Patents Examined by Kaity Handal
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Patent number: 9434615Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing liquid hydro carbonaceous product (1) such as biofuel from solid biomass (2). The method comprises a gasifying step for gasifying solid biomass (2) in a gasifier (6) to produce raw synthesis gas (3), conditioning of the raw synthesis gas (3) to purify the raw synthesis gas (3) to obtain purified synthesis gas (4) having a molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide between 2.5 to 1 and 0.5 to 1, preferably to between 2.1 to 1 and 1.8 to 1, more preferably about 2 to 1, and subjecting purified synthesis gas (4) to a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor (5) to produce liquid hydro carbonaceous product (1).Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: UPM-KYMMENE OYJInventors: Petri Kukkonen, Pekka Knuuttila, Pekka Jokela
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Patent number: 9421510Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a gas distribution grid of fluidized bed gasifier and a method is provided in the present invention. The apparatus comprises a gas flow failure event detector for detecting a gasifying gas flow failure event, a flow control device for controlling the introduction of a flow stream of a liquid material into a spraying device placed in the plenum space of the gasifier, wherein the gas flow failure event detector is in signal connection with the flow control device, and a spraying device for spraying into the plenum space the liquid material as mist which evaporates and generates a positive pressure to cause through the gas distribution grid a flow which prevents the hot bed material from settling on the gas distribution grid.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: SYNTHESIS ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: John D. Winter
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Patent number: 9393514Abstract: A tar removal device removes tar contained in a gasification gas (9) generated in a gasification furnace of a two-towered gasifier having a combustion furnace (43) heating a heating medium (A) and the gasification furnace (47) introducing the heating medium (A) heated in the combustion furnace to perform gasification of a starting material (48).Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: IHI CORPORATIONInventor: Toshiyuki Suda
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Patent number: 9347008Abstract: With a device for influencing the flow, particularly in a horizontal connecting pipe (1) between a coal gasification reactor and a gas cooler/purifier, a solution is supposed to be created, whose task consists in being able to reduce or shut off the gas stream of a hot synthesis gas, if necessary, without being exposed to the great stresses caused by the corrosiveness and the high temperatures, while avoiding complicated valves or regulation devices. This is achieved by means of a Venturi constriction in the flow path of the gas in the pipe (1), as well as a flow cone (4a) positioned on a push rod (4) that is disposed centrally, whereby a connecting rod system (4b) that is guided to the outside is provided to move the push rod (4), whereby the connecting rod system (4b) that moves the push rod (4) is formed by a connecting rod arm guided in a dummy connector and a connecting rod arm guided out of the dummy connector (8) by way of a packed gland (6).Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbHInventors: Eberhard Kuske, Lothar Semrau
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Patent number: 9333477Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrocarbon reforming device using a micro channel heater capable of utilizing combustion heat of a fuel as an energy source for reforming reaction of hydrocarbon, which includes metal sheets having micro channels laminated in plural, thus being suitably used as a middle and small compact type device for hydrogen production. Specifically, in the case where a hydrogen purification process is applied to a hydrogen production device combined with a separation membrane, since the hydrogen-containing gas, which does not penetrate the separation membrane, can be utilized as a fuel, the inventive device may be utilized as a hydrogen production system having high efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2011Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Korea Institute of Energy ResearchInventors: Jong-Soo Park, Kyung-Ran Hwang, Chun-Boo Lee, Sung-Wook Lee, Shin-Kun Ryi
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Patent number: 9314761Abstract: A method for the production of synthesis gas from gaseous hydrocarbons includes the use of allothermal steam reforming with catalysts. In order to produce the synthesis gas efficiently without exhaust gas in a compact apparatus, energy is at least partly supplied by electrical energy, that the energy is supplied by electrically heated contact surfaces and that the energy is supplied by contact surfaces within a fixed bed of catalyst pellets and/or within a fluidized bed at least partly consisting of catalyst particles.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Inventor: Karl-Heinz Tetzlaff
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Patent number: 9315735Abstract: A system and method for converting waste and secondary materials into synthesis gas (syngas) through the use of a molten metal bath gasifier for the initial breakdown of waste feeds and an A/C plasma reactor for complete dissociation of waste feeds into syngas, and an anaerobic digester. The system includes a heat recovery and steam power generation process for the production of electricity. The system produces a net output of electricity above plant load sufficient for the co-production of renewable Hydrogen and Oxygen. The process does not require the use of fossil fuels or fossil feedstocks during normal operations, and it eliminates combustion produced stack emissions or landfill residuals.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Renewable Opportunities Inc.Inventors: Randall Cole, Seth Murphy, Ronald Bruer, Edmund Kaminski, Peter Sach
