With Preliminary Reaction To Form Hydrogen Or A Carbon Oxide Patents (Class 518/702)
  • Patent number: 11920501
    Abstract: An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000° C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rondo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: John Setel O'Donnell, Peter Emery Von Behrens, Chiaki Treynor, Jeremy Quentin Keller, Matthieu Jonemann, Robert Ratz, Yusef Desjardins Ferhani
  • Patent number: 11807613
    Abstract: The integrated processes herein provide improved carbon efficiency for processes based on coal or biomass gasification or steam methane reforming. Provided are also ethylene oxide carbonylation products such as beta-propiolactone and succinic anhydride having a bio-based content between 0% and 100%, and methods for producing and analyzing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Novomer, Inc.
    Inventors: Sadesh H. Sookraj, Michael A. Slowik
  • Patent number: 11668266
    Abstract: A total recycling system of capture, conversion and utilization of flue gas from factory, power plant and refinery. A combined decontamination and dust removal unit removes dust and oxides; a capture subsystem captures CO2; a water unit recovers water; a hydrogen unit decomposes water into hydrogen and oxygen, and the oxygen is fed into a water gas unit to support combustion and extract hydrogen; a conversion subsystem enables a catalytic reaction between CO2 and hydrogen to convert into methanol and diol; an utilization subsystem makes a supercritical CO2 nanocellulose slurry, then to be blended with other material particles and extruded to form a supercritical CO2 nanocellulose foam; an energy subsystem is configured with solar energy, wind energy, and supplements energy by means of residual heat and hydrogen power generation; the system achieve carbon dioxide emission's reduction, conversion and utilization, thoroughly improve air pollution and green house effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Weining Song
  • Patent number: 11292717
    Abstract: A process for preparing methanol from a carbon-containing feedstock by producing synthesis gas therefrom in a synthesis gas production unit, converting the synthesis gas to methanol in a methanol synthesis unit and working up the reaction mixture obtained stepwise to isolate the methanol, wherein the carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, dimethyl ether and methane components of value from the streams separated off in the isolation of the methanol are combusted with an oxygenous gas, and the carbon dioxide in the resultant flue gas is separated off in a carbon dioxide recovery unit and recycled to the synthesis gas production unit and/or to the methanol synthesis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Maximilian Vicari, Thomas Geiger, Torsten Katz
  • Patent number: 11285435
    Abstract: Systems and methods for producing water from process gas are provided herein. The systems include a water generating system that adjusts the pressure and temperature conditions surrounding a hygroscopic material in order to release water vapor generated by exposure of the hygroscopic material to the process gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SOURCE GLOBAL, PBC
    Inventors: Cody Friesen, Kamil Salloum, Grant Friesen, Heath Lorzel, Kimberly McGuinness
  • Patent number: 11180368
    Abstract: A method of co-producing a nitrogen containing stream and a methanol stream, including producing at least an oxygen enriched stream and a nitrogen enriched stream in an air separation unit, introducing at least a portion of the oxygen enriched stream into an oxygen-based reformer, thereby producing a first syngas stream, introducing at least a portion of the first syngas stream into a methanol synthesis reactor, thereby producing at least a hydrogen containing stream and a methanol containing stream, introducing at least a portion of the methanol containing stream into a methanol distillation system, thereby producing a methanol product stream, introducing at least a portion of the nitrogen enriched stream, at least a portion of the first enriched hydrogen containing stream, and at least a portion of the second enriched hydrogen containing stream into an ammonia synthesis reactor, thereby producing an ammonia product stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procëdës Georges Claude
    Inventors: Joseph T. Stroffolino, IV, Alexander Roesch
  • Patent number: 11155760
    Abstract: Processes for natural gas production are described. The processes involve combining a membrane separation system and a thermal oxidizing system. The high and low hydrocarbon permeate streams from the membrane separation system are introduced into the thermal oxidizing system separately. The high hydrocarbon permeate stream provides fuel for the thermal oxidizing system, allowing a reduction in external fuel usage. The reduction in total fuel required yields increased gas production for the total plant. A solvent based acid gas removal system can optionally be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Whyman, David Farr, Jan De Ren, Manu Gustaaf Rosa Van Leuvenhaege
  • Patent number: 11124424
    Abstract: A process for co-production of methanol and ammonia in parallel based on autothermal reforming with oxygen enriched air from electrolysis of water and separation of air and preparation of ammonia with hydrogen from the electrolysis of water and nitrogen from the separation of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventor: Pat A. Han
  • Patent number: 10843157
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of chemical looping using non-stoichiometric materials with a variable degree of non-stoichiometry. One application of these methods is in the water gas shift reaction for H2 production. The methods of the invention can overcome limitations, e.g. those associated with chemical equilibria, which prevent chemical processes from proceeding with complete conversion of starting materials to products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: University of Newcastle Upon Tyne
    Inventor: Ian Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 10780395
    Abstract: A process for removing hydrocarbons from a feed stream containing hydrocarbons includes introducing ozone to the feed stream to produce an ozone doped stream containing ozone and hydrocarbons, and contacting the ozone doped stream with a supported metal catalyst at a temperature of from 100° C. to 300° C. to produce a treated stream, wherein the supported metal catalyst comprises iron supported on a support selected from aluminosilicates, silica-aluminas, silicates and aluminas. A process for removing NOx from a feed stream containing NOx, and an apparatus for removing hydrocarbons and/or NOx from a feed stream containing hydrocarbons and/or NOx are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignees: Ricardo Inc., Ricardo UK Limited
    Inventors: Damodara M. Poojary, Jacques F. Nicole, Matthew Keenan
  • Patent number: 10639586
    Abstract: A method and an integrated system for reducing CO2 emissions in industrial processes. The method and integrated system (100) capture carbon dioxide (CO2) gas from a first gas stream (104) with a chemical absorbent to produce a second gas stream (106) having a higher concentration of carbon monoxide (CO) gas and a lower concentration of CO2 gas as compared to first gas stream. The CO gas in the second gas stream is used to produce C5 to C20 hydrocarbons in an exothermic reaction (108) with hydrogen (H2) gas (138). At least a portion of the heat generated in the exothermic reaction is used to regenerate the chemical absorbent with the liberation of the CO2 gas (128) captured from the first gas stream. Heat captured during the exothermic reaction can, optionally, first be used to generate electricity, wherein the heat remaining after generating electricity is used to thermally regenerate the chemical absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Davidian, Steven Corthals, Cornelis Biesheuvel, Matthijs Ruitenbeek, Andrzej Malek, Peter E. Groenendijk, Garmt R. Meima
  • Patent number: 10538709
    Abstract: This invention relates to a power recovery process in waste steam/CO2 reformers in which a waste stream can be made to release energy without having to burn the waste or the syngas. This invention in some embodiments does not make use of fuel cells as a component but makes use of exothermic chemical reactors using syngas to produce heat, such as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. It also relates to control or elimination of the emissions of greenhouse gases in the power recovery process of this invention with the goal of producing energy in the future carbonless world economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Raven SR, LLC
    Inventor: Terry R. Galloway
  • Patent number: 10385732
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to power plants. The teachings thereof may be embodied in power plants which extract and store carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in the power plant, and in methods for operating a power plant of this kind. For example, a method for operating a power plant may include: generating electrical energy from a combustion process, extracting carbon dioxide from a flue gas generated during the combustion process; storing the extracted carbon dioxide; acquiring current electricity price data; comparing the current electricity price data with an electricity price threshold; and if the electricity price falls below the electricity price threshold, operating an electrolysis device to convert stored carbon dioxide into other substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Maximilian Fleischer, Michael Weinhold
  • Patent number: 10351423
    Abstract: A process for reducing metal ore may include: carrying out a reaction between a stream of carbon dioxide and a stream of at least one hydrocarbon, at pressure greater than or equal to 0.5 atmospheres (atm) and less than or equal to 100 atm and at temperature greater than or equal to 800° C. and less than or equal to 1,350° C., to produce a reducing gaseous stream comprising at least H2, CO, CO2, and water vapor; and/or reducing at least one metal ore using the reducing gaseous stream so as to obtain at least one reduced metal material and at least one exhausted gaseous stream comprising at least CO2 and water vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventors: Eduardo Luigi Szego, Marco Derudi
  • Patent number: 10196655
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method which are suitable for producing an organic substance using a synthesis gas from a waste gasification furnace. The apparatus 1 for producing an organic substance from waste comprises a synthesis gas generation furnace 11 for generating a synthesis gas by partial oxidation of the waste; and an organic substance production unit 12 for producing an organic substance from the synthesis gas. The organic substance production unit 12 further comprises: a synthesis unit 13 for synthesizing an organic substance by subjecting the synthesis gas to catalytic reaction in the presence of a metal catalyst, and a fermenter 14 for producing an organic substance by subjecting the synthesis gas to microbial fermentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Koma, Tetsuya Ishii
  • Patent number: 10180253
    Abstract: A carbon dioxide conversion system is provided. The carbon dioxide conversion system includes: an ion transfer membrane that separates oxygen in the air; an oxy-fuel combustor that combusts using oxygen that is separated at the ion transfer membrane as an oxidizing agent; and a dry-reformer that converts carbon dioxide that is generated through an oxy-fuel combustion reaction of the oxy-fuel combustor and methane gas that is supplied from the outside to carbon monoxide and hydrogen by a dry-reforming reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignees: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALS, KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY, KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Kew-Ho Lee, Kook-Young Ahn, Sang Gyu Kang, Young Duk Lee, Tae Sun Chang, Seung Eun Nam, Ji Haeung Yu, Jong Hoon Joo
  • Patent number: 10144890
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting an alcohol into a fuel mixture which consists of alcohol, ether and water and is suitable for operating a combustion engine, in particular an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, converts the alcohol into the fuel mixture in a reactor at a suitable reaction temperature. The mixing ratio of alcohol fraction, ether fraction and water fraction in the fuel mixture is adjusted by controlling at least one reaction parameter of a reaction taking place in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventor: Andreas Doering
  • Patent number: 10099189
    Abstract: In a fixed-bed flow reaction using a multitubular heat exchange type reactor, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel packing for a reaction tube, which can control the reaction ratio in the vicinity of the reaction tube inlet, reduce the load unevenly placed on the catalyst in the reaction region, and distribute the load on the entire catalyst layer, a heat exchange type reactor, and a reaction method using the reaction tube. The packing for a reaction tube of the present invention is characterized in that the volume is continuously or step-by-step decreased from one end part or midway toward the other end part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuuji Shimasaki
  • Patent number: 10029224
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of synthesis gas by means of particularly a series arrangement of heat exchange reforming and autothermal reforming stages, in which the heat required for the reforming reactions in the heat exchange reforming stage is provided by hot effluent synthesis gas from the autothermal reforming stage. More particularly, the invention relates to optimisation of the operation and control of an arrangement of heat exchange reforming and autothermal reforming stages and introduction of an additional waste heat boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Lari Bjerg Knudsen, Martin Frahm Jensen
  • Patent number: 9975866
    Abstract: In accordance with the present subject matter, there is provided a process for preparing a furan derivative, the process comprising the steps of contacting a sugar with a monophasic organic solvent to obtain a reaction mixture; and subjecting the reaction mixture to a temperature in the range from 100° C. to 180° C., in presence of an acid catalyst, for a time period in the range of 0.5 min to 4.0 h to obtain at least 70% conversion of the sugar to a single furan derivative, wherein the acid catalyst is selected from the group consisting of homogenous acid catalyst, heterogenous solid acid catalyst, and combinations thereof. There is also provided a process for preparation of a heterogenous solid acid catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignees: DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY. MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Arvind Mallinath Lali, Hitesh Suresh Pawar
  • Patent number: 9969665
    Abstract: An energy integrated process is disclosed for the conversion of carbon dioxide to a liquid product. The conversion reaction is exothermic. The heat of reaction and the heat of condensation of the reaction product or products are used as energy input in a carbon dioxide enrichment step. The enrichment step produces a feed gas for the conversion reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Inventors: Paul O'Connor, Timo Roestenberg, Sa{hacek over (s)}a Marinic
  • Patent number: 9957161
    Abstract: Provided are processes for production of hydrogen to be used in various industrial processes, including in processes for production of ammonia and urea. Included are polygeneration processes that result in ultra-low emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Grannus, LLC
    Inventor: James Kelly Merritt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9919985
    Abstract: Additives for mixing into the base catalyst inventory of the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process units, so as to achieve a high selectivity of light olefins (ethylene and propylene), are described. Such additives comprise an FER zeolite and an MFI zeolite, the MFI zeolite preferably being zeolite ZSM-5. The mixture of the additive in a concentration greater than 2% w/w relative to the base catalyst of an FCC unit allows greater selectivity for light olefins, propylene and ethylene, while maintaining catalytic activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Inventors: Raquel Bastiani, Lam Yiu Lau, Andrea de Rezende Pinho, Rosana Wasserman, Ivanilda Barboza do Espirito Santo
