Patents Examined by Kaity Handal
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Patent number: 9240604Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus 200 includes: an evaporating part 7; a reforming reaction part 9A connected to the downstream side of the evaporating part; a carbon monoxide reducing part 20 provided downstream from the reforming reaction part; and a gas guiding part 21 disposed between the reforming reaction part and the carbon monoxide reducing part and configured to guide a gas that has passed through the reforming reaction part to the carbon monoxide reducing part. The evaporating part and the carbon monoxide reducing part are arranged to be adjacent to each other such that, at least, a part of the evaporating part and a part of the carbon monoxide reducing part are heat exchangeable with each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2011Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Akira Maenishi, Yuji Mukai, Youji Kawaguchi, Masataka Ozeki
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Patent number: 9234148Abstract: A process for the generation of a syngas in an entrained-flow gasification process includes a solid, carbon-containing fuel which is introduced via burners into a reactor which also supplies the oxygen for gasification. The fuel is introduced on a burner level where the burners are arranged concentrically around the reaction chamber or in the head area. The syngas obtained is discharged from the reaction chamber via a discharge nozzle, so that the syngas is passed into a collecting chamber for cooling by addition of low-temperature gaseous, vaporous or liquid cooling agents. A quench chamber is provided between the reactor and the collecting chamber. Additional burner levels are in the quench chamber via which a fuel material of renewable fuels or biofuels is introduced into the syngas, so that the heat enthalpy of the syngas can be utilized for the endothermic gasification reaction of the biological raw material.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTION AGInventor: Norbert Ullrich
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Patent number: 9212058Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen from hydro-carbon feed material is disclosed. A cylindrical plasma reaction region having a temperature greater than 800 C is created in a cylindrical reaction chamber by a cylindrical plasma array. The feed material is introduced into the plasma, where it undergoes plasma pyrolysis and is separated into hydrogen gas and solid carbon. The hydrogen gas is further purified using a hydrogen sieve that allows hydrogen through but retards larger molecules. The hydrogen gas is then feed into a fuel cell where it mixes with oxygen to provide electrical power. The plasma array may have one or more angled plasma arcs such that the plasma reaction region rotates as a vortex. There may also be two or more cylindrical plasma arrays arranged parallel to each other and to the cylindrical reaction chamber such that the feed material is fed through them.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2009Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Christopher Lawrence de Graffenried, Sr.
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Patent number: 9200220Abstract: For an in-line gasifier having a liquid cooled cooling jacket it is proposed to lead the inlet connectors and the outlet connectors for the cooling liquid through the side of the cylindrical pressure vessel, below the mounting flange for the vessel cover. This achieves a simplification in the mounting of the pressure vessel cover. Particular embodiments concern the bringing together of the upper ends and of the lower ends of several pipe runs coiled in parallel, in each case into a collector pipe which has a connector bush for cooling water.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Dietmar Degenkolb, Frank Hannemann, Horst Hoppe, Tino Just
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Patent number: 9200221Abstract: Present embodiments include systems and methods for reducing variations in a solid feed provided to a gasifier. For example, in an embodiment, a gasification feed vessel includes a solid fuel inlet configured to receive a solid fuel into the gasification feed vessel, a dry mixer configured to dry mix the solid fuel within the feed vessel, a solid fuel outlet configured to deliver a feed of the solid fuel to a gasification system, and a metering device coupled to the solid fuel outlet. The metering device is configured to control an amount of the feed of the solid fuel delivered to the gasification system. The gasification feed vessel is configured to provide the feed of the solid fuel to the gasification system within a desired energy concentration range over time.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Gary Daniel Miller
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Patent number: 9199846Abstract: A reforming process and apparatus exhibiting improved catalyst longevity towards reforming a high sulfur-containing liquid fuel. The process involves contacting in a first reforming zone a first oxidant and a liquid fuel containing high molecular weight organosulfur compounds with a partial oxidation catalyst under CPOX reaction conditions to form a first reformate stream containing a mixture of unconverted and partially-converted hydrocarbons and one or more low molecular weight sulfur compounds; and then contacting in a second reforming zone the first reformate stream with steam and optionally a second oxidant in the presence of an autothermal reforming catalyst under ATR reaction conditions to form a second reformate stream containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen and one or more low molecular weight sulfur compounds. The low molecular weight sulfur compounds can be readily removed from the first and/or second reformate streams by gas phase adsorption methods.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Precision Combustion, Inc.Inventors: Subir Roychoudhury, Christian Junaedi, Saurabh Vilekar, Dennis E. Walsh
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Patent number: 9187322Abstract: A hydrogen generator (1), particularly for supplying a fuel cell, is described comprising a supply (3, 29) of a fuel, i.e. a chemical hydride, which can be hydrolyzed to be reacted in a reaction chamber (14, 33) communicating with the first supply (3, 29) to produce hydrogen gas and an at least partially liquid exhaust reaction product, the reaction chamber communicating with outlet pathways (16, 17) for the hydrogen gas and for the exhaust reaction product, the latter (17) leading to a supply of an absorbent material (21) suitable for immobilizing the exhaust reaction product.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: HORIZON FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTDInventor: Zhijun Gu
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Patent number: 9188086Abstract: Coupled thermal chemical reactors and engines, and associated systems and methods. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a reactor vessel having a reaction zone, a hydrogen donor source coupled in fluid communication with the reaction zone, and an engine having a combustion region. The system can further include a transfer passage coupled between the combustion region and the reaction zone to transfer a reactant and/or radiate energy to the reaction zone. The system can further include a product passage coupled between the reaction zone and the combustion region of the engine to deliver to the combustion region at least a portion of a constituent removed from the reaction zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: McAlister Technologies, LLCInventor: Roy Edward McAlister
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Patent number: 9181502Abstract: This invention relates to gasification of high ash bituminous coals that have high ash fusion temperatures. The ash content can be in 15 to 45 weight percent range and ash fusion temperatures can be in 1150° C. to 1500° C. range as well as in excess of 1500° C. In a preferred embodiment, such coals are dealt with a two stage gasification process—a relatively low temperature primary gasification step in a circulating fluidized bed transport gasifier followed by a high temperature partial oxidation step of residual char carbon and small quantities of tar. The system to process such coals further includes an internally circulating fluidized bed to effectively cool the high temperature syngas with the aid of an inert media and without the syngas contacting the heat transfer surfaces. A cyclone downstream of the syngas cooler, operating at relatively low temperatures, effectively reduces loading to a dust filtration unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: SOUTHERN COMPANYInventors: Guohai Liu, Pannalal Vimalchand, WanWang Peng
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Patent number: 9175439Abstract: A chemical reactor and a method for arranging a ceramic barrier in a gasifying reactor, which reactor is arranged to convert high energy organic waste of black liquor type with a large amount of organic or inorganic alkali metal compounds, by high temperature oxidation with air or oxygen, whereby the organic waste is converted to a hot reducing gas containing a considerable amount of water vapour and the inorganic compounds form an alkali-containing salt melt at a temperature of 750-1150° C.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: CHEMREC AKTIEBOLAGInventor: Ragnar Tegman
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Patent number: 9170019Abstract: Solid fuel can be converted into a clean hot flue gas with a low content of volatile organic compounds (VOC's), NOx and dust, and clean ash with a low carbon content by means of a stage-divided thermal reactor, where the conversion process of the solid fuel is in separate vertical stages (from below and up): ash burn-out, char oxidation and gasification, pyrolysis, drying, and a gas combustion stage where gas from the gasifier is combusted.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Dall Energy Holdings ApSInventor: Jens Dall Bentzen
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Patent number: 9170018Abstract: The present invention provides a top-feeding double-swirl type gasifier: a feed line through which pulverized coal is supplied by nitrogen; a distributor for dividing the pulverized coal supplied; a plurality of burner nozzles for supplying the pulverized coal, divided in the distributor, and an oxidizer; a pressure reactor in which the pulverized coal and the oxidizer react with each other to produce a flow of synthesis gas; and a swirl generator for imparting a swirling force to the oxidizer which is fed into the pressure reactor, the gasifier further comprising a slag cooling and storing container placed beneath the pressure reactor. Each of the burner nozzles consists of a triple tube having a circular cross section. The pulverized coal and carrier gas are supplied to the most central region of the burner nozzle, and an oxidizer is supplied to an annular region 34 surrounding the central region.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2010Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: SK INNOVATION CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin Wook Lee, Seok Woo Chung, Young Don Yoo, Yongseung Yun, Sam Ryong Park, Gyoo Tae Kim, Yong Il Lee
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Patent number: 9162201Abstract: A hydrogen generator is provided for generating hydrogen gas for a fuel cell stack. The hydrogen generator includes container, and a first reactant storage area configured to contain a liquid first reactant. The hydrogen generator also includes a reaction area and a solid second reactant within the reaction area, and a hydrogen outlet. The hydrogen generator further includes a flexible liquid delivery member extending into the reaction area and configured to deliver liquid reactant from the first reactant storage area to the reaction area. The flexible liquid delivery member includes a flexible portion that flexes to allow the delivery member to move with the solid second reactant as the second reactant is consumed.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Intelligent Energy, Inc.Inventors: Guanghong Zheng, Russell H. Toye, Jr.
