Patents by Inventor Ilkka Hiltunen

Ilkka Hiltunen 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: 20220403266
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for removing impurities from a gasification gas, wherein the gasification gas which includes at least tars and/or undesired hydrocarbons is supplied to a catalytic reformer which has at least one catalyst bed, oxygen containing gas is injected onto the surface of the catalyst bed, the gasification gas is arranged to flow through the catalyst bed and arranged to contact with the oxygen containing gas in the catalyst bed, and a purified gas is discharged from the catalytic reformer. Further, the invention relates to the use of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Ilkka HILTUNEN, Esa KURKELA
  • Publication number: 20220364003
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for purifying gas, wherein the gas which includes at least tars and/or undesired hydrocarbons is supplied to a catalytic treatment reactor which has at least one catalyst zone including at least one catalyst element with a catalyst, oxygen gas is fed into the catalyst element of the catalyst zone in the catalytic treatment reactor and is supplied through the catalyst element, the gas is arranged to flow to the catalyst zone and arranged to contact with the oxygen gas and the catalyst, and a purified gas is discharged from the catalytic treatment reactor. Further, the invention relates to the use of the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Esa KURKELA, Ilkka HILTUNEN
  • Patent number: 10822560
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying raw material. The method includes feeding the raw material into an upper part of a fixed-bed gasifier, introducing the raw material from the upper part of the gasifier to a pyrolysis zone of the gasifier to form the fixed-bed and pyrolyzing the raw material in the presence of pyrolysis air to form a pyrolysis product. Introducing the pyrolysis product from the pyrolysis zone to a lower part of the gasifier, introducing primary air countercurrently to the lower part, carrying out a final gasification in a lower part of the gasifier in order to form a gasified gas. Introducing the gasified gas to a catalytic oxidation part and through a catalyst layer of the catalytic oxidation part, and reforming the gasified gas by way of the catalytic oxidation in the presence of reforming air in the catalytic oxidation part, forming a gaseous product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Esa Kurkela, Ilkka Hiltunen
  • Publication number: 20190031962
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a chemical compound from biomass based raw material. The bio-mass based raw material is gasified in a gasification device for forming a gasification gas, the gasification gas is treated in the reactor which includes at least one catalyst layer including Fe-based catalyst for forming a hydrocarbon composition, at least one hydrocarbon fraction including olefins is recovered from the hydrocarbon composition, and a chemical compound is formed from the hydrocarbon fraction. Further, the invention relates to the produced chemical compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Matti REINIKAINEN, Ilkka HILTUNEN
  • Publication number: 20180179449
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a chemical compound from biomass based raw material. The bio-mass based raw material is gasified in a gasification device for forming a gasification gas, the gasification gas is treated in the reactor which includes at least one catalyst layer including Fe-based catalyst for forming a hydrocarbon composition, at least one hydrocarbon fraction including olefins is recovered from the hydrocarbon composition, and a chemical compound is formed from the hydrocarbon fraction. Further, the invention relates to the produced chemical compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT OY
    Inventors: Matti REINIKAINEN, Ilkka HILTUNEN
  • Publication number: 20170313951
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for gasifying raw material. The method includes feeding the raw material into an upper part of a fixed-bed gasifier, introducing the raw material from the upper part of the gasifier to a pyrolysis zone of the gasifier to form the fixed-bed and pyrolyzing the raw material in the presence of pyrolysis air to form a pyrolysis product. Introducing the pyrolysis product from the pyrolysis zone to a lower part of the gasifier, introducing primary air countercurrently to the lower part, carrying out a final gasification in a lower part of the gasifier in order to form a gasified gas. Introducing the gasified gas to a catalytic oxidation part and through a catalyst layer of the catalytic oxidation part, and reforming the gasified gas by way of the catalytic oxidation in the presence of reforming air in the catalytic oxidation part, forming a gaseous product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventors: Esa KURKELA, Ilkka HILTUNEN