  • Patent number: 9914683
    Abstract: A method of synthesizing fuel from an aqueous solution includes pumping the aqueous solution, containing dissolved inorganic carbon, from a body of water into a carbon extraction unit. The method further includes extracting the dissolved inorganic carbon from the aqueous solution to create CO2 by changing a pH of the aqueous solution in the carbon extraction unit. The CO2 derived in the carbon extraction unit is received by a fuel synthesis unit, and the CO2 is converted into fuel including at least one of a hydrocarbon, an ether, or an alcohol using the fuel synthesis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventor: Matthew D. Eisaman
  • Patent number: 9890041
    Abstract: Process for the production of synthesis gas from hydrocarbon feed containing higher hydrocarbons comprising bypassing a portion of the hydrocarbon feed around a first pre-reforming stage and passing the pre-reformed and bypassed portions through at least a second pre-reforming stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Thomas Sandahl Christensen, Pia Elholm
  • Patent number: 9884998
    Abstract: A synthesis gas production apparatus (reformer) to be used for a synthesis gas production step in a GTL (gas-to-liquid) process is prevented from being contaminated by metal components. A method of suppressing metal contamination of a synthesis gas production apparatus operating for a GTL process that includes a synthesis gas production step of producing synthesis gas by causing natural gas and gas containing steam and/or carbon dioxide to react with each other for reforming in a synthesis gas production apparatus in which, at the time of separating and collecting a carbon dioxide contained in the synthesis gas produced in the synthesis gas production step and recycling the separated and collected carbon dioxide as source gas for the reforming reaction in the synthesis gas production step, a nickel concentration in the recycled carbon dioxide is not higher than 0.05 ppmv.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: JAPAN OIL, GAS AND METALS NATIONAL CORPORATION, INPEX CORPORATION, JX NIPPON OIL & ENERGY CORPORATION, JAPAN PETROLEUM EXPLORATION CO., LTD., COSMO OIL CO., LTD., NIPPON STEEL & SUMIKIN ENGINEERING CO., LTD., CHIYODA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuhei Wakamatsu, Fuyuki Yagi, Tomoyuki Mikuriya, Kenichi Kawazuishi
  • Patent number: 9835117
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel reforming system that can convert gasoline into alcohol in a vehicle. Provided is a fuel reforming system (1) equipped with a reformer (15) having a reforming catalyst (152) that uses air to reform gasoline to produce alcohol, a mixer (14) which mixes gasoline and air and supplies the mixture to the reformer (15), and a condenser (16) which separates the gas produced in the reformer (15) into a gas phase and a condensed phase of which reformed fuel is the primary constituent; wherein the fuel reforming system (1) is characterized in that the reforming catalyst (152) is configured including a main catalyst for extracting hydrogen atoms from the hydrocarbons in the gasoline to produce alkyl radicals, and a catalytic promoter for reducing alkyl hydroperoxides produced from the alkyl radicals to produce alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kohtaro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 9828559
    Abstract: A method of producing a low sulfur tall oil fatty acid by first esterifying the tall oil fatty acid, followed by distillation of the tall oil fatty acid ester, followed by saponification and acidulation to provide a low sulfur tall oil fatty acid. A fuel additive comprising tall oil fatty acid and a sulfur compound, wherein the sulfur compound comprises from about 0.1 to about 20 ppm of the additive. A fuel comprises a hydrocarbon fuel component and the fuel additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Kraton Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: Lloyd A. Nelson, Gary Reed, Gregory Achatz
  • Patent number: 9701910
    Abstract: The present disclosures and inventions relate to a method including the steps of: a) introducing a natural gas; b) reforming the natural gas; wherein the reforming step comprises contacting the natural gas with steam to produce a syngas; c) converting the syngas to a product mixture comprising an olefin, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen; wherein the converting step comprises contacting the syngas with a Co/Mn catalyst; and d) converting at least some process hydrogen and at least some process and/or external carbon dioxide to syngas by a reverse water gas shift reaction, and recycling such reverse water gas shift reaction produced syngas to before step c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Mubarik Ali Bashir, Khalid Karim, Ali Essa Alhammad
  • Patent number: 9630840