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Patent number: 9162203Abstract: A hydrogen generator into which a mixed gas is run and out of which a reformed gas including hydrogen is discharged, which can reliably control the hydrogen concentration in the reformed gas to a desired concentration. The hydrogen generator is provided with an upstream side oxidation unit and a downstream side decomposition unit, burns part of the compound in the mixed gas in the oxidation unit using the oxygen in the mixed gas so as to generate heat of combustion, and uses the heat of combustion to break down another part of the compound in the mixed gas in the decomposition unit so as to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen generator is provided with a first temperature sensor controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHOInventors: Hiroshi Miyagawa, Makoto Koike, Kiyoshi Yamazaki, Keiji Toh, Shohei Matsumoto, Tomojiro Sugimoto, Rioh Shimizu, Susumu Kojima
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Patent number: 9156690Abstract: Partial oxidation/steam reformers (222) which use heat integrated steam cycles and steam to carbon ratios of at least about 4:1 to enable efficient operation at high pressures suitable for hydrogen purification unit operation such as membrane separation (234) and pressure swing adsorption.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Kishore J. Doshi, Bradley P. Russell, Brandon S. Carpenter
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Patent number: 9150798Abstract: Provided is a method of reforming a produced gas to reform tar contained in the produced gas from a gasification furnace. Quick lime comes in contact with a produced gas (3) from a gasification furnace (2) in a reformer (1) such that the quick lime absorbs carbon dioxide in the produced gas to generate calcium carbonate, and reforming reaction of the tar is performed with calcium as a catalyst using heat of reaction emitted during that time. In addition, as the calcium carbonate of the reformer (1) is supplied and burnt in a reforming agent regenerator (8), the quick lime is regenerated and supplied into the reformer (1) again. According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a method and device for reforming a produced gas that are capable of simplifying equipment and operation thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: IHI CORPORATIONInventor: Toru Ishii
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Patent number: 9150807Abstract: A method and system for processing an input fuel gas and steam to produce separate CO2 and output fuel gas streams. The method comprises the steps of using a decarbonizer segment for reacting at least a solid sorbent with the fuel gas and steam to remove carbon from the input fuel gas and to produce the output fuel gas stream in an exhaust gas from the decarbonizer; using a calciner segment for reacting the solid sorbent from the decarbonizer segment therein to release the CO2 into the CO2 gas stream; wherein CO2 partial pressures and temperatures in the decarbonizer and calciner segments respectively are controlled such that the temperature in the decarbonizer segment is higher than the temperature in the calciner.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2010Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Calix LimitedInventors: Mark Geoffrey Sceats, Julian Westley Dinsdale
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Patent number: 9150804Abstract: A method of producing substitute natural gas (SNG) includes providing a gasification reactor having a cavity defined at least partially by a first wall. The reactor also includes a first passage defined at least partially by at least a portion of the first wall and a second wall, wherein the first passage is in heat transfer communication with the first wall. The reactor further includes a second passage defined at least partially by at least a portion of the second wall and a third wall. The method also includes coupling the cavity in flow communication with the first and second passages. The method further includes producing a first synthetic gas (syngas) stream within the cavity. The method also includes channeling at least a portion of the first syngas stream to the first and second passages.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Steven Wallace, Arnaldo Frydman
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Patent number: 9139788Abstract: A gasification system including a first feed line, a second feed line, a stabilization fuel line, and a fuel feed system controller including a processor. The processor is programmed to enable the stabilization fuel line to inject a stabilization fuel into a gasifier to initiate a stabilizer flame inside the gasifier, enable the first feed line to inject a dry fuel into the gasifier at a start-up dry fuel flow rate, increase the flow rate of the dry fuel from the start-up dry fuel flow rate to a normal operating condition (NOC) dry fuel flow rate, decrease a flow rate of the stabilization fuel as the flow rate of the dry fuel increases to the NOC dry fuel flow rate, and prevent the stabilization fuel line from injecting the stabilization fuel into the gasifier once the flow rate of the dry fuel is at the NOC dry fuel flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Steven Craig Russell, Ali Ergut, Jamal Abdul Ferguson
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Patent number: 9127220Abstract: A system for the production of synthesis gas, the system including a mixing apparatus configured for combining steam with at least one carbonaceous material to produce a reformer feedstock; and a reformer comprising a cylindrical vessel containing a plurality of coiled tubes, wherein each of the plurality of coiled tubes has a vertical height in the range of from about 40 feet 12.2 m) to about 100 feet (30.5 m) and a coil length that is at least four times the vertical height; at least one burner configured to combust a fuel and provide heat to maintain the reformer at a reformer temperature; at least one outlet for reformer product comprising synthesis gas; and at least one outlet for flue gas produced via combustion of fuel in the burners. A suitable mixing apparatus is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: RES USA, LLCInventors: Randy Blevins, Joshua B. Pearson, Harold A. Wright