Patents by Inventor Jani Lehto

Jani Lehto 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: 20200398475
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for thermolysing organic material. The method comprises steps of: A) feeding the material in a single-screw extruder (100), the extruder comprising —a cylindrical rotor member (1) having diameter (D) and length (L) and comprising a feeding zone (14), —the rotor member (1) arranged in a barrel (2), —the cylindrical surface of the rotor member (1) carrying cavity/cavities and/or projection(s) (5) arranged in helically extending rows, —the helically extending row(s) of the rotor member (1) having a pitch (P) and depth (d) in the feeding zone (14) of the rotor member, wherein —the relation of the depth (d) to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. d:D, is not more than 1:20, and —the relation of the pitch (P) of the rotor member to the diameter (D) of the rotor member, i.e. P:D, is not more than 1:4, B) heating the material in the single-screw extruder (100) to a flowable state, and C) thermolysing the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Anja OASMAA, Hannu MINKKINEN, Christian LINDFORS, Jani LEHTO, Juha MANNILA
  • Patent number: 10059883
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a pyrolysis product, in which raw material are fed to the pyrolysis reactor and gaseous pyrolysis product fractions and by-product fractions are formed from raw material by pyrolysis in a pyrolysis reactor. According to the invention the method comprising steps: combusting at least one by-product fraction from the pyrolysis reactor in at least two combustors, and recovering energy formed in the combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignees: Valmet Technologies Oy, Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy
    Inventor: Jani Lehto
  • Publication number: 20150166895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a pyrolysis product, in which raw material are fed to the pyrolysis reactor and gaseous pyrolysis product fractions and by-product fractions are formed from raw material by pyrolysis in a pyrolysis reactor. According to the invention the method comprising steps: combusting at least one by-product fraction from the pyrolysis reactor in at least two combustors, and recovering energy formed in the combustor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicants: VALMET POWER OY, TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT
    Inventor: Jani Lehto
  • Patent number: 9045694
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of carrying out pyrolysis process in a pyrolysis reactor for solid fuel to produce pyrolysis oil. The method comprises supplying solid fuel into a drying zone in the pyrolysis reactor for removing moisture containing gases, drying the solid fuel in the drying zone and extracting the moisture containing gases removed from the solid fuel out of the pyrolysis reactor, passing the dried solid fuel from the drying zone to the pyrolysis zone of the pyrolysis reactor, pyrolyzing the dried solid fuel for separating pyrolysis gases from the dried solid fuel and conducting the pyrolysis gases from the pyrolysis reactor to a condenser for producing pyrolysis oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: VALMET TECHNOLOGIES OY
    Inventors: Pekka Jokela, Jani Lehto
  • Patent number: 8821686
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment for treatment of black liquor at a pulp mill in order to recover chemicals and energy contained therein. In the invention, the black liquor is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis reactor (4), the formed gaseous components are forwarded for utilization and the solids are mixed with water, whereby the formed solids are returned to a lime burning kiln (1) and the sodium-hydroxide-containing liquid is returned to the pulp cooking process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Valmet Power Oy
    Inventors: Jani Lehto, Kari Kuukkanen, Timo Honkola
  • Patent number: 8668811
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method for producing a pyrolysis liquid, wherein the pyrolysis liquid is formed by means of pyrolysis from a raw material by forming, and a pyrolysis reactor, a gaseous pyrolysis product by pyrolysis and condensing it in a condenser into a pyrolysis liquid, and feeding circulation gas into the pyrolysis reactor. The circulation gas is conducted by a liquid ring compressor into the pyrolysis reactor and purified before being conducted into the pyrolysis reactor, and the pyrolysis liquid is used as the liquid layer in the liquid ring compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Metso Power Oy
    Inventors: Sampo Ratinen, Jani Lehto, Mikko Anttila, Tuomo Hilli, Kristin Onarheim, Ismo Hirvonen, Yrjo Solantausta, Markku Raiko
  • Patent number: 8500954
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing the black liquor of a pulp mill to recover the chemicals and energy therein. In the invention, the black liquor is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis reactor (6), formed gaseous components are lead for utilization, sand is returned to a fluidized-bed boiler, and solid matter is mixed with water, whereby a soda-water solution is returned to the pulping process and solid carbon to the fluidized-bed boiler (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Metso Power OY
    Inventors: Jani Lehto, Kari Kuukkanen, Erkki Välimäki
  • Patent number: 8500959
    Abstract: A pyrolysis apparatus comprises a substantially closed pyrolyzer (4), a supply inlet for supplying pyrolyzable fuel to the pyrolyzer (4), an outlet for taking hot bed material in particle form out of the pyrolyzer, one or more exit outlets (6) for taking condensible gaseous substances separated from the fuel to be pyrolyzed out of the pyrolyzer, a condenser (8) for condensing the condensible gaseous substances into pyrolysis oil, and a line (7) for transferring the condensible gaseous substances from the exit outlet of the pyrolyzer (4) to the condenser (8). The means for maintaining pyrolysis conditions in the pyrolyzer (4) comprise an inlet for taking hot bed material in particle form into the pyrolyzer and means (5) for supplying fluidizing gas to the pyrolyzer. The pyrolyzer (4) is a chamber bounded directly by a furnace (1) of a bubbling fluidized bed boiler, through which chamber fluidized bed material is arranged to be circulated between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Metso Power Oy