  • Patent number: 9096802
    Abstract: Method of producing a hydrocarbon composition in which a biomass raw-material is gasified to produce a raw syngas containing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, the hydrogen-to-carbon monoxide ratio being about 0.5 to 1.7. A part of the impurities is removed to produce a clean syngas which is fed into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor where a significant part of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen is converted to a hydrocarbon composition containing C4-C90 hydrocarbons. A hydrocarbon composition is recovered which mainly contains hydrocarbons which are solid or semisolid at ambient temperature and pressure and an off-gas of the Fischer-Tropsch reactor, including hydrocarbons which are gaseous at ambient temperature and pressure, is used for producing hydrogen gas. By introducing hydrogen into the clean syngas, the hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio can be increased and by using off-gas-produced hydrogen, the capacity of the process is significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: NESTE OIL OYJ
    Inventors: Isto Eilos, Ilkka Hiltunen, Sebastian Johansson, Esa Kurkela, Pekka Simell, Sami Toppinen
  • Patent number: 8936658
    Abstract: A method of reforming a gasification gas, in order to decompose the impurities contained therein, and a use of a noble metal catalyst in the pre-reforming of gasification gas. The gas is brought into contact with a metal catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The reformation is carried out in several stages, wherein in at least one of the first stages a noble metal catalyst is used, and in a second stage which follows the first stage the catalyst used is a metal catalyst. The use of a noble metal catalyst can reduce the risk of deactivation of the metal catalysts and can increase the operating life of the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Pekka Simell, Esa Kurkela, Ilkka Hiltunen
  • Publication number: 20130058855
    Abstract: A method of reforming a gasification gas, in order to decompose the impurities comprised in the gas, and a use of a precious metal catalyst in the pre-reforming of gasification gas. The gas can be brought into contact with a metal catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The reformation can be carried out in several stages, in which case at least in one of the first catalytic zones a noble metal catalyst can be used, and in a secondary reforming stage which follows the first, preliminary reforming zone, the catalyst that can be used is a metal catalyst. Oxygen can be fed separately into each of the catalyst zones. The use of a noble metal catalyst can reduce the risk of deactivation of the metal catalysts and can increase the operating life of the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: NESTE OIL OYJ
    Inventors: Sami Toppinen, Isto Eilos, Pekka Simell, Esa Kurkela, Ilkka Hiltunen
  • Publication number: 20130047511
    Abstract: A method of reforming a gasification gas, in order to decompose the impurities contained therein, and a use of a noble metal catalyst in the pre-reforming of gasification gas. The gas is brought into contact with a metal catalyst in the presence of an oxidizing agent. The reformation is carried out in several stages, wherein in at least one of the first stages a noble metal catalyst is used, and in a second stage which follows the first stage the catalyst used is a metal catalyst. The use of a noble metal catalyst can reduce the risk of deactivation of the metal catalysts and can increase the operating life of the catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: NESTE OIL OYJ
    Inventors: Pekka SIMELL, Esa Kurkela, Ilkka Hiltunen
  • Publication number: 20120309856
    Abstract: Method of producing a hydrocarbon composition in which a biomass raw-material is gasified to produce a raw syngas containing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, the hydrogen-to-carbon monoxide ratio being about 0.5 to 1.7. A part of the impurities is removed to produce a clean syngas which is fed into a Fischer-Tropsch reactor where a significant part of the carbon monoxide and hydrogen is converted to a hydrocarbon composition containing C4-C90 hydrocarbons. A hydrocarbon composition is recovered which mainly contains hydrocarbons which are solid or semisolid at ambient temperature and pressure and an off-gas of the Fischer-Tropsch reactor, including hydrocarbons which are gaseous at ambient temperature and pressure, is used for producing hydrogen gas. By introducing hydrogen into the clean syngas, the hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio can be increased and by using off-gas-produced hydrogen, the capacity of the process is significantly improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Neste Oil Oyj
    Inventors: Isto EILOS, Ilkka Hiltunen, Sebastian Johansson, Esa Kurkela, Pekka Simell, Sami Toppinen