Water Utilized In The Preliminary Reaction Patents (Class 518/704)
  • Patent number: 8557878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for hydromethanating a vanadium-containing carbonaceous feedstock while recovering at least a portion of the vanadium content originally present in the carbonaceous feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Greatpoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Alkis S. Rappas, Robert A. Spitz
  • Patent number: 8552073
    Abstract: A process (10) for co-producing power and hydrocarbons includes gasifying (16, 70) coal to produce a synthesis gas (36) and a combustion gas (86) both comprising at least CO1H2 and CO2 and being at elevated pressure, separating CO2 (18, 48) from the synthesis gas, and synthesizing (20, 22) hydrocarbons from the synthesis gas. Power (1 14) is generated from the combustion gas, including by combusting (78) the combustion gas in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of at least a portion of the separated CO2 as moderating agent to produce a hot combusted gas (106) which includes CO2. The CO2 is recycled (1 12) or recovered from the combusted gas. In certain embodiments, the process (10) produces a CO2 exhaust stream (134) for sequestration or capturing for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Jan Hendrik Duvenhage Boshoff, Isabella Lodewina Greeff, Andre Peter Steynberg
  • Patent number: 8549769
    Abstract: A method for torrefaction of water containing cellulosic materials is performed in an inert atmosphere. The cellulosic material is cascaded through the apparatus between a plurality of rotatable trays vertically stacked within multiple processing zones. Steam being generated from heating of the cellulosic material is recycled back to the apparatus to provide an inert atmosphere. The steam may be superheated in a heat exchanger. Exhaust from the torrefaction zone of the apparatus has some moisture and other volatiles removed prior to being reheated in a burner. The heated exhaust is used in the heat exchanger to superheat the recycled steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Wyssmont Company Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Weisselberg, Joseph Bevacqua, Robert Borre
  • Patent number: 8546454
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the production of fuel grade DME from carbonaceous fuels, including a pressurized multi-stage progressively expanding fluidized bed gasifier and an oxyblown autothermal reformer to produce a synthesis gas (syngas) with desirable hydrogen to carbon monoxide molar ratio, which then undergoes gas-phase DME one-step direct synthesis in a fluid pluralized bed reactor over an attrition resistant bifunctional catalyst. The crude DME thus obtained is purified in a two column distillation unit to produce a fuel grade DME having a purity greater than 99.98 mole %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Unitel Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarabjit S. Randhava, Richard L. Kao, Todd L. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20130245136
    Abstract: A solution is provided for CO2 and other green houses gas reduction at the Coal Fired Power Plants (CFPP). The methods and devices disclosed herein provide an inexpensive source of hydrogen and a hydrogen generating system powered by on-site excess heat generated at the CFPP without producing additional CO2 emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: MARINE POWER PRODUCTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Carey
  • Patent number: 8536234
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the generation of synthetic motor fuels and additives to oil fuels, C1-C4 alcohols, hydrogen, methane, synthesized gas (H2+CO2) by hydrothermal treatment of carbonaceous compounds by providing a two-stage carbon gasification process operated under the supercritical conditions of H2O and CO2, including a first stage gasification reactor having a reaction zone for the conversion of carbonaceous compounds and a second stage reactor for the conversion of the products of the first stage reactor; feeding a aqueous suspension of carbonaceous compound in an amount of at least 30% by weight and an alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal catalyst or reactive OH-species from an electrolyzer through said first stage gasification reactor as a supercritical fluid at a volume velocity of 0.01-0.05 g of carbon per 1 cm3 per hour, at a carbon/catalyst mole ratio of between about 70/1 and 90/1, at a temperature of 390-450° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Amerol Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Valerii Kukhar, Valeriy Bortyshevskyy, Nataliia Khimach, Viktor Burdeynyy, Rayisa Korzh, Svitlana Melnykova, Dmytro Kamens'kyh
  • Publication number: 20130210937
    Abstract: The procedure according to the invention allows the obtaining of lower alcohols from the solar energy produced at a high temperature solar thermal power plant which provides, from an energy point of view, the power supply necessary for every step of the procedure, supplying both the electricity power necessary to perform the intermediate steps of the procedure and, essentially, the products involved in the different steps (H2, O2, steam and CO2) starting from a supply of wet milled coal, wherein the by-products obtained during these different stages of the procedure are fed back to the procedure itself. The procedure allows the storage of the energy obtained from the sun as lower alcohols, and such alcohols, in turn, may become an alternative to the consumption of fossil fuels, eliminating the risk derived from the production of residues; consequently, it is an especially advantageous procedure, both from an environmental and a production point of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: GURADOOR, S.L.
    Inventor: Daniel Gonzalez Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 8506910
    Abstract: A process and system for producing high octane fuel from carbon dioxide and water is disclosed. The feedstock for the production line is industrial carbon dioxide and water, which may be of lower quality. The end product can be high octane gasoline, high cetane diesel or other liquid hydrocarbon mixtures suitable for driving conventional combustion engines or hydrocarbons suitable for further industrial processing or commercial use. Products, such as dimethyl ether or methanol may also be withdrawn from the production line. The process is nearly emission free and reprocesses all hydrocarbons not suitable for liquid fuel to form high octane products. The heat generated by exothermic reactions in the process is fully utilized as is the heat produced in the reprocessing of hydrocarbons not suitable for liquid fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: CRI EHF
    Inventors: Shwetank Singh, Omar Freyr Sigurbjornsson, Kim-Chinh Tran
  • Patent number: 8507566
    Abstract: Process for the production of synthesis gas which involves the steps of: a) preparing a vapor phase mixture comprising steam and at least one hydrocarbon or oxygenated hydrocarbon with an atmospheric boiling point in the range of ?50 to 370° C., said vapor phase mixture having a H2O/C molar ratio at least 2, and b) catalytically or non-catalytically converting the vapor phase mixture into synthesis gas, which process is characterized in that the oxygen is only added in bonded form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Gelato Corporation N.V.
    Inventor: Siebolt Doorn
  • Patent number: 8507567
    Abstract: A system and method for producing Syngas from the CO2 in a gaseous stream, such as an exhaust stream, from a power plant or industrial plant, like a cement kiln, is disclosed. A preferred embodiment includes providing the gaseous stream to pyrolysis reactor along with a carbon source such as coke. The CO2 and carbon are heated to about 1330° C. and at about one atmosphere with reactants such as steam such that a reaction takes place that produces Syngas, carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2). The Syngas is then cleaned and provided to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor to produce Ethanol or Bio-catalytic synthesis reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Gyco, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary C. Young
  • Publication number: 20130203142
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the CO2 in a gaseous stream between 33% up to and even in excess of 90%, by reducing CO2. A gaseous stream that includes substantial amounts of CO2 is provided to a reaction chamber along with H2O (steam) and a carbon source such as charcoal, coke or other carbonaceous material. Carbon is provided to the chamber at a ratio (C/CO2) of between about 0.100 to 0.850, and between about 0.200 to 0.900 of H2O to the provided CO2. The CO2, H2O and carbon are heated to between about 1500° F. and about 3000° F. at about one atmosphere to produce syngas (i.e. carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2)) and reduces the amount of CO2. The Syngas may then be cleaned and provided to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor or a Bio-catalytic synthesis reactor to produce a fuel, such as Methanol, Ethanol, Diesel and Jet Fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Gary C. Young
  • Publication number: 20130149767
    Abstract: A process for the conversion of carbon-based material to fuel bases by a hybrid route combining direct ebullent bed liquefaction and indirect liquefaction by gasification followed by a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, including a stage of production of hydrogen resulting from non-fossil resources and a reverse water gas reaction stage. This process makes it possible to limit emissions of greenhouse gases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventor: IFP Energies nouvelles
  • Patent number: 8461219
    Abstract: Process for preparing olefins, which comprises the following steps: a) preparation of a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, b) introduction of carbon dioxide recirculated from step d) into the synthesis gas during or after the preparation of synthesis gas as per step a), c) conversion of the synthesis gas having a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of ?1.2:1 which is obtained in step b) into olefins in the presence of a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, d) removal of the carbon dioxide comprised in the reaction product from step c), where the ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in step c) is set via step b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Jochen Steiner, Kerem Bay, Ekkehard Schwab, Alexander Weck
  • Patent number: 8461217
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for rendering natural gas as an environmentally essentially carbon dioxide-neutral fuel. Carbon dioxide produced from natural gas combustion or from natural gas wells is captured, purified, combined with natural gas or methane or with hydrogen, and reacted under reaction conditions sufficient to form methanol and/or dimethyl ether, which can be used as fuel or feedstock for derived synthetic hydrocarbons and products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 8461215
