Patents Assigned to L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L
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Patent number: 11946693Abstract: The invention relates to a system for controlling an argon flow rate of a fluid at the outlet of an assembly of at least one distillation column in order to reach a target dioxygen level (SP).Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Marc Bastid
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Patent number: 11946703Abstract: A heat exchanger having a stack of multiple plates which are parallel to one another and to a longitudinal direction, and stacked spaced apart from one another so as to define, between one another, a first series of passages for the flow of at least a first fluid in an overall flow direction parallel to the longitudinal direction, each passage being delimited by closure bars disposed between the plates. A filtering device is arranged in at least one passage of the first series, the filtering device extending for the one part between two adjacent plates defining the passage and for the other part between two of the closure bars delimiting the passage, the filtering device having a metal sheet material chosen from among a metal fabric, a nonwoven of metal fibres, a sintered metal powder or sintered metal fibres, a metal foam, or a microperforated plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventors: Eric Masliah, Arnaud Gueguen, Gilles Lebain, Ludovic Amant
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Patent number: 11946692Abstract: A method for separating a mixture containing at least nitrogen and methane by cryogenic distillation in a first column operating in a first pressure and a second column operating at a second pressure lower than the first pressure, the mixture being separated in the first column to form a gas enriched in nitrogen and a liquid enriched in methane, at least a portion of the gas enriched in nitrogen being at least partially condensed in a heat exchanger and returned to the first column, the gas enriched in nitrogen is sent into the heat exchanger by the bottom, ascends in a first series of passages of the exchanger and condenses therein at least partially, the liquid formed descending in these passages of the first series and exiting by the bottom of the exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventors: Paul Terrien, Nicolas Chantant, Jean-Marc Peyron
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Patent number: 11940228Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-temperature fluid transporting pipeline with a heat exchange apparatus installed therein, a suitable heat exchange apparatus and a heat exchange method, wherein heat contained in a high-temperature fluid can be recovered during the transportation thereof. The heat exchange apparatus comprises a heat exchange body inserted into the high-temperature fluid transporting pipeline, and a heat-receiving fluid coil installed therein. The method of heat exchange is that the high-temperature fluid heats an auxiliary fluid in a heat exchange cavity via a heat exchange panel of the heat exchange body in contact therewith, and the heated auxiliary fluid then conducts the heat to a heat-receiving fluid in the heat-receiving fluid coil.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventors: Yuquan Gu, Peter Van Kampen, KuoHsuan Wang, Aili Zhang, Wenbiao Zhou
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Patent number: 11940149Abstract: An elevated flare system in a synthesis gas production plant for thermal disposal of offgases having at least two different contents of carbon monoxide arising in synthesis gas production and/or synthesis gas treatment.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventor: Antonio Coscia
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Patent number: 11933458Abstract: Heat is transferred from a first portion of liquid hydrogen to a flow of a heat transfer fluid at a first heat exchanger through heat exchange with a heat transfer fluid to produce a flow of vaporized hydrogen and a warmed flow of heat transfer fluid. The flow of vaporized hydrogen is combined with a second portion of liquid hydrogen in amounts designed to produce a combined flow with a desired temperature, the combined flow being used to fill one or more buffer vessels. Heat is also transferred at a second heat exchanger from a stream of pressurized hydrogen from the at least one buffer vessel to the cooled flow of heat transfer fluid to produce a cooled flow of pressurized hydrogen that is used to fill tanks of fuel cell electric vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Vincent Fairy, Anh Thao Thieu, Samuel Trompezinski
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Patent number: 11933444Abstract: The invention relates to an inertization apparatus for inerting a working volume in a chemical production plant by flushing with inert gas, where the chemical production plant comprises a plant-wide inert gas distribution system having pipes for distributing the inert gas and at least one inert gas offtake position which can be connected to a connecting conduit. According to the invention, it is provided that the connecting conduit between inertization apparatus and working volume is connected, at its end nearest the working volume, in a not reversibly detachable manner to an intermediate piece, where the intermediate piece can be connected in a reversibly detachable manner to a counterpiece provided on the working volume.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Expoitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventor: Jean-Philippe Tadiello
