Water Patents (Class 48/204)
  • Patent number: 11175036
    Abstract: Provided is a pyrolysis gasification apparatus for solid refuse fuel. The apparatus includes: a superheated steam housing formed in a cylindrical shape and installed in a horizontal direction, in which superheated steam is injected into the superheated steam housing; a screw casing formed in a tubular shape extending from one end to the other end inside the superheated steam housing and installed in the horizontal direction inside the superheated steam housing, in which solid refuse fuel (SRF) is introduced into the screw casing; a conveying screw with a plurality of screw blades on an outer peripheral surface, the conveying screw being installed inside the screw casing in the horizontal direction and rotating to convey the solid refuse fuel; and a superheated steam supplier for supplying superheated steam into the superheated steam housing, in which the superheated steam may move through a movement pat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy Research
    Inventors: Jeong Geun Kim, Chong Pyo Cho, Seong Ryong Park
  • Patent number: 9028568
    Abstract: A system includes a carbon dioxide treatment system that includes a catalyst configured to treat carbon dioxide to produce a treated carbon dioxide. The system also includes a gasifier injector configured to inject the treated carbon dioxide, a fuel, and oxygen into a gasifier. The gasifier injector may be coupled to or located inside the gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond Douglas Steele, Pradeep Stanley Thacker
  • Patent number: 9028571
    Abstract: A process and system for cooling syngas provides effective syngas cooling and results in reduced levels of fouling in syngas cooling equipment. A process for cooling syngas includes blending syngas with cooled recycled syngas in an amount effective for providing a blended syngas with a temperature at an inlet of a syngas cooler of about 600° F. to about 1400° F. The blended syngas changes direction of flow at least once prior to the inlet of the syngas cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Ineos Bio SA
    Inventors: Peter S. Bell, Nicolas Vanhecke, Bernard Descales
  • 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: 9011561
    Abstract: A solids circulation system receives a gas stream containing char or other reacting solids from a first reactor. The solids circulation system includes a cyclone configured to receive the gas stream from the first reactor, a dipleg from the cyclone to a second reactor, and a riser from the second reactor which merges with the gas stream received by the cyclone. The second reactor has a dense fluid bed and converts the received materials to gaseous products. A conveying fluid transports a portion of the bed media from the second reactor through the riser to mix with the gas stream prior to cyclone entry. The bed media helps manipulate the solids that is received by the cyclone to facilitate flow of solids down the dipleg into the second reactor. The second reactor provides additional residence time, mixing and gas-solid contact for efficient conversion of char or reacting solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Thermochem Recovery International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Chandran, Jonathan A. Zenz, Dave G. Newport, Hamilton Sean Michael Whitney
  • Patent number: 8992640
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include systems for using an expander. In a first embodiment, a system includes a flow path and a gasification section disposed along the flow path. The gasification section is configured to convert a feedstock into a syngas. The system also includes a scrubber disposed directly downstream of the gasification section and configured to filter the syngas. The system also includes a first expander disposed along the flow path directly downstream from the scrubber and configured to expand the syngas. The syngas comprises an untreated syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Khodaram Rustom Khosravian, Ronald Frederick Tyree, Patrick Joseph McKenna
  • Patent number: 8974557
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides tunable catalytic gasifier systems suitable for gasifying coal, biomass, and other fuel sources. The gasifier reactors of the disclosed systems may be heated by, e.g., a catalytic tube or other jacket that generates heat by catalytically combusting syngas, which syngas may be syngas produced by the gasifier system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Good Earth Power Corporation
    Inventor: John Dooher
  • Publication number: 20150033755
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a feedstock material, the method comprising: (i) thermally treating a feedstock material to produce an syngas; and (ii) plasma-treating the syngas in a plasma treatment unit in the presence of additional carbon dioxide to produce a refined syngas, wherein the additional carbon dioxide is added to the feedstock material during the thermal treatment and/or to the syngas before plasma treatment and/or introduced in the plasma treatment unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: ADVANCED PLASMA POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Taylor
  • Patent number: 8932184
