Retort Patents (Class 48/89)
  • Patent number: 11959037
    Abstract: A system and process for producing synthetic gas from solid fuel comprising waste material, municipal solid waste or biomass, and for upgrading the synthetic gas produced. The system and process utilizes a first thermal chamber having a gasification zone in which a fuel stream is gasified by thermal oxidation to produce a first synthetic gas stream and heat; a pyrolysis reactor housed within the first thermal chamber where fuel undergoes pyrolysis to produce a second synthetic gas stream; and a thermal catalytic reactor comprising a second thermal chamber having a catalyst chamber within with a selected catalyst. The first synthetic gas stream is completely thermally oxidized to produce high temperature flue gas that imparts heat to the catalyst chamber in which the second synthetic gas stream is thermally cracked and directed over the catalyst to yield a finished gas or liquid product having a desired chemical composition as determined by the selected catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventors: Darrell Ford, Ken Davison
  • Patent number: 11407947
    Abstract: Systems and methods for processing waste plastics are provided. One method includes mixing, heating and compacting a supply of the waste plastic based feedstock having an appreciable amount of halide compounds or heteroatoms from one or more sources of contamination; providing an amendment comprising alkaline earth oxides and/or hydroxides, oxides of iron, and/or oxides of aluminum to be mixed, heated and compacted with the waste plastic based feedstock to form a densified melt of plastic material including the amendment; and pyrolyzing the densified melt of plastic material including the amendment within a pyrolysis reactor. Another method includes pyrolyzing a supply of the waste plastic feedstock within a pyrolysis reactor to generate a hydrocarbon gas stream and a solids residue stream; condensing out a tars product from the hydrocarbon gas stream output from the pyrolysis reactor with a quenching apparatus; and pyrolyzing the tars product within a supplemental pyrolysis reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Sean Crawford, Barry Cavinaw
  • Patent number: 10822565
    Abstract: A method for converting agricultural biomass or industrial bio waste into biofuel using concentrated radiated energy is disclosed. Biomass or bio waste is stored inside a batch reactor in either solid or semisolid state. Unwanted moisture and unwanted oxygen are removed from the stored agricultural biomass or industrial bio waste. Concentrated radiated energy is directed towards the biomass or bio waste through a radiated energy concentrator that focuses the concentrated radiated energy. Biomass or bio waste is kept within the depth of focus of the concentrated radiated energy during the conversion operation. Due to substantial matching of the absorption peak of biomass or bio waste with the emission peak of the concentrated radiated energy, the biomass or bio waste that is within the depth of focus instantaneously decomposes into biofuel. The biofuel thus generated is at ambient temperature with higher energy density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: ALP MULTITECH PVT. LTD.
    Inventor: Arvindbhai Lavjibhai Patel
  • Patent number: 10352559
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gasification apparatus and a gasification method, the apparatus comprising: a reactor for gasifying fuel; a fuel supply part for supplying fuel to the reactor; and a dispersion plate for spraying fuel, so as to enhance reactivity in the reactor, and aerosolizing moisture within fuel, thereby uniformly supplying fuel to the reactor, wherein the dispersion plate, in a state of being charged by receiving power, is configured to electrostatically spray fuel and a gasification agent, thereby producing a micro droplet, and atomizing the same. Accordingly, it is possible to aerosolize fuel using a boiling phenomenon or an electrostatic spray phenomenon, and uniformly supply fuel to the reactor. Also, it is possible to obtain the effect of increasing gasification reaction efficiency by preheating and reforming fuel and moisture through mid-low temperature oxidation prior to supplying the same the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Uen Do Lee, Won Yang, Young Doo Kim, Tae Young Chae, Chang Won Yang
  • Patent number: 10072224
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solar reactor comprising a reactor member; an aperture for receiving solar radiation, the aperture being disposed in a plane on a wall of the reactor member, where the plane is oriented at any angle other than parallel relative to the centerline of the reactor member; a plurality of absorber tubes, wherein the absorber tubes are oriented such that their respective centerlines are at an angle other than 90° relative to the centerline of the reactor member; and wherein the aperture has a hydraulic diameter that is from 0.2 to 4 times a hydraulic diameter of at least one absorber tube in the plurality of absorber tubes; and a reactive material, the reactive material being disposed in the plurality of absorber tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Klausner, Joerg Petrasch, Nicholas AuYeung, Ayyoub Mehdizadeh Momen, Rishi Mishra, Jinchao Lu, David Worthington Hahn, Nikhil Sehgal, Renwei Mei, Benjamin Greek
