Patents by Inventor Ian Lawrence Gaffney
Ian Lawrence Gaffney 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).
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Patent number: 10975011Abstract: A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Evan Michael Visser, Krishna K. Rao, Walter Breidenstein
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Patent number: 10590357Abstract: A diesel fuel substitute composition includes an alcohol, an acetal, and an additive comprising a component selected from the group consisting of C3-8 dialkyl ethers, alkylated phenols, R—NO2, and combinations thereof. A method for forming the diesel fuel substitute is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Evan Michael Visser, Krishna K. Rao
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Publication number: 20190194103Abstract: A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: IAN LAWRENCE GAFFNEY, EVAN MICHAEL VISSER, KRISHNA K. RAO, WALTER BREIDENSTEIN
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Patent number: 10227538Abstract: A method includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form a first product blend in a reactor. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to one or more reactive distillation stations; and The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is converted to a second product blend at one or more reactive distillation stations. Characteristically, the second product blend includes a mixture comprising a at least two of components selected from acetals, ethers, alcohols, esters, and alkenes.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Walter Breidenstein, Evan Michael Visser
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Patent number: 10221118Abstract: A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Evan Michael Visser, Krishna K. Rao, Walter Breidenstein
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Patent number: 10099199Abstract: An apparatus for removing formaldehyde from a blend of partially oxygenated hydrocarbons includes a reactor for reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas in a reactor vessel to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds that include formaldehyde. The apparatus also includes a reactive scrubbing station in fluid communication with the reactor where the blend of partially oxygenated compounds that include formaldehyde is contacted with a reactive scrubbing liquid at the reactive scrubbing station to form a reactive liquid-formaldehyde compound.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Krishna K. Rao, Evan Michael Visser, Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Walter Breidenstein
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Publication number: 20170320801Abstract: A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: IAN LAWRENCE GAFFNEY, EVAN MICHAEL VISSER, KRISHNA K. RAO, WALTER BREIDENSTEIN
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Patent number: 9745238Abstract: A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Gas Technologies LLCInventors: Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Evan Michael Visser, Krishna K. Rao, Walter Breidenstein
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Publication number: 20170145329Abstract: A diesel fuel substitute composition includes an alcohol, an acetal, and an additive comprising a component selected from the group consisting of C3-8 dialkyl ethers, alkylated phenols, R—NO2, and combinations thereof. A method for forming the diesel fuel substitute is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2017Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: IAN LAWRENCE GAFFNEY, EVAN MICHAEL VISSER, KRISHNA K. RAO
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Publication number: 20170081602Abstract: A method includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form a first product blend in a reactor. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to one or more reactive distillation stations; and The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is converted to a second product blend at one or more reactive distillation stations. Characteristically, the second product blend includes a mixture comprising a at least two of components selected from acetals, ethers, alcohols, esters, and alkenes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2015Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Ian Lawrence GAFFNEY, Walter BREIDENSTEIN, Evan Michael VISSER
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Patent number: 9587189Abstract: A diesel fuel substitute composition includes an alcohol, an acetal, and an additive comprising a component selected from the group consisting of C3-8 dialkyl ethers, alkylated phenols, R—NO2, and combinations thereof. A method for forming the diesel fuel substitute is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.Inventors: Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Evan Michael Visser, Krishna K. Rao
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Patent number: 9556092Abstract: A method includes a step of supplying a first heated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream to a reactor. An oxygen-containing gas stream is separately supplied to the reactor to partially oxidize the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream. The oxygen-containing gas is optionally prepared by passing air through one or more membranes to increase the oxygen content. One or more of the desired liquid oxygenated hydrocarbons are condensed and/or separated from the resulting product stream. Non-hydrocarbon gases are selectively removed from the product stream to enrich the gaseous hydrocarbon fraction using a scrubber and/or a membrane. The remaining gaseous hydrocarbon products from the product stream are mixed with a fresh hydrocarbon-containing gas stream after one cycle of the reaction. Characteristically, the process uses at least one membrane to increase oxygen content of the oxygen containing gas and/or to remove non-hydrocarbon gases from the product stream as set forth above.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: GAS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Evan Michael Visser, Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Walter Briedenstein