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for rendering coal as an environmentally essentially carbon dioxide-neutral fuel. Carbon dioxide produced from coal combustion is captured, purified, combined with coalbed methane or any other natural methane or natural gas source, or with hydrogen, and reacted under reaction conditions sufficient to form methanol and/or dimethyl ether, which can be used as fuel or feedstock for derived synthetic hydrocarbons and products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 8461218
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for rendering petroleum oil as an essentially environmentally carbon dioxide-neutral fuel and source material. Carbon dioxide produced from petroleum oil combustion is captured, purified, combined with steam and light hydrocarbon fractions, or with hydrogen, and reacted under reaction conditions sufficient to form methanol and/or dimethyl ether, which can be used as fuel or feedstock for derived synthetic hydrocarbons and products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 8455555
    Abstract: Higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds or oxygenates are produced from a gas comprising methane in a process comprising the steps of generating synthesis gas (“syngas”) comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen by reaction of a gas comprising methane with steam and/or an oxidant gas comprising oxygen, producing higher molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds or oxygenates in a syngas conversion process, removing offgas comprising unreacted hydrogen and unreacted carbon monoxide from said syngas conversion process and separating cryogenically unreacted hydrogen from said offgas or from a gas derived therefrom to produce separated hydrogen product that is substantially free of unreacted carbon monoxide and a first cryogenic liquid comprising unreacted carbon monoxide. The unreacted hydrogen is preferably separated from the offgas in a liquid methane wash column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventors: Rodney Allam, Andrew Weaver, Vincent White, David B. Byard
  • Patent number: 8445549
    Abstract: In various implementations, various feed gas streams which include hydrogen and carbon monoxide may be processed for conversion to product streams. For example, the feed gas stream may be processed using the Fischer-Tropsch process. Unconverted hydrogen and carbon monoxide can be recycled using an off-gas catalytic reformer and a gas turbine exhaust gas heat exchanger that will perform preheating duties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventor: Rodney J. Allam
  • Patent number: 8445548
    Abstract: The invention is related to the preparation of low-tar syngas from organic wastes and optionally to the preparation of methanol from the syngas or from the separated carbon dioxide. The process is characterized by introducing the secondary raw material comprising preferably solid communal waste, sludge and/or biomass waste into a double-flow one-body generator, comprising an inner pyrolysing, oxidizing and reducing zone and converting the obtained pyrolysis coke, pyrolysis water and tar formed by the aid of the heat content of the gas flowing upwards in the outer gas space by blowing oxygen into the fix-bed, to a raw syngas comprising carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen, on the fix bed of the pyrolysis coke and optionally a liquid containing liquid hydrocarbons or a powder of high carbon content are added in order to control the temperature and hydrohalides are removed from the obtained raw syngas on a calcium carbonate bed at 200-700° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventors: Iván Raisz, István Barta
  • Patent number: 8440729
    Abstract: The invention provides for a method of forming methanol by combining a mixture of methane, water and carbon dioxide under specific reaction conditions sufficient to form a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide which are then reacted under conditions sufficient to form methanol. The molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide is at least two moles of hydrogen to one mole of carbon monoxide and the overall molar ratio between methane, water and carbon dioxide is about 3:2:1. Methane, carbon dioxide and water are bi-reformed over a catalyst. The catalyst includes a single metal, a metal oxide, a mixed catalyst of a metal and a metal oxide or a mixed catalyst of at least two metal oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: George A. Olah, G. K. Surya Prakash
  • Patent number: 8431622
    Abstract: A process for producing Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon products onboard a marine vessel from at least one gas, liquid or solid carbonaceous feedstock, which includes the steps of conducting gasification in a thermal conversion plant operationally connected to an onboard power plant and forming Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbons in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor with the thermal conversion plant sending a gas stream intermediate product from the conversion plant to the Fischer-Tropsch reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: How Kiap Gueh
  • Publication number: 20130096213
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to apparatus and methods for converting carbon dioxide and/or methane into higher alkanes and hydrogen gas in a single reaction chamber using a catalyst and microwave radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Inventor: Ben Zion Livneh
  • Patent number: 8394863
    Abstract: A carbonaceous feedstock to alcohol conversion process in which carbon dioxide is removed from the syngas stream issuing from a feedstock reformer, to yield a carbon dioxide depleted syngas stream including hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane. This carbon dioxide depleted syngas stream is then passed through a Fischer-Tropsch reactor ultimately yielding a mixed alcohol product which is preferably largely ethanol. The removed carbon dioxide stream is passed through a methane reformer along with methane, which is produced in or has passed through a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, to yield primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The carbon monoxide and hydrogen stream from the methane reformer are passed through the alcohol reactor. Also disclosed are a unique catalyst, a method for controlling the content of the syngas formed in the feedstock reformer, and a feedstock handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pearson Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley R. Pearson
  • Patent number: 8389586
    Abstract: The present invention is a multiple reaction set for the production of chemicals by equilibrium limited reactions utilizing plate-type or extended surface heat exchangers. The heat exchangers cool the reaction products to condense methanol within the reaction products for separation, and to warm incoming feed reactants prior to entrance of the reactants into a reactor utilized for methanol production. The various reactors, heat exchangers, and separators can be formed as separated zones within enclosed vessels, thereby eliminating the need for separately constructed reactors, heat exchangers, and separators. Multi-stream plate-type of extended surface heat exchangers can be utilized to allow efficient cooling and methanol separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventors: James Andrew Banister, Anthony Matthew Johnston, Brian S. Haynes
  • Patent number: 8383078
    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 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventors: Shoou-I Wang, John Michael Repasky, Shankar Nataraj, Xiang-Dong Peng
  • Patent number: 8367741
    Abstract: A method of producing synthesis gas by mixing a carbonaceous feed comprising at least one carbonaceous material with superheated steam to produce a reformer feedstock and reforming the reformer feedstock to produce a first synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide by introducing the reformer feedstock into a plurality of coiled tubes within a reformer at a reformer temperature and a reformer pressure at which at least a portion of the reformer feedstock is converted to synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Blevins, Joshua B. Pearson, Harold A. Wright
  • Patent number: 8366966
    Abstract: A method and system for producing a liquid fuel comprising: (a) reacting water with a first metal in a first reaction chamber to obtain hydrogen, heat, and an oxide of the first metal; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with a second metal, which is the same or different from the first metal, in a second reaction chamber, which is the same or different from the first reaction chamber, to obtain carbon monoxide, heat, and oxide of the second metal; (c) regenerating said first and second metals from said first and second oxides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Engineuity Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Amnon Yogev, Eliyahu Gamzon
  • Publication number: 20130025192
    Abstract: A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Robert S. Wegeng, Paul H. Humble, Shankar Krishnan, Steven D. Leith, Daniel R. Palo
  • Patent number: 8354457
    Abstract: A process (200) to synthesise hydrocarbons includes gasifying (12) a carbonaceous feed material at a temperature sufficiently high to produce at least one hot synthesis gas stream (42) at a temperature of at least 900° C. and comprising at least CO and H2. In a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage (22), synthesis gas is converted to hydrocarbons, providing a tail gas stream (40) containing methane. The tail gas stream (40) is subjected to steam reforming (30) thereby converting the methane to CO and H2 producing a reformed gas stream which is recycled to the Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage (22). The steam reforming (30) takes place at an elevated temperature of at least 700° C. and heat for the steam reforming is provided by indirect heat exchange with the at least one hot synthesis gas stream (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Werner Siegfried Ernst
  • Patent number: 8354456
    Abstract: In a so-called GTL process for producing liquid hydrocarbons containing fuel oil by producing synthesis gas from natural gas, subsequently producing Fischer-Tropsch oil from the obtained synthesis gas by way of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and upgrading the produced Fischer-Tropsch oil, the synthesis gas produced from a synthesis gas production step is partly branched at a stage prior to getting to a Fischer-Tropsch oil production step and high-purity hydrogen is separated and produced from the synthesis gas entering the branch line. All the separated high-purity hydrogen is supplied to an upgrading reaction step and consumed as hydrogen for an upgrading reaction. Additionally, the synthesis gas entering the branch line is subjected to a water gas shift reaction to raise the hydrogen concentration before the step of separating and producing high-purity hydrogen and the residual gas left after the separation may be circulated to the synthesis gas production step as raw material for producing synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    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 Engineering Co., Ltd., Chiyoda Corporation
    Inventors: Fuyuki Yagi, Kenichi Kawazuishi
  • Patent number: 8349904
    Abstract: A carbonaceous feedstock to alcohol conversion process in which carbon dioxide is removed from the syngas stream issuing from a feedstock reformer, to yield a carbon dioxide depleted syngas stream including hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane. This carbon dioxide depleted syngas stream is then passed through a Fischer-Tropsch reactor ultimately yielding a mixed alcohol product which is preferably largely ethanol. The removed carbon dioxide stream is passed through a methane reformer along with methane, which is produced in or has passed through a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, to yield primarily carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The carbon monoxide and hydrogen stream from the methane reformer are passed through the alcohol reactor. Also disclosed are a unique catalyst, a method for controlling the content of the syngas formed in the feedstock reformer, and a feedstock handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Pearson Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley R. Pearson
  • Publication number: 20130005839
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reacting carbon dioxide with hydrogen. In the process a catalyst having carbon dioxide adsorbed thereto is contacted with hydrogen at an elevated temperature. The catalyst can be regenerated by contacting depleted catalyst with a carbon dioxide source, for example a flue gas of a power plant. In a preferred embodiment carbon dioxide is reacted by in situ hydrolysis of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: ANTECY B.V.
    Inventor: Paul O'CONNOR
  • Patent number: 8338495
    Abstract: In a GTL process of producing various kinds of hydrocarbon oils from natural gas, provided is improved heat efficiency in the case of using a steam reforming process or a carbon dioxide reforming process in the reforming. The process includes producing a synthesis gas by converting the natural gas and at least one of steam and carbon dioxide into a synthesis gas through a tubular reformer filled with a reforming catalyst, producing Fischer-Tropsch oil by subjecting the produced synthesis gas to a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, and upgrading in which the Fischer-Tropsch oil is subjected to hydrotreatment and distillation to produce various kinds of hydrocarbon oils, in which excess heat generated in the synthesis gas production is recovered, and the recovered heat is used as heat for at least one of hydrotreatment and distillation in the upgrading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Inpex Corporation, Nippon Oil Corporation, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd., Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd., Chiyoda Corporation
    Inventors: Fuyuki Yagi, Kenichi Kawazuishi
  • Patent number: 8309617
    Abstract: A process for improving the overall carbon conversion efficiency of a gasification process, as well as improving the suitability of a syngas containing 0.5-10% methane for use as a feedstock for chemical production. A gasification reactor converts carbonaceous feedstock to syngas that is, in turn, utilized for a chemical production process in a chemical production reactor. An off-gas from this chemical production reactor is directed to a selective membrane that separates the off-gas into methane-rich and hydrogen-rich fractions. The hydrogen-rich fraction, is re-utilized as feedstock for the chemical production process, while the methane-enriched fraction is returned to the gasification reactor to form additional syngas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Phillips 66 Company
    Inventor: Shuncheng Ji
  • Publication number: 20120283341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for synthesizing ethanol using synthetic routes via synthesis gas are disclosed. A method and apparatus for gasifying biomass, such as biomass, in a steam gasifier that employs a fluidized bed and heating using hot flue gases from the combustion of synthesis gas is described. Methods and apparatus for converting synthesis gas into ethanol are also disclosed, using stepwise catalytic reactions to convert the carbon monoxide and hydrogen into ethanol using catalysts including iridium acetate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: WOODLAND BIOFUELS INC.
    Inventors: Larry Jack Melnichuk, Karen Venita Kelly, Robert S. Davis
  • Patent number: 8303923
    Abstract: Process for the co-production of methanol and ammonia from a hydrocarbon feed without venting to the atmosphere carbon dioxide captured from the methanol or ammonia synthesis gas and without using expensive air separation units, water gas shift and carbon dioxide removal steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventor: Pat A. Han
  • Publication number: 20120277329
    Abstract: This invention relates to a power recovery process in waste steam/CO2 reformers whereby a waste stream can be made to release energy without having to burn the waste or the syngas. This invention does not make use of fuel cells as its critical component but makes use of highly exothermic chemical reactors using syngas to produce large amounts of heat, such as Fischer-Tropsch. 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. A New Concept for a duplex kiln was developed that has the combined functionality of steam/CO2 reforming, heat transfer, solids removal, filtration, and heat recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: Terry Galloway
  • Patent number: 8299133
    Abstract: Process for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into alcohol(s) wherein the hydrocarbons are first converted into syngas, which is converted into alcohols, by converting hydrocarbon feedstock in a steam reformer into stream A? of carbon oxide(s), hydrogen and water, feeding stream A? with hydrocarbon and oxygen feedstocks into an auto-thermal reformer to produce stream A, converting stream A in an oxygenate synthesis reactor into stream B containing methanol, ethanol, propanol(s), H2, C1-C3 alkanes, CO, CO2 and water, separating stream B, into stream C containing CO, C1-C3 alkanes, H2 and methanol, stream D containing CO2, recovering stream B containing the ethanol, propanol(s) and water, treating stream C to separate into a stream comprising CO and a stream comprising H2 and C1-C3 alkanes, reintroducing part of stream C with the stream comprising CO into the oxygenate synthesis reactor. At least part of stream D is reintroduced into the steam reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Patrick Gracey, Michael Keith Lee
  • Patent number: 8299134
    Abstract: A system and method for converting the natural gas into liquid hydrocarbons. A plurality of reaction cells are provided. Each reaction cell contains two concentric tubes. The concentric tubes are close in diameter and therefore create a very narrow uniform gap space in between the concentric tubes. The outer most of the tubes is heated. Natural gas and steam are passed into the gap space of at least some of the reaction cells. Due to the confinement of the gases and the heat, the mixture undergoes a water gas shift reaction to produce syngas. The syngas can then be reintroduced into other reaction cells to induce the Fischer-Tropsch process. Accordingly, the syngas is converted into complex hydrocarbons and water. The hydrocarbons and water are separated and cooled into liquid. The water is recycled and the liquid hydrocarbons are stored and transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Peter R. Bossard
  • Patent number: 8299132
    Abstract: Process for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into alcohol(s), wherein the hydrocarbons are first converted into syngas, which is subsequently converted into alcohols. The process is carried out by performing the steps of (1) converting a hydrocarbon feedstock, together with an oxygen feedstock, in a auto-thermal reactor (ATR), into a stream A, containing a mixture of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen, (2) converting at least part of stream A, in the presence of a catalyst in a oxygenate synthesis reactor under a temperature between 150 and 400° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Benjamin Patrick Gracey, Michael Keith Lee
  • Publication number: 20120270957
    Abstract: A bitumen and heavy oil upgrading process and system is disclosed for the synthesis of hydrocarbons, an example of which is synthetic crude oil (SCO). The process advantageously avoids the waste attributed to residuum and/or petcoke formation which has a dramatic effect on the yield of hydrocarbon material generated. The process integrates Fischer-Tropsch technology with gasification and hydrogen rich gas stream generation. The hydrogen rich gas generation is conveniently effected using singly or in combination a hydrogen source, a hydrogen rich vapour from hydroprocessing and the Fischer-Tropsch process, a steam methane reformer (SMR) and autothermal reformer (ATR) or a combination of SMR/ATR. The feedstock for upgrading is distilled and the bottoms fraction is gasified and converted in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor. A resultant hydrogen lean syngas is then exposed to the hydrogen rich gas stream to optimize the formation of, for example, the synthetic crude oil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Publication number: 20120259025
    Abstract: The invention presented herein is an integrated method and the systems based on the said method, which utilize renewable energy, or any energy the production of which emits little or no carbon dioxide (CO2), or the syngas produced from the said method, for generating electricity that powers the said systems; convert CO2 collected from either the open air or any CO2 emission sites into methane by reacting CO2 with hydrogen produced with no or little CO2 emission; store or transport methane or natural gas making use of the existing natural gas distribution system; providing a novel approach of using and expanding the usage of renewable energy; providing an ecologically CO2-neutral natural gas resource which allows human society to keep being driven by hydrocarbon fuels while not worrying about global warming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Qingchun Zhao
  • Patent number: 8278362
    Abstract: A method for producing hydrocarbon fuels from environmentally friendly non-petroleum based sources using existing chemical reactions is disclosed. In this method, air is passed through a reactor containing amine and carbon dioxide mixture to produce carbon dioxide. The reactor containing amine and carbon dioxide mixture, a Sabatier reactor, a partial oxidation reactor and a Fischer-Tropsch reactor are in thermal contact with each other. Heat derived from the exothermic reactions is used to release carbon dioxide from the amine-carbon dioxide mixture. The resulting hydrocarbon fuel products are separated from the Fischer-Tropsch reactor and sold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Barak Leland Wiesner
  • Patent number: 8268899
    Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for preparing gaseous products, and in particular methane, via the catalytic hydromethanation of a carbonaceous feedstock in the presence of steam, syngas and an oxygen-rich gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Greatpoint Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl T. Robinson, Pattabhi K. Raman, Vincent G. Reiling
  • Patent number: 8268898
    Abstract: In a so-called GTL process of producing synthesis gas from natural gas, producing Fischer-Tropsch oil by way of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of the obtained synthesis gas and producing liquid hydrocarbons containing fuel oil by upgrading, the synthesis gas produced from the synthesis gas production step is partly branched off prior to getting to the Fischer-Tropsch oil production step and the synthesis gas entering the branch line is subjected to a water gas shift reaction to raise the hydrogen concentration thereof. Subsequently, high-purity hydrogen is isolated from the synthesis gas and the residual gas left after the isolation is circulated to the synthesis gas production step and used as raw material for synthesis gas production. As a result, a significant improvement can be achieved in terms of raw material consumption per product of the entire process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    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 Engineering Co., Ltd., Chiyoda Corporation
    Inventors: Fuyuki Yagi, Kenichi Kawazuishi
  • Publication number: 20120232173
    Abstract: A system for producing a high hydrogen to carbon ratio fuel centered approximately around C9 treats an exhaust stream from a manufacturing plant processes. The exhaust stream is processed in a Fischer Tropsch reactor, and contains CO and/or CO2, which is sequestered, and can be a full stack exhaust stream. The Fischer Tropsch reactor is a pellet style reactor, a foam reactor, or an alpha alumina oxide foam reactor. A plasma chamber generates H2 for reacting in the Fischer Tropsch reactor. A portion of the exhaust stream is consumed in the plasma chamber. An algae reactor converts sequestered CO2 to O2. The algae is exposed to the exhaust stream to extract nutrients therefrom and augment its growth. The plasma chamber receives at a high temperature region thereof CO or CO2 that is reduced to its elemental state. The product stream and fuel are condensed and separated, and re-burned as fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: James Charles Juranitch, Thomas R. Juranitch
  • Patent number: 8247462
    Abstract: A process (10) for co-producing power and hydrocarbons includes in a wet gasification stage (70), gasifying coal to produce a combustion gas (86) at elevated pressure comprising at least H2 and CO; enriching (72) a first portion of the combustion gas with H2 to produce an H2-enriched gas (88); and generating power (77) from a second portion of the combustion gas. In a dry gasification stage (16), coal is gasified to produce a synthesis gas precursor (36) at elevated pressure comprising at least H2 and CO. At least a portion of the H2-enriched gas (88) is mixed with the synthesis gas precursor (36) to provide a synthesis gas for hydrocarbon synthesis, with hydrocarbons being synthesized (20, 22) from the synthesis gas. In certain embodiments, the process (10) produces a CO2 exhaust stream (134) for sequestration or capturing for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Jan Hendrik Duvenhage Boshoff, Isabella Lodewina Greeff, Andre Peter Steynberg
  • Patent number: 8247463
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process of coproducing methanol and ammonia by using natural gas, LPG, butane, or naphtha as a raw material, having a methanol production process (A) composed of specific steps and an ammonia production process (B) also composed of specific steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Toyo Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Yoshida, Kunio Hirotani
  • Publication number: 20120178832
    Abstract: A method and system for producing a liquid fuel comprising: (a) reacting water with a first metal in a first reaction chamber to obtain hydrogen, heat, and an oxide of the first metal; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with a second metal, which is the same or different from the first metal, in a second reaction chamber, which is the same or different from the first reaction chamber, to obtain carbon monoxide, heat, and oxide of the second metal; (c) regenerating said first and second metals from said first and second oxides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Amnon Yogev, Eliyahu Gamzon
  • Publication number: 20120172460
    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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Areva
    Inventor: Michel Lecomte