  • Patent number: 9873611
    Abstract: Provided is a process for producing hydrogen gas in a separate stream from syngas. An assembly for producing hydrogen gas in a separate stream from syngas and a method of producing hydrogen are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Real Time Engineering Pte Ltd
    Inventor: Song Yeng Wong
  • Patent number: 9399575
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for gas-phase reduction/oxidation is disclosed. The apparatus includes a reactor including at least one reactor tube or containment vessel with active redox material within the reactor tube or containment vessel, a first reactant gas or vacuum for reducing the active redox material, and a second reactant gas for oxidizing the active redox material. The method may be run under substantially isothermal conditions and/or energy supplied to the apparatus may include solar energy, which may be concentrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Paul Lichty, Christopher Muhich, Darwin Arifin, Alan W. Weimer, Aldo Steinfeld
  • Patent number: 9102535
    Abstract: A flameless steam reformer is provided, which includes a main housing, a catalyst housing which is inserted to the main housing and in which a combustion catalyst and a reforming catalyst are provided such that they are partitioned from each other, and a passage housing which is disposed between the main housing and the catalyst housing and includes a passage through which a reforming fuel supplied to the catalyst housing moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Sang Keun Dong, Je Bok Yang
  • Publication number: 20150040565
    Abstract: The present application provides a reactor for: converting feedstock material into gases; or disassociating or reforming a chemical compound; and/a a mixture to its constituent elements; and/to other chemical forms, and; finally a heating device. The reactor comprises a heating device for discharging an ionized gas into the reactor, a feedstock feeder for injecting the feedstock material into the reactor, and a shell forming a chamber that encloses a portion of the heating device and a portion of the feedstock feeder. The application also provides a method for converting hydrocarbon material into synthetic gases. The method comprises: providing the hydrocarbon material to a burner inserted into a reactor, a second step of supplying ionized gases into the reactor, and a third step of subjecting the burner to a flame of the ionized gases such that molecules of the hydrocarbon material are dissociated to forming synthetic gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Lien Chiow Tan
  • Publication number: 20150027054
    Abstract: A system for processing carbonaceous in-feed material has a pyrolyzer kiln for pyrolysis the carbonaceous in-feed material, the kiln operating in a slow pyrolysis process in which the in-feed material is pyrolysed in the kiln for a period of minutes in order to produce primarily a gaseous output fraction; a steam reformer positioned downstream of the kiln to which combustion gasses from the pyrolyzer kiln are fed; a water scrubber positioned gas flow-wise downstream of the steam reformer; a methanation stage; a CO2 scrubbing stage. The system includes means for splitting the gas and directing a portion of the split gas back to the pyrolyzer kiln.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: ANERGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Martella, Matthew Martella
  • Publication number: 20150027053
    Abstract: Provided is a waste heat recovery apparatus including a first heat exchanger, a reformer and a reformer feed pre-heater sequentially disposed on or in the waste gas exhaust pipe from the upstream to the downstream thereof, wherein the waste gas temperature at the upstream of the waste gas exhaust pipe is higher than that at the downstream. In an embodiment, the reformer can be a hydrogen-generation reformer, and the generated hydrogen is introduced into the burning equipment for use. In such manner, the waste heat can be effectively utilized, and the carbon deposition issue inside the burning equipment can be fixed. A waste heat recovery method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Yu-Li Lin, Ting-Wei Huang, Meng-Chang Lin
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140360098
    Abstract: A gasification system includes a gasifier configured to gasify a feedstock and an oxidant to generate a producer gas, a steam generator configured to supply steam to the gasifier, and a combustion system configured to supply an exhaust gas to the steam generator to produce the steam. The system also includes an exhaust gas injection system located upstream of the gasifier and fluidly coupled to the gasifier. The exhaust gas injection system is configured to supply a portion of the exhaust gas from the combustion system to the gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Pravin Sadashiv Naphade, Avish Ivan Dsouza, Richard Anthony De Puy
  • Publication number: 20140338262
    Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft gasifier for producing fuel gas from solid carbonaceous material. The shaft gasifier comprising a shaft wall surrounding a shaft gasifier interior, a pyrolysis zone disposed in the shaft gasifier interior, the pyrolysis zone comprising a solid material feed opening for feeding solid carbonaceous material into the shaft gasifier and a solid material discharge opening for discharging partially gasified solid carbonaceous material and a gas discharge opening for pyrolysis gas, an oxidation zone which is disposed in the shaft gasifier interior and which is in thermal contact with the pyrolysis zone, the oxidation zone comprising a gas feed opening connected to the gas discharge opening of the pyrolysis zone for discharging pyrolysis gas out of the pyrolysis zone, and a gas discharge opening. The oxidation zone is disposed between the pyrolysis zone and the shaft wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Armin Schwarz, Wilfried Richter
  • Publication number: 20140283453
    Abstract: A means for improving prior art combined cycle combustor and/or gasifiers and/or plural thermodynamic cycle gasification systems by introducing and utilizing an auger for the continuous feeding, agitation, tumbling, advancement and discharge of heterogenous carbonaceous fuel. In addition to the aforementioned improvement, I have included provisions for Fontana's water gas shift reaction utilizing refectory embedded down-tubes that convey steam and oxygen into and through the chambers fluidized bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Clark Tyer, SR.
  • Publication number: 20140250784
    Abstract: A downdraft gasifier for producing a gaseous fuel to be used in an engine from a carbonaceous material with a pyrolysis module, a reactor module, and a heat exchanger system that cooperate to produce the gaseous fuel from the carbonaceous material and to extract particulates from the gaseous fuel from the reactor. The heat exchange system includes a first heat exchanger coupled to the dryer module that heats the carbonaceous material with the gaseous fuel output of the reactor module to dry the carbonaceous material; a second heat exchanger coupled to the pyrolysis module that heats the dried carbonaceous material with the exhaust from the engine to pyrolyze the dried carbonaceous material into tar gas and charcoal; and a third heat exchanger coupled to the reactor module that heats air used to combust the tar gas with the gaseous fuel output of the reactor module to preheat the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: ALL POWER LABS, INC.
    Inventor: James Mason
  • Publication number: 20140250858
    Abstract: In one aspect, a gasification system for use with low rank fuel is provided. The system includes a first gasifier positioned to receive a feed of low rank fuel, the first gasifier being configured to gasify the low rank fuel to produce hydrocarbons and fixed carbon. The system also includes a second 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 first gasifier. The first conduit is configured to recycle at least a portion of the syngas stream to the first gasifier to facilitate heating low rank fuel within the first gasifier. The recycled syngas stream is mixed with the hydrocarbons to produce a hydrocarbon-rich syngas stream. The system also includes a second conduit coupled to the first gasifier for receiving the hydrocarbon-rich syngas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Anindra Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 8828109
    Abstract: A method of assembling a gasification reactor includes extending an injection device at least partially into the gasification reactor. The injection device includes a plurality of substantially concentric conduits coupled to a modular tip and at least one outer surface. The modular tip includes a plurality of cooling channels and a plurality of substantially annular nozzles defined therein. The method further includes forming at least one layer of insulation about at least a portion of the at least one outer surface to facilitate insulating at least a portion of the injection device from heat within the gasification reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter, Constantin Bugescu, Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
  • Publication number: 20140230327
    Abstract: A gasification inlet (2) comprising: an annular manifold having a frame (4) supporting a radially inner wall formed by a first annulus of fire bricks (6) and supporting an upper wall formed by a second annulus of fire bricks (8), the upper wall and/or the inner wall being provided with fluid flow openings (16a, 16b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: NEW EARTH ADVANCED THERMAL TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott Edmondson, Bruce Toase
  • Publication number: 20140223908
