Patents by Inventor Hans Thomann

Hans Thomann 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).

  • Publication number: 20170138236
    Abstract: A method for capturing emissions from a fuel combustion process comprising: providing a fuel to a combustor on a gas turbine, providing an oxidant to the combustor, combusting the fuel and the oxidant in the combustor to produce an exhaust gas, passing at least a portion of the exhaust gas to one or more catalyst beds. The one or more catalyst beds promote a reaction which consumes CO and produces CO2 and adsorb CO2. Pressure at the catalyst beds is reduced by outputting a blow down stream from the catalyst beds and then CO2 is purged from the one or more catalyst beds with a regenerant stream to create a product stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Hans THOMANN, Franklin F. MITTRICKER
  • Publication number: 20170138222
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation and enhanced hydrocarbon production where emission gases during power generation are separated by adsorption and applied to facilitate extraction of hydrocarbons from a reservoir. A power generation plant passes exhaust gas to a first swing adsorption reactor. The first swing adsorption reactor adsorbs the CO2 from the exhaust gas. An adsorption cycle of the first swing adsorption reactor is variable. An injection well injects the CO2 adsorbed by the first swing adsorption reactor in a hydrocarbon reservoir. A production well that is in communication with the injection well produces a mixture of hydrocarbons and CO2. A second swing adsorption reactor purifies the produced hydrocarbons by adsorbing the produced CO2 from the production well. The purified hydrocarbons are fed back to the power generation plant where combustion occurs and power is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Hans THOMANN, Franklin F. MITTRICKER, Loren STARCHER
  • Publication number: 20170136400
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a staged complementary swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Hans THOMANN, Edward W. CORCORAN, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170136401
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using pressure swing adsorption to separate and/or capture resulting emissions are provided. A stream of recycled exhaust gas is passed into a first swing adsorption reactor comprising a first adsorbent material which adsorbs CO2. An enriched N2 stream is recovered from a forward end of the first swing adsorption reactor. The pressure in the first swing adsorption reactor is reduced. The first swing adsorption reactor is purged with a portion of the first N2 stream recovered from the first swing adsorption reactor. The first purge output is passed to a second swing adsorption reactor comprising a second adsorbent material which adsorbs CO2. A second N2 stream is recovered from the second swing adsorption reactor. The pressure in the second swing adsorption reactor is reduced. The second swing adsorption reactor is purged with a steam purge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Hans THOMANN, Franklin F. MITTRICKER, Loren STARCHER
  • Publication number: 20170100718
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides fully integrated microfluidic systems to perform nucleic acid analysis. These processes include sample collection, nucleic acid extraction and purification, amplification, sequencing, and separation and detection. The present disclosure also provides optical detection systems and methods for separation and detection of biological molecules. In particular, the various aspects of the invention enable the simultaneous separation and detection of a plurality of biological molecules, typically fluorescent dye-labeled nucleic acids, within one or a plurality of microfluidic chambers or channels. The nucleic acids can be labeled with at least 6 dyes, each having a unique peak emission wavelength. The present systems and methods are particularly useful for DNA fragment sizing applications such as human identification by genetic fingerprinting and DNA sequencing applications such as clinical diagnostics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Eugene Tan, Heung Chuan Lam, Valery Leonidovich Bogdanov, Gregory John Kellogg, John A. Wright, Ulrich Hans Thomann, Richard F. Selden
  • Publication number: 20170087506
    Abstract: A heat transfer fluid can be used as part of a multi-phase adsorption environment to allow for improved separations of gas components using a solid adsorbent. The heat transfer fluid can reduce or minimize the temperature increase of the solid adsorbent that occurs during an adsorption cycle. Reducing or minimizing such a temperature increase can enhance the working capacity for an adsorbent and/or enable the use of adsorbents that are not practical for commercial scale adsorption using conventional adsorption methods. The multi-phase adsorption environment can correspond to a trickle bed environment, a slurry environment, or another convenient environment where at least a partial liquid phase of a heat transfer fluid is present during gas adsorption by a solid adsorbent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Simon C. WESTON, Mobae AFEWORKI, Bhupender S. MINHAS, Ramesh GUPTA, Hugo S. CARAM, Manoj K. CHAUDHURY, Hans THOMANN, Hilda B. Vroman, Meghan Nines