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to cooling shale gas via reaction of methane, light hydrocarbons, or a combination thereof, with water. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of cooling syngas. The method includes contacting the hot syngas with methane or light hydrocarbons. The hot syngas includes water and has a temperature of about 800° C. to about 3000° C. The contacting is effective to endothermically react the methane or light hydrocarbons with the water in the hot syngas to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen and to provide a cooled syngas having a lower temperature than the hot syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Joshua J. Stanislowski, Michael J. Holmes, Michael L. Swanson
  • Patent number: 9587183
    Abstract: A process for production of middle distillate fraction from gas-to-liquid (GTL) conversion comprising providing a feed stream comprising natural gas and separating a condensate from the feed stream to produce a condensate stream and a feed stream; processing the feed stream via a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reaction to generate a long chain hydrocarbon product stream; processing the product stream via a heavy paraffinic conversion in order to produce a FT product stream; treating the condensate stream with a desulfurization step to generate a condensate product stream; combining the FT product stream with the condensate product stream to provide a distillate feed stream; and performing a distillation step on the distillation feed stream, wherein the processing steps occur substantially concurrently with the treating step and wherein distillation provides for isolation of middle distillate products. Middle distillate fractions and fuel oils/fuel oil blends obtained according to the process are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Ali Mohammed Ali Shahab Al-Sharshani, Wilhelmus Johannes Franciscus Scholten, Arend Hoek
  • Patent number: 9464237
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for starting up a gas-to-liquid process including the production of synthesis gas and a downstream GTL process. The synthesis gas is produced by the use of autothermal reforming (ATR) or catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) and during the starting period the effluent gas from the ATR or CPO is significantly changed to form an off-gas recycle which is fed to the ATR or CPO. When the downstream GTL process is running, the recycle to ATR or CPO is shifted to its off-gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Per Juul Dahl, Stefan Andersen
  • Patent number: 9365870
    Abstract: Integrated processes are disclosed for reducing the carbon foot print related to the use of non-renewable hydrocarbon gas streams for producing alcohols by anaerobic bioconversion of reformed gas. These processes combine renewable and non-renewable gas sources of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to produce alcohol. Thus the invention found a highly a practical way to make use of non-renewable carbon oxide sources while still lowering the carbon footprint of such alcohols produced thereby, especially when combined with corn ethanol production. In the case of motor fuel use, the renewable portion of the alcohol produced in this manner provides a reduction in greenhouse gases by 50% or more when compared to gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: SYNATA BIO, INC.
    Inventors: Rathin Datta, Steve Calderone, Loula Sassaris Merkel
  • Patent number: 9150800
    Abstract: A second stage gasification unit in a staged gasification integrated process flow scheme and operating methods are disclosed to gasify a wide range of low reactivity fuels. The inclusion of second stage gasification unit operating at high temperatures closer to ash fusion temperatures in the bed provides sufficient flexibility in unit configurations, operating conditions and methods to achieve an overall carbon conversion of over 95% for low reactivity materials such as bituminous and anthracite coals, petroleum residues and coke. The second stage gasification unit includes a stationary fluidized bed gasifier operating with a sufficiently turbulent bed of predefined inert bed material with lean char carbon content. The second stage gasifier fluidized bed is operated at relatively high temperatures up to 1400° C. Steam and oxidant mixture can be injected to further increase the freeboard region operating temperature in the range of approximately from 50 to 100° C. above the bed temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: SOUTHERN COMPANY
    Inventors: Guohai Liu, Pannalal Vimalchand, WanWang Peng
  • Patent number: 9133075
    Abstract: This invention relates to the production of liquid fuels from coal and natural gas and, more specifically, to a new process that combines Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) with catalytic dehydrogenation (CDH) and methane injection (MI) into the CDH reactor (FTS-CDH-MI) to eliminate all carbon dioxide emissions during the production of liquid fuels. The additional methane for the FTS-CDH-MI process can be derived from natural gas produced by hydro-fracking. The addition of methane in the CDH process eliminates the need for the standard water-gas shift (WGS) reaction to the syngas, which is used to increase the hydrogen (H2) of the syngas in FTS. This eliminates the use of water in the process and eliminates entirely the production of CO2. In addition to producing the H2 needed for FTS, this process (FTS-CDH) converts the C in these gases into multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Inventor: Gerald P Huffman
  • Patent number: 9085497
