Patents Assigned to Gas Technology Institute
  • Removal of hydrogen sulfide as ammonium sulfate from hydropyrolysis product vapors
    Patent number: 9593282
    Abstract: A system and method for processing biomass into hydrocarbon fuels that includes processing a biomass in a hydropyrolysis reactor resulting in hydrocarbon fuels and a process vapor stream and cooling the process vapor stream to a condensation temperature resulting in an aqueous stream. The aqueous stream is sent to a catalytic reactor where it is oxidized to obtain a product stream containing ammonia and ammonium sulfate. A resulting cooled product vapor stream includes non-condensable process vapors comprising H2, CH4, CO, CO2, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Terry L. Marker, Larry G. Felix, Martin B. Linck, Michael J. Roberts
  • Reactor system and solid fuel composite therefor
    Patent number: 9567876
    Abstract: A reactor system includes a fluidized-bed. A fuel and a sulfur absorbent material are eluted through the fluidized-bed. The reactor system may include a heat exchanger having a heat-exchanging portion within a heating zone of the reactor that is hermetically sealed from the heating zone. The reactor may include loose particles of an inert bed material for forming the fluidized-bed. A feed system may be provided to inject a solid fuel composite that includes a mixture of a solid, carbonaceous fuel and a solid reagent into the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Albert E. Stewart, Ganesan Subbaraman, Jeffrey A. Mays, James A. Hartung
  • HYDROTHERMALLY CARBONIZED BIOMASS FORMED VIA REACTIVE TWIN-SCREW EXTRUSION
    Publication number: 20170029733
    Abstract: A biomass-derived thermosetting polymer material being a product of processing a biomass feed material via a twin screw extruder having a length extending between an inlet and an outlet. Hot water from a water heater is injected into at least one inlet along the length of the twin screw extruder, the at least one inlet generally corresponding with a pressure boundary within the twin screw extruder. A pressure-sustaining valve is connected between the length of the twin screw extruder and the outlet, with the valve being adjusted to produce the biomass-derived thermosetting polymer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventor: Larry G. FELIX
  • Water conserving syngas cleanup system
    Patent number: 9550951
    Abstract: A gasification system includes a scrubber in communication with a particulate removal subsystem and a quench sub-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventor: Steven P. Fusselman
  • System and method for detecting underground cross-bores
    Patent number: 9534490
    Abstract: A system for detecting an underground cross-bore includes a mechanical sensing device attached to an underground travel element to form a combination adapted for underground travel. The mechanical sensing device senses at least a first underground condition wherein the combination is ensconced in an underground bore and a second underground condition wherein the sensing device senses entry into a pipe cavity. The mechanical sensing device desirably can provide a signal identifying entry into a pipe cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Khalid Farrag, Kiran Kothari
  • Method for producing liquid organic fuels and hydrogen
    Patent number: 9528190
    Abstract: A method for producing organic liquid fuels and other valuable products in which an organic compound is provided to an anode electrode having a metal oxide catalyst disposed on an anode side of an electrolyte membrane, thereby producing an organic liquid fuel and/or other valuable organic product and electrons on the anode side. The electrons are conducted to a cathode electrode disposed on a cathode side of the electrolyte membrane, thereby transforming water provided to the cathode side to H2 gas and hydroxide ions. The method is carried out at a temperature less than or equal to about 160° C., preferably at room temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventor: Qinbai Fan
  • Bubbling bed catalytic hydropyrolysis process utilizinig larger catalyst particles and small biomass particles featuring an anti-slugging reactor
    Patent number: 9512364
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for thermochemically transforming biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks into high quality liquid hydrocarbon fuels. In particular, a catalytic hydropyrolysis reactor, containing a deep bed of fluidized catalyst particles is utilized to accept particles of biomass or other oxygenated feedstocks that are significantly smaller than the particles of catalyst in the fluidized bed. The reactor features an insert or other structure disposed within the reactor vessel that inhibits slugging of the bed and thereby minimizes attrition of the catalyst. Within the bed, the biomass feedstock is converted into a vapor-phase product, containing hydrocarbon molecules and other process vapors, and an entrained solid char product, which is separated from the vapor stream after the vapor stream has been exhausted from the top of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Terry L. Marker, Larry G. Felix, Martin B. Linck, Michael J. Roberts
  • Particulate pump with rotary drive and integral chain
    Patent number: 9512374
    Abstract: A particulate pump includes a posimetric rotary drive that has a hub affixed to a pair of discs. The posimetric rotary drive and chain together provides a working surface for a coal plug against a wall. A chain has a plurality of overlapping links and is integral with the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventor: Timothy Saunders
  • Non-Faradaic electrochemical promotion of catalytic methane reforming for methanol production
    Patent number: 9499917
    Abstract: A method of converting methane to methanol at low temperatures utilizes a reactor including an anode, a cathode, a membrane separator between the anode and cathode, a metal oxide catalyst at the anode and a hydrogen recovery catalyst at the cathode. The method can convert methane to methanol at as rate exceeding the theoretical Faradaic rate due to the contribution of an electrochemical reaction occurring in tandem with a Faradaic reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventor: Qinbai Fan
  • Directional insertion tool
    Patent number: 9500311
    Abstract: A device and method for inserting a tool into a pipeline transporting a fluid. The device includes a housing that is attachable to a vertical fitting applied on the pipeline, and a launch tube supported by the housing and including a tool passageway through which a tool is fed. The launch tube moves relative to the housing to raise and lower a shoe at an end of the launch tube into the pipeline. The shoe is and adapted to insert a tool into the pipeline at an angle to the launch tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Jeff Mainzer, Dennis R. Jarnecke
  • REACTOR SYSTEM FOR PRODUCING SYNTHESIS GAS
    Publication number: 20160332875
    Abstract: A reactor system for partial oxidation gasification includes a reactor vessel that has a defined reaction zone with a reaction zone inlet and a reaction zone outlet. An injector section is operable to inject reactants to the reaction zone inlet. A coolant injector is operable to inject a coolant adjacent a reaction zone outlet. A reactor vessel outlet is located downstream of the coolant injector. A controller is configured to operate the coolant injector with respect to cooling a synthesis gas discharged from the reaction zone outlet and upwardly shifting a ratio H2:CO to a target ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: GAS TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Steven P. FUSSELMAN, Stephen Arthur YOWS, Lisa BAYNE, Seth D. HAHN
  • Process for purification of methyl methacrylate using molecular sieve membranes
    Patent number: 9487469
    Abstract: A method for separating the components of a mixture containing methyl methacrylate, water, and methanol in which the mixture is dehydrated in a first stage membrane unit, producing a dehydrated mixture. Methanol in the dehydrated mixture is removed in a second stage membrane unit, producing a retentate stream containing methyl methacrylate and substantially no said methanol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignees: Gas Technology Institute, The Regents of the University of Colorado
    Inventors: Shiguang Li, Shaojun Zhou, Miao Yu
  • Hydropyrolysis of biomass for producing high quality liquid fuels
    Patent number: 9447328
    Abstract: A self-sustaining process for producing liquid fuels from biomass in which the biomass is hydropyrolyzed in a reactor vessel containing molecular hydrogen and a deoxygenating catalyst, producing a partially deoxygenated pyrolysis liquid, which is hydrogenated using a hydroconversion catalyst, producing a substantially fully deoxygenated pyrolysis liquid and a gaseous mixture comprising CO and light hydrocarbon gases (C1-C4). The gaseous mixture is reformed in a steam reformer, producing reformed molecular hydrogen, which is then introduced into the reactor vessel for hydropyrolizing the biomass. The deoxygenated liquid product is further processed to produce diesel fuel and gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Terry L Marker, Larry G Felix, Martin B Linck
  • Agglomerator with ceramic matrix composite obstacles
    Patent number: 9428702
    Abstract: A slag agglomerator includes an inlet, an outlet and a plurality of obstacles. The inlet receives a flow of gas and slag droplets and the outlet allows the flow of gas and slag droplets to exit the agglomerator. The obstacles are oblique or perpendicular to the flow of gas and slag droplets and have an exterior surface containing a ceramic matrix composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