    Abstract: Cassette based systems and methods of hydrogen storage, distribution, and recovery are disclosed. A cassette or other container may contain a hydrogen storage or storing material. Information may be stored in the material and subsequently read or accessed. A probe may be used to interrogate the material. The hydrogen content or other characteristics of the material may be determined based on the interrogation. A hydrogen dispensing unit may contain a depleted cassette acceptor to accept depleted cassettes and a charged cassette dispenser to dispense charged cassettes. The dispensing unit may be implemented in a hydrogen retail store or as a standalone unit. The retail store or the unit may connect to a hydrogen network and implement various business methods, as disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventor: Scott D. Redmond
  • Patent number: 8915980
    Abstract: A process for the discharge of slag and ash from a gasification reactor is disclosed. These solids are directed from the gasification reactor into a water bath housed with the gasification reactor in a pressure vessel. There are at least two lock hoppers underneath the water bath which are fed with a stream of water/solids via a pipe and a flow divider element, it being possible to supply the lock hoppers individually and in a controlled manner with a stream of water/solids via shut-off devices. The filling is performed in a manner that encourages the sett-ling process by withdrawing a stream of liquid from the lock hopper being filled, the filling time being controlled so as to prevent the solids settling above the valves and lock hoppers. Also disclosed is an apparatus with at least two lock hoppers underneath the water bath of a gasification reactor, there being, in an advantageous embodiment, a flow divider element and shut-off devices between the water bath and the lock hoppers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventor: Christoph Hanrott
  • Patent number: 8904970
    Abstract: A method for producing process vapor and boiler feed steam in a heatable reforming reactor for producing synthesis gas. The sensible heat of a synthesis gas produced from hydrocarbons and steam can be used so that two types of vapor are produced during the heating and evaporation of boiler feed water and process condensate. The method also includes a conversion of the carbon monoxide contained in the synthesis gas. The method includes an optional heating of the boiler feed water using the flue gas from the heating of the reforming reactor. The sensible heat of the synthesis gas and of the flue gas originating from the heating can be used more efficiently. The disadvantages from the flue gas heating, which are caused by the fluctuating heat supply in the flue gas duct, are avoided. A system for practicing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Thilo Von Trotha, Jan Heinrich
  • Patent number: 8764860
    Abstract: A system includes a gasification vessel configured to receive a fuel and an oxidizer. The system also includes a gasifier disposed in the gasification vessel. The gasifier is configured to partially oxidize the fuel and the oxidizer to generate a syngas. The system further includes a convective syngas cooler configured to cool the syngas via heat exchange with a coolant. The convective syngas cooler is disposed in an interior of the gasification vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Aaron John Avagliano, James Michael Storey
  • Publication number: 20140130415
    Abstract: A method for preparing a fuel using oxygen-storing compound nanoparticles is provided, in which the nanoparticles is heated at a first temperature to release an amount of oxygen, thereby producing a reduced oxide compound, and the reduced oxide compound is exposed to a gas at a second temperature to produce the fuel. The gas can include carbon dioxide and water vapor, and the fuel can include carbon monoxide and/or hydrogen. The oxygen-storing compound nanoparticles can be nano ceria or nano ceria doped with one or more metals, such as Cu and/or Zr. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventor: Siu-wai Chan
  • Publication number: 20140073499
    Abstract: A catalytic composition is particularly well suited for hydrocarbon conversion to synthesis gas at a temperature of between 800 and 1000° Celsius. The catalytic composition includes a noble metal cluster having an X-Y-Z axial mean linear dimension of between 2 and 15 Angstroms and a super cage structure surrounding the noble metal cluster. The super cage structure stabilizes the noble metal cluster against aggregation at temperatures of 1000° Celsius. A process for reforming hydrocarbon feedstock to hydrogen and carbon monoxide is also provided that conversion to greater than 80% of theoretical yield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: United States Government as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Ivan Chihang Lee
  • Patent number: 8523965
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for treating and remediating or abating carbon containing wastes to produce clean water, non-toxic, non-hazardous ash has been taught and described, the method, systems and devices are particularly suited to treating aqueous hydrocarbon containing waste streams generated in the oil and gas drilling and hydrofracking industry including electrocoagulating which removes flocculent, the flocculent is removed and then the aqueous stream is separated into light fractions and heavy fractions. The heavy fraction and flocculent are recombined and then gasified to produce syngas and ash, the syngas can then be used in generating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Doulos Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Coyte R Jones, Robert C Jones
  • Publication number: 20130125465
    Abstract: A method for pyrolysis and gasification of biomass by: a) providing a gasifier and a pyrolysis furnace; heating and introducing a solid particle, or a plurality thereof, into the gasifier and the pyrolysis furnace; b) grinding and feeding the biomass into the pyrolysis furnace while spraying saturated water vapor into the pyrolysis furnace, contacting the biomass with the saturated water vapor at 500-800° C. to yield crude synthetic gas and ash including coke; c) separating the ash, heating the solid particle, and transporting the solid particle into the gasifier; d) cooling the ash, and separating the coke; and e) introducing the crude synthetic gas into the gasifier, transporting the coke into the gasifier while spraying saturated water vapor into the gasifier, contacting the coke and the crude synthetic gas with the saturated water vapor at 1200-1600° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SUNSHINE KAIDI NEW ENERGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SUNSHINE KAIDI NEW ENERGY GROUP CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130125464
    Abstract: A method for producing synthetic gas from biomass by: a) grinding the biomass, feeding the biomass into a pyrolysis furnace while spraying a first superheated water vapor into the pyrolysis furnace, controlling the temperature of the pyrolysis furnace at 500-800° C., contacting the biomass with the first superheated water vapor for a pyrolysis reaction to yield crude synthetic gas and ash including coke; b) cooling the ash, and separating the coke from the ash; c) transporting the crude synthetic gas and the coke into a gasifier, spraying a second superheated water vapor into the gasifier, controlling the gasifier at an operating temperature of 1200-1600° C., contacting the biomass with the second superheated water vapor for a gasification reaction to yield primary synthetic gas; and d) cooling, removing dust, deacidifying, and desiccating the primary synthetic gas to obtain clean synthetic gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SUNSHINE KAIDI NEW ENERGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SUNSHINE KAIDI NEW ENERGY GROUP CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130125463
    Abstract: A method for gasifying biomass. The method includes: a) grinding the biomass, feeding the biomass into a gasifier while spraying superheated water vapor into the gasifier, controlling the gasifier at an operating temperature of 1200-1600° C., contacting the biomass with the superheated water vapor, desiccating, separating volatile matters, pyrolyzing, and gasifying the biomass to produce crude synthetic gas and ash; b) transporting the crude synthetic gas into a spray tower, quenching the crude synthetic gas by spraying water to cool down the crude synthetic gas to a temperature of 650-800° C., condensing a slag and a tar from the crude synthetic gas, dissolving and removing alkali metal oxides and part of acid gas to obtain primary synthetic gas; and c) cooling, dust removing, deacidifying, and desiccating the primary synthetic gas to transform the primary synthetic gas into clean synthetic gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SUNSHINE KAIDI NEW ENERGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SUNSHINE KAIDI NEW ENERGY GROUP CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130118076
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a process for treating bituminous feedstocks wherein the energy required to separate the organic and mineral fractions of said bituminous feedstocks in a treatment unit powered by hot water is provided by chemical looping combustion (CLC).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Inventors: Florent Guillou, Ali Hoteit
  • Patent number: 8425636
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a system includes a gasification system configured to output grey water. The system also includes a grey water zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system configured to receive the grey water and to generate a first stream of distillate. The grey water ZLD system comprises an ammonia stripping system. An amount of water into and out of the grey water ZLD system is approximately equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sampath K. Bommareddy, Dinh-Cuong Vuong, James Scott Kain, Anil Dhansukh Amlani, Robert Henry Weed
  • Publication number: 20120255301
    Abstract: A system and process is provided for generating power from a syngas fermentation process. The process includes contacting hot syngas having a temperature above about 1400° F. with cooled syngas to produce a pre-cooled syngas having a temperature of 1400° F. or less at an inlet of a waste heat boiler. A waste heat boiler receives the pre-cooled syngas and is effective for producing waste heat boiler high pressure steam and a cooled syngas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventors: Peter S. Bell, Kim Ocfemia, Stephen John Benstead, Graeme Parker
  • Publication number: 20120167462
    Abstract: A char 7 feed rate at a rated point determined from a relationship between a current water vapor 3 flow rate and a current raw material 5 charge rate to a gasification furnace 1 is multiplied by a proper number determined from a relationship between a current gasification furnace 1 temperature and a current bed material 4 circulated rate to calculate an actual char 7 feed rate. A subtraction is performed between a gross heat value of the char 7 flowing into the combustion furnace 2 determined on the basis of the calculated char 7 feed rate and a heat value required for keeping a top of the combustion furnace 2 at a commanded temperature determined from a relationship between the commanded temperature and an air flow rate in the furnace 2 to determine a heat value required for keeping the combustion furnace 2 at the commanded temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Katagiri
  • Publication number: 20120079768
    Abstract: A catalyst includes an olivine substrate on which an iron compound layer is deposited, produced by impregnating the olivine substrate with a solution including an iron salt, and then heat-treating. The catalyst is useful for steam-reforming tar, in particular in gaseous media from the steam gasification of biomass. Further, the catalyst can be used alone for catalyzing the steam gasification of organic compounds from biomass while limiting the amount of tar produced in the synthesized gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicants: Centre National DE La Recherche Scientifique (C.N.R.S.), UNIVERSITE DE STRASBOURG
    Inventors: Alain Kiennemann, Claire Courson, Mirella Virginie
  • Patent number: 8114174
    Abstract: A reaction device 10 is used for producing water gas from polyhydric alcohol and water. The reaction device 10 includes a reactor 13 which has a reaction field 14 where a catalyst is provided inside and a reaction fluid flows. The catalyst 17 has a surface extending in a direction of flow of the reaction fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kao Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Shirasawa, Yasukazu Kumita
  • Publication number: 20120028142
    Abstract: An on-board fuel processor includes a microchannel steam reforming reactor (30) and a water vaporizer (40) heated in series with a combustion gas. The reformer (30) and the vaporizer (40) are both of a cross-flow panel configuration that allows for low combustion side pressure drop. Fuel is directly injected into the steam, and during a rapid cold start, both the combustion gas flow rate and the steam to carbon ratio are substantially increased relative to their steady state operating values. A rapid cold start can be achieved in under 30 seconds with a manageable amount of electric power consumption, removing impediments to use in automotive fuel cell applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Greg A. Whyatt, Christopher M. Fischer, James M. Davis
  • Patent number: 8100995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of reforming a gas containing tarry impurities, such as the gasification gas obtained by gasifying a fuel. In the method, oxygen or an oxygenous gas (10) is added to a gas flow (8), after which the gas is brought into contact with a solid catalyst (11, 12) at a high temperature. According to the invention, the reformation takes place in stages so that, in the first pre-reforming stage, the gas is brought into contact with a zirconium-based catalyst (11), such as zirconium oxide, for example, and, in the next stage, with a metal catalyst (12), such as metallic nickel. The two-stage reformation is used for preventing the deactivation of the metal catalyst and the formation of carbon deposits in the reforming reactor. The invention also includes the use of the zirconium compound in pre-reforming the tar-bearing gas to achieve the said goals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Teknologian Tutkimuskeskus VTT
    Inventors: Pekka Simell, Esa Kurkela
  • Patent number: 8083817
    Abstract: An entrained bed gasifier for operation with particulate or liquid fuels is provided. A reaction chamber defined by a cold screen and a quenching chamber connected to the reaction chamber using a crude gas and slag outlet, wherein at least the cold screen is enclosed by a pressure-resistant pressure mantle. The annular gap between the cold screen and pressure jacket may be filled with a fluid, for example, water or heat transfer oil. A rough pressure equalization between the gasification chamber and the annual gap may be guaranteed using a connection between the annular gap and the quenching chamber or the crude gas line, hence the pressure in the gasification chamber normally remains slightly higher than in the inner water jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Kirchhübel, Friedemann Mehlhose, Manfred Schingnitz, Heidrun Toth
  • Patent number: 8038906
    Abstract: A process for the adjustment of the composition of a synthesis gas produced in a high temperature black liquor gasifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Haldor Topsøe A/S
    Inventors: Poul Erik Højlund Nielsen, Bodil Voss
  • Publication number: 20110154736
    Abstract: With a method for discharging slag from a water bath of a reactor for synthesis gas production, whereby the slag is brought to a lower pressure level by means of a transfer container, a solution is supposed to be created, with which the components connected with transferring the slag out are subject to a low temperature, whereby immediate slag transfer without water exchange is supposed to be made possible, with a minimal required cooling power. This is accomplished in that a cooling water stream is passed to the slag stream in the outlet region of the slag from the water bath of the gas generator or the pressurized container that surrounds it, in a region having a greater cross-section than the cross-section of the entry connector of another system part, such as, for example, the transfer container, in such a manner that temperature stratification in the outlet region is made possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: UHDE GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Hanrott
  • Publication number: 20110127778
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting useful energy from biomass fuels as part of a hybrid electricity generating thermal power plant, utilising both a primary heat source, such as coal, gas, oil or nuclear power, and a secondary heat source in the form of biomass, whereby the biomass is oxidised in aqueous solution in a supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) process utilising energy from the primary heat source to heat and compress a feed stream of water to a temperature and pressure at or beyond its critical point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: John Kinney
  • Publication number: 20110088320
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a corresponding apparatus for converting a biomass reactant into synthesis gas. The method includes the steps of (1) heating biomass in a first molten liquid bath at a first temperature, wherein the first temperature is at least about 100° C., but less than the decomposition temperature of the biomass, wherein gas comprising water is evaporated and air is pressed from the biomass, thereby yielding dried biomass with minimal air content. (2) Recapturing the moisture evaporated from the biomass in step 1 for use in the process gas. (3) Heating the dried biomass in a second molten liquid bath at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is sufficiently high to cause flash pyrolysis of the dried biomass, thereby yielding product gases, tar, and char. (4) Inserting recaptured steam into the process gas, which may optionally include external natural gas or hydrogen gas or recycled syngas for mixing and reforming with tar and non-condensable gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Mark A. Dietenberger, Mark H. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20100325955
    Abstract: A gasification apparatus is provided which enables gas hydrate pellets to be transported and gasified in the same vessel and enables a gas to be generated by pellet decomposition in a controlled amount. The apparatus is free from bridging. The apparatus includes a heat-in-saluted vessel main body and, disposed therein, a tubular structure which is open at the top and bottom. This tubular structure holds therein gas hydrate pellets obtained by compression-molding a gas hydrate produced by the hydration reaction of a raw-material gas with raw-material water. The tubular structure becomes wider in diameter from the upper opening toward the lower opening. A channel for passing a heat carrier therethrough has been disposed between the lower end of the tubular structure and the inner bottom surface of the vessel main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Shigeru Watanabe, Shinji Imai, Kazuhiko Shinagawa
  • 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: 20100269411
    Abstract: A process for the gasification of carbonaceous materials for the product of syngas. Pulsed oxygen is used to maintain the temperature of the gasification zones and to avoid hot spots in the gasification reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: DUANE A. GOETSCH, Jacqueline Hitchingham, Lloyd R. White
  • Patent number: 7727293
    Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a cartridge including a reservoir having a first reactant and a reaction chamber, and a receiver that can include a flow control device. The receiver is adapted to receive the cartridge and to transport the first reactant to the reaction chamber after connection with the cartridge. The flow control device is adapted to stop the transport of reactant when the pressure in the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Société Bic, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique
    Inventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Jean-yves Laurent, Frédéric Gaillard, Nathalie Giacometti, Paul Adams
  • Publication number: 20100037520
    Abstract: A method for converting biomass having a water content of at least 50% into gaseous products includes providing a reactor containing supercritical water and a salt melt. The salt melt includes at least one of a salt and a salt mixture. The reactor and the salt melt are heated to the reaction temperature. The biomass is heated to a preheat temperature. The biomass heated to the preheat temperature is fed into the salt melt. The biomass is heated to the reaction temperature so as to commence a conversion of the biomass into the gaseous products, so as to release from the biomass at least one additional salt into the salt melt. An amount of the salt melt containing at least a portion of the at least one additional salt is withdrawn from the reactor and the amount of the withdrawn salt melt is replaced with a fresh salt solution. The gaseous products are removed from the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Forschungszentrum Karisruhe GmbH
    Inventors: Hubert Goldacker, Andrea Kruse, Nicolaus Dahmen
  • Patent number: 7648540
    Abstract: A system for production, storage and dispensation of hydrogen gas from encapsulated metal hydride, the system employing sealed cylinders filled with water and rotatable containers stored with encapsulated metal hydride shells, slider base members with passages and slider paths disposed at the bottom end of the cylinders to receive the encapsulated metal hydride shells from the containers, baffles disposed both inside and outside periphery of the rotatable containers to rotate the containers that regulate and direct the flow of the encapsulated metal hydride shells on to the slider paths, movable hydraulic ramming members with disintegration sites and pistons disposed at the bottom end of the slider paths, to receive the encapsulated metal hydride shells and disintegrate the encapsulated metal hydride shells and disperse the broken shells into the cylinders filled with water, and a control panel disposed to regulate the flow rate and pressure of the generated hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Vellore Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Natarajan Ramakrishna
  • Publication number: 20090249692
    Abstract: A reaction device 10 is used for producing water gas from polyhydric alcohol and water. The reaction device 10 includes a reactor 13 which has a reaction field 14 where a catalyst is provided inside and a reaction fluid flows. The catalyst 17 has a surface extending in a direction of flow of the reaction fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Takeshi Shirasawa, Yasukazu Kumita
  • Publication number: 20090211155
    Abstract: Methods and systems for a gasifier system are provided. The gasifier system includes a gasifier including a syngas cooler configured to transfer heat from a reaction zone of the gasifier to a flow of fluid through the syngas cooler, a reaction vessel coupled in flow communication with the syngas cooler wherein the reaction vessel is adapted to receive the flow of fluid and generate heat in an exothermic shift reaction. The system also includes a heat exchanger coupled in flow communication with the reaction vessel, the heat exchanger adapted to produce relatively high pressure steam using the generated heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Aaron John Avagliano, Paul Steven Wallace
  • Patent number: 7569085
    Abstract: A system for production of hydrogen comprises at least one steam reforming zone configured to receive a first fuel and steam to produce a first reformate gas stream comprising hydrogen using a steam reforming process. The system further comprises a mixed reforming zone configured to receive an oxidant to produce a second reformate gas stream comprising hydrogen, wherein the first reformate gas stream is sent to the mixed reforming zone to complete the reforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ravi Vipperia Kumar, Vladimir Zamansky, Boris Nikolaevich Eiteneer, Shawn David Barge, Parag Prakash Kulkarni, Ke Liu
  • Patent number: 7566351
    Abstract: The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a technique which allows biomass to be utilized as a fuel for the co-production of electrical power and potable water in a most efficient manner. Almost any biomass is suitable as a feedstock and biomass which is locally available may be used to fuel the process. The biomass is fed into a gasification device to produce a gas stream containing appreciable amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The gas stream is used to fuel an electrical generation system Waste heat from the electrical generation system is recovered and used in the purification of saline, brakish or river and well water to produce highly pure potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Zeropoint Clean Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Leveson, John Paul Gaus
  • Publication number: 20090119991
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus may permit the generation of consistent output synthesis gas from highly variable input feedstock solids carbonaceous materials. A stoichiometric objectivistic chemic environment may be established to stoichiometrically control carbon content in a solid carbonaceous materials gasifier system. Processing of carbonaceous materials may include dominative pyrolytic decomposition and multiple coil carbonaceous reformation. Dynamically adjustable process determinative parameters may be utilized to refine processing, including process utilization of negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, process utilization of flue gas (9), and adjustment of process flow rate characteristics. Recycling may be employed for internal reuse of process materials, including recycled negatively electrostatically enhanced water species, recycled flue gas (9), and recycled contaminants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: THERMO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis E.J. Johnson, Grigori A. Abramov, Richard A. Kleinke, Marcus A. Wiley
  • Patent number: 7438732
    Abstract: A fuel cartridge for a hydrogen generating system having a cartridge containing a substantially anhydrous chemical hydride reactant. A plurality of liquid conduits extends into the cartridge and each of the liquid conduits has a length and a plurality of liquid distribution apertures formed along the length. The liquid distribution apertures have a diameter of less than approximately 1 mm. The chemical hydride reactant forms a bed and the liquid conduits extend along at least half of a length of the bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Trulite, Inc
    Inventors: James Kevin Shurtleff, Eric J. Ladd, Chris A. Brydon, John M. Patton, Howard Anderson
  • Patent number: 7399325
    Abstract: A cassette-based hydrogen fuel distribution and recovery method and system is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Fuelsell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Redmond
  • Patent number: 7393369
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method generate hydrogen through a controlled chemical reaction between water and a chemical hydride. The invention includes a chemical hydride isolated from water by a water-selective membrane. A fluid containing water is brought into contact with the water-selective membrane. The water diffuses through the water-selective membrane and reacts with the chemical hydride. The water diffuses through the membrane at a predetermined rate based on a water concentration gradient across the water-selective membrane. The water-selective membrane is substantially impermeable to elements and molecules other than water. Hydrogen generated within the chemical hydride is collected and used in various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Trulite, Inc.