    Abstract: Carbon dioxide conversion processes are described for the conversion of carbon dioxide via hydrogenation to hydrocarbons. The process utilizes an initial feed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen converted under Fischer Tropsch conditions to hydrocarbons followed by subsequent displacement of the carbon monoxide in the reactor feed with carbon dioxide, which is then converted to carbon monoxide under reverse water gas shift conditions and the initial carbon monoxide feed being terminated once the reverse water gas shift conversion of carbon dioxide. After the optimum reaction conditions are established the feed of carbon monoxide may be withdrawn and any required carbon monoxide provided via reactor effluent recycle. The process provides for enhanced catalyst performance and life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Avocet Fuel Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: James Robert Jennings
  • Patent number: 9079153
    Abstract: A catalytic reactor includes a pair of plates arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval so as to form a path in which fluid flows; a channel member bonded to the plates in the path to divide the path into channels; and a catalyst carrier inserted into each of the channels and extending along the each of the channels. At least one of the pair of plates serves as a first heat-transfer surface when contacting a temperature medium having a temperature zone different from a temperature zone in the path and exchanging heat with the temperature medium. Each of the channels has a cross section for which an aspect ratio (W/H) of a width to a height is equal to or less than 1, and the catalyst carrier includes a wave-shaped base having a single piece structure, and a catalyst formed on a surface of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Tsujii, Naoki Kashi
  • Patent number: 9067849
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fabricating syngas mixtures or fuels are disclosed. A system may include parallel processing chambers, each processing chamber configured to produce one component of a syngas mixture. Each chamber may include at least one plasma torch having a source of a working gas. In one embodiment, a first processing chamber may be optimized to produce hydrogen gas, and a second processing chamber may be optimized to produce carbon monoxide gas. The system may include a mixing component configured to mix the hydrogen gas and the carbon monoxide gas. The system may also include a reaction system to receive the hydrogen gas and the carbon monoxide gas and produce a fuel therefrom. The parallel processing chamber system may be used in methods for producing a syngas mixture or a fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: POWERDYNE, INC.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Hirson, Gus F. Shouse
  • Patent number: 9040012
    Abstract: System and method for sustainable economic development which includes hydrogen extracted from substances, for example, sea water, industrial waste water, agricultural waste water, sewage, and landfill waste water. The hydrogen extraction is accomplished by thermal dissociation, electrical dissociation, optical dissociation, and magnetic dissociation. The hydrogen extraction further includes operation in conjunction with energy addition from renewable resources, for example, solar, wind, moving water, geothermal, or biomass resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20150141536
    Abstract: A method for recycling carbon dioxide from biomass gasification. The method includes: 1) employing carbon dioxide as a gasifying agent, allowing the carbon dioxide to gasify biomass to yield syngas; 2) cooling the syngas; 3) introduced cooled syngas to a cyclone separator and a gas scrubber for dust removal and purification; 4) allowing purified syngas in 3) to react with the vapor to modify a ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide of the syngas; 5) desulfurizing modified syngas to remove H2S and COS therein; 6) decarburizing desulfurized syngas to separate carbon dioxide therein; 7) introducing desulfurized and decarburized syngas to a synthesizing tower to yield oil products and exhaust gas including carbon dioxide; 8) decarburizing the exhaust gas including carbon dioxide and separating the carbon dioxide; and 9) introducing the carbon dioxide separated in 6) and 8) to 1) as the gasifying agent for gasification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Yanfeng ZHANG, Liang ZHANG, Minggui XIA, Wenyan LIU
  • Publication number: 20150141535
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the modification of the hydrocarbon production sequence of operations including the Fischer-Tropsch process for the production of hydrocarbon fuels in an efficient manner, along with the production of commercially valuable co-products from by-products of the hydrocarbon production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Patent number: 9029429
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of hydrocarbon product from two different hydrocarbonaceous feedstocks comprising the steps of preparing a feed syngas having a hydrogen/carbon monoxide [H2/CO] molar feed ratio suitable for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, wherein the feed syngas is prepared by combining a first syngas having a H2/CO molar ratio below the molar feed ratio and a second syngas having a H2/CO molar ratio above the molar feed ratio; the first syngas is prepared from a liquid hydrocarbon comprising feedstock as the sole source of carbon in a first syngas manufacturing process comprising a non-catalytic partial oxidation step; the second syngas is prepared from a methane comprising feedstock as the sole source of carbon in a second syngas manufacturing process comprising a heat exchange reforming step and an auto-thermal reforming step; and the first and second syngas manufacturing processes are operated in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Maarten Bracht, Martin Philipp Rohde
