Patents by Inventor Thomas Frederick Leininger
Thomas Frederick Leininger 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: 10018416Abstract: A system includes a multi-feeder assembly. The multi-feeder assembly includes a first solids feeder, a liquid removal section, and a second solids feeder. The first solids feeder is configured to receive a solids flow from an upstream system. The liquid removal section is configured to reduce an amount of liquid in the solids flow. The second solids feeder is configured to receive the solids flow in series with the first solids feeder and output the solids flow to a downstream system.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, John Saunders Stevenson
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Patent number: 9926939Abstract: A system includes a solid feed pump. The solid feed pump includes a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, a curved passage disposed between the rotor and the housing, a solid feed inlet coupled to the curved passage, a solid feed outlet coupled to the curved passage, and a rotatable sleeve configured to rotate to actively draw solid feed into the solid feed inlet or out of the solid feed outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Patent number: 9879191Abstract: A method of start-up for a gasification system includes establishing a flow of a start-up fuel external to the gasifier prior to ignition of the gasifier. The method also includes establishing a start-up liquid feed external to the gasifier during gasifier start-up. The method further includes channeling the start-up liquid feed and the start-up fuel to the gasifier during gasifier start-up.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter
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Patent number: 9874142Abstract: In one aspect, a gasification system for use with low rank fuel is provided The system includes a pyrolysis unit positioned to receive a feed of low rank fuel, the pyrolysis unit being configured to pyrolyze the low rank fuel to produce pyrolysis gas and fixed carbon. The system also includes a gasifier configured to produce a syngas stream using the received fixed carbon, a cooler configured to receive and cool the syngas stream, and a first conduit coupled between the cooler and the pyrolysis unit. The first conduit is configured to recycle at least a portion of the syngas stream to the pyrolysis unit such that the recycled syngas stream is mixed with the pyrolysis gas to produce a hydrocarbon-rich syngas stream containing gasification by-products. The system also includes a by-product recovery system coupled to the pyrolysis unit for removing the gasification by-products from the hydrocarbon-rich syngas stream.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Junli Xue, Lishun Hu, Thomas Frederick Leininger, Richard Anthony Depuy, Xijing Bi
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Patent number: 9803151Abstract: A system includes a first reactor that may gasify a first feed to generate a first syngas. The first feed has a first particle size distribution (PSD1). The system also includes a second reactor that may receive the first feed, a second feed, and at least a portion of the first syngas. The second reactor may gasify the second feed to generate additional syngas, and the second feed has a second particle size distribution (PSD2) that is different from the first PSD. The second reactor includes an elutriation zone disposed on a first end of the second reactor. The elutriation zone may receive the first and second feed. The second reactor also includes a fluidized bed disposed at a second end of the second reactor that is substantially opposite the first end. The fluidized bed is fluidly coupled to the first reactor and may receive the portion of the first syngas via a syngas inlet. The system also includes a gas-solids separation section fluidly coupled to the first and second reactors.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Patent number: 9784121Abstract: A continuous slag processing system includes a rotating parallel disc pump, coupled to a motor and a brake. The rotating parallel disc pump includes opposing discs coupled to a shaft, an outlet configured to continuously receive a fluid at a first pressure, and an inlet configured to continuously discharge the fluid at a second pressure less than the first pressure. The rotating parallel disc pump is configurable in a reverse-acting pump mode and a letdown turbine mode. The motor is configured to drive the opposing discs about the shaft and against a flow of the fluid to control a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure in the reverse-acting pump mode. The brake is configured to resist rotation of the opposing discs about the shaft to control the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure in the letdown turbine mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Raymond Douglas Steele, Hsien-Chin William Yen, Stephen Michael Cordes