    Abstract: A system and method of integrated waste management having a source of a combustible waste material, a separator for separating the combustible waste material from a recyclable material, an airless drier for drying the combustible waste material to generate a pyrolysis feedstock, and a pyrolyser for pyrolysing the pyrolysis feedstock to form char and pyrogas. The system and method for power generation may also use an oxidiser for the high-temperature oxidation of syngas generated from the pyrolysis feedstock to generate heat for power production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: John Gerard Sweeney
  • Publication number: 20140223821
    Abstract: A continuous waste to energy partial oxidation gasification system and process is accomplished with high pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Knighthawk Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Cliff Knight, Mikhail Granovskiy, Steve Hester, David Sellers
  • Publication number: 20140223822
    Abstract: A method and system for producing synthesis gas comprising CO, CO2, and H2 from a carbonaceous stream using an oxygen containing stream. A stream containing a carbonaceous material, and a stream containing oxygen are injected into a gasification reactor, where the carbonaceous stream is partially oxidised to obtain a raw synthesis gas. The raw synthesis gas is removed from the gasification reactor and directed into a quenching section wherein a liquid, preferably water, is injected in the form of a mist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Robert Erwin VAN DEN BERG, Franciscus Gerardus VAN DONGEN, Thomas Paul VON KOSSAK-GLOWCZEWSKI, Hendrik Jan VAN DER PLOEG, Pieter Lammert ZUIDEVELD
  • Publication number: 20140215922
    Abstract: A fuel gasification system including a gasification furnace including a fluidized bed formed by fluidizing reactant gas for gasifying fuel charged into gasification gas and flammable solid content, a combustion furnace for combustion of the flammable solid content into which the flammable solid content produced in the furnace is introduced together with bed material and that includes a fluidized bed formed by fluidizing reactant gas, a material separator such as hot cyclone that separates bed material from exhaust gas introduced from the combustion furnace, the separated bed material being fed through a downcomer to the gasification furnace, and a tar decomposing mechanism that heats the gasification gas produced in the furnace to decompose tar contained in the gasification gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro MURAKAMI, Koubun Kyo, Toshiyuki Suda
  • Publication number: 20140215921
    Abstract: According to this invention there is provided a method of processing material such as organically coated waste and organic materials including biomass, industrial waste, municipal solid waste and sludge, the method comprising: attaching a material container cartridge containing material to be processed to a processing chamber; heating the material in a reduced oxygen atmosphere in the processing chamber to produce gas; channeling the gas from the processing chamber to a treatment chamber in which they are heated to destroy any VOC's therein; recirculating gas from the treatment chamber back into the processing chamber; and in a first mode of operation modifying the moisture content of the gas recirculating from the treatment chamber to the processing chamber by passing it through a second material container cartridge containing material to be processed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CHINOOK END-STAGE RECYCLING LIMITED
    Inventors: Rifat Al Chalabi, Ophneil Henry Perry, John Turner
  • Publication number: 20140202079
    Abstract: A port assembly for controlling the delivery of gases into the horizontal rotating reactor such as kiln gasifier is disclosed for introducing reactant gases. The port assembly comprises a cylindrical conduit is divided into noncommunicating four or more sections extending through the entire length of the kiln and supported by the stationary end plates of the rotating kiln gasifier. Each section of the conduit communicates with external supply of the reactant gases and each supply of reactant gases is independently controlled in terms of the composition and quantity. Each section of the port assembly communicates with the interior of the kiln gasifier through the plurality of nozzles are confined in the lower part of the conduit. The number and the size of the nozzles in individual section of the conduit is based on the desired flow of gases and available pressure for the supply of the reactant gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventor: Amirali Gulamhussein Rehmat
  • Publication number: 20140202080
    Abstract: A process for the gasification of wet biomass. The process comprises heating wet biomass at a pressure in the range of from 22.1 MPa to 35 MPa. The wet biomass is heated from a temperature of at most T1 to a temperature of at least T2 by heat exchange with a first heating fluid. The gasification product is further heated. The further heated gasification product is used as the first heating fluid, upon which the further heated gasification product is cooled down from a temperature of at least T3 to a temperature of at most T4. The temperatures T1, T2, T3 and T4 can be calculated by using certain mathematical formulae. Also claimed: a reaction apparatus for the gasification of wet biomass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENSOS HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: John Harinck, Klaas Gerrit Smit
