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).

  • Publication number: 20120107060
    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: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Publication number: 20120107058
    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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Publication number: 20120085028
    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: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Frederick Leininger
  • Patent number: 8052935
    Abstract: A system for removing sulfur from a gaseous stream includes (a) a reaction bed for receiving the gaseous stream and for reacting sulfur dioxide and at least some of the hydrogen sulfide of the gaseous stream into elemental sulfur to provide an elemental sulfur stream and a first product stream; and (b) a circulating fluidized bed comprising (i) a first region for receiving the first product stream and using a sulfur adsorption material to adsorb and remove any remaining hydrogen sulfide from the first product stream to generate saturated sulfur adsorption material and a second product stream substantially free of sulfur; and (ii) a second region for receiving a regeneration stream and for using the regeneration stream to regenerate the saturated sulfur adsorption material and to generate the sulfur dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Ke Liu, Wei Wei, Rizeq George Rizeq
  • Patent number: 7846226
    Abstract: A method of assembling a spray quench apparatus is provided. The method includes coupling a first end of an exit tube to a quench chamber such that the exit tube end is in flow communication with the quench chamber, coupling at least one spray nozzle to an opposite second end of the exit tube such that water emitted from the spray nozzle fills the exit tube and forms a film of water across an inner surface of the exit tube, coupling a water source to the quench chamber for providing a substantially continuous water film along an inner surface of the quench chamber, and coupling at least one discharge apparatus to the quench chamber for providing water spray into the quench chamber, wherein the water of the water film and water sprays drains into a water sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Allyson Joy Jimenez-Huyke, Judeth Brannon Corry, Fulton Jose Lopez, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, Lien-Yan Chen
  • Publication number: 20100278702
    Abstract: A system for removing sulfur from a gaseous stream includes (a) a reaction bed for receiving the gaseous stream and for reacting sulfur dioxide and at least some of the hydrogen sulfide of the gaseous stream into elemental sulfur to provide an elemental sulfur stream and a first product stream; and (b) a circulating fluidized bed comprising (i) a first region for receiving the first product stream and using a sulfur adsorption material to adsorb and remove any remaining hydrogen sulfide from the first product stream to generate saturated sulfur adsorption material and a second product stream substantially free of sulfur; and (ii) a second region for receiving a regeneration stream and for using the regeneration stream to regenerate the saturated sulfur adsorption material and to generate the sulfur dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Ke Liu, Wei Wei, Rizeq George Rizeq
  • Publication number: 20090202403
    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: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Allyson Joy Jimenez-Huyke, James Michael Storey, John Saunders Stevenson, Aaron John Avagliano, Thomas Frederick Leininger, Judeth Brannon Corry
  • Publication number: 20090199474
    Abstract: A method of assembling a spray quench apparatus is provided. The method includes coupling a first end of an exit tube to a quench chamber such that the exit tube end is in flow communication with the quench chamber, coupling at least one spray nozzle to an opposite second end of the exit tube such that water emitted from the spray nozzle fills the exit tube and forms a film of water across an inner surface of the exit tube, coupling a water source to the quench chamber for providing a substantially continuous water film along an inner surface of the quench chamber, and coupling at least one discharge apparatus to the quench chamber for providing water spray into the quench chamber, wherein the water of the water film and water sprays drains into a water sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Allyson Joy Jimenez-Huyke, Judeth Brannon Corry, Fulton Jose Lopez, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, Lien-Yan Chen
  • Publication number: 20090178338
    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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, John Saunders Stevenson
  • Publication number: 20090107046
    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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Frederick Leininger, Aaron John Avagliano, John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter