Treatment Of Feed Or Recycle Stream Patents (Class 518/705)
  • Patent number: 11298650
    Abstract: A device and method for scrubbing an absorbate from a gas is described. The rotational absorber device comprises a housing having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, an absorbent liquid inlet and an absorbent liquid outlet; a rotor mounted for rotation in said housing and connecting to the inlets and outlets, the rotor comprising a plurality of scrubbing channels extending axially and parallel to a common rotation axis; and means for rotating the rotor. The device and method provide a scrubbing of the gas with improved selectivity and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Romico Hold A.V.V.
    Inventor: Jozef Johannes Hubertus Brouwers
  • Patent number: 11247954
    Abstract: Proposed is a process for producing methanol from synthesis gas by means of multi-stage, for example 2-stage, heterogeneously catalyzed methanol synthesis, wherein the product stream of a synthesis stage is applied to the downstream synthesis stage as a feed stream or after removal of a purge stream recycled to the first synthesis stage as a recycle stream. According to the invention a substream is removed from the synthesis gas fresh gas and introduced into the second methanol synthesis reactor as a bypass stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Tobias Oelmann, Veronika Gronemann, Heiko Hofmann, Timm Schuhmann
  • Patent number: 11247957
    Abstract: Proposed is a process for producing methanol from synthesis gas by means of multi-stage, for example 2-stage, heterogeneously catalyzed methanol synthesis, wherein the methanol product formed in every synthesis stage is removed by condensation and the remaining residual gas is applied to the downstream synthesis stage or after removal of a purge stream recycled to the first synthesis stage as a recycle stream. According to the invention a substream is removed from the synthesis gas fresh gas and introduced into the second methanol synthesis reactor as a bypass stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Tobis Oelmann, Veronika Gronemann, Heiko Hofmann, Timm Schuhmann
  • Patent number: 10329492
    Abstract: A process to safely shutdown a Fischer Tropsch reactor is provided. The process can be used for a routine shutdown but is specifically designed for emergency shutdowns such as during a thermal excursion or power failure or equipment failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Emerging Fuels Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Agee
  • Patent number: 10329495
    Abstract: A process is presented for the removal of contaminants like oxygenates from hydrocarbons. The contaminant oxygenates are removed from hydrocarbons that may be feed to cracking units. A crude feed stream is fed to a water wash column along with water to remove oxygenates and is subsequently treated with an adsorbent to effectively remove all the oxygenates from the crude hydrocarbon. A regenerant medium from a naphtha hydrotreating unit is used to regenerate the adsorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
  • Patent number: 9981846
    Abstract: A fossil fuel fired power plant exhaust gas conversion to syngas is provided. The exhaust gases being emitted from the power plant is normally cleaned and exhausted to the atmosphere. In the subject arrangement, the exhaust gases are directed through a wet scrubber and a reaction chamber to respectively remove sulfur and carbon dioxide. The cleaned exhaust gases are directed through an electrolysis process or a water-gas shift reactor to controllably produce extra hydrogen for use in the cleaned exhaust gas to obtain a desired ratio between the hydrogen and carbon monoxide therein. The resulting desired ratio in the exhaust gas between the hydrogen and carbon monoxide is the syngas that can be used for commercial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: MILLENIUM SYNTHFUELS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lai O. Kuku, Melvin (NMI) Mathew, Michael P. Woudenberg
  • Patent number: 9745526
    Abstract: A reformer system (11) having a hydrodesulfurizer (12) provides desulfurized natural gas feedstock to a catalytic steam reformer (16), the outflow of which is treated by a water gas shift reactor (20) and optionally a preferential CO oxidizer (58) to provide reformate gas (28, 28a) having high hydrogen and moderate carbon dioxide content. To avoid damage to the hydrodesulfurizer from overheating, any deleterious hydrogen reactants, such as the oxygen in peak shave gas or olefins, in the non-desulfurized natural gas feedstock (35) are reacted (38) with hydrogen (28, 28a; 71) to convert them to alkanes (e.g., ethylene and propylene to ethane and propane) and to convert oxygen to water in a catalytic reactor (38) having no sulfide sorbent, and cooled (46), below a temperature which would damage the reactor, by evaporative cooling with pressurized hot water (42). Hydrogen for the desulfurizer and the hydrogen reactions may be provided as recycle reformate (28, 28a) or from a mini-CPO (67), or from other sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Doosan Fuel Cell America, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio M. Vincitore, Peter F. Foley, Nancy P. Foley, Derek W. Hildreth, John L. Preston, Stephen G. Pixton, James A. Davies
  • Patent number: 9725386