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Publication number: 20240084941Abstract: Disclosed is a self-closing emergency coupling and release device for the transport of cryogenic fluid, comprising two fluid transport pipes extending in a longitudinal direction and each comprising, at a connection end, a valve mechanism configured to automatically close the pipe when the connection ends are separated and to open the pipe when the connection ends are coupled, the device further comprising an outer tube arranged around each transport pipe and delimiting a vacuum space for thermally insulating the transport pipe, the device further comprising a mechanism for holding the transport pipe in the outer tube, characterized in that the holding mechanism comprises a frustoconical connection tube having a first end connected to the outer tube and a second end connected to the transport pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDEInventors: Gaetan COLEIRO, Yan PENNEC
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Patent number: 11920572Abstract: Fluid flow control valve comprising a tubular body extending in a longitudinal direction with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet situated respectively at the two longitudinal ends of the body, the valve comprising a nozzle and a piston connected to the body, the piston being housed in the body, the nozzle being made up of a part provided with a fluid passage having a calibrated dimension, the passage emerging at one end of the nozzle and forming a seat, said seat being situated against a terminal end of the piston forming a shutter preventing the flow of fluid in the closed position of the valve, the piston comprising a body defining a passage for the fluid in the body for the flow of the fluid between the inlet and the outlet, the body of the valve consisting of a material having a different expansion coefficient from the piston or the nozzle, the valve comprising a heating member which, depending on the heating power delivered, makes it possible to separate the end of the nozzle and the piston by differentialType: GrantFiled: May 27, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes ClaudeInventors: Yoann Fendler, Simon Carpentier, Gérald Fruh, Daniel Viard, Francois Martin
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Patent number: 11920732Abstract: A quality control method for the preparation of dry compressed gas cylinder including passivating and/or preparing the compressed gas cylinder with the technique to be validated, filling the passivated/prepared compressed gas cylinder with gaseous carbon dioxide to a normal working pressure, wherein the gaseous carbon dioxide has a known ?18O isotope ratio, maintaining the pressurized gas cylinder at ambient temperature for a first predetermined period of time, and gradually emptying the pressurized gas cylinder, while simultaneously measuring the ?18O isotopic ratio, wherein a predetermined variation in the measured isotopic ratio of ?18O indicates a properly prepared cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignees: Airgas, Inc., America Air Liquide, Inc., L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventors: Tracey Jacksier, Mani C. Matthew, Richard A. Socki, Jun Sonobe, Megumi Isaji, James McHale
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Patent number: 11920736Abstract: Heat is transferred from a flow of liquid hydrogen to a flow of a heat transfer fluid at a first heat exchanger to produce a warmed flow of pressurized hydrogen and a cooled flow of heat transfer fluid. Heat is also transferred at a second heat exchanger, to the cooled flow of heat transfer fluid, from a flow of pressurized hydrogen that is derived from one or more buffer vessels filled by the warmed flow of pressurized hydrogen and/or the warmed flow of pressurized hydrogen from the first exchanger to produce a cooled flow of pressurized hydrogen that is used to fill tanks of fuel cell electric vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2022Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Vincent Fairy, Anh Thao Thieu
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Patent number: 11920737Abstract: Device for storing and for supplying fluid fuel, comprising a reservoir of liquefied fuel gas in equilibrium with a gas phase, in particular hydrogen, a circuit for filling the reservoir, at least one circuit for tapping fluid from the reservoir, and at least one circuit for regulating the pressure in the reservoir, the filling circuit, tapping circuit and pressure-regulating circuit comprising a set of valves arranged in a housing separate from the reservoir, the housing being removably connected to the reservoir via a demountable mechanical coupling system, the tapping circuit, the pressure-regulating circuit and the filling circuit comprising a set of demountable fluidic connectors situated at the junction between the reservoir and the housing and configured to allow the separation between portions of circuits situated in the reservoir and in the housing during the demounting of the housing with respect to the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Emmanuel Bensadoun, Patrick Bravais, Patrick Sanglan
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Publication number: 20240066493Abstract: A hydrogen production facility having equipment with a nitridation protective layer is provided. The hydrogen production facility can include a reformer configured to catalytically convert a feed stream into a product stream comprising hydrogen, the reformer having a plurality of catalyst tubes and a plurality of burners configured to provide heat to the catalyst tubes; means for providing the feed stream to the reformer from an ammonia source, wherein the feed stream comprises at least 90% of ammonia, wherein the plurality of catalyst tubes comprise a nitridation protective layer on an inner surface of the catalyst tubes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Christoph BEYER, Robert BREINING, Dieter ULBER