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Publication number: 20160045890Abstract: A method for removing formaldehyde from a blend of partially oxygenated hydrocarbons is provided. The method including a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas in a reaction vessel to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds that include formaldehyde. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive scrubbing station where it is contacted with a reactive scrubbing liquid to form a reactive liquid-formaldehyde compound. The reactive liquid-formaldehyde compound is then removed from the first blend of partially reactive compounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Krishna K. Rao, Evan Michael Visser, Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Walter Breidenstein
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Patent number: 9255051Abstract: A method for preparing oxygenated hydrocarbons includes steps of: reacting a first heated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream with an oxygen-containing gas stream in a reactor for form a first product blend, recovering the energy generated in the reactor in order to preheat incoming hydrocarbon feed to the reactor and/or to drive endothermic reactions that generate synthesis gas, separating and condensing one or more liquid oxygenated hydrocarbons from the product stream, separating a reject stream from a recycle stream, mixing remaining gaseous hydrocarbon product from the recycle stream with the first hydrocarbon-containing gas stream after one reaction cycle, converting the first reject stream to a synthesis gas mixture, and converting the synthesis gas mixture to light alkanes to be blended with one or with oxygenates in an output stream to optionally form higher molecular weight oxygenates.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Gas Technologies LLCInventors: Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Evan Michael Visser, Walter Breidenstein
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Publication number: 20160031780Abstract: A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Krishna K RAO, Evan Michael VISSER, Ian Lawrence GAFFNEY, Walter BREIDENSTEIN
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Patent number: 9174903Abstract: A method for removing formaldehyde from a blend of partially oxygenated hydrocarbons is provided. The method including a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas in a reaction vessel to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds that include formaldehyde. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive scrubbing station where it is contacted with a reactive scrubbing liquid to form a reactive liquid-formaldehyde compound. The reactive liquid-formaldehyde compound is then removed from the first blend of partially reactive compounds.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Gas Technologies LLCInventors: Krishna K. Rao, Evan Michael Visser, Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Walter Breidenstein
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Publication number: 20150299074Abstract: A method includes a step of supplying a first heated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream to a reactor. An oxygen-containing gas stream is separately supplied to the reactor to partially oxidize the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream. The oxygen-containing gas is optionally prepared by passing air through one or more membranes to increase the oxygen content. One or more of the desired liquid oxygenated hydrocarbons are condensed and/or separated from the resulting product stream. Non-hydrocarbon gases are selectively removed from the product stream to enrich the gaseous hydrocarbon fraction using a scrubber and/or a membrane. The remaining gaseous hydrocarbon products from the product stream are mixed with a fresh hydrocarbon-containing gas stream after one cycle of the reaction. Characteristically, the process uses at least one membrane to increase oxygen content of the oxygen containing gas and/or to remove non-hydrocarbon gases from the product stream as set forth above.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Evan Michael VISSER, Ian Lawrence GAFFNEY, Walter BRIEDENSTEIN
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Publication number: 20150089862Abstract: A diesel fuel substitute composition includes an alcohol, an acetal, and an additive comprising a component selected from the group consisting of C3-8 dialkyl ethers, alkylated phenols, R—NO2, and combinations thereof. A method for forming the diesel fuel substitute is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventors: Ian Lawrence GAFFNEY, Evan Michael VISSER, Krishna K. RAO
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Publication number: 20140275643Abstract: A method for removing formaldehyde from a blend of partially oxygenated hydrocarbons is provided. The method including a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas in a reaction vessel to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds that include formaldehyde. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive scrubbing station where it is contacted with a reactive scrubbing liquid to form a reactive liquid-formaldehyde compound. The reactive liquid-formaldehyde compound is then removed from the first blend of partially reactive compounds.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Krishna K. Rao, Evan Michael Visser, Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Walter Breidenstein
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Publication number: 20140275642Abstract: A method for preparing oxygenated hydrocarbons includes steps of: reacting a first heated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream with an oxygen-containing gas stream in a reactor for form a first product blend, recovering the energy generated in the reactor in order to preheat incoming hydrocarbon feed to the reactor and/or to drive endothermic reactions that generate synthesis gas, separating and condensing one or more liquid oxygenated hydrocarbons from the product stream, separating a reject stream from a recycle stream, mixing remaining gaseous hydrocarbon product from the recycle stream with the first hydrocarbon-containing gas stream after one reaction cycle, converting the first reject stream to a synthesis gas mixture, and converting the synthesis gas mixture to light alkanes to be blended with one or with oxygenates in an output stream to optionally form higher molecular weight oxygenates.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Ian Lawrence Gaffney, Evan Michael Visser, Walter Breidenstein