  • Publication number: 20170087504
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing a swing adsorption process, such as a temperature swing adsorption process. During portions of a swing cycle where one or more components are being desorbed, a vibration or other perturbation can be induced in the adsorbent and/or in the adsorbent structure to assist with desorption. Inducing a vibration or other perturbation in the adsorbent structure can provide a way to introduce additional energy into the adsorbent system without having to increase the temperature of the adsorbent structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Hans THOMANN
  • Publication number: 20170087503
    Abstract: In various aspects, apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for performing two stage separation of CO2 from a gaseous stream. The first stage adsorbent can be comprised of a plurality of cylindrical or substantially cylindrical rings. The first stage adsorbent can be comprised of a metal organic framework. The second stage adsorbent can be subject to a displacement desorption process. The second stage adsorbent can be comprised of a support and a metal compound selected from the group consisting of alkali or alkaline earth. The first and second stage adsorbent can be arranged concentrically for space and efficiency considerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Hans THOMANN
  • Publication number: 20170009652
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Narasimhan SUNDARAM, Ramesh GUPTA, Hans THOMANN, Hugo S. CARAM, Loren K. STARCHER, Franklin F. MITTRICKER, Simon C. WESTON, Scott J. WEIGEL
  • Patent number: 9476356
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Narasimhan Sundaram, Ramesh Gupta, Hans Thomann, Hugo S. Caram, Loren K. Starcher, Franklin F. Mittricker, Simon C. Weston, Scott J. Weigel
  • Publication number: 20160291191
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a material within a region of the Earth are provided. The region may be under a surface of earthen formation, ice, snow, or water. The method may be practiced in a variety of applications, for example in an arctic region to detect oil spills, leaks, or seepages. The methods and systems may include using at least one coil to transmit a radio frequency (RF) excitation signal into the region of the Earth; and receive any NMR response signals to determine the presence of the material of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Eiichi Fukushima, Stephen A. Altobelli, Hans Thomann
  • Patent number: 9366631
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides fully integrated microfluidic systems to perform nucleic acid analysis. These processes include sample collection, nucleic acid extraction and purification, amplification, sequencing, and separation and detection. The present disclosure also provides optical detection systems and methods for separation and detection of biological molecules. In particular, the various aspects of the invention enable the simultaneous separation and detection of a plurality of biological molecules, typically fluorescent dye-labeled nucleic acids, within one or a plurality of microfluidic chambers or channels. The nucleic acids can be labeled with at least 6 dyes, each having a unique peak emission wavelength. The present systems and methods are particularly useful for DNA fragment sizing applications such as human identification by genetic fingerprinting and DNA sequencing applications such as clinical diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: NetBio, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Tan, Heung Chuan Lam, Valery Leonidovich Bogdanov, Gregory John Kellogg, John A. Wright, Ulrich Hans Thomann, Richard F. Selden
  • Patent number: 9272242
    Abstract: A high cyclic capacity carbon dioxide scrubbing process contacts a gas stream containing carbon dioxide in a sorption zone with a liquid scrubbing solution of a low molecular weight sterically hindered amine, particularly a secondary alkanolamine or aminoether at a high concentration, typically at least 3.5M and at a temperature of at least 30° C. to sorb the carbon dioxide into the solution and form a rich stream of the sorbed carbon dioxide in the solution in the form of dissolved amine carbamate and/or alkanolamine bicarbonate. The rich stream is then passed from the sorption zone to at least one regeneration zone and the sorbed carbon dioxide is desorbed as gas from the solution to form a lean solution containing a reduced concentration of sorbed carbon dioxide relative to the rich stream; the lean stream is then returned to the sorption zone for a further sorption cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Pavel Kortunov, Michael Siskin, Hans Thomann
  • Publication number: 20150314235