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Patent number: 9308509Abstract: A reformer 1 of the present invention is formed by stacking each other a reforming layer 2 configured to reform a reforming fuel with a reforming catalyst 5, and a heating layer 3 configured to heat the reforming layer 2 through an exothermic reaction with a combustion catalyst 8. A gas mixture obtained by mixing a to-be-combusted gas with a combustion-assisting gas is supplied to a heating passage 25 in the heating layer 3. The heating passage 25 is separated into multiple separation passages 31a to 31c by separation walls 11, 13 parallel to a wall surface coated with the combustion catalyst 8. The multiple separation passages 31a to 31c respectively eject the gas mixture to different positions of the combustion catalyst 8.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasunori Iwakiri, Takao Izumi
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Patent number: 9310025Abstract: A gas-generating apparatus includes a cartridge including a reservoir having a first reactant and a reaction chamber, and a receiver that can include a flow control device. The receiver is adapted to receive the cartridge and to transport the first reactant to the reaction chamber after connection with the cartridge. The flow control device is adapted to stop the transport of reactant when the pressure in the reaction chamber reaches a predetermined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignees: Intelligent Energy Limited, Commissariat a L'energie AtomiqueInventors: Alain Rosenzweig, Jean-Yves Laurent, Frédéric Gaillard, Nathalie Giacometti, Paul Adams
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Patent number: 9302681Abstract: Mobile transport platforms for producing hydrogen and structural materials, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a mobile transport platform and a chemical reactor carried by the mobile transport platform. The chemical reactor is configured to dissociate a donor into first and second constituents in a non-combustion reaction. The reactor has a donor entrance port, a first constituent exit port, and a second constituent exit port. A donor supply is carried by the mobile transport platform and is coupled to the donor entrance port to deliver the donor to the reactor. A first collector is coupled to the first constituent exit port to receive the first constituent from the reactor. A second collector is coupled to the second constituent exit port to receive the second constituent.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLCInventor: Roy Edward McAlister
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Patent number: 9295958Abstract: A packaged fuel unit and a refillable hydrogen generator that uses the fuel unit to produce hydrogen gas are disclosed. The fuel unit includes a reactant that can undergo a thermal decomposition reaction that produces hydrogen gas when heated to at least a minimum initiation temperature. The reactant is contained within a package that includes a poor thermal conductor with one or more thermal conductor sections for conducting heat from outside the package to the reactant. The hydrogen generator includes a holder with a cavity in which the fuel unit can be removably disposed and a heating system for heating the fuel unit when disposed therein. The hydrogen generator can be part of a fuel cell system including a fuel cell battery that is provided with hydrogen gas from the hydrogen generator.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Intelligent Energy Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Langan, Chad E. Law, Jason L. Stimits, Mark D. Vandayburg, Gerald A. Zsigo, Thomas J. Kmetich, Craig R. Huddleston, Paul D. Griffith, Jr., Andrew Jasin
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Patent number: 9296963Abstract: An arrangement for gasifying solid fuel includes a gasification reactor for producing further oxidizable product gas from solid fuel and a gas treatment reactor arranged in a flow direction of the product gas in gas flow connection with the gasification reactor. The gas treatment reactor includes a supply for supplying oxygenous gas to the gas treatment reactor for partial oxidization of product gas and for thermal cracking thereof. A radiation heat exchange cooler for cooling the product gas is arranged in connection with the gas treatment reactor to solidify melt components in the product gas. A discharge connection is arranged in the lower portion of the radiation heat exchange cooler for removing solidified melt components from the radiation heat exchange cooler. A method of gasifying solid fuel in a gasification reactor is also presented.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: AMEC FOSTER WHEELER ENERGIA OYInventor: Eero Berg
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Patent number: 9296962Abstract: A system for gasifying biomass materials is provided. The system includes a gasifying unit for converting the biomass materials into a gas and a feeder mechanism for introducing the biomass materials into the gasifying unit. The gasifying unit includes a plurality of gasifying medium and biomass injection ports distributed along a vertical length of the gasifying unit, and each of the plurality of injection ports has a corresponding injection angle. The injection angles include at least one of an upward tangential angle and a downward tangential angle.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Starlight Energy Holdings LLCInventors: Bart Kavanaugh, Donald W. Kendrick, Steven Kushnick, Steven R. Brncic
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Patent number: 9284503Abstract: A plasma array apparatus for processing starting materials is described and taught. The apparatus uses a plasma sheet(s) to heat starting materials in a chamber under low oxygen conditions. This results in a chemical dissociation of the starting materials rather than a burning of the contained materials. Elemental components, such as hydrogen, carbon, and molecules, such as residual hydrocarbons, of the dissociated starting materials can then be separated in such a way as to produce viable amounts of a synthetic gas primarily composed of hydrogen (h-syngas). This is accomplished with a minimal release of harmful byproducts such as carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. The apparatus may be used on a variety of starting materials including, but not limited to, natural gas, coal, liquid petroleum products, and a variety of biomass containing products such as biodiesel and bioethanol.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2008Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Inventor: Christopher Lawrence de Graffenried, Sr.