  • Publication number: 20140196368
    Abstract: Gasifiers that may be used for gasifying hydrocarbon-containing materials are disclosed. Methods for use of such gasifiers are also disclosed. In an embodiment, a gasifier includes a gasification reaction vessel having one or more electrodes positioned therein. The one or more electrodes may be used to alter a chemical and/or thermodynamic equilibrium of the gasification reaction. For example, the one or more electrodes may be used to make the oxidation zone more oxidizing and/or to make the reduction zone more reducing such that oxidation and/or reduction reactions are favored. Electrodes in such gasifiers may, for example, be used to alter the mix of products produced by the gasification reaction, to lower the gasification reaction temperature, to enable altering the dimensions of the gasifier (e.g., to make the gasifier smaller) without sacrificing efficiency, and/or to speed up startup and/or shutdown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: ClearSign Combustion Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Publication number: 20140196369
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a gasifier that electrodynamically agitates charged chemical species in a reaction region of a reaction vessel of a gasifier and related methods. In an embodiment, a gasifier includes a reaction vessel configured to gasify at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material to synthesis gas. The reaction vessel includes an inlet(s) for receiving a gasification medium that reacts with the at least one hydrocarbon-containing feed material and an outlet for allowing the synthesis gas to exit from the reaction vessel, and a reaction region. The gasifier includes at least one electrode positioned to be in electrical communication with the reaction region, and a voltage source operatively coupled to the at least one electrode. The voltage source and the at least one electrode are cooperatively configured to generate a time varying electric field in the reaction region to effect electrodynamic mixing of charged chemical species therein during gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: ClearSign Combustion Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher A. Wiklof
  • Publication number: 20140190080
    Abstract: Chemical reactors with annularly positioned delivery and removal devices, and associated systems and methods. A reactor in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a reactor vessel having a light-transmissible surface proximate to a reaction zone, and a movable reactant delivery system positioned within the reactor vessel. The reactor can further include a product removal system positioned within the reactor vessel and positioned annularly inwardly or outwardly from the delivery system. A solar concentrator is positioned to direct solar radiation through the light-transmissible surface to the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 8764856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid fuel decoupled fluidized bed gasifying method and a gasifying apparatus. By physically separately performing drying and pyrolyzing of fuel, gasification of char, and tar/hydrocarbon reforming, the interactions between the separated chemical reactions and physical processes during fluidized bed gasification can be utilized. Specifically, in a fluidized bed reactor having two reaction chambers, drying and pyrolyzing of fuel, gasification of char, and tar/hydrocarbon reforming are performed, respectively, the reforming of tar/hydrocarbon is promoted through the catalytic effect of the char, and the evaporated fuel moisture is provided to the char gasification and tar/hydrocarbon reforming as an effective reaction agent. Accordingly, the tar content in product gas can be reduced, the use amount of external steam can be reduced, the overall efficiency of gasification can be improved, and this technique can also be applied to the processing of high water-containing fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Guangwen Xu, Xinhua Liu, Toshiyuki Suda, Toshiro Fujimori
  • Publication number: 20140178782
    Abstract: A system for gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock, such as municipal waste, to generate power includes a devolatilization reactor that creates char from the feedstock and a gasifier that creates a product gas from both the char and from volatiles released when devolatilizing the feedstock. The product gas is reacted in a fuel cell to create electrical energy and process heat. The process heat is used to heat the devolatilization reactor and the gasifier. The gasifier comprises a plurality of configurable circuits that can each be tuned to meet the individual needs of the char material being gasified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SUSTAINABLE WASTE POWER SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Gillespie, Christopher P. Gillespie
  • Publication number: 20140157666