  • Publication number: 20150121869
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of sustainable economic development, such as development through an integrated production of renewable energy, material resources, and nutrient regimes. In some embodiments, the system utilizes resources extracted from renewable energy sources to assist in the capture of energy from other renewable energy sources. In some embodiments, the system utilizes energy from renewable energy sources to extract resources from other renewable energy sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Publication number: 20150126627
    Abstract: A system for the production of synthetic fuel, the system including a catalytic dual fluidized bed (DFB) configured to produce, from a DFB feedgas, a DFB product containing synthesis gas; and a Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis apparatus fluidly connected with the catalytic DFB, wherein the FT synthesis apparatus includes an FT synthesis reactor configured to produce, from an FT feedgas, an FT overhead and a liquid FT product containing FT wax, wherein the FT feedgas contains at least a portion of the DFB product; and a product separator downstream of and fluidly connected with the FT synthesis reactor, wherein the product separator is configured to separate, from the FT overhead, an FT tailgas and an LFTL product containing LFTL. A method of producing synthetic fuel is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: George Apanel, Weibin Jiang, Sergio Mohedas, Harold A. Wright
  • Publication number: 20150119478
    Abstract: Gas-to-liquids processes for treating natural gas, including the steps of subjecting the natural gas to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect. The processes then separate the resulting liquids from the remaining natural gas and processing the natural gas to form a synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is subjected to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and the output from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is separated into a hydrocarbon product and an aqueous phase and the aqueous phase is steam stripped to extract the oxygenates which are then injected into the natural gas stream upstream of the flow restrictor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: CompactGTL Limited
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Bowe, Robert Peat, David James West, Philip Hawker
  • Patent number: 9011814
    Abstract: Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or “syngas”) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (“POX”) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventors: Shoou-I Wang, John Michael Repasky, Shankar Nataraj, Xiang-Dong Peng
  • Patent number: 9012524
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes for hydromethanating a carbonaceous feedstock in a hydromethanation reactor to a methane product stream and a char by-product, and more specifically to removal of the char by-product from the hydromethanation reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: GreatPoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl T. Robinson, Pattabhi K. Raman
  • Patent number: 9000055
    Abstract: A method for producing synthetic hydrocarbons from at least one carbonaceous material is provided. The method includes evaluating the resources of the carbonaceous material available on a determined territory; determining from the resources a total production capacity of synthetic hydrocarbons; determining from the total production capacity, a number of elementary production units required for obtaining the total production capacity, each elementary production unit having an elementary production capacity between a 100 and a 1,000 barrels a day of synthetic hydrocarbons; building the number of elementary production units on the territory; transporting the carbonaceous material from the territory as far as the elementary production units; producing the synthetic hydrocarbons in the elementary production units from the transported carbonaceous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Areva
    Inventor: Michel Lecomte
  • Patent number: 9000056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gasifier comprising a syngas generation section, a coal methanation section and a syngas methanation section in the order from bottom to top. The invention also relates to a process for preparing methane by catalytically gasifying coal using such a gasifier. Optionally, the gasifier is additionally provided with a coal pyrolysis section above the syngas methanation section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Enn Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jicheng Bi, Rong Zhang, Yixin Chen, Zhiqiang Sun, Jinlai Li, Zhongxue Gan
  • Publication number: 20150090939
    Abstract: A system for converting a solid fuel into a fuel including a pyrolytic unit for producing a pyro gas comprising hydrocarbons, a synthesis gas production unit for converting the pyro gas into a synthesis gas comprising a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and a gas-to-liquid unit for converting the synthesis gas into a fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Latif Mahjoob