Patents Examined by Kaity Handal
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Patent number: 8840690Abstract: A gasification reactor including a gasifier with a tubular gastight wall arranged within a pressure vessel. The tubular gastight wall is provided with one or more pressure relief passages sealed by a rupture element. The pressure relief passages can be provided with a cooled section, such as a double walled section confining a coolant channel.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Ibrahim Kar, Manfred Heinrich Schmitz-Goeb
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Patent number: 8828109Abstract: A method of assembling a gasification reactor includes extending an injection device at least partially into the gasification reactor. The injection device includes a plurality of substantially concentric conduits coupled to a modular tip and at least one outer surface. The modular tip includes a plurality of cooling channels and a plurality of substantially annular nozzles defined therein. The method further includes forming at least one layer of insulation about at least a portion of the at least one outer surface to facilitate insulating at least a portion of the injection device from heat within the gasification reactor.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Saunders Stevenson, John Duckett Winter, Constantin Bugescu, Kenneth M. Sprouse, David R. Matthews
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Patent number: 8808411Abstract: Disclosed is a process for making a high-purity gas. The process includes an interrelationship among at least four bath vessels, each of which has a molten metal bath. In one embodiment, the process generally includes adding a gas stream into a first bath vessel and then removing that gas stream to introduce it into a third bath vessel. The third bath gas stream is removed to ultimately obtain hydrogen. Steam is added to a fourth bath vessel to ultimately produce additional hydrogen. One or more gas streams produced in the third and/or fourth bath vessels are added to a second bath vessel to ultimately result in production of methane or carbon monoxide.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Inventors: Michael C. Collins, Robert D. Bach
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Patent number: 8801814Abstract: A process for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons in a reactor, in which a stream comprising the hydrocarbon and a stream comprising the oxygen are fed to the reactor, wherein both streams fed to the reactor are conducted within the reactor separately through in each case one or more spatially separate lines, these lines having turbulence generators in their interior, owing to which, as a result of the imposed deflection of the flow direction downstream of turbulence generators, a highly turbulent flow field forms, and the streams are then mixed in a mixing zone after exiting from the lines and then converted in a reaction zone.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Dirk Grossschmidt, Maximilian Vicari, Christian Weichert, Hans Zapf, Andreas Joa, Ravindra Aglave, Jens Denecke
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Patent number: 8801813Abstract: A gasification apparatus for solid fuel, especially an apparatus for producing syngas by pressurized gasification of coal powder, including a gasification chamber (II) and a syngas cooling and purification chamber (III). The inner wall of the gasification chamber is a water-cooling wall (4). The inner side of the water-cooled wall is evenly coated with a layer of fire-resistant material (16). There is an annular cavity between the water-cooling wall of the gasification chamber and the furnace body. A syngas quencher, a vertical pipe (22), a gas distribution device (24), a defoaming device, and a dewatering and deashing device (21) are provided in the syngas cooling and purification chamber. The apparatus has a simple structure and is easy to operate. A high temperature gasification method for dry powder of carbonaceous material comprises spraying the combustible material and oxygen into the furnace and followed by ignition.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Changzheng Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zhengtao Lu, Mingkun Wang, Congbin Jiang, Wei Xin, Ruiheng Gao, Honghai Li
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Patent number: 8784516Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock and water vapor comprising: A stage for the production of a synthetic gas in a vapor reforming unit of the hydrocarbon feedstock in the presence of water vapor, with a fuel that provides the heat that is necessary to the reaction, A stage for conversion to vapor of the synthetic gas that is obtained in the preceding stage producing a hydrogen stream that contains methane and carbon dioxide, A stage for recovering carbon dioxide that is present in the stream that is obtained in the stage for conversion to vapor, making it possible to separate the carbon dioxide from the hydrogen stream, A stage for recovery and recycling to the vapor reforming stage of impurities that are present in the hydrogen stream, comprising a decompression phase.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: IFP Energies NouvellesInventors: Beatrice Fischer, Fabrice Giroudiere, Jean-Louis Ambrosino, Michel Thomas
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Patent number: 8778038Abstract: A method for controlling the peak temperature of a fluid gasification zone used for the gasification of carbonaceous materials to a syngas. Pulsed oxygen is used to control the peak temperature of the gasification zone and to avoid hot spots in the gasifier.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Syngas Technology, LLCInventors: Duane A. Goetsch, Jacqueline R. Hitchingham, Lloyd R. White
