Patents Assigned to Velocys, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7847138
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting ethylbenzene to styrene, comprising: flowing a feed composition comprising ethylbenzene in at least one process microchannel in contact with at least one catalyst to dehydrogenate the ethylbenzene and form a product comprising styrene; exchanging heat between the process microchannel and at least one heat exchange channel in thermal contact with the process microchannel; and removing product from the process microchannel. Also disclosed is an apparatus comprising a process microchannel, a heat exchange channel, and a heat transfer wall positioned between the process microchannel and heat exchange channel wherein the heat transfer wall comprises a thermal resistance layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Bin Yang, Francis P. Daly, Thomas P. Hickey, Jeffrey Marco, Timothy J. LaPlante, Richard Q. Long
  • Patent number: 7829602
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process and apparatus for converting natural gas to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons. The process includes steam reforming to form synthesis gas followed by a Fischer-Tropsch reaction to convert the synthesis gas to the high molecular weight hydrocarbons. The reforming and Fischer-Tropsch reactions are conducted in microchannel reactors. The higher molecular weight hydrocarbons may be further treated to form hydrocarbon products such as middle distillate fuels, lubricating oils, and the like. The apparatus includes vessels containing SMR microchannel reactors and Fischer-Tropsch microchannel reactors. A composition comprising a mixture of olefins and paraffins is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dwayne Litt, Wayne W. Simmons
  • Patent number: 7820725
    Abstract: A process for carrying out at least two unit operations in series, the process comprising the step of: (a) directing a feed stream into an integrated assembly which comprises a first microchannel unit operation upon at least one chemical of the feed stream to generate a distributed output stream that exits the first microchannel unit operation in a first set of discrete microchannels isolating flow through the discrete microchannels; and (b) directing the distributed output stream of the first microchannel unit operation into a second microchannel unit operation as a distributed input stream, to continue isolating flow between the first set of discrete microchannels, and conducting at least one operation upon at least one chemical of the input stream to generate a product stream that exits the second microchannel unit operation, where the first microchannel unit operation and the second unit operation share a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt
  • Patent number: 7816411
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for making a multiphase mixture, comprising: flowing a first fluid stream through a process microchannel, the first fluid stream comprising at least one liquid and/or at least one gas, the process microchannel having an apertured section; flowing a second fluid stream through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first fluid stream to form the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream comprising at least one gas and/or at least one microbody-forming material, the first fluid stream forming a continuous phase in the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the continuous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva, David John Hesse, Michael Alan Marchiando, Micheal Jay Lamont, Dongming Qiu, Terence Andrew Dritz, Kristina M. Pagnotto, Richard Stevenson, Steven T. Perry, Maddalena Fanelli, Ravi Arora, Bin Yang, Sean Patrick Fitzgerald, Timothy J. Sullivan, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Thomas Yuschak
  • Publication number: 20100258198
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatuses and techniques for controlling flow between a manifold and two or more connecting microchannels. Flow between plural connecting microchannels, that share a common manifold, can be made more uniform by the use of flow straighteners and distributors that equalize flow in connecting channels. Alternatively, flow can be made more uniform by sections of narrowed diameter within the channels. Methods of making apparatus and methods of conducting unit operations in connecting channels are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Bin Yang, Steven T. Perry, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Ravi Arora, Robert Luzenski, Thomas D. Yuschak
  • Patent number: 7807113
    Abstract: The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: William Allen Rogers, Paul William Neagle, Michael Alan Marchiando, Christopher Paul Weil, Robert Dwayne Litt, Ronald Chester Pasadyn, G. Bradley Smith, Charles Robert Miele, Thomas Peter Forte, Jimmy Glen Pelham
  • Patent number: 7781548
    Abstract: A microchannel polymerization reactor comprising: (a) a first microchannel adapted to carry a reactant stream; (b) a fluid conduit adapted to carry a fluid in thermal communication with the first microchannel; and (c) a static mixer in fluid communication with the first microchannel adapted to provide a mixing zone operative to change the cross-sectional fluid flow profile at a predetermined point along the first microchannel without changing the primary direction of the reactant stream through the first microchannel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva
  • Patent number: 7780944
    Abstract: The invention 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 invention enables the combining of a plurality of integrated microchannel devices to provide the benefits of large-scale operation. In particular, the microchannel heat exchanger of the present invention 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: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Mathias, G. Bradley Chadwell, Dongming Qiu, Annalee Y. Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Matthew B. Schmidt, Sean P. Fitzgerald, David J. Hesse, Thomas D. Yuschak, Bin Yang
  • Patent number: 7722833
    Abstract: A microchannel reactor is described which has at least one process microchannel and at least one heat exchange zone. The microchannel reactor may be used for conducting a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Wang, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Terry Mazanec, Francis P. Daly, Dave VanderWiel, Jianli Hu, Chunshe Cao, Charles Kibby, Xiaohong Shari Li, Michael D. Briscoe, Nathan Gano, Ya-Huei Chin
  • Patent number: 7622509
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for making a multiphase mixture, comprising: flowing a first fluid stream through a process microchannel, the first fluid stream comprising at least one liquid and/or at least one gas, the process microchannel having an apertured section; flowing a second fluid stream through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first fluid stream to form the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream comprising at least one gas and/or at least one microbody-forming material, the first fluid stream forming a continuous phase in the multiphase mixture, the second fluid stream forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the continuous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Laura J. Silva, David John Hesse, Michael Alan Marchiando, Michael Jay Lamont, Dongming Qiu, Terence Andrew Dritz, Kristina M. Pagnotto, Richard Stevenson, Steven T. Perry, Maddalena Fanelli, Ravi Arora, Bin Yang, Sean Patrick Fitzgerald, Timothy J. Sullivan, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Thomas Yuschak
  • Patent number: 7610775
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a distillation process for separating two or more components having different volatilities from a liquid mixture containing the components. The process employs microchannel technology for effecting the distillation and is particularly suitable for conducting difficult separations, such as the separation of ethane from ethylene, wherein the individual components are characterized by having volatilities that are very close to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Wayne W. Simmons, Laura J. Silva, Dongming Qiu, Steven T. Perry, Thomas Yuschak, Thomas P. Hickey, Ravi Arora, Amanda Smith, Robert Dwayne Litt, Paul Neagle
  • Publication number: 20090252658
    Abstract: The invention providing methods of loading and unloading particulate from microchannels in apparatus that contains multiple microchannels, typically apparatus that is designed to operate with hundreds or thousands of particulate-containing microchannels. Aligning a sonicating head at one end of a set of microchannels provides a particularly effective mode for densifying particulate in microchannels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ramler, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Rachid Taha, Kai Jarosch, Robert J. Luzenski, Jeffery D. Slane, Thomas Hickey, Sean Fitzgerald, Harley D. Freeman, Frederick A. Zenz
  • Patent number: 7569195
    Abstract: The present invention includes a removable microchannel unit including an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice in fluid communication with a plurality of microchannels distributed throughout the removable microchannel unit, and a pressurized vessel adapted have the removable microchannel unit mounted thereto, the pressurized vessel adapted to contain a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon at least a portion of the exterior of the removable microchannel unit. The invention also includes a microchannel unit assembly comprising a microchannel unit operation carried out within a pressurized vessel, where pressurized vessel includes a pressurized fluid exerting a positive gauge pressure upon an exterior of the microchannel unit operation, and where the microchannel unit operation includes an outlet orifice in fluid communication with an interior of the pressurized vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: William Allen Rogers, Paul William Neagle, Michael Alan Marchiando, Christopher Paul Well, Robert Dwayne Litt, Ronald Chester Pasadyn, G. Bradley Smith, Charles Robert Miele, Thomas Peter Forte, Jimmy Glen Pelham
  • Patent number: 7552642