    Abstract: A cyclic process for separating CO2 from a gas stream by contacting the gas stream at a first temperature and typically at a pressure of at least 30 barg with a CO2 sorbent comprising an ionic liquid containing a potentially nucleophilic carbon atom bearing a relatively acidic hydrogen atom bonded to a potentially nucleophilic carbon atom to sorb CO2 into the solution and regenerating the ionic liquid absorbent by treating the sorbent under conditions including a second, typically higher, temperature, to cause desorption of at least a portion of the CO2 and to regenerate the ionic liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Pavel Kortunov, Michael Siskin, Eugene R. Thomas, Hans Thomann
  • Patent number: 8974576
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a continuous or semi-continuous, cyclic, countercurrent sorption-desorption method for enhanced control, separation, and/or purification of CO2 gas from one or more sources of a mixture of gases through integrated use of solid monolithic sorbents having a sorption selectivity for the CO2 gas, wherein liquid phase water is added to increase the heat capacity of the mixed gas source(s) in order to achieve a thermal wave moving through the thickness of the sorbent material faster than the CO2 sorption wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Hans Thomann, Richard D. Lenz, Simon C. Weston
  • Publication number: 20140175336
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a continuous or semi-continuous, cyclic, countercurrent sorption-desorption method for enhanced control, separation, and/or purification of CO2 from one or more sources of a mixture of gases (and/or carbonaceous liquids that have sufficient vapor pressure) through integrated use of solid monolithic sorbents having a selectivity for sorption of the CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Hans Thomann, Richard D. Lenz, Hugo S. Caram
  • Publication number: 20140174291
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a continuous or semi-continuous, cyclic, countercurrent sorption-desorption method for enhanced control, separation, and/or purification of CO2 gas from one or more sources of a mixture of gases through integrated use of solid monolithic sorbents having a sorption selectivity for the CO2 gas, wherein liquid phase water is added to increase the heat capacity of the mixed gas source(s) in order to achieve a thermal wave moving through the thickness of the sorbent material faster than the CO2 sorption wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ramesh Gupta, Hans Thomann, Richard D. Lenz, Simon C. Weston
  • Publication number: 20140178278
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing CO2 sorption and regeneration processes that can take advantage of phase changes between solutions of amine-CO2 reaction products and precipitate slurries, where the slurry particles can include solid precipitates formed based on the amine-CO2 reaction products. An amine solution can be used to capture CO2 from a gas phase stream. During this initial capture process, the amine-CO2 reaction product can remain in solution. The solution containing the amine-CO2 reaction product can then be exposed to a set of conditions which result in precipitation of a portion of the amine-CO2 reaction product to form a slurry. The precipitate slurry can be passed into one or more release stages where the conditions for the slurry are altered to allow for release of the CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Siskin, Patrick L. Hanks, Pavel Kortunov, Robert B. Fedich, Patrick P. McCall, Hans Thomann, Daniel Leta, Lisa S. Baugh, David C. Calabro, Harry W. Deckman
  • Publication number: 20140030177
    Abstract: A high cyclic capacity carbon dioxide scrubbing process contacts a gas stream containing carbon dioxide in a sorption zone with a liquid scrubbing solution of a low molecular weight sterically hindered amine, particularly a secondary alkanolamine or aminoether at a high concentration, typically at least 3.5M and at a temperature of at least 30° C. to sorb the carbon dioxide into the solution and form a rich stream of the sorbed carbon dioxide in the solution in the form of dissolved amine carbamate and/or alkanolamine bicarbonate. The rich stream is then passed from the sorption zone to at least one regeneration zone and the sorbed carbon dioxide is desorbed as gas from the solution to form a lean solution containing a reduced concentration of sorbed carbon dioxide relative to the rich stream; the lean stream is then returned to the sorption zone for a further sorption cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Pavel Kortunov, Michael Siskin, Hans Thomann
  • Publication number: 20130333391
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for combined cycle power generation while reducing or mitigating emissions during power generation. Recycled exhaust gas from a power generation combustion reaction can be separated using a swing adsorption process so as to generate a high purity CO2 stream while reducing/minimizing the energy required for the separation and without having to reduce the temperature of the exhaust gas. This can allow for improved energy recovery while also generating high purity streams of carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: NARASIMHAN SUNDARAM, RAMESH GUPTA, HANS THOMANN, HUGO S. CARAM, LOREN K. STARCHER, FRANKLIN F. Mittricker, SIMON C. WESTON, SCOTT J. WEIGEL