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Patent number: 7524342Abstract: A hydrogen gas generation system for vehicles and stationary power applications comprises a trio of rigid, cylindrical high pressure reservoir tanks interconnected with suitable fittings and pipelines. A water holding tank alternatively stores hydroxide solution, or transfers it to an adjacent gas generating tank, containing a plurality of tubular, aluminum fuel rods. When the holding tank is suitably pressurized, hydroxide solution is transferred into the generating tank to start a reaction with a plurality of elongated, tubular aluminum rods disposed therewithin. Conversely, the liquid contents of the generating tank can be forcibly pressured back into the holding tank to stop the gas generation reaction. High pressure hydrogen gas is humidified in the third tank prior to combustion as fuel. Humidified hydrogen is transferred via control valves to the application.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2003Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Inventor: William J. Brinkley, III
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Patent number: 7524343Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a multi-step process of converting hydrocarbon fuel to a substantially pure hydrogen gas feed includes a plurality of modules each module being in fluid communication with adjacent modules. The modules may be arranged axially along a common axis of flow or alternatively the modules are arranged along a common axis so that they are nested one within the other. The multi-step process includes: providing a fuel processor having a plurality of modules; and feeding the hydrocarbon fuel successively through each of the modules in the reactor to produce the hydrogen rich gas.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventor: Vijay A. Deshpande
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Patent number: 7497882Abstract: A method of generating hydrogen for use in a fuel cell system, which comprises processing a fuel which is essentially free of organic sulfur-containing compounds to produce a hydrogen-containing stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2003Date of Patent: March 3, 2009Assignee: Ceramic Fuel Cells LimitedInventor: Khaliq Ahmed
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Patent number: 7422728Abstract: A reactor intended to carry out partial oxidation reactions starting from liquid feedstocks that can go from GPL to gas oil for the purpose of producing synthesis gas is characterized by finely controlled hydrodynamics and a high degree of thermal integration, and comprises an elongated jacket along an axis of any orientation, means (12) for supplying a preheated gas that contains oxygen and optionally water vapor, means (9) for supplying a hydrocarbon feedstock, means (11) for evacuation of a hydrogen-rich effluent, a first internal chamber (5) inside of which is carried out an essentially isothermal partial oxidation reaction that is connected to means (9) for supplying the hydrocarbon feedstock and to means (12) for supplying preheated gas, gas turbulizing means that are suitable for creating a perfect mixing flow, means (8) for linking first chamber (5) to a second chamber (7) with a suitable volume for carrying out a piston flow, linking means (8) that comprise at least one orifice, and second chamber (7Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 9, 2008Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Luc Nougier, Stéphane Bertholin, Willy Nastoll
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Patent number: 7410515Abstract: A reformer is provided which includes a micro reactor having a flow path for a fluid. A container accommodates the micro reactor and keeps an atmosphere on a periphery of the micro reactor at a pressure of not more than 1 Pa.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keishi Takeyama, Osamu Nakamura
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Patent number: 7407636Abstract: There is provided a reformer for a fuel cell system, the reformer comprising: a reforming unit having a reaction substrate in which a catalyst layer is formed in a plurality of flow channels for allowing fuel to flow and for generating hydrogen through a reformation reaction of the fuel using thermal energy. When viewing a cross-section perpendicular to the flow direction of the flow channels, the reaction substrate defines each flow channel by a bottom portion and a pair of wall portions extending from the sides of the bottom portion, and a joint between the bottom portion and the wall portion is formed in a rounded shape.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ju-Yong Kim, Ho-Jin Kweon, Jae-Jeong Kim, Oh-Joong Kwon
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Patent number: 7399329Abstract: A process for the production of a synthesis gas from a light hydrocarbon feed, steam and an oxygen-containing stream is provided in which the feed components are mixed to form a feed mixture. The process provides an inert disengaging zone separating the mixing zone from an active catalyst zone.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2004Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Syntroleum CorporationInventor: Kym Arcuri