    Abstract: A method for determining the maximum allowable working pressure of a microchannel device, particularly a diffusion-bonded, shim-based microchannel device operating at a temperature greater to or equal to a base material threshold temperature where significant creep may predominate, and when employing non-traditional materials of construction, when non-traditional fabrication or joining methods are used, or when spurious artifacts arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Neagle, Laura J. Silva, Eric A. Daymo, David J Kuhlmann, Marc Wagner
  • Patent number: 7507274
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process and apparatus for separating a first fluid from a fluid mixture comprising the first fluid. The process comprises: (A) flowing the fluid mixture into a microchannel separator in contact with a sorption medium, the fluid mixture being maintained in the microchannel separator until at least part of the first fluid is sorbed by the sorption medium, removing non-sorbed parts of the fluid mixture from the microchannel separator; and (B) desorbing first fluid from the sorption medium and removing desorbed first fluid from the microchannel separator. The process and apparatus are suitable for separating nitrogen or methane from a fluid mixture comprising nitrogen and methane. The process and apparatus may be used for rejecting nitrogen in the upgrading of sub-quality methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Anna Lee Tonkovich, Steven T. Perry, Ravi Arora, Dongming Qiu, Michael Jay Lamont, Deanna Burwell, Terence Andrew Dritz, Jeffrey S. McDaniel, William A. Rogers, Jr., Laura J. Silva, Daniel J. Weidert, Wayne W. Simmons, G. Bradley Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20090075156
    Abstract: A new electroless plating approach to generate a porous metallic coating is described in which a metal is electrolessly deposited on a surface. Microparticles in the metal are removed to leave pores in the metal coating. Another method of forming electroless coatings is described in which a blocking ligand is attached to the surface, followed by a second coating step. The invention includes coatings and coated apparatus formed by methods of the invention. The invention also includes catalyst structures comprising a dense substrate and a porous metal adhered to the dense substrate, which is further characterized by one or more of the specified features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Q. Long, Francis Daly, Haibiao Chen, Terry J. Mazanec
  • Publication number: 20090074627
    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: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    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
  • Patent number: 7485671
    Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a process for making an emulsion. The process comprises: flowing a first liquid through a process microchannel having a wall with an apertured section; flowing a second liquid through the apertured section into the process microchannel in contact with the first liquid, the second liquid being immiscible with the first liquid, the first liquid forming a continuous phase, and the second liquid forming a discontinuous phase dispersed in the first liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongming Qiu, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Laura Silva, Richard Q. Long, Barry L. Yang, Kristina Marie Trenkamp
  • Publication number: 20090012341
    Abstract: Methods of dehydrogenating hydrocarbons to yield unsaturated compounds are described. Reactor configurations useful for dehydrogenation are also described. Hydrocarbons can dehydrogenationed, for relatively long periods of time-on-stream, in a reaction chamber having a dimension of 2 mm or less to produce H2 and an olefin. Techniques have been developed that reduce coke and allow stable, relatively long-term operation in small reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Gary Roberts, Matthew B. Schmidt, G. Bradley Chadwell
  • Publication number: 20090004076
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH). Conducting ODH in microchannels has unexpectedly been found to yield superior performance when compared to the same reactions at the same conditions in larger reactors. ODH methods employing a Mo—V—Mg—O catalyst is also described. Microchannel apparatus for conducting ODH is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Velocys Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Brophy, Kai Jarosch, Terry J. Mazanec, Mathew B. Schmidt, Laura J. Silva, Anna Lee Tonkovich, Fred Pesa, David J. Hesse
  • Patent number: 5303501
    Abstract: A simulated insect trapping surface for removably supporting visual representations of insects. A plurality of icons symbolizing insects, for attaching to the simulated trapping surface, and an adhesive interface between each icon and the surface for temporarily holding the icons on the surface, for teaching interpretation of an insect pattern in a sticky monitoring trap. Instead of the adhesive interface, the simulated trapping surface supports visual representations of the insects by including liquid crystal, and is transparent to light for optical projection of the representations for viewing and interpretation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Inventor: Douglas L. Seemann