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Publication number: 20170275544Abstract: A system includes a first reactor that may gasify a first feed to generate a first syngas. The first feed has a first particle size distribution (PSD1). The system also includes a second reactor that may receive the first feed, a second feed, and at least a portion of the first syngas. The second reactor may gasify the second feed to generate additional syngas, and the second feed has a second particle size distribution (PSD2) that is different from the first PSD. The second reactor includes an elutriation zone disposed on a first end of the second reactor. The elutriation zone may receive the first and second feed. The second reactor also includes a fluidized bed disposed at a second end of the second reactor that is substantially opposite the first end. The fluidized bed is fluidly coupled to the first reactor and may receive the portion of the first syngas via a syngas inlet. The system also includes a gas-solids separation section fluidly coupled to the first and second reactors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2016Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Patent number: 9702372Abstract: A system includes a first pump having a first outlet and a first inlet, and a controller. The first pump is configured to continuously receive a flow of a slurry into the first outlet at a first pressure and to continuously discharge the flow of the slurry from the first inlet at a second pressure less than the first pressure. The controller is configured to control a first speed of the first pump against the flow of the slurry based at least in part on the first pressure, wherein the first speed of the first pump is configured to resist a backflow of the slurry from the first outlet to the first inlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Raymond Douglas Steele, Stephen Michael Cordes
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Patent number: 9637696Abstract: A pressure control system is provided. The pressure control system includes a first pressure sensing device configured to obtain a first pressure measurement including at least one of a first differential pressure and a first pressure, the first pressure measurement obtained from at least one of within and downstream from a solids supply system, a second pressure sensing device configured to obtain a second pressure measurement including at least one of a second differential pressure and a second pressure within the solids supply system, and a pressure controller configured to use the first pressure measurement and the second pressure measurement to control a pressure within the solids supply system.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Judith Pauline Oppenheim, Anthony Holmes Furman, Thomas Frederick Leininger, Steven Craig Russell, Michael Kent Cueman
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Patent number: 9604182Abstract: A system includes a solid feed pump having a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, a curved passage disposed between the rotor and the housing, a solid feed inlet coupled to the curved passage, and a solid feed outlet coupled to the curved passage. Also, a solids packing device is coupled to the solid feed inlet of the solid feed pump. The solids packing device includes a first channel configured to receive a solid feed with a first range of sizes, a second channel configured to receive transport assisting particles (TAP) with a second range of sizes. The first range is different from the second range. A third channel is configured to receive and mix the solid feed and the TAP to provide a solid feed-TAP mixture with the TAP filling interspatial spaces between the solid feed. The third channel is coupled to the solid feed inlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Patent number: 9410097Abstract: Methods and systems for gasifier system are provided. The system includes a two-stage particulate separator having a side draw-off connector configured as a first virtual impactor, the first virtual impactor configured to separate a substantially particulate free flow of a reaction product from a particulate laden flow of the reaction product. The two-stage particulate separator also includes a transfer line coupled downstream of said draw-off connector, a second virtual impactor coupled downstream of the transfer line, and a quench chamber coupled downstream from the second virtual impactor, such that the quench chamber is configured to receive at least the particulate laden flow of the reaction product.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Publication number: 20160122669Abstract: A system includes an integrated reactor-syngas cooler that may gasify a feedstock. The integrated reactor-syngas cooler includes a reaction zone that may receive a first syngas and the feedstock, and that may gasify the feedstock to generate a second syngas. The second syngas has a composition different from the first syngas. The system also includes one or more feed injectors disposed in the integrated reactor-syngas cooler and that may supply the feedstock to the reaction zone and a cooling zone disposed downstream of the reaction zone and including one or more cooling tubes. The cooling zone may receive and cool the second syngas.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Hidayathullah Shaik Mohammad, Sethuraman Balasubramaniyan, John Saunders Stevenson, Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Patent number: 9290708Abstract: A system includes a gasification feed injector. The gasification feed injector includes a first injector portion configured to inject a first fuel at a first flow rate and a second injector portion configured to inject a second fuel at a second flow rate. The system also includes a fuel circulation system configured to circulate at least one fuel and supply the at least one fuel to the gasification feed injector and a controller configured to transition the gasification feed injector from injecting the first fuel to injecting the second fuel based at least on a pressure downstream of the gasification feed injector.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, John Saunders Stevenson