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Patent number: 7387650Abstract: A fuel cell power generation system, equipped with a fuel reforming device and a fuel cell body, includes valves, pipelines, a condenser, and a pump for feeding a burner exhaust gas (raw gas) discharged from a heating burner of the fuel reforming device into the fuel reforming device, and an inert gas formation device including an oxidizable and reducible oxygen adsorbent, which is disposed in the pipelines, and adsorbs oxygen in the burner exhaust gas to remove oxygen from the burner exhaust gas and form an inert gas. The fuel cell power generation system can reliably remove residual matter, without leaving it within the fuel reforming device, in a simple manner at a low cost and with a compact configuration.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Setsuo Omoto, Naohiko Ishibashi, Keiji Fujikawa, Hirohisa Yoshida, Masami Kondo, Shigeru Nojima, Toshinobu Yasutake, Satoru Watanabe, Masanao Yonemura
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Patent number: 7384613Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst for an internal combustion engine, particularly of a motor vehicle, with a housing, which is assembled from at least two housing portions, telescopically inserted one into another in the throughflow direction of the housing, which is assembled from two housing portions telescopically inserted one into the other. A first monolith is mounted in a first housing portion, and a second monolith is mounted in a second housing portion. In an insertion region, an outer end section of the second housing portion and an inner end section of the first housing portion inserted into the outer end section mutually overlap. A transition zone, in which the monoliths, are spaced apart from one another in the throughflow direction, is formed within the insertion region.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: J. Eberspacher GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Holger Prommersberger, Jochen Hägele, Georg Wirth
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Patent number: 7367996Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel processing reactor for generating a hydrogen-enriched reformate from hydrocarbons is disclosed. A plurality of shells are arranged coaxially having a gap defined between each of the successive shells, thereby forming a plurality of coaxial zones. The shells are configured to permit heat transfer from one zone to another. Fluid streams for reactions within the reactor are preheated by heat transfer from adjacent zones.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Nuvera Fuel Cells, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence G. Clawson, Mark R. Hagan, Chunming Frank Qi, William F. Northrop
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Patent number: 7344571Abstract: A hydrogen generator includes a housing, a solid hydrogen source disposed within the housing, and an inlet configured to guide a fluid to contact the solid hydrogen source. The inlet can contact a wicking region. The wicking region can include a wicking material that has an affinity for the fluid. The wieking material can include a hydrophilic material. The housing can include a hydrogen gas outlet. The hydrogen generator can include an end cap at one end of the housing including the inlet and the hydrogen gas outlet. The hydrogen gas outlet can include a gas permeable membrane. The inlet can be fluidly connected to a fluid control system configured to control fluid flow rate to the solid hydrogen source. The generator can be portable.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2003Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: The Gillette CompanyInventors: In Tae Bae, Javit A. Drake, Andrew G. Gilicinski, Matthew R. Stone, Joseph E. Sunstrom
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Patent number: 7341609Abstract: A reforming and hydrogen purification system operating with minimal pressure drop for producing free hydrogen from different hydrogen rich fuels includes a hydrogen reforming catalyst bed in a vessel in communication with a core unit containing a hydrogen permeable selective membrane. The vessel is located within an insulated enclosure which forms an air inlet passageway and an exhaust passageway on opposite sides of the vessel. Air and raffinate pass through a burner within the air inlet passageway, providing a heated flue gas to heat the catalyst to the reaction temperature needed to generate free hydrogen from the feedstock. The burner flue gas flows laterally over and along the length of the bed between the input and output ends of the bed. Hydrogen is recovered from the core for use by a hydrogen-consuming device such as a fuel cell. The remaining unrecovered hydrogen in the reformed gases is contained in raffinate and is used to supply process heat via the burner.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Genesis Fueltech, Inc.Inventor: Peter David DeVries
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Patent number: 7341610Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell unit and a gas-generating system containing at least one reforming unit for obtaining a hydrogen-rich reformate from a fuel. It is possible to supply the reformate at least partly to the anode side of the fuel cell unit. The system may include a first reforming reactor for producing a first reformate with a high outlet temperature; a second reforming reactor for producing a second reformate with a second outlet temperature which is below the first outlet temperature; a mixing element for mixing the first reformate with at least one fuel and located between an outlet of the first reforming reactor and an inlet of the second reforming reactor. The second reformate may be supplied to a gas-purification system and the purified reformate supplied to the fuel cell unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: NuCellSys GmbHInventor: Uwe Griesmeier