaceous materials and mixtures of the same. The method significantly reduces the energy requirements by removing moisture as a liquid and by transferring the moisture to the surface of the material where it is more easily and efficiently evaporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: GTL ENERGY HOLDING PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 8453953
    Abstract: The invention provides low-cost, non-thermal methods to transform and beneficiate bulk materials, including low rank coals such as peat, lignite, brown coal, subbituminous coal, other carbonaceous solids or derived feedstock. High pressure compaction and comminution processes are linked to transform the solid materials by eliminating interstitial, capillary, pores, or other voids that are present in the materials and that may contain liquid, air or gases that are detrimental to the quality and performance of the bulk materials, thereby beneficiating the bulk products to provide premium feedstock for industrial or commercial uses, such as electric power generation, gasification, liquefaction, and carbon activation. The handling characteristics, dust mitigation aspects and combustion emissions of the products may also be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GTL Energy Holdings Pty Limited
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20120255224
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of transforming low rank coals into high quality metallurgical coke, and the coke products produced by such methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: GTL ENERGY LTD
    Inventors: Robert French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20110167715
    Abstract: The invention provides low-cost, non-thermal methods to transform and beneficiate bulk materials, including low rank coals such as peat, lignite, brown coal, subbituminous coal, other carbonaceous solids or derived feedstock. High pressure compaction and comminution processes are linked to transform the solid materials by eliminating interstitial, capillary, pores, or other voids that are present in the materials and that may contain liquid, air or gases that are detrimental to the quality and performance of the bulk materials, thereby beneficiating the bulk products to provide premium feedstock for industrial or commercial uses, such as electric power generation, gasification, liquefaction, and carbon activation. The handling characteristics, dust mitigation aspects and combustion emissions of the products may also be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: GTL ENERGY, LTD
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 7913939
    Abstract: The invention provides low-cost, non-thermal methods to transform and beneficiate bulk materials, including low rank coals such as peat, lignite, brown coal, subbituminous coal, other carbonaceous solids or derived feedstock. High pressure compaction and comminution processes are linked to transform the solid materials by eliminating interstitial, capillary, pores, or other voids that are present in the materials and that may contain liquid, air or gases that are detrimental to the quality and performance of the bulk materials, thereby beneficiating the bulk products to provide premium feedstock for industrial or commercial uses, such as electric power generation, gasification, liquefaction, and carbon activation. The handling characteristics, dust mitigation aspects and combustion emissions of the products may also be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: GTL Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert R. French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Patent number: 7128767
    Abstract: The ash content of raw coals, lignite, and other carbonaceous materials is reduced by leaching the high-ash material with an aqueous acidic waste product produced by a Fischer-Tropsch reaction. The acidic aqueous waste is mixed with coal and process conditions are described. The claim takes advantage of using otherwise uneconomic coal, lignite or other carbonaceous material by upgrading the material to a suitable feedstock for combustion in a power plant or gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: GTL Energy
    Inventors: Robert R French, Robert A. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20050039386
    Abstract: The ash content of raw coals, lignite, and other carbonaceous materials is reduced by leaching the high-ash material with an aqueous acidic waste product produced by a Fischer-Tropsch reaction. The acidic aqueous waste is mixed with coal and process conditions are described. The claim takes advantage of using otherwise uneconomic coal, lignite or other carbonaceous material by upgrading the material to a suitable feedstock for combustion in a power plant or gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Applicant: GTL Energy
    Inventors: Robert French, Robert Reeves
  • Patent number: 6664302
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which low-rank coal may be processed to provide a high-energy feedstock for coal gasification and synthesis gas production. Preliminary coal, preparation, which may include washing and drying, is followed by wax-impregnation to produce a high-energy, low-moisture, stable feedstock. The wax is preferably obtained from an on-site Fischer-Tropsch reactor that also produces diesel fuel and naptha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: GTL Energy
    Inventors: Robert French, Robert A. Reeves, Charles B. Benham