    Abstract: A method of assembling an injection device for use in a reactor injector feed assembly includes extending the injection device at least partially into a cavity. The injection device includes a plurality of substantially concentric conduits coupled to a modular tip that includes a plurality of cooling channels and a plurality of substantially annular nozzles defined therein. The method also includes coupling at least one coolant distribution device in flow communication with the plurality of cooling channels to facilitate removing heat from an outer surface of the injection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, Shahram Farhangi, Robert M. Saxelby, David R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8647401
    Abstract: A gasification system and method for converting organic materials into a usable syngas are provided. The gasification system includes a kiln for receiving a feedstock; a means for heating the kiln; a steam reforming reactor; and means for inductively heating the steam reforming reactor to drive the gasification reactions. In one preferred embodiment, the fuel processing system includes a steam reforming reactor that is at least partially filled with thermal transmitters which receive electromagnetic energy and generate heat within the steam reforming reactor. The organic material to be used as feedstock may include but will not be limited to petrochemical streams, refinery streams, natural gas, crude oil, coal, plastics, municipal wastes, toxic and hazardous wastes, biomass, medical wastes, and automobile wastes. The syngas that is produced in this process may consist primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Shaw Intellectual Property Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: John Self, Robert A. Olexy, Steve Cochran
  • Patent number: 8641991
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for processing biomass into usable products, wherein such methods and systems involve an integration into conventional refineries and/or conventional refinery processes. Such methods and systems provide for an enhanced ability to utilize biofuels efficiently, and they can, at least in some embodiments, be used in hybrid refineries alongside conventional refinery processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Schinski
  • Publication number: 20140026483
    Abstract: Systems for preheating feedstock are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one energy source disposed in a gasification plant and configured to provide an energy, and a feedstock supply configured to deliver a solid feedstock. The system further includes a feed bin disposed downstream of the feedstock supply, wherein the feed bin is configured to receive the solid feedstock and to provide a dry feedstock. The system additionally includes a gasifier disposed downstream from the feed bin, wherein the gasifier is configured to produce a syngas from the dry feedstock. The system further includes a heating system configured to use the energy to heat the solid feedstock directly, heat the solid feedstock indirectly, or a combination thereof, to remove moisture from the solid feedstock in the feed bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sunil Ramabhilkh Mishra, Anindra Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 8597384
    Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a gasification cooling system having an annular seal with a bellows. For example, the gasification cooling system may include a housing with an inlet, an outlet, and an interior between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the interior has a throat adjacent the inlet, and the throat expands in a flow direction from the inlet toward the outlet. The annular seal may be disposed in the throat of the housing, wherein the annular seal includes the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yasir Hafeez Abbasi, Cliff Yi Guo, Wade Albert Taber, Xinyuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130283690
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for producing “Syngas” (1) from carbon based material comprising means for feeding (10) the material into the system (1), means for combustion of the material, adapted to produce Syngas, means for use (20) of the Syngas and means for extraction of the combustion residues, wherein the means for combustion of the material comprise: a sealed combustion chamber, with temperatures between 300 and 600° C., capable of decomposing the organic molecules of the carbon based material into a mixture of gases and into ash; a device for injection of gas (330) into the combustion chamber; a device for monitoring the quantity of gas introduced/to be introduced into the combustion chamber, capable of guaranteeing a correct sub-stoichiometric ratio for decomposition of the organic molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: High Tech Energie SRO
    Inventor: Michele De Bellis
  • Patent number: 8545579
    Abstract: A gasification furnace 2 is divided into a plurality of gasification furnace units 2a and 2b each of which has an inlet 15a, 15b on a lower portion at a longitudinally upstream end in a direction of travel of raw and bed materials and has an outlet 16a, 16b on an upper portion at a longitudinally downstream end in the direction of travel. The outlet 16a is connected to the inlet 15b. The inlet 15a is fed with a raw material and a hot bed material from a materials separator 8. The inlet 15b is also fed with the hot bed material from the material separator 8. The outlet 16b is connected to a combustion furnace 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Hisanori Nukumi, Toshiyuki Suda, Tomoya Muramoto
  • Publication number: 20130247464
    Abstract: Provided is a method of reforming a produced gas to reform tar contained in the produced gas from a gasification furnace. Quick lime comes in contact with a produced gas (3) from a gasification furnace (2) in a reformer (1) such that the quick lime absorbs carbon dioxide in the produced gas to generate calcium carbonate, and reforming reaction of the tar is performed with calcium as a catalyst using heat of reaction emitted during that time. In addition, as the calcium carbonate of the reformer (1) is supplied and burnt in a reforming agent regenerator (8), the quick lime is regenerated and supplied into the reformer (1) again. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a method and device for reforming a produced gas that are capable of simplifying equipment and operation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventor: Toru Ishii
  • Publication number: 20130239479
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and a method for multistage hierarchical pyrolysis and gasification of solid fuels. The apparatus comprises a feeding device 1, a multistage fluidized bed reactor 6, a residual discharging valve 9, a cyclone 10 and a condenser 11. A gas inlet is provided at the bottom of the multistage fluidized bed reactor 6 and a number of stages of fluidized beds 3 are provided within the multistage fluidized bed 6, wherein the fluidized beds 3 are separated by a number of perforated distributors 5. The top stage fluidized bed 3 is connected with the feeding device 1 and the coal fed thereto is heated by char obtained from pyrolysis in this stage and the mixture of high temperature ascending pyrolysis and gasification gas to undergo pyrolysis reactions at low temperature, thereby to obtain solid particles after preliminary pyrolytic process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Shiqiu Gao, Guangwen Xu, Qi Zhou, Xufei Xu, Yin Wang, Qiang Li
  • Publication number: 20130232875
    Abstract: A system for producing superior quality synthesis gas (“syngas”) consisting of a series of chambers in which the gasification stages of reaction, homogenization and activation occur. The first stage reaction stage agitates and combines the reactants, consisting primarily of organic matter, oxidizer and steam, to initiate gasification of the organic and volatile fraction and to transport the inorganic residue to continuous removal. In the homogenization chamber, turbulence is induced by injecting gaseous species. The gas mixture emerging from the homogenization chamber is accelerated via a third stage communicating duct and is introduced tangentially into the fourth stage activation chamber inducing a cyclonic motion wherein a high intensity radiant heat source is introduced along the central axis of the gas vortex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ENERSOL POWER LLC.
    Inventors: Kenneth HLADUN, Jayaraman Ramamurthi, Mark Edward Vetter, Yuji Kado
  • Publication number: 20130212944
    Abstract: A zirconium-based mixed oxide or zirconium-based mixed hydroxide which is capable of (a) at least 90% v/v conversion of naphthalene at atmospheric pressure at a temperature in the range 600-700° C. using a residence time of about 0.3 seconds, and/or (b) providing an initial heat of adsorption of ammonia of greater than 150 kJ/mol when measured by ammonia flowing gas microcalorimetry. Also, a method for purifying gas produced from the gasification of carbonaceous materials, comprising the step of bringing the gas into contact with such mixed oxides or mixed hydroxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicants: VALTION TEKNILLINEN TUTKIMUSKESKUS, MAGNESIUM ELEKTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: Hazel Stephenson, Heather Bradshaw, Pekka Simell, Anu Solla, Ella Ronkkonen, Outi Krause
  • Publication number: 20130199093
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a reaction chamber, including a catalyst, and a heating chamber configured to receive light. The heating chamber is positioned underneath at least a portion of the reaction chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Regents of the University of Minnesota
  • Patent number: 8435315
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for the efficient conversion of carbonaceous feedstock including municipal solid waste into a product gas through gasification. More specifically, a horizontally-oriented gasifier having one or more lateral transfer system for moving material through the gasifier is provided thereby allowing for the horizontal expansion of the gasification process such that there is sequential promotion of feedstock drying, volatization and char-to-ash conversions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Plasco Energy Group Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Mao Pei Cui, Geoffrey Dobbs, Douglas Michael Feasby, Zhiyuan Shen
  • Patent number: 8372169
    Abstract: A low-temperature gasification system comprising a horizontally oriented gasifier is provided that optimizes the extraction of gaseous molecules from carbonaceous feedstock while minimizing waste heat. The system comprises a plurality of integrated subsystems that work together to convert municipal solid waste (MSW) into electricity. The subsystems comprised by the low-temperature gasification system are: a Municipal Solid Waste Handling System; a Plastics Handling System; a Horizontally Oriented Gasifier with Lateral Transfer Units System; a Gas Reformulating System; a Heat Recycling System; a Gas Conditioning System; a Residue Conditioning System; a Gas Homogenization System and a Control System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Plasco Energy Group Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Tsangaris, Scott Douglas Basham, Kenneth Craig Campbell, Ashish Chotaliya, Mao Pei Cui, Geofrey Dobbs, Douglas Michael Feasby, Pascale Bonnie Marceau, Alisdair Alan McLean, Zhiyuan Shen, Nipun Soni, Thomas Edward Wagler, Xiaoping Zou, Margaret Swain
  • Patent number: 8349036
    Abstract: A system for heating and drying a quantity of coal feedstock being channeled to a gasifier includes a first heat exchanger coupled in flow communication with the gasifier for transferring heat from an input stream to an output stream of heat transfer fluid, and a second heat exchanger positioned downstream from the first heat exchanger for receiving the output stream of heat transfer fluid from the first heat exchanger, said second heat exchanger transfers heat from the output stream of heat transfer fluid to a stream of heating gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Steven Craig Russell, Judeth Brannon Corry
  • Publication number: 20120297773
    Abstract: Described herein are gradual oxidation systems that receive and process solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels. The system can include a solid fuel gasifier that extracts and cleans gas fuel from a solid fuel. The system can also include a reaction chamber that receives the gas fuel and maintains a gradual oxidation process of the fuel. In some embodiments, liquids containing contaminants can be oxidized within the gradual oxidation chamber. Liquid fuels and gas fuels may be communicated to the oxidation chamber separately or in combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: FLEXENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Edan D. PRABHU
  • Publication number: 20120167463
    Abstract: Systems and methods for gasifying a feedstock are provided. The method can include combining one or more feedstocks and one or more solid components in a treatment zone to provide a treated feedstock. At least a portion of the treated feedstock can be introduced to a reaction zone of a gasifier. The one or more solid components can have an average density and an average cross-sectional size that adjusts at least one of an average density of solids within a solids bed of the gasifier and an average cross-sectional size of the solids within the solids bed of the gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: John Abughazaleh
  • Patent number: 8202499
    Abstract: A small cylindrical reformer having at least a combustion reaction unit and a fuel-converting catalytic reaction unit wherein the combustion reaction unit and the fuel-converting catalytic reaction unit are structured as six cylindrical pipes to realize optimal heat exchange efficiently, a route supplying a water gas shift reformate to a preferential oxidation reactor and a route supplying feed and water into reforming reaction parts from the feed/water inlet overlap each other at a lower portion of the reformer so as to increase heat transfer efficiency, and a preferential oxidation reactor provided outside the fuel-converting catalytic reaction unit to decrease the concentration of carbon monoxide in the water gas shift reformate to a predetermined level or lower and increase heat transfer efficiency with an air/fuel preheating passage communicating with the air/fuel inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: SK Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Woo Woo, Young Seek Yoon, Seong Ho Lee, Il Su Kim, Keun Seob Choi
  • Publication number: 20120124908
    Abstract: A method of removing gaseous byproducts from a gas stream includes generating via at least one partial-combustion device a gas stream that includes gaseous byproducts. The method also includes channeling the gas stream from the at least one partial-combustion device to a fluid compression device that is configured to increase a pressure of the gas stream. The method further includes channeling the gas stream to a gaseous byproducts removal system to absorb at least a portion of the gaseous byproducts from the gas stream using a solvent. The method also includes discharging at least a portion of the gaseous byproducts from the gaseous byproducts removal system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Asiff Apdul Supahan, Ganesh Prasadh Kidambi, Rajalakshmi Vengadasamy, Richard A. DePuy