    Inventor: Jani Lehto
  • Patent number: 8287697
    Abstract: A pyrolysis apparatus comprises a furnace (1) operating by fluidized bed combustion, a pyrolyzer (4) and flow paths, which connect the furnace (1) and the pyrolyzer (4) for arranging the circulation (C) of carrier material of the fluidized bed combustion between the furnace and the pyrolyzer .The apparatus also comprises a supply inlet (14) for supplying fuel to be pyrolyzed to the pyrolyzer (4), fluidizing gas supply means (5) arranged in the pyrolyzer for fluidizing the mixture of carrier material and fuel, and an outlet (6) for taking condensible gaseous substances separated from the fuel to be pyrolyzed out of the pyrolyzer (4), and a condenser for condensing the condensible gaseous substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Metso Power Oy
    Inventors: Timo Honkola, Pasi Salonen, Jani Lehto
  • Publication number: 20110247771
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing the black liquor of a pulp mill to recover the chemicals and energy therein. In the invention, the black liquor is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis reactor (4), formed gaseous components are lead for utilization, sand is returned to a fluidised-bed boiler, and solid matter is mixed with water, whereby a soda-water solution is returned to the pulping process and solid carbon to the fluidised-bed boiler (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventors: JANI LEHTO, KARI KUUKKANEN, ERKKI VÄLIMÄKI
  • Publication number: 20110120662
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment for treatment of black liquor at a pulp mill in order to recover chemicals and energy contained therein. In the invention, the black liquor is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis reactor (4), the formed gaseous components are forwarded for utilization and the solids are mixed with water, whereby the formed solids are returned to a lime burning kiln (1) and the sodium-hydroxide-containing liquid is returned to the pulp cooking process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Jani Lehto, Kari Kuukkanen, Timo Konkola
  • Patent number: 7758835
    Abstract: A method for treating fly ash of flue gas exiting a furnace of a fluidized bed boiler. A side flow conveying a first fraction of fly ash is separated from a flow conveying a second fraction of fly ash. After the separation, the side flow conveying the first fraction has a higher solids content than the flow conveying the second fraction. The first fraction of fly ash is separated from the side flow at a separation temperature of at least 400° C., whereafter the first fraction of fly ash is discharged from the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Metso Power Oy
    Inventors: Tero Luomaharju, Jani Lehto
  • Publication number: 20090242376
    Abstract: A pyrolysis apparatus comprises a substantially closed pyrolyzer (4), a supply inlet for supplying pyrolyzable fuel to the pyrolyzer (4), an outlet for taking hot bed material in particle form out of the pyrolyzer, one or more exit outlets (6) for taking condensible gaseous substances separated from the fuel to be pyrolyzed out of the pyrolyzer, a condenser (8) for condensing the condensible gaseous substances into pyrolysis oil, and a line (7) for transferring the condensible gaseous substances from the exit outlet of the pyrolyzer (4) to the condenser (8). The means for maintaining pyrolysis conditions in the pyrolyzer (4) comprise an inlet for taking hot bed material in particle form into the pyrolyzer and means (5) for supplying fluidizing gas to the pyrolyzer. The pyrolyzer (4) is a chamber bounded directly by a furnace (1) of a bubbling fluidized bed boiler, through which chamber fluidized bed material is arranged to be circulated between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Metso Power Oy
    Inventor: Jani Lehto
  • Publication number: 20090242377
    Abstract: A pyrolysis apparatus comprises a furnace (1) operating by fluidized bed combustion, a pyrolyzer (4) and flow paths, which connect the furnace (1) and the pyrolyzer (4) for arranging the circulation (C) of carrier material of the fluidized bed combustion between the furnace and the pyrolyzer The apparatus also comprises a supply inlet (14) for supplying fuel to be pyrolyzed to the pyrolyzer (4), fluidizing gas supply means (5) arranged in the pyrolyzer for fluidizing the mixture of carrier material and fuel, and an outlet (6) for taking condensible gaseous substances separated from the fuel to be pyrolyzed out of the pyrolyzer (4), and a condenser for condensing the condensible gaseous substances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Metso Power Oy
    Inventors: Timo Honkola, Pasi Salonen, Jani Lehto
  • Publication number: 20060140832
    Abstract: A boiler plant comprises a fluidized bed boiler having a furnace (1), a flue gas duct (5) exiting the furnace, and a sorting device (8) which is arranged to separate a first fraction from the fly ash entering the flue gas duct, as well as a side duct (9) for leading the first fraction away from the sorting device (8). The boiler plant comprises a separator (10) for separating a first fly ash fraction from the flue gases flowing in the side duct (9). The sorting device (8) is arranged to separate into the side duct (9) the flue gases from a flow entering the flue gas duct (5). The flow in the side duct is more concentrated with respect to the fly ash and has a smaller gas volume than a flow that remains in the flue gas duct (5) after the sorting device (8). As to its hazard classification, the first fraction of fly ash obtained by the separator (10) corresponds to bottom ash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Applicant: KVAERNER POWER OY
    Inventors: Tero Luomaharju, Jani Lehto