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Patent number: 9272255Abstract: The combustion device according to the invention produces gases containing CO2 and water vapor and comprises a circulating fluidized bed reaction chamber (1, 2), a separator (10, 20), heat recovery means of which a part is situated in a dense fluidized bed (12, 12a, 22), wherein the part located in the bed of the heat recovery system(s) is composed of catalyst tubes (120, 120a, 220) through which a gas mixture flows. The gas mixture is composed of natural gas and/or naphtha or refinery gas or two or more of these gases. The gas undergoes reformation which converts it into a synthesis gas containing hydrogen. The fact of the catalyst tubes being situated in the dense fluidized bed made up of ashes from the combustion allows the catalyst to be reheated in a homogenous manner and the reforming reaction of the natural gas mixture to be stimulated.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: ALSTOM Technology LtdInventors: Jean-Xavier Morin, Corinne Beal, Silvestre Suraniti
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Patent number: 9267085Abstract: A system for gasification of a solid powder is provided. The system comprises one or more conveying tanks configured to receive a solid powder and one or more solid pumps disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the one or more respective conveying tanks. The system further comprises a gasifier disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the one or more solid pumps. A conveyance unit and a method for conveyance and gasification of a solid powder are also presented.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mingmin Wang, Lishun Hu, Gang Liu, Ke Liu, Zhe Cui, Wei Chen, Jing Lv, Tong Zhao
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Patent number: 9260301Abstract: An integrated drying gasification system comprises a gasifier for gasifying carbonaceous fuel to produce hot product gas and an entrained flow dryer which receives the hot product gas to dry the carbonaceous fuel prior to gasification. At least one inlet to the gasifier communicates one or more additional gases from the system, such as recycled syngas, steam and/or recycled carbon dioxide, to the gasifier to generate an increased hot product gas mass flow rate from the gasifier. The system may comprise a plurality of lock hopper systems coupled to the entrained flow dryer. At least one intermediate storage vessel may be provided in one or more feed legs to the gasifier maintain a constant supply of carbonaceous fuel to the gasifier for a temporary period independently of carbonaceous fuel supplied to the entrained flow dryer.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: HRL TREASURY (IDGCC) PTY LTDInventors: Bernard Anderson, Alex Blatchford, Tom Stephanou
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Patent number: 9249368Abstract: Disclosed area process and a system for gasifying biomass to obtain a combustible gas for combustion in an engine. Further, a method and a purification system for removing tar components from a combustible gas having a temperature above its dew-point are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Meva Innovation ABInventors: Christian Hulteberg, Håkan Holmberg, Torbjörn Wahlberg, Harry Johansson
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Patent number: 9238201Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing heat used in a synthesis gas production process is provided. The disclosed method and apparatus include a plurality of tubular oxygen transport membrane elements adapted to separate oxygen from an oxygen containing stream contacting the retentate side of the membrane elements. The permeated oxygen is combusted with a hydrogen containing synthesis gas stream contacting the permeate side of the tubular oxygen transport membrane elements thereby generating a reaction product stream and radiant heat. The present method and apparatus also includes at least one catalytic reactor containing a catalyst to promote the steam reforming reaction wherein the catalytic reactor is surrounded by the plurality of tubular oxygen transport membrane elements. The view factor between the catalytic reactor and the plurality of tubular oxygen transport membrane elements radiating heat to the catalytic reactor is greater than or equal to 0.5.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: PRAXAIR TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Sean M. Kelly, Brian R. Kromer, Michael M. Litwin, Lee J. Rosen, Gervase Maxwell Christie, Jamie R. Wilson, Lawrence W. Kosowski, Charles Robinson
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Patent number: 9239164Abstract: A slag monitoring device 100 for a coal gasifier includes a slag hole camera 11 that observes a slag hole 3 from which molten slag flows out, a water surface camera 12 that observes a situation in which the slag flowing out from the slag hole 3 falls onto a water surface 5H of cooling water 5, a falling sound sensor 13 that observes a sound of the slag falling onto the water surface 5H, and a processing device 20 that determines a solidification and adhesion position of the slag based on an opening area of the slag hole 3 observed by the slag hole camera 11 and falling lines and falling positions of the slag observed by the water surface camera.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignees: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD., HOKKAIDO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INCORPORATED, TOHOKU ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., THE TOKYO ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, INCORPORATED, CHUBU ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., HOKURIKU ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY, THE KANSAI ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., THE CHUGOKU ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., SHIKOKU ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., KYUSHU ELECTRIC POWER CO., INC., ELECTRIC POWER DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD., CENTRAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ELECTRIC POWER INDUSTRY, JOBAN JOINT POWER CO., LTD.Inventors: Masami Iida, Yoshinori Koyama, Katsuhiko Yokohama, Naoki Suganuma, Mutsuaki Taguchi