    Abstract: A mobile system and method that reform flare gas, methane, or natural gas, using air without steam, to directly produce methanol, a clean burning gasoline blend, component, and/or substitute are disclosed. The system first reforms the air-methane mixture at ambient atmospheric pressure, then compresses the resulting CO-hydrogen-nitrogen gas mixture to about 600 psi, and feeds it through a methanol reactor which reacts the gas mixture directly into methanol. The nitrogen is returned by the system back to the atmosphere. Methanol is a clean burning gasoline substitute, and can be used to displace significantly costlier and dirtier petroleum-based fuel, while solving a critical problem with flaring. For example, the over 120 billion cubic feet per year that was flared in North Dakota in 2014 could be converted into over 6 million tons of methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Pioneer Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M Zubrin, Boris Nizamov, Thomas L Henshaw, Adam M Kortan, James Siebarth, Colin Apke, Mark Berggren
  • Patent number: 9707510
    Abstract: A solvent system comprising a diluent and a nitrogenous base for the removal of CO2 from mixed gas streams is provided. Also provided is a process for removing CO2 from mixed gas streams using the disclosed solvent system. The solvent system may be utilized within a gas processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Research Triangle Institute
    Inventors: Marty Lail, Luke Coleman
  • Patent number: 9669374
    Abstract: Techniques, systems and material are disclosed for transport of energy and/or materials. In one aspect, a method includes generating gaseous fuel (e.g., from biomass dissociation) at a first location of a low elevation. The gaseous fuel can be self-transported in a pipeline to a second location at a higher elevation than the first location by traveling from the first location to the second location without adding energy of pressure. A liquid fuel can be generated at the second location of higher elevation by reacting the gaseous fuel with at least one of a carbon donor, a nitrogen donor, and an oxygen donor harvested from industrial waste. The liquid fuel can be delivered to a third location of a lower elevation than the second location while providing pressure or kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Roy Edward McAlister
  • Patent number: 9399739
    Abstract: A process for producing distillate fuels, such as a diesel fuel, from a syngas feedstream having a relatively low H2/CO ratio of greater than 1 and equal to or less than 2.0. The syngas feedstream is preferably passed to a CO2 removal zone, then to at least one Fischer-Tropsch zone, wherein the resulting Fischer-Tropsch product stream is passed to a separation zone to obtain a hydrocarbon-containing fraction that is hydroconverted to result in a distillate boiling range stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: SYNGAG TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Duane A Goetsch, Christian T Goralski, Jr., Jacqueline R Hitchingham
  • Patent number: 9346725
    Abstract: Process for production of a higher alcohol product from an alcohol synthesis gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and lower alcohols, comprising a carbon dioxide and optional alkane removal step. Use a stripper using synthesis gas as stripping gas to purify the liquid phase containing the lower and highers alcohols, in order to strip the lower alcohol from the alcohol stream. Synthesis gas used for stripping is used as recycle stream in the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventor: Christian Wix
  • Patent number: 9290383
    Abstract: A method for recycling exhaust gas from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The method includes: 1) introducing raw gas to a shift reactor to conduct a water-gas shift reaction, and collecting shift gas; 2) introducing the shift gas to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis device to yield a hydrocarbon fuel and exhaust gas, returning part of the exhaust gas as recycle gas; 3) introducing another part of the exhaust gas to a methanation reactor, allowing a methanation reaction to happen between the part of the exhaust gas and water vapor; 4) introducing a mixed gas product from the methanation reaction to a methane reforming reactor; 5) transporting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide resulting from the methane reforming reaction to a gas separator, separating the hydrogen and obtaining a mixed gas including carbon dioxide; and 6) returning the mixed gas including carbon dioxide to the methane reforming reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Wuhan Kaidi Engineering Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yilong Chen, Pingyu Kuai, Yan Gong, Xiaodong Zhan, Yanfeng Zhang, Jiaqi Jin
  • Patent number: 9272959
    Abstract: Disclosed are a gas to liquids (GTL)-floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) system that can be used in offshore oil fields or stranded gas fields and a method for producing synthetic fuel using the same. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a GTL-FPSO system capable of producing liquid synthetic fuel from gas extracted from stranded gas fields or associated gas extracted from oil fields, including a reforming reactor and a liquid hydrocarbon producer, and a method for producing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Dong Ju Moon, Yun Ju Lee, Jung Shik Kang, Moonju Park, Sojung Kim, Sang Deuk Lee, Hyunjoo Lee
  • Patent number: 9259690
    Abstract: The invention provides a polymer separation membrane that is excellent in separating characteristics, a permeating ability, a chemical strength (particularly chemical resistance) and a physical strength, and also excellent in a stain resistance, and a producing method therefor. The fluorinated resin-type polymer separation membrane includes a layer having a three-dimensional network structure, and a layer having a spherical structure, wherein the layer of three-dimensional network structure is formed by a fluorinated resin-type polymer composition containing a hydrophilic polymer, and the hydrophilic polymer is a substantially water-insoluble hydrophilic polymer containing at least one of a cellulose ester, an aliphatic vinyl ester, vinylpyrrolidone, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide as a polymerization component. The polymer separation membrane is applicable as a filtration membrane for water treatment, a battery separator, a charged membrane, a fuel cell membrane or a blood cleaning filtration membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hanakawa, Shin-ichi Minegishi
  • Patent number: 9067850
    Abstract: Process for synthesizing hydrocarbons includes: reforming a hydrocarbon feedstock containing inert gases in reforming stages to generate a synthesis gas including the inert gases, steam, hydrogen and carbon monoxide; cooling the synthesis gas below the dew point to obtain a dewatered synthesis gas; synthesizing hydrocarbons from the dewatered synthesis gas by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction and separating at least part of the synthesized hydrocarbons, to give a tail gas; subjecting a mixture of at least part of the tail gas and steam to the water-gas shift reaction, to form shifted tail gas having increased hydrogen and carbon dioxide contents; subjecting the shifted tail gas to one or more membrane separation stages thereby generating an inert gas-containing gas mixture and one or more of a hydrogen-, carbon dioxide- and a hydrocarbon-containing gas mixture; and using one or more of the hydrogen-, carbon dioxide- and hydrocarbon-containing gas mixture in a reformer feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: JOHNSON MATTHEY PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventor: Peter Edward James Abbott
  • Patent number: 9061952
    Abstract: A process (10) to produce Fischer-Tropsch products includes feeding feed synthesis gas (30) with a substantially constant target feed synthesis gas H2/CO ratio to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16). A portion of the feed synthesis gas (30) is converted to Fischer-Tropsch products in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16). The Fischer-Tropsch products (20) from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16) are withdrawn. A Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage tail gas (26) which includes unconverted H2 and CO is obtained. The operating conditions of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16) are manipulated to achieve a substantially constant target tail gas H2/CO ratio, with the target tail gas H2/CO ratio being substantially different from the target feed synthesis gas H2/CO ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Propietary) Limited
    Inventors: Hermanus Gerhardus Nel, Alex Philip Vogel
  • Patent number: 9040595
    Abstract: A process for the synthesis of methanol, comprising the steps of reforming a hydrocarbon source obtaining a make-up gas feed (101), feeding said make up gas to a synthesis loop (L), converting said make up gas to methanol (108) in a substantially isothermal catalytic environment, wherein said catalytic environment comprises a plurality of isothermal catalytic beds (11, 12, 21) preferably arranged in series, and at least a portion of make-up gas (101) is mixed with recycle gas (112) from the loop (L), obtaining a gaseous mixture of fresh gas and recycle gas, and at least a portion of said gaseous mixture is directed between two consecutive catalytic beds acting as a quench gas. A related plant is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Casale SA
    Inventor: Fabio Laurenzi
  • Patent number: 9040594
    Abstract: A method for producing methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides with a high content of inert components includes passing the synthesis gas through a synthesis reactor so as to catalytically convert a part of the carbon oxides to methanol. The methanol is separated from the obtained mixture from the reactor. The mixture liberated from methanol is separated into a cycle stream and a purge stream. The cycle stream is recirculated so as to form a synthesis circle and combined with a fresh gas stream including hydrogen and carbon oxides before being charged into the synthesis reactor. The purge stream is supplied to a secondary reactor so as to catalytically convert a further part of the hydrogen and carbon oxides to methanol. Further methanol is separated the obtained mixture including synthesis gas, inert components and methanol vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: AIR LIQUIDE GLOBAL E&C SOLUTIONS GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Andreas Bormann, Veronika Gronemann, Rainer Morgenroth, Jan Hagemann, Holger Schlichting, Philipp Marius Hackel
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9006297
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed that uses a gas lift tubing arrangement to produce synthetic hydrocarbon related products. Using the Fischer Tropsch process as an example, the tubing is packed with a suitable catalyst and then hydrogen and carbon monoxide are injected into the top of the tubing in a fashion similar to a gas lift process. As the gases travel past the catalyst, synthetic hydrocarbons are formed and heat is rejected. The synthetic hydrocarbons and water flow out of the bottom of the tubing and travel up the annulus to the surface. In some embodiments, this process is carried out in a producing well or a in producing riser. In a producing well or a producing riser, the production from the well which flows up the annulus cools the synthetic hydrocarbon derived products. In additional and alternate embodiments, this process can be used in non-flowing wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Robert P. Herrmann
  • Patent number: 9005554
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed that uses a gas lift tubing arrangement to produce synthetic hydrocarbon related products. Using the Fischer Tropsch process as an example, the tubing is packed with a suitable catalyst and then hydrogen and carbon monoxide are injected into the top of the tubing in a fashion similar to a gas lift process. As the gases travel past the catalyst, synthetic hydrocarbons are formed and heat is rejected. The synthetic hydrocarbons and water flow out of the bottom of the tubing and travel up the annulus to the surface. In some embodiments, this process is carried out in a producing well or a in producing riser. In a producing well or a producing riser, the production from the well which flows up the annulus cools the synthetic hydrocarbon derived products. In additional and alternate embodiments, this process can be used in non-flowing wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Robert P. Herrmann
  • Publication number: 20150099814
    Abstract: A method for preparing a liquid hydrocarbon from syngas. The method includes: 1) mixing crude syngas from a biomass gasifier and a hydrogen-rich gas to yield a mixed gas; 2) dehydrating and decarbonizing the mixed gas for removal of moisture, carbon dioxide, and impurities, to yield a fine syngas; 3) introducing the fine syngas to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis device in the presence of a catalyst, controlling a reaction temperature of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis at between 150 and 300° C. and a reaction pressure of between 2 and 4 MPa (A), to yield a liquid hydrocarbon and water which is discharged out of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis device; and 4) returning 70-95 vol. % of exhaust gases from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis device to step 3) to mix with the fine syngas, and introducing the resulting mixed gas to the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Yilong CHEN, Kan SONG, Pingyu KUAI, Yan GONG, Yanfeng ZHANG, Jiaqi JIN
  • Patent number: 8987341
    Abstract: A process for improving the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas stream to a synthesis loop, comprising the steps of: (a) removing a purge stream comprising hydrogen and hydrocarbons from a synthesis loop; (b) separating hydrogen from the purge stream; (c) passing the purge stream to a reformer and reacting with steam and oxygen to produce a stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; (d) subjecting the reformed reaction product stream to a shift reaction to produce a stream comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen; (e) subjecting the product stream from the shift reaction to separation to separate hydrogen from carbon dioxide; (f) supplying the separated hydrogen to the synthesis loop; and (g) removing the carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Davy Process Technology Limited
    Inventor: Simon Robert Early
  • Publication number: 20150060326
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the conversion of hydrogen and one or more oxides of carbon to hydrocarbons, which process comprises: contacting hydrogen and one or more oxides of carbon with a catalyst in a reaction zone; removing from the reaction zone an outlet stream comprising unreacted hydrogen, unreacted one or more oxides of carbon and one or more hydrocarbons and feeding the outlet stream to a separation zone in which the outlet stream is divided into at least three fractions, in which; a first fraction predominantly comprises unreacted hydrogen, unreacted one or more oxides of carbon and hydrocarbons having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; a second fraction predominantly comprises hydrocarbons having 5 to 9 carbon atoms, at least a portion of which hydrocarbons having from 5 to 9 carbon atoms are olefinic; and a third fraction predominantly comprises hydrocarbons having 10 or more carbon atoms; characterised in that at least a portion of the second fraction is recycled to the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: IGTL TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Richard John Hyman
  • Patent number: 8969423
    Abstract: In a process for the production of substitute natural gas, a feed gas is provided to a first and/or second and/or subsequent bulk methanator. The feed gas is subjected to methanation in the presence of a suitable catalyst. An at least partially reacted stream from the first bulk methanator is removed and supplied to the second and/or subsequent bulk methanator where it is subjected to further methanation. A product stream from the final bulk methanator is passed to a trim methanator train where it is subjected to further methanation. A recycle stream is removed downstream of the first, second or subsequent bulk methanator, and, in any order, passed through a compressor, subjected to cooling and then supplied to a trim and/or recycle methanator for further methanation before being recycled to the first and/or second and/or subsequent methanator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Davy Process Technology Limited
    Inventors: Philip Henry Donald Eastland, Jonathan Geoffrey Gavin, David Andrew Walker
  • Publication number: 20150057378
    Abstract: A method of preparing a modified catalyst support comprises contacting a catalyst support material with a modifying component precursor in an impregnating liquid medium. The impregnating liquid medium comprises a mixture of water and an organic liquid solvent for the modifying component precursor. The mixture contains less than 17% by volume water based on the total volume of the impregnating liquid medium. The modifying component precursor comprises a compound of a modifying component selected from the group consisting of Si, Zr, Co, Ti, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ba, Ni, Al, Fe, V, Hf, Th, Ce, Ta, W, La and mixtures of two or more thereof. A modifying component containing catalyst support material is thus obtained. Optionally, the modifying component containing catalyst support material is calcined at a temperature above 100° C. to obtain a modified catalyst support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: SASOL TECHNOLOGY (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED
    Inventors: Jacobus Lucas Visagie, Tanja Allers, Frederik Marie Paul Rafael Van Laar, Frederik Borninkhof, Jana Heloise Taljaard, Rita Meyer
  • Patent number: 8956428
    Abstract: A process for treating offshore natural gas includes processing the natural gas on an off-shore processing facility by, (i) liquefying and fractionating the natural gas to generate a liquefied natural gas stream and a higher hydrocarbon stream, (ii) vaporizing at least a portion of the higher hydrocarbon stream, (iii) passing the vaporized higher hydrocarbon stream and steam over a steam reforming catalyst to generate a reformed gas mixture comprising methane, steam, carbon oxides and hydrogen, (iv) passing the reformed gas mixture over a methanation catalyst to generate a methane rich gas, and (v) combining the methane-rich gas with the natural gas prior to the liquefaction step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventors: Peter John Herbert Carnell, Ginny Yuen Che Ng
  • Publication number: 20150045459
    Abstract: An integrated microchannel reactor and heat exchanger comprising: (a) a waveform sandwiched between opposing shim sheets and mounted to the shim sheets to form a series of microchannels, where each microchannel includes a pair of substantially straight side walls, and a top wall formed by at least one of the opposing shim sheets, and (b) a first set of microchannels in thermal communication with the waveform, where the waveform has an aspect ratio greater than two.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt, Timothy M. Werner, Bin Yang
  • Publication number: 20150045460
    Abstract: Process for the catalytic production of alcohol products, wherein by-products comprising ketone, aldehyde and ester compounds contained in the alcohol product are subjected to hydrogenation with a hydrogen-containing purge gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Haldor Topsøe A/S
    Inventor: Christian Wix
  • Publication number: 20150038598
    Abstract: A synthesis gas conversion process and system are disclosed. Fresh syngas from a methane reformer is used as a sweep zone gas feed which is caused to flow across a water permselective membrane in a membrane reactor. The water permselective membrane is adjacent a synthesis gas conversion reaction zone in which synthesis gas is contacted with a catalyst and converted to effluent including water. Water is removed from the reaction zone through the membrane and passes out of the reactor with the sweep zone gas. The water is then removed from the sweep zone gas forming a modified gas feed which is fed to the reaction zone. The modified gas feed has a preferred H2/CO ratio to feed into the reaction zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Lixin You, Shabbir Husain, Christopher M. Chen
  • Publication number: 20150018437
    Abstract: A process (10) to produce Fischer-Tropsch products includes feeding feed synthesis gas (30) with a substantially constant target feed synthesis gas H2/CO ratio to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16). A portion of the feed synthesis gas (30) is converted to Fischer-Tropsch products in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16). The Fischer-Tropsch products (20) from the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16) are withdrawn. A Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage tail gas (26) which includes unconverted H2 and CO is obtained. The operating conditions of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis stage (16) are manipulated to achieve a substantially constant target tail gas H2/CO ratio, with the target tail gas H2/CO ratio being substantially different from the target feed synthesis gas H2/CO ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Hermanus Gerhardus Nel, Alex Philip Vogel
  • Patent number: 8921433
    Abstract: Process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen containing feedstocks into alcohols in the presence of a particulate catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Peter Simpson Bell, Leslie William Bolton, Benjamin Patrick Gracey, Michael Keith Lee
  • Publication number: 20140370289
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to methods and active materials for purifying gas streams containing halide as a contaminant, for example, in amounts as low as parts-per-million (ppm) or even parts-per-billion (ppb). In one aspect of the invention, an active material includes (a) one or more first metals each present as a metal oxide or metal hydroxide, the first metals being selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, silver, osmium, iridium, platinum, and gold; and (b) one or more second metals each present as a metal oxide or metal hydroxide, the one or more second metals being selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, scandium, yttrium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, technetium, and rhenium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Justin X. Wang, Simran K. Sokhey, Jason E. Spencer, Yeping Cai
  • Patent number: 8901178
    Abstract: A method and system for co-production of electric power, fuel, and chemicals in which a synthesis gas at a first pressure is expanded using a turbo-expander, simultaneously producing electric power and an expanded synthesis gas at a second pressure after which the expanded synthesis gas is converted to a fuel and/or a chemical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Iosif K. Rabovitser, Arunabha Basu
  • Patent number: 8901179
    Abstract: A process for synthesis of methanol, where make-up syngas is reacted in a synthesis loop (10) obtaining crude methanol, and where a purge gas (20) taken from said synthesis loop is heated to 200-500° C. by indirect heat exchange with a high-temperature heat source, the heated purge gas (33) being expanded in a gas expander (34) to recover energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Casale SA
    Inventors: Raffaele Ostuni, Ermanno Filippi
  • Patent number: 8889746
    Abstract: An enhanced Fischer-Tropsch process for the synthesis of sulfur free, clean burning, hydrocarbon fuels, examples of which include syndiesel and aviation fuel. Naphtha is destroyed in a syngas generator and recycled as feedstock to an Fischer-Tropsch (FT) reactor in order to enhance the production of syndiesel from the reactor. The process enhancement results is the maximum production of formulated syndiesel without the formation of low value by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Expander Energy Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Kresnyak
  • Publication number: 20140316016
    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: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: James Robert Jennings
  • Patent number: 8859631
    Abstract: A process is described for the conversion of synthesis gas into hydrocarbons including the steps of; (i) passing a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide over a cobalt catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure to produce a first reaction product mixture comprising hydrocarbons, steam, carbon monoxide and hydrogen, (ii) condensing and separating water from the first reaction product mixture to produce a de-watered first reaction product mixture, (iii) passing the de-watered first reaction product mixture over a supported ruthenium catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure to produce a second reaction product mixture containing hydrocarbons, and (iv) recovering the hydrocarbons from the second reaction product mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventor: Mark McKenna
  • Patent number: 8859823
    Abstract: An improved OXO process with converted waste oil recycle includes: (a) hydroformylating an olefin with synthesis gas in a reactor to produce an OXO product as well as by-product waste oil, the by-product waste oil having a lower or higher boiling temperature than said OXO product; (b) separating OXO product from the by-product waste oil; (c) converting separated waste oil to synthesis gas; and (d) recycling the synthesis gas produced in step (c) to the reactor of step (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Oxea Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher John Bischoff, Chessley Alan Hungerford, Mark Henry Sprow
  • Publication number: 20140298953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and gasification system for recycling methane-rich gas from syngas stream emanating from fluidized bed reactor and then returning the methane to the fluidized bed reactor. The method comprises recovering methane-rich gas from the synthesis gas and delivering at least a portion of the recovered methane-rich gas to the fluidized bed reactor. Methods to recover methane-rich gas from syngas at different steps in the gasification system are also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: JOHN WINTER, TAKAHIRO OBASE
  • Publication number: 20140250770
    Abstract: A unique process and catalyst is described that operates efficiently for the direct production of a high cetane diesel type fuel or diesel type blending stock from stoichiometric mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. This invention allows for, but is not limited to, the economical and efficient production high quality diesel type fuels from small or distributed fuel production plants that have an annual production capacity of less than 10,000 barrels of product per day, by eliminating traditional wax upgrading processes. This catalytic process is ideal for distributed diesel fuel production plants such as gas to liquids production and other applications that require optimized economics based on supporting distributed feedstock resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Greyrock Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Schuetzle, Dennis Schuetzle
  • Patent number: 8829059
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methanol production processes that include a sweep-based membrane separation step using a membrane that is selective to carbon dioxide over hydrogen. Using the processes of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. In certain embodiments, a hydrogen-rich stream is generated; this hydrogen-rich stream can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the processes of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas P. Wynn
  • Patent number: 8795597