  • Method of cooling an internal space using a superabsorbent polymer
    Patent number: 9372030
    Abstract: A method and system for cooling an internal space are provided. A laminate of a hydrophobic membrane and a hydrophilic membrane includes a superabsorbent polymer disposed on or encompassing the hydrophilic membrane. The superabsorbent polymer increases the wicking capacity of the hydrophilic membrane so that water from a source is distributed more rapidly across the hydrophilic membrane. The distributed water is evaporated from the hydrophilic membrane, causing evaporative cooling of the laminate and surrounding air stream(s). The cooled air stream(s) are used to cool the internal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Qinbai Fan, Ronald Stanis, Bogdan Gurau
  • Carbon dioxide decomposition
    Patent number: 9364791
    Abstract: Carbon monoxide and oxygen gas can be produced from carbon dioxide by introducing a supply of CO2-containing gas to a CO2 permeable porous media. The CO2 permeates through the media to separate the CO2 from other species in the CO2-containing gas supply. An oxygen-deficient ferrite material, disposed on a surface of the CO2 permeable porous media, contacts with the separated CO2 at decomposition reaction conditions to produce CO and O2. Corresponding devices for treating exhaust gases from a CO2 exhaust gas-producing apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventor: Qinbai Fan
  • ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLVENT REGENERATION PROCESS FOR CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE
    Publication number: 20160144295
    Abstract: A process for removing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-loaded solvent uses two stages of flash apparatus. Carbon dioxide is flashed from the solvent at a higher temperature and pressure in the first stage, and a lower temperature and pressure in the second stage, and is fed to a multi-stage compression train for high pressure liquefaction. Because some of the carbon dioxide fed to the compression train is already under pressure, less energy is required to further compress the carbon dioxide to a liquid state, compared to conventional processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: SHAOJUN ZHOU, Howard S. Meyer, Shiguang Ll
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOW VOLTAGE ELECTROCHEMICAL GAS TO LIQUIDS PRODUCTION
    Publication number: 20160145750
    Abstract: A method for producing methanol from methane in which methane is provided to an anode electrode having a metal oxide catalyst disposed on an anode side of an electrolyte membrane, thereby producing methanol and electrons on the anode side. The electrons are conducted to a cathode electrode such as having an oxygen reduction catalyst disposed on a cathode side of the electrolyte membrane, thereby transforming oxygen and water provided to the cathode side to hydroxide ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Ronald Justin STANIS, Qinbai FAN, Renxuan LIU
  • RADIANT NON-CATALYTIC RECUPERATIVE REFORMER
    Publication number: 20160137940
    Abstract: A radiant, non-catalytic recuperative reformer has a flue gas flow path for conducting hot exhaust gas from a thermal process and a reforming mixture flow path for conducting a reforming mixture. At least a portion of the reforming mixture flow path is positioned adjacent to the flue gas flow path to permit heat transfer from the hot exhaust gas to the reforming mixture. The reforming mixture flow path contains substantially no material commonly used as a catalyst for reforming hydrocarbon fuel (e.g., nickel oxide, platinum group elements or rhenium), but instead the reforming mixture is reformed into a higher calorific fuel via reactions due to the heat transfer and residence time. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the reforming mixture flow path is positioned outside of flue gas flow path for a relatively large residence time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Mark J. Khinkis, Aleksandr P. Kozlov
  • ENTRAINED-FLOW GASIFIER AND METHOD FOR REMOVING MOLTEN SLAG
    Publication number: 20160137935
    Abstract: An entrained-flow gasifier reactor includes a vessel and a first liner within the vessel. The first liner extends around a reaction zone in the vessel and has an inlet end and an exit end with respect to the reaction zone. The first liner includes a drip lip at the exit end. An isolator is arranged near the drip lip. The isolator is operable to thermally isolate the drip lip from a quench zone downstream from the reaction zone such that molten slag at the drip lip remains molten.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: Stephen Arthur YOWS, Steven P. FUSSELMAN