Patents Assigned to Velocys, Inc.
  • Catalysts having catalytic material applied directly to thermally-grown alumina and catalytic methods using same; improved methods of oxidative dehydrogenation
    Patent number: 9011781
    Abstract: The invention describes catalysts, methods of making catalysts, methods of making a microchannel reactor, and methods of conducting chemical reactions. It has been discovered that superior performance can be obtained from a catalyst formed by directly depositing a catalytic material onto a (low surface area) thermally-grown alumina layer. Improved methods of conducting oxidative dehydrogenations are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Long, Junko M. Watson, Francis P. Daly, Terry Mazanec, Barry L. Yang
  • Fischer-Tropsch process
    Patent number: 9006298
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, comprising flowing a reactant mixture comprising fresh synthesis gas and tail gas in a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst to form at least one hydrocarbon product, the catalyst being derived from a catalyst precursor comprising cobalt and a surface modified catalyst support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Claude LeViness, Francis Daly, Laura Richard, Sreekala Rugmini
  • MANIFOLD DESIGNS, AND FLOW CONTROL IN MULTICHANNEL MICROCHANNEL DEVICES
    Publication number: 20140332081
    Abstract: Novel manifolds and methods of flow through manifolds are described. Apparatus and techniques are described in which flow from a relatively large volume header is equally distributed to process channels. Methods of making laminated, microchannel devices are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. FITZGERALD, Anna Lee TONKOVICH, Ravi ARORA, Dongming QIU, Thomas D. YUSCHAK, Laura J. SILVA, Wm. Allen ROGERS, Kai JAROSCH, Matthew B. SCHMIDT
  • Generation of Hydrocarbon Fuels Having a Reduced Environmental Impact
    Publication number: 20140318794
    Abstract: The Fischer-Tropsch (FT) process can be controlled to create water that has desirable characteristics for use in secondary processes such as fracking or irrigation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Claude LeViness, Ivan Greager
  • Flow distribution channels to control flow in process channels
    Patent number: 8869830
    Abstract: The invention describes features that can be used to control flow to an array of microchannels. The invention also describes methods in which a process stream is distributed to plural microchannels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, David Kilanowski
  • PROCESS AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING MICROCHANNEL PROCESS TECHNOLGOY
    Publication number: 20140291204
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for conducting a hydrocracking or a hydrotreating process in a microchannel reactor. This invention also relates to a process and apparatus for flowing a vapor and liquid into a plurality of microchannels in a microchannel processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, John Brophy, Francis P. Daly, Soumitra Deshmukh, Maddalena Fanelli, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Timothy J. LaPlante, Richard Q. Long, Terry Mazanec, Daniel Francis Ryan, Laura J. Silva, Wayne W. Simmons, Bruce Strangeland, Yong Wang, Thomas Yuschak, Steven T. Perry, Jeffrey Dale Marco, Michael Alan Marchiando, Robert Lewis Litt
  • PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING SIMULTANEOUS ENDOTHERMIC AND EXOTHERMIC REACTIONS
    Publication number: 20140264175
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for conducting simultaneous endothermic and exothermic reactions in a microchannel reactor. A start-up procedure for the microchannel reactor is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: VELOCYS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven T. Perry, Ravi Arora, Martyn Twigg, Bin Yang, Thomas Yuschak, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Eric Hans Drescher, Franck Letellier, Anders Gabrielsson
  • Integrated Combustion Reactor And Methods Of Conducting Simultaneous Endothermic and Exothermic Reactions
    Publication number: 20140246625
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results, and/or results that can not be achieved with any prior art devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Paul W. Neagle, Dongming Qiu, Matthew B. Schmidt, Steven T. Perry, David J. Hesse, Robert J. Luzenski, G. Bradley Chadwell, Ying Peng, James A. Mathias, Nathan P. Gano, Richard Q. Long, Wm. Allen Rogers, Ravi Arora, Wayne W. Simmons, Barry L. Yang, David J. Kuhlmann, Yong Wang, Thomas D. Yuschak, Thomas Forte, John Arthur Monahan, Robert Jetter
  • Microchannel technology having structures with reduced material and enhanced volumetric productivity
    Patent number: 8802039
    Abstract: Novel designs for microchannel apparatus are described in which microchannels are shaped to reduce the amount of material needed to build an apparatus. In these designs, some microchannels are shaped, in cross-section, to provide relatively more structural material in areas of greatest stress, while leaving greater area for unit operations in areas of the apparatus that are subjected to relatively less stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Neagle, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Soumitra Deshmukh, Ravi Arora
  • Process for conducting an equilibrium limited chemical reaction using microchannel technology
    Patent number: 8747805
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for conducting an equilibrium limited chemical reaction in a microchannel reactor. The process involves the use of active heat exchange and is suitable for conducting exothermic and endothermic reactions. The process is particularly suitable for synthesizing methanol and dimethyl ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Rachid Taha, Enrique Aceves de Alba
  • Process and apparatus employing microchannel process technology
    Patent number: 8747656
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for conducting a hydrocracking or a hydrotreating process in a microchannel reactor. This invention also relates to a process and apparatus for flowing a vapor and liquid into a plurality of microchannels in a microchannel processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, John Brophy, Francis P. Daly, Soumitra Deshmukh, Maddalena Fanelli, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Timothy J. LaPlante, Richard Q. Long, Terry Mazanec, Daniel Francis Ryan, Laura J. Silva, Wayne W. Simmons, Bruce Stangeland, Yong Wang, Thomas Yuschak, Steven T. Perry, Jeffrey Dale Marco, Michael Alan Marchiando, Robert Dwayne Litt
  • Process for treating and/or forming a non-Newtonian fluid using microchannel process technology
    Patent number: 8721974
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process, comprising: conducting unit operations in at least two process zones in a process microchannel to treat and/or form a non-Newtonian fluid, a different unit operation being conducted in each process zone; and applying an effective amount of shear stress to the non-Newtonian fluid to reduce the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid in each process zone, the average shear rate in one process zone differing from the average shear rate in another process zone by a factor of at least about 1.2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Ravi Arora, David Kilanowski, Eric Daymo
  • Multi-Stream Multi-Channel Process and Apparatus
    Publication number: 20140109976
    Abstract: Provided is a process and apparatus for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a millichannel apparatus, which millichannel apparatus may comprise a heat exchanger which may be integrated with a millichannel reactor to form an integrated millichannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated millichannel apparatus to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the millichannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Mathias, G. Bradley Chadwell, Dongming Qui, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Matthew B. Schmidt, Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Thomas D. Yuschak, Bin Yang
  • Process for converting ethylene to ethylene oxide using microchannel process technology
    Patent number: 8703984
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting ethylene to ethylene oxide comprising: flowing reactants comprising ethylene and oxygen or a source of oxygen in a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst to form a product comprising ethylene oxide, the reactants undergoing an exothermic reaction in the microchannel reactor; and transferring heat from the microchannel reactor to a heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Mazanec, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Wayne W. Simmons, Francis P. Daly, Richard Q. Long, Laura J. Silva
  • Multi-stream microchannel device
    Patent number: 8685365
    Abstract: Provided is a process and device for exchanging heat energy between three or more streams in a microchannel heat exchanger which can be integrated with a microchannel reactor to form an integrated microchannel processing unit. The combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation is enabled. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger enables flexible heat transfer between multiple streams and total heat transfer rates of about 1 Watt or more per core unit volume expressed as W/cc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Mathias, G. Bradley Chadwell, Annalee Y. Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Matthew B. Schmidt, Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Thomas D. Yuschak, Bin Yang
  • FISCHER-TROPSCH PROCESS
    Publication number: 20140045954
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, comprising flowing a reactant mixture comprising fresh synthesis gas and tail gas in a microchannel reactor in contact with a catalyst to form at least one hydrocarbon product, the catalyst being derived from a catalyst precursor comprising cobalt and a surface modified catalyst support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: VELOCYS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Claude LeViness, Francis Daly, Laura Richard, Sreekala Rugmini
  • In situ mixing in microchannels
    Patent number: 8646472
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus in which one fluid passes through an orifice or orifices and mixes with another fluid as it flows through a microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Kai Jarosch, David J. Hesse, Sean P. Fitzgerald
  • Electroless plating in microchannels
    Patent number: 8648006
    Abstract: Novel methods of electroless plating are described. Catalyst coatings can be applied within microchannel apparatus. Various reactions, including combustion and steam reforming, can be conducted over electroless catalyst coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis P. Daly, Richard Long, Junko Ida, Rachid Taha, Terry Mazanec, Barry L. Yang
  • Microchannel with internal fin support for catalyst or sorption medium
    Patent number: 8580211
    Abstract: An apparatus is described which comprises at least one process microchannel having a height, width and length, the height being up to about 10 mm, the process microchannel having a base wall extending in one direction along the width of the process microchannel and in another direction along the length of the process microchannel; at least one fin projecting into the process microchannel from the base wall and extending along at least part of the length of the process microchannel; and a catalyst or sorption medium supported by the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Dongming Qiu, Richard Q. Long, Barry L. Yang, Thomas Yuschak, Steven T. Perry
  • Integrated reactors, methods of making same, and methods of conducting simultaneous exothermic and endothermic reactions
    Patent number: 8557186
    Abstract: Integrated Combustion Reactors (ICRs) and methods of making ICRs are described in which combustion chambers (or channels) are in direct thermal contact to reaction chambers for an endothermic reaction. Superior results were achieved for combustion chambers which contained a gap for free flow through the chamber. Particular reactor designs are also described. Processes of conducting reactions in integrated combustion reactors are described and results presented. Some of these processes are characterized by unexpected and superior results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Robert S. Wegeng, Yong Wang, David Vanderwiel, Jennifer L. Marco