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Publication number: 20160017801Abstract: In one aspect, a gasification system for use with low rank fuel is provided The system includes a pyrolysis unit positioned to receive a feed of low rank fuel, the pyrolysis unit being configured to pyrolyze the low rank fuel to produce pyrolysis gas and fixed carbon. The system also includes a gasifier configured to produce a syngas stream using the received fixed carbon, a cooler configured to receive and cool the syngas stream, and a first conduit coupled between the cooler and the pyrolysis unit. The first conduit is configured to recycle at least a portion of the syngas stream to the pyrolysis unit such that the recycled syngas stream is mixed with the pyrolysis gas to produce a hydrocarbon-rich syngas stream containing gasification by-products. The system also includes a by-product recovery system coupled to the pyrolysis unit for removing the gasification by-products from the hydrocarbon- rich syngas stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2013Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Junli XUE, Lishun HU, Thomas Frederick LEININGER, Richard Anthony DEPUY, Xijing BI
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Publication number: 20150204343Abstract: A system includes a solid feed pump. The solid feed pump includes a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, a curved passage disposed between the rotor and the housing, a solid feed inlet coupled to the curved passage, a solid feed outlet coupled to the curved passage, and a rotatable sleeve configured to rotate to actively draw solid feed into the solid feed inlet or out of the solid feed outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Publication number: 20150175913Abstract: A method of start-up for a gasification system includes establishing a flow of a start-up fuel external to the gasifier prior to ignition of the gasifier. The method also includes establishing a start-up liquid feed external to the gasifier during gasifier start-up. The method further includes channeling the start-up liquid feed and the start-up fuel to the gasifier during gasifier start-up.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter
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Publication number: 20150165394Abstract: A system includes a solid feed pump having a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, a curved passage disposed between the rotor and the housing, a solid feed inlet coupled to the curved passage, and a solid feed outlet coupled to the curved passage. Also, a solids packing device is coupled to the solid feed inlet of the solid feed pump. The solids packing device includes a first channel configured to receive a solid feed with a first range of sizes, a second channel configured to receive transport assisting particles (TAP) with a second range of sizes. The first range is different from the second range. A third channel is configured to receive and mix the solid feed and the TAP to provide a solid feed-TAP mixture with the TAP filling interspatial spaces between the solid feed. The third channel is coupled to the solid feed inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
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Publication number: 20150159503Abstract: A continuous slag processing system includes a rotating parallel disc pump, coupled to a motor and a brake. The rotating parallel disc pump includes opposing discs coupled to a shaft, an outlet configured to continuously receive a fluid at a first pressure, and an inlet configured to continuously discharge the fluid at a second pressure less than the first pressure. The rotating parallel disc pump is configurable in a reverse-acting pump mode and a letdown turbine mode. The motor is configured to drive the opposing discs about the shaft and against a flow of the fluid to control a difference between the first pressure and the second pressure in the reverse-acting pump mode. The brake is configured to resist rotation of the opposing discs about the shaft to control the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure in the letdown turbine mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Raymond Douglas Steele, Hsien-Chin William Yen, Stephen Michael Cordes
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Publication number: 20150159654Abstract: A system includes a first pump having a first outlet and a first inlet, and a controller. The first pump is configured to continuously receive a flow of a slurry into the first outlet at a first pressure and to continuously discharge the flow of the slurry from the first inlet at a second pressure less than the first pressure. The controller is configured to control a first speed of the first pump against the flow of the slurry based at least in part on the first pressure, wherein the first speed of the first pump is configured to resist a backflow of the slurry from the first outlet to the first inlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Raymond Douglas Steele, Stephen Michael Cordes
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Patent number: 9022723Abstract: A system includes a solid feed pump. The solid feed pump includes a housing, a rotor disposed in the housing, a curved passage disposed between the rotor and the housing, a solid feed inlet coupled to the curved passage, a solid feed outlet coupled to the curved passage, and a rotatable sleeve configured to rotate to actively draw solid feed into the solid feed inlet or out of the solid feed outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger