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).

  • Patent number: 9017435
    Abstract: A system, including a gasifier comprising a wall defining a chamber, an inlet, an outlet, and a port, a combination feed injector coupled to the inlet, wherein the combination feed injector is configured to inject a first fuel and air or oxygen into the chamber to preheat the gasifier, and the combination feed injector is configured to inject a second fuel and oxygen into the gasifier after preheating to gasify the second fuel, an optical device coupled to the port, a sensor coupled to the optical device, and a monitoring system coupled to the sensor, wherein the monitoring system is configured to acquire data from the sensor, process the data, and provide an output representative of a condition of the gasifier based on the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Patent number: 8992641
    Abstract: A method of startup for a gasification system includes assembling a fuel mixture for use by a gasifier at a fuel mixture assembly point, wherein the fuel mixture includes a quantity of particulate solid fuel and a quantity of non-ventable carrier gas. The method includes channeling the fuel mixture through a first conduit to a fuel mixture disassembly system including a non-ventable carrier gas removal apparatus, establishing a substantially steady flow of the fuel mixture within the first conduit, and redirecting the fuel mixture through a second conduit to the gasifier to facilitate gasifier startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, John Saunders Stevenson
  • Patent number: 8985912
    Abstract: The present application provides a back mixing device for use with a pneumatically conveyed flow of solids having a varying flow rate. The back mixing device may include a nozzle, a chamber in communication with the nozzle, and an exit. The chamber may include an expanded area leading to a restriction such that the chamber creates a recirculation pattern in the flow of solids so as to smooth the varying flow rate though the back mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Patent number: 8951314
    Abstract: A fuel feed system for use in a gasification system includes a feed preparation section, a pressurization and conveyance section, and a slag additive section. The feed preparation section is configured to grind the fuel to a predetermined size and to adjust the moisture content within the particulate fuel. The pressurization and conveyance section is coupled in flow communication with the feed preparation section, and includes at least one solids pump configured to receive a flow of the particulate fuel at a first pressure and discharge the particulate fuel at a second pressure. The slag additive section is configured to feed a slag additive mixture into the gasifier and to substantially control the total water content within the gasification system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter
  • Patent number: 8920737
    Abstract: A system includes a reactor-adsorber configured to receive a gas, a regenerator configured to receive a saturated CO2 adsorption material from the reactor-adsorber, a first solids pressurizing feeder configured to convey the saturated CO2 adsorption material from the reactor-adsorber to the regenerator, and a second solids pressurizing feeder configured to convey a regenerated CO2 adsorption material from the regenerator to the reactor-adsorber. The reactor-adsorber includes a catalyst material configured to catalyze a water gas shift reaction of the gas to generate a hydrogen-rich gas, and a CO2 adsorption material configured to adsorb CO2 from the hydrogen-rich gas to generate the saturated CO2 adsorption material. The regenerator is configured to regenerate the saturated CO2 adsorption material to provide the regenerated CO2 adsorption material and CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Publication number: 20140348598
    Abstract: The present application provides a back mixing device for use with a pneumatically conveyed flow of solids having a varying flow rate. The back mixing device may include a nozzle, a chamber in communication with the nozzle, and an exit. The chamber may include an expanded area leading to a restriction such that the chamber creates a recirculation pattern in the flow of solids so as to smooth the varying flow rate though the back mixing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Patent number: 8882400
    Abstract: The present application provides a solids feeder in communication with a flow of solids and a flow of a conveying fluid. The solids feeder may include an outlet channel with the flow of the solids therein and a discharge port in communication with the outlet channel. The discharge port further may include an inlet in communication with the flow of the conveying fluid and a flow channel. The flow channel may include a reduced cross-sectional area about the outlet channel as compared to the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Publication number: 20140259924
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Publication number: 20140270993
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, Judith Pauline Oppenheim, Anthony Holmes Furman, Thomas Frederick Leininger, Steven Craig Russell, Michael Kent Cueman
  • Publication number: 20140259882
    Abstract: The disclosures described herein provide for a gasification feedstock which includes a mixture of a solid feedstock with a liquid feedstock. The solid feedstock includes a heating value of less than approximately 20 Megajoules/kilogram (MJ/kg), expressed on a wet basis. The non-aqueous liquid feedstock includes a heating value of greater than approximately 14 MJ/kg, expressed on a wet basis. The resulting feedstock is useful as a gasification fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Julio Zimbron Nieto, Scott Parent, Aaron John Avagliano
  • Patent number: 8834074
    Abstract: The present application provides a back mixing device for use with a pneumatically conveyed flow of solids having a varying flow rate. The back mixing device may include a nozzle, a chamber in communication with the nozzle, and an exit. The chamber may include an expanded area leading to a restriction such that the chamber creates a recirculation pattern in the flow of solids so as to smooth the varying flow rate though the back mixing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Patent number: 8771550
    Abstract: A system includes a slag additive slurry feed system configured to combine a slurrying agent, a mineral slag additive, and a liquid slurrying medium to generate a stabilized mineral slurry. The slurrying agent is configured to increase a viscosity of the stabilized mineral slurry. The system also includes a partial oxidation system configured to receive the stabilized mineral slurry, a feedstock, and oxygen into a gasifier reaction chamber. The partial oxidation system is configured to partially oxidize the feedstock to produce a gaseous product and a solid product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond Douglas Steele, Thomas Frederick Leininger, Shiguang Li
  • Publication number: 20140175803
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating power using syngas created using biomass gasification are provided. Exemplary power generation systems include a biomass dryer for receiving biomass, a biomass conversion reactor (either a biomass gasifier or a steam-biomass reformer) for receiving the dried biomass and generating syngas therefrom, and an external combustor for combusting the syngas and heating a working fluid to drive a turbine connected to an electrical generator. The external combustor includes a heat exchanger element for transferring heat from combustion of the syngas into the working fluid, while maintaining the working fluid isolated from the syngas and from syngas combustion products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Anthony DePuy, Thomas Frederick Leininger, Yichuan Fang, Ronald Keith Chadwick
  • Publication number: 20140150288
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, John Saunders Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20140030154
    Abstract: A system includes a reactor-adsorber configured to receive a gas, a regenerator configured to receive a saturated CO2 adsorption material from the reactor-adsorber, a first solids pressurizing feeder configured to convey the saturated CO2 adsorption material from the reactor-adsorber to the regenerator, and a second solids pressurizing feeder configured to convey a regenerated CO2 adsorption material from the regenerator to the reactor-adsorber. The reactor-adsorber includes a catalyst material configured to catalyze a water gas shift reaction of the gas to generate a hydrogen-rich gas, and a CO2 adsorption material configured to adsorb CO2 from the hydrogen-rich gas to generate the saturated CO2 adsorption material. The regenerator is configured to regenerate the saturated CO2 adsorption material to provide the regenerated CO2 adsorption material and CO2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Publication number: 20140030174
    Abstract: A system includes a first reactor configured to receive a first gaseous stream and generate a first solids stream, a second reactor configured to receive the first solids stream, receive a second gaseous stream, and generate a second solids stream, and a solids pressurizing feeder configured to convey the first solids stream or the second solids stream. The solids pressurizing feeder is configured to at least substantially reduce or prevent fluid flow between the first reactor and the second reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Publication number: 20130277615
    Abstract: A system includes a slag additive slurry feed system configured to combine a slurrying agent, a mineral slag additive, and a liquid slurrying medium to generate a stabilized mineral slurry. The slurrying agent is configured to increase a viscosity of the stabilized mineral slurry. The system also includes a partial oxidation system configured to receive the stabilized mineral slurry, a feedstock, and oxygen into a gasifier reaction chamber. The partial oxidation system is configured to partially oxidize the feedstock to produce a gaseous product and a solid product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Raymond Douglas Steele, Thomas Frederick Leininger, Shiguang Li
  • Publication number: 20130259671
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Publication number: 20130180175
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, John Saunders Stevenson
  • Patent number: 8197564
    Abstract: A method of assembling a synthesis gas (syngas) cooler for a gasification system includes positioning a dip tube within a shell of the syngas cooler. The dip tube is configured to quench the syngas flowing through the shell and/or at least partially channel the syngas through the dip tube. The method also includes coupling an isolation tube to the dip tube such that the isolation tube is substantially concentrically aligned with, and radially outward of, the dip tube. The isolation tube is coupled in flow communication with a purge gas source and is configured to at least partially form a dynamic pressure seal. The method further includes coupling at least one of the isolation tube and the dip tube in fluid communication with a fluid retention chamber. The method also include at least partially filling the fluid retention chamber with fluid, thereby further forming the dynamic pressure seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Allyson Joy Jimenez-Huyke, James Michael Storey, John Saunders Stevenson, Aaron John Avagliano, Thomas Frederick Leininger, Judeth Brannon Corry