Patents by Inventor Alex Wormser

Alex Wormser has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11193073
    Abstract: A carbonaceous fuel gasification system for a supercritical CO2 power cycle system includes a micronized char preparation system comprising a devolatilizer that receives solid carbonaceous fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluidizing steam and produces micronized char, steam, hydrogen, and volatiles. An indirect gasifier includes a vessel comprising a gasification chamber that receives the micronized char, a conveying gas, and steam where the gasification chamber provides syngas, ash, and steam. A combustion chamber receives syngas and an oxidant and burns the mixture of syngas with the oxidant to provide heat for gasification and for heating incoming flows, thereby generating steam and CO2. The heat for gasification is transferred from the combustion chamber to the gasification chamber by circulating refractory sand. A syngas cooler cools the syngas and generates steam and provides to a supercritical CO2 power cycle system that performs a supercritical CO2 power cycle for generating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Patent number: 11193074
    Abstract: A carbonaceous fuel gasification system for all-steam gasification with carbon capture includes a micronized char preparation system comprising a devolatilizer that receives solid carbonaceous fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluidizing steam and produces micronized char, steam, volatiles, hydrogen, and volatiles at outlets. An indirect gasifier includes a vessel comprising a gasification chamber that receives the micronized char, a conveying fluid, and steam. The gasification chamber produces syngas, ash, and steam at one or more outlets. A combustion chamber receives a mixture of hydrogen and oxidant and burns the mixture of hydrogen and oxidant to provide heat for gasification and for heating incoming flows, thereby generating steam and nitrogen. The heat for gasification is transferred from the combustion chamber to the gasification chamber by circulating refractory sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Publication number: 20210347638
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decarbonizing gases using pressure swing in a first and second pressure vessel that each comprise a fixed bed sorbent. Syngas and steam are received in the first pressure vessel. A carbonation reaction is performed in the first pressure vessel that reacts carbonaceous species in the received syngas with the received steam to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Decarbonated syngas is exhausted from first pressure vessel. A calcination reaction is performed in the second pressure vessel to produce carbon dioxide. A vacuum is provided to the second pressure vessel that causes carbon dioxide to exhaust from the second pressurized vessel at a pressure that substantially follows the decomposition pressure line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Patent number: 11084721
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decarbonizing gases using pressure swing in a first and second pressure vessel that each comprise a fixed bed sorbent. Syngas and steam are received in the first pressure vessel. A carbonation reaction is performed in the first pressure vessel that reacts carbonaceous species in the received syngas with the received steam to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Decarbonated syngas is exhausted from first pressure vessel. A calcination reaction is performed in the second pressure vessel to produce carbon dioxide. A vacuum is provided to the second pressure vessel that causes carbon dioxide to exhaust from the second pressurized vessel at a pressure that substantially follows the decomposition pressure line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Publication number: 20200148963
    Abstract: A carbonaceous fuel gasification system for a supercritical CO2 power cycle system includes a micronized char preparation system comprising a devolatilizer that receives solid carbonaceous fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluidizing steam and produces micronized char, steam, hydrogen, and volatiles. An indirect gasifier includes a vessel comprising a gasification chamber that receives the micronized char, a conveying gas, and steam where the gasification chamber provides syngas, ash, and steam. A combustion chamber receives syngas and an oxidant and burns the mixture of syngas with the oxidant to provide heat for gasification and for heating incoming flows, thereby generating steam and CO2. The heat for gasification is transferred from the combustion chamber to the gasification chamber by circulating refractory sand. A syngas cooler cools the syngas and generates steam and provides to a supercritical CO2 power cycle system that performs a supercritical CO2 power cycle for generating power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Patent number: 10570348
    Abstract: A carbonaceous fuel gasification system for a supercritical CO2 power cycle system includes a micronized char preparation system comprising a devolatilizer that receives solid carbonaceous fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluidizing steam and produces micronized char, steam, hydrogen, and volatiles. An indirect gasifier includes a vessel comprising a gasification chamber that receives the micronized char, a conveying gas, and steam where the gasification chamber provides syngas, ash, and steam. A combustion chamber receives syngas and an oxidant and burns the mixture of syngas with the oxidant to provide heat for gasification and for heating incoming flows, thereby generating steam and CO2. The heat for gasification is transferred from the combustion chamber to the gasification chamber by circulating refractory sand. A syngas cooler cools the syngas and generates steam and provides to a supercritical CO2 power cycle system that performs a supercritical CO2 power cycle for generating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Publication number: 20200002631
    Abstract: A carbonaceous fuel gasification system for all-steam gasification with carbon capture includes a micronized char preparation system comprising a devolatilizer that receives solid carbonaceous fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluidizing steam and produces micronized char, steam, volatiles, hydrogen, and volatiles at outlets. An indirect gasifier includes a vessel comprising a gasification chamber that receives the micronized char, a conveying fluid, and steam. The gasification chamber produces syngas, ash, and steam at one or more outlets. A combustion chamber receives a mixture of hydrogen and oxidant and burns the mixture of hydrogen and oxidant to provide heat for gasification and for heating incoming flows, thereby generating steam and nitrogen. The heat for gasification is transferred from the combustion chamber to the gasification chamber by circulating refractory sand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Patent number: 10443005
    Abstract: A carbonaceous fuel gasification system for all-steam gasification with carbon capture includes a micronized char preparation system comprising a devolatilizer that receives solid carbonaceous fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluidizing steam and produces micronized char, steam, volatiles, hydrogen, and volatiles at outlets. An indirect gasifier includes a vessel comprising a gasification chamber that receives the micronized char, a conveying fluid, and steam. The gasification chamber produces syngas, ash, and steam at one or more outlets. A combustion chamber receives a mixture of hydrogen and oxidant and burns the mixture of hydrogen and oxidant to provide heat for gasification and for heating incoming flows, thereby generating steam and nitrogen. The heat for gasification is transferred from the combustion chamber to the gasification chamber by circulating refractory sand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Publication number: 20180201849
    Abstract: A carbonaceous fuel gasification system for a supercritical CO2 power cycle system includes a micronized char preparation system comprising a devolatilizer that receives solid carbonaceous fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluidizing steam and produces micronized char, steam, hydrogen, and volatiles. An indirect gasifier includes a vessel comprising a gasification chamber that receives the micronized char, a conveying gas, and steam where the gasification chamber provides syngas, ash, and steam. A combustion chamber receives syngas and an oxidant and burns the mixture of syngas with the oxidant to provide heat for gasification and for heating incoming flows, thereby generating steam and CO2. The heat for gasification is transferred from the combustion chamber to the gasification chamber by circulating refractory sand. A syngas cooler cools the syngas and generates steam and provides to a supercritical CO2 power cycle system that performs a supercritical CO2 power cycle for generating power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Patent number: 9873840
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and equipment that include Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle technology to retrofit existing plants, that include, e.g., subsystems for separating char fines from syngas after it emerges from an internally-circulating fluidized bed carbonizer and injecting the char into the carbonizer draft tube as a fuel source. Efficiency and power generation are thus increased to the extent that inclusion of carbon capture systems are now possible for existing coal plants in order to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Publication number: 20170096335
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for decarbonizing gases using pressure swing in a first and second pressure vessel that each comprise a fixed bed sorbent. Syngas and steam are received in the first pressure vessel. A carbonation reaction is performed in the first pressure vessel that reacts carbonaceous species in the received syngas with the received steam to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Decarbonated syngas is exhausted from first pressure vessel. A calcination reaction is performed in the second pressure vessel to produce carbon dioxide. A vacuum is provided to the second pressure vessel that causes carbon dioxide to exhaust from the second pressurized vessel at a pressure that substantially follows the decomposition pressure line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Publication number: 20170037328
    Abstract: A carbonaceous fuel gasification system for all-steam gasification with carbon capture includes a micronized char preparation system comprising a devolatilizer that receives solid carbonaceous fuel, hydrogen, oxygen, and fluidizing steam and produces micronized char, steam, volatiles, hydrogen, and volatiles at outlets. An indirect gasifier includes a vessel comprising a gasification chamber that receives the micronized char, a conveying fluid, and steam. The gasification chamber produces syngas, ash, and steam at one or more outlets. A combustion chamber receives a mixture of hydrogen and oxidant and burns the mixture of hydrogen and oxidant to provide heat for gasification and for heating incoming flows, thereby generating steam and nitrogen. The heat for gasification is transferred from the combustion chamber to the gasification chamber by circulating refractory sand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Wormser Energy Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Wormser, John Parkes, Douglas M. Todd
  • Publication number: 20120167585
    Abstract: Provided herein are systems, methods and equipment that include Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle technology to retrofit existing plants, that include, e.g., subsystems for separating char fines from syngas after it emerges from an internally-circulating fluidized bed carbonizer and injecting the char into the carbonizer draft tube as a fuel source. Efficiency and power generation are thus increased to the extent that inclusion of carbon capture systems are now possible for existing coal plants in order to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: WORMSER ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Publication number: 20120164032
    Abstract: An exemplary adiabatic calcium looping system includes a first fixed-bed reactor having a fixed sorbent bed holding a calcium-based sorbent, and a second fixed-bed reactor having a fixed sorbent bed holding a calcium-based sorbent. The exemplary system includes valve mechanisms for alternately configuring each of the first and second reactors in a carbonator configuration and a calciner configuration. The first reactor is configured in the carbonator configuration when the second reactor is configured in the calciner configuration, and the first reactor is configured in the calciner configuration when the second reactor is configured in the carbonator configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: WORMSER ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Publication number: 20120000175
    Abstract: The invention provides a hybrid integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant for carbon dioxide emission reduction and increased efficiency including an internally- circulating fluidized bed carbonizer that forms a syngas and char. The invention also provides methods and equipment for retrofitting existing IGCC plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, increase efficiency, reduce equipment size and/or decrease the use of water, coal or other resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: WORMSER ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Publication number: 20100281878
    Abstract: The invention provides a hybrid integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant for carbon dioxide emission reduction and increased efficiency where the syngas is maintained as a temperature above a tar condensation temperature of a volatile matter in the syngas. The invention also provides methods and equipment for retrofitting existing IGCC plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, increase efficiency, reduce equipment size and/or decrease the use of water, coal or other resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: WORMSER ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Publication number: 20060184190
    Abstract: A surgical procedure for revascularization the myocardium, comprising the steps of: directing a generally cylindrically shaped first nozzle into a heart wall being treated; forming a first or main channel in the heart wall from the ventricle into the myocardium of the heart by the nozzle; removing a generally cylindrically shaped tissue core through the nozzle, from the heart wall during formation of the first or main channel. A set of tributary channels may be made in the heart wall from and in communication with the main channel by an arrangement of radially directed fluid jets subsequent to the creation of that main channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Ernest Feiler, Alex Wormser, Frederic Feiler, Warren Roh
  • Patent number: 5997220
    Abstract: An enclosed-rotor vertical-shaft rotary valve is used as an airlock to inject abrasive, fine, or sticky solids into pressurized air. The invention eliminates the effect of thermal expansion on the gap between the rotor and casing, thereby making it possible to obtain much smaller gaps than before. The smallness of the gaps makes it feasible to pump clean air into the gaps without interfering with the performance of the airlock. The clean air keeps dust-laden air from entering the gaps, which eliminates the erosion that has limited the usefulness of conventional rotary valves when handling abrasive powders. By the use of two vents and a dual-pressure purge-air system, the invention also greatly reduces the blowby of air into the entrance of the airlock, which has limited the usefulness of conventional rotary valves when handling very-small-particle powders. These benefits also accrue to the injection of sticky solids into pressurized fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Wormser Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Patent number: 5655853
    Abstract: A rotary valve including a rotor assembly rotatable by a driver to cause material to be transferred from an inlet side to an outlet side of the rotary valve. The rotor assembly includes a rotor coupled to a shaft which rotates about an axis when driven by the driver. The rotor includes an outer tube, an inner tube, and a plurality of radial blades. The rotary valve includes a casing assembly for supporting the rotor assembly that includes an inlet for allowing the material to enter pockets of the rotor assembly and an outlet for allowing the material to exit the rotor assembly. The casing assembly includes an upper cap disposed at a top of the casing assembly that contains an opening for allowing the material to enter the pockets of the rotor assembly, a shaft opening, and a wiper assembly that removes material from the tops of the blades as the blades pass by the inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Wormser Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Wormser
  • Patent number: 5122346
    Abstract: A mechanism for the prevention of distributor plate pluggage by dust-laden gases in multistage fluidized-beds is disclosed. Slanted tubes are used to control the flow of gases into a fluidized bed, where the angle between the slanted tube and the distributor plate is less than the angle of repose of the bed solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Inventor: Alex Wormser