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting natural gas from a source, such as a wellhead, pipeline, or a storage facility, into hydrocarbon liquid stable at room temperature, comprising a skid or trailer mounted portable gas to liquids reactor. The reactor includes a preprocessor which desulfurizes and dehydrates the natural gas, a first stage reactor which transforms the preprocessed natural gas into synthesis gas, and a liquid production unit using a Fischer-Tropsch or similar polymerization process. The hydrocarbon liquid may be stored in a portable tank for later transportation or further processed on site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Greenway Innovative Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: F. Conrad Greer
  • Patent number: 8785506
    Abstract: In a process for converting synthesis gas to methanol, gas is introduced through an inlet of a tubular reactor. Reactants pass downwardly through at least one reactor tube to an upper surface of a catalyst carrier and into a passage defined by an inner perforated wall of a carrier container before passing radially through the catalyst bed towards a perforated outer container wall. Reaction occurs as synthesis gas contacts the catalyst. Unreacted reactant and product pass out of the container through the outer container wall and then upwardly between the inner surface of a container skirt and an outer annular container wall, and then over the end of the skirt and downwardly between the outer surface of the skirt and the inner surface of the reactor tube where heat transfer takes place. The steps are repeated at any subsequent catalyst carrier and then product is removed from the reactor outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Davy Process Technology Limited
    Inventor: Timothy Douglas Gamlin
  • Patent number: 8772360
    Abstract: In various implementations, methanol is produced using a (CO+H2) containing synthesis gas produced from a combined PDX plus EHTR or a combined ATR plus EHTR at a pressure of 70 bar to 100 bar at the correct stoichiometric composition for methanol synthesis so that no feed gas compressor is required for the feed to the methanol synthesis reactor loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: GTLpetrol LLC
    Inventor: Rodney J. Allam
  • Patent number: 8759406
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the production of hydrocarbon products from a methane comprising feedstock comprising of the steps of: preparing a feed syngas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide having a hydrogen/carbon monoxide molar feed ratio in a syngas manufacturing process and using the feed syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch process using one or more fixed bed catalyst beds as present in one or more syngas conversion reactors thereby obtaining the hydrocarbon product and an residual tail gas. The manufacturing process comprises of two parallel operated syngas manufacturing processes starting from the same gaseous methane comprising feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Maarten Bracht, Martin John Fernie
  • Patent number: 8759407
    Abstract: Process for producing synthetic natural gas (SNG) which is provided in an energy-efficient way at the inlet pressure into a downstream pipeline system. For this purpose, a synthesis gas containing carbon oxides and hydrogen is converted into a product gas rich in methane by multi-stage catalytic methanation in a main reaction zone and a post-reaction zone, wherein the adjustment of the target pressure is effected by compression before the main reaction zone and/or before or in the post-reaction zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Lurgi GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Walter
  • Patent number: 8741971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for operating a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, wherein a feed gas comprising CO and H2 from coal gasification (1) is desulfurized and subsequently fed into a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis as an input gas, wherein hydrocarbons are formed from carbonic oxides and hydrogen by catalytic reactions. The hydrocarbons are separated as liquid products (4), and a gas flow comprising CO and CO2 exiting the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit (3) is compressed and fed into a conversion stage, wherein CO and steam are transformed into H2 and CO2. In the method according to the invention, the gas exiting the conversion stage is fed back into the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis unit as a gas rich in H2, together with the desulfurized input gas, after the gas is prepared in that CO2 and/or further components other than H2 are removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Menzel
  • Publication number: 20140142205
    Abstract: A Fischer-Tropsch process for producing hydrocarbons from synthesis gas which originates e.g. from biomass gasification, using membrane separators. In the process, an input stream which comprises hydrogen, carbon monoxide as well as further gases and/or vapours is initially fed to a first membrane stage which comprises a steam-selective and carbon dioxide-selective membrane and through which at least some of the steam present in the input stream and some of the carbon dioxide present in the input stream are separated from the input stream to form a permeate stream of the first membrane stage comprising steam and carbon dioxide and a retentate stream of the first membrane stage containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht Zentrum Fur Material-und Kustenforschung GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Brinkmann