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Publication number: 20240068081Abstract: A method for converting an existing steam methane reformer (SMR) to produce hydrogen via ammonia cracking is provided. The method can include the steps of: providing the existing SMR, wherein the SMR was formerly used to produce hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock; and improving the nitridation resistance of the inner surface of the equipment by adding a protective layer to an inner surface of equipment to be used in the existing SMR, wherein the equipment is selected from the group consisting of a catalyst tube, feed piping, a feed preheater, process gas heat exchangers, and combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Christoph BEYER, Robert BREINING, Dieter ULBER
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Patent number: 11912651Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing methanol from a synthesis gas is provided. The method includes (i) producing, in a partial oxidation chamber, the synthesis gas having a stoichiometric number of less than 1.8 by performing a partial oxidation process with a hydrocarbon stream and an oxygen stream, (ii) passing, in a water-gas shift reactor, the synthesis gas over a water-gas shift catalyst to convert at least a portion of carbon monoxide and water into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, (iii) producing a dry, shifted synthesis gas by separating liquid condensate from shifted synthesis gas, (iv) combining, in a recycle compressor, the dry, shifted synthesis gas with a recycle synthesis gas comprised of unreacted synthesis gas and a hydrogen rich product to form a mixed synthesis gas stream, and (v) converting, in a cooled methanol synthesis reactor, at least a portion of the mixed synthesis gas stream into methanol.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventors: Karsten Covella, Hans Kopetsch, Bryce Williams, Julien Aoun
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Patent number: 11916267Abstract: An installation for supplying a fuel cell with hydrogen comprising a fuel cell, a liquefied hydrogen storage facility and a supply circuit that includes at least one upstream end connected to the storage facility and one downstream end connected to a fuel inlet of the fuel cell, the supply circuit including at least one system for heating hydrogen by heat exchange with a heat source and a set of control valves, the liquefied hydrogen storage facility being configured to keep the liquefied hydrogen in equilibrium with a gaseous phase at a determined nominal storage pressure of between 1.5 and 4.5 bar, the supply circuit including a buffer tank for pressurized gaseous hydrogen which is configured to store the hydrogen withdrawn from the storage facility and heated by the heating system, the set of valves being configured to accumulate pressurized gas in the buffer tank at a determined storage pressure of between 4 and 100 bar, for example between 6 and 8 bar.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Laurent Allidieres
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Patent number: 11912576Abstract: An integrated process for producing a purified and converted synthesis gas and a corresponding plant including initially converting in a synthesis gas generation stage a carbon-containing input material into a raw synthesis gas which in a subsequent CO conversion zone is altered in respect of its H2/CO ratio and finally sent to a gas scrubbing zone operating according to a physical gas scrubbing process with methanol as the absorption medium in which the content of unwanted gas constituents, in particular of acidic gas constituents, in the synthesis gas is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges ClaudeInventor: Stefan Walter
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Patent number: 11913719Abstract: A liquefaction apparatus that automatically adjusts the load on the liquefaction apparatus correspondingly with an upper limit value of contracted power in different time slots, and which is capable of maximizing the amount of liquefied product produced and of achieving optimum operating efficiency is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventor: Takuya Kaneda
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Patent number: 11913718Abstract: A method for producing power and argon is provided by providing a residual gas stream, purifying the residual gas stream in a front-end purification unit to remove carbon dioxide, thereby forming a purified residual gas stream, and introducing the purified residual gas stream to a cold box, wherein the purified residual gas stream is cooled and expanded within the cold box to produce power and then fed to a distillation column system for separation therein, thereby forming an argon-enriched stream and optionally a nitrogen-enriched stream and/or an oxygen-enriched stream, wherein the residual gas stream is sourced from a retentate stream of a cold membrane having oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Alain Guillard, Michael A. Turney, Abigail Bonifacio
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Patent number: 11913720Abstract: A supply quantity adjustment device 500 comprises: a total demand quantity calculation unit 502 that calculates a total demand quantity used at a supply destination, based on plant information; an excess/deficit information setting unit 503 that compares the total demand quantity and a flow rate set value and sets a first calculated pressure value; a backup coefficient setting unit that sets a backup coefficient set value based on a reference gasholder pressure, the first calculated pressure value, a reference backup pressure set value, and a measured gasholder pressure value; and a production coefficient setting unit that compares a production pressure set value obtained by adding the reference gasholder pressure and a first pressure output value with the measured gasholder pressure value, and sets a production coefficient so as to modify a variation in the quantity of product gas produced by the air separation apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Takuya Kaneda, Shigenobu Kuwada