    Inventor: James Kevin Shurtleff
  • Patent number: 7101411
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating hydrogen gas in which hydrogen gas of a high purity is supplied to a hydrogen-utilizing device by using a decahydronaphthalene/naphthalene reaction. The apparatus includes a storage tank in which decahydronaphthalene is stored as a crude fuel, a reaction tank which has a catalyst and a heater for heating the catalyst and which causes dehydrogenation of decahydronaphthalene supplied from the storage tank to the heated catalyst, and a separation tank in which hydrogen-rich gas is separated out from naphthalene and hydrogen gas supplied from the reaction tank by using a hydrogen separation film and from which the separated hydrogen gas is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Hayashi, Mamoru Ishikiriyama, Masahiko Sugiyama, Yasukazu Saito
  • Patent number: 6997965
    Abstract: A method of the gasification of coal using oxygen and steam is provided wherein the coal is gasified at a temperature of from 1000 to 2500° C. and a pressure of from 1 to 100 kg/cm2 using oxygen generated by electrolyzing water and steam having a temperature of from 300 to 600° C. attained by heat exchange heat with a high temperature gas generated by the coal gasification. In the method, a remarkably higher efficiency and low carbon dioxide emission is attained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignees: Toyo Engineering Corporation, The Institute of Applied Energy
    Inventor: Yukuo Katayama
  • Publication number: 20040109794
    Abstract: A heated catalyst support device for a reactor including a reactor vessel containing a bed of catalyst particles. The device includes a permeable support plate having a channel extending therethrough, where the support plate is adapted to contact the bed of catalyst particles. The device further includes a heating element extending through the channel in the support plate. A method for starting up a water gas shift reactor is provided that includes applying heat to the bed of catalyst particles using the heating element, measuring a temperature in the bed of catalyst particles. and starting up the water gas shift reactor when the temperature exceeds a saturation temperature for a desired operating pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: H2GEN INNOVATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Franklin D. Lomax, Christopher T. Gricius, John S. Lettow
  • Publication number: 20020088178
    Abstract: A hydrogen storage and generation system are disclosed. The fuel source of the present invention comprises a chemical hydride core, and an elongate, flexible moisture barrier encasing the core. The core may be formed by a plurality discrete bodies of NaH or NaBH4, and the barrier may be a thermoplastic. A hydrogen generator of the present invention comprises a reaction chamber, a spool, and a fuel source wrapped around the spool, the fuel source comprising a chemical hydride core encased in an elongate moisture barrier. The generator also has means for removing the barrier from the core to permit the core to react with water or moisture in the reaction chamber. The generator may also have a second reaction chamber so that heat may be transferred from the first reaction chamber to the second reaction chamber for driving a reaction of Al and H2O, thereby generating additional hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: David Wayne Davis
  • Publication number: 20010042344
    Abstract: A reactor comprising a body made of a heat-resistant material and having an inlet and an outlet for water/moisture gas, having a gas-diffusing member provided in an internal space of the body, and having a platinum coating on an internal wall surface of the body. Hydrogen and oxygen fed from the inlet are diffused by the gas-diffusing member and then come into contact with the platinum coating to enhance reactivity, thereby producing water. A temperature of the reactor is held to be below an ignition temperature of hydrogen or a hydrogen-containing gas. The platinum-coated catalyst layer on the internal wall of the reactor body is formed by treating the surface of the internal wall of the body, cleaning the treated surface, forming a barrier coating of a nonmetallic material of an oxide or nitride on the wall surface, and forming the platinum coating on the barrier coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Koji Kawada, Toshikazu Tanabe, Takahisa Nitta, Nobukazu Ikeda, Akihiro Morimoto, Keiji Hirao, Hiroshi Morokoshi, Yukio Minami