Patents Examined by Kenneth Vaden
  • Patent number: 8323614
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for hydrolysis of a chemical hydride is provided. The method includes adding a chemical hydride to a reaction chamber and exposing the chemical hydride in the reaction chamber to a temperature of at least about 100° C. in the presence of water and in the absence of an acid or a heterogeneous catalyst, wherein the chemical hydride undergoes hydrolysis to form hydrogen gas and a byproduct material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Thomas A. Davis, Michael A. Matthews
  • Patent number: 8303929
    Abstract: A process for producing a hydrogen-containing product gas by catalytic steam-hydrocarbon reforming with an overall steam-to-carbon molar ratio between 1.5 and 2.4 for the process. The process stream is reacted in at least two prereformers prior to reaction in catalyst-containing tubes in a top-fired reformer furnace. The process stream is reacted adiabatically in the first prereformer, while the process stream is heated prior to being introduced into the second prereformer and/or the second prereformer is heated. The process avoids carbon formation on the catalyst in the catalyst-containing tubes in the primary reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Technip USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, Diwakar Garg, William Robert Licht, Shankar Nataraj, Peter de Geest, Eric S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8303848
    Abstract: An operation method of a synthesis gas reformer of a GTL (gas to liquids) plant is provided with: setting an operation condition of the synthesis gas reformer; determining control target values of a flow rate of the light hydrocarbon gas, the steam, and the CO2, and an amount of heat needed for the synthesis gas reformer; controlling operation load of the synthesis gas reformer; setting a furnace efficiency of the synthesis gas reformer; calculating a combustion load of a burner of the synthesis gas reformer; calculating a lower heating value of the fuel gas based on a composition measurement of the fuel gas of the burner; determining a control target value of the pressure of the fuel gas; calculating a deviation between the control target value of the pressure of the fuel gas and a measured value of the pressure of the fuel gas; and controlling the temperature of the synthesis gas at the outlet of the synthesis gas reformer by adjusting a pressure control valve provided at an inlet of the burner to compensat
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Inpex Corporation, JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation, Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd., Cosmo Oil Co., Ltd., Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd., Chiyoda Corporation
    Inventors: Yasumasa Morita, Kenichi Kawazuishi
  • Patent number: 8298509
    Abstract: A method is provided for electro-gasification of pet-coke, including the steps of providing a pet-coke material; treating the pet-coke material to obtain a treated pet-coke material having an average particle size of between about 20 and about 106 ?m; and exposing the treated pet-coke material to electro-gasification conditions to produce synthesis gas and/or hydrogen. Extraction of metals from the pet-coke is facilitated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventors: Luis Felipe D'Elia, Alejandra López, Gladys Noguera
  • Patent number: 8287762
    Abstract: A method of operating a multi-stage ion transport membrane oxidation system. The method comprises providing a multi-stage ion transport membrane oxidation system with at least a first membrane oxidation stage and a second membrane oxidation stage, operating the ion transport membrane oxidation system at operating conditions including a characteristic temperature of the first membrane oxidation stage and a characteristic temperature of the second membrane oxidation stage; and controlling the production capacity and/or the product quality by changing the characteristic temperature of the first membrane oxidation stage and/or changing the characteristic temperature of the second membrane oxidation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: John Michael Repasky
  • Patent number: 8287763
    Abstract: A steam-hydrocarbon reforming process and apparatus wherein reformate from a prereformer is reacted in a gas heated reformer which is heated by reformed gas from a primary reformer. Reformate from the gas heated reformer is passed to the primary reformer as feed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Hoanh Nang Pham, Xiang-Dong Peng, Shankar Nataraj, Michael Enever
  • Patent number: 8241523
    Abstract: A system, for production of high-quality syngas, comprising a first dual fluidized bed loop having a fluid bed conditioner operable to produce high quality syngas comprising a first percentage of components other than CO and H2 from a gas feed, wherein the conditioner comprises an outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream comprising a catalytic heat transfer material and having a first temperature, and an inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream comprising catalytic heat transfer material and having a second temperature greater than the first temperature; a fluid bed combustor operable to combust fuel and oxidant, wherein the fluid bed combustor comprises an inlet connected with the outlet for a first catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner, and an outlet connected with the inlet for a second catalytic heat transfer stream of the conditioner; and a catalytic heat transfer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: George Apanel, Harold A. Wright
  • Patent number: 8241599
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving biomass gasification. By the present invention, volatile organometallics are contacted with a biomass before or during gasification. By this method, the biomass improves gas yields while reducing solid (tar) and liquid yields. In addition, the volatile organometallics interact with lignin in the biomass to produce methanol, which, in turn, results in a stable liquid or oil by-product or otherwise stabilizes the gasification process of the biomass. The presently disclosed method can also lead to increased syngas production and is potentially CO2 neutral. The energy input to the gasification is correspondingly reduced to reduce costs and the environmental impact associated with the gasification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Afton Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Allen Aradi, Joseph Roos, Tze-Chi Jao
  • Patent number: 8241605
    Abstract: Continuous processing of wet biomass feedstock by catalytic hydrothermal gasification must address catalyst fouling and poisoning. One solution can involve heating the wet biomass with a heating unit to a temperature sufficient for organic constituents in the feedstock to decompose, for precipitates of inorganic wastes to form, for preheating the wet feedstock in preparation for subsequent separation of sulfur contaminants, or combinations thereof. Treatment further includes separating the precipitates out of the wet feedstock, removing sulfur contaminants, or both using a solids separation unit and a sulfur separation unit, respectively. Having removed much of the inorganic wastes and the sulfur that can cause poisoning and fouling, the wet biomass feedstock can be exposed to the heterogeneous catalyst for gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Douglas C. Elliott, Robert Scott Butner, Gary G. Neuenschwander, Alan H. Zacher, Todd R. Hart
  • Patent number: 8221800
    Abstract: Inhalation of low levels of nitric oxide can rapidly and safely decrease pulmonary hypertension in mammals. Precise delivery of nitric oxide at therapeutic levels of 20 to 100 ppm and inhibition of reaction of nitric oxide with oxygen to form toxic impurities such as nitrogen dioxide can provide effective inhalation therapy for pulmonary hypertension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Geno LLC
    Inventors: David H. Fine, Stephen J. MacDonald, David R. Rounbehler, David Wheeler, Jonathan L. Rolfe, George Jarvis
  • Patent number: 8197792
    Abstract: Reformation of natural gas without excessive production of ammonia, even if the natural gas includes as much as 14% nitrogen, is achieved in reformers including tubes (75) having outer chambers (78) with catalysts therein, a first stage (80) of catalyst having between about 10% and about 25% nickel, a second stage (81) of catalyst having less than 10% nickel, and a final stage (82) having 2% or less rhodium catalyst of a low concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventor: John L. Preston
  • Patent number: 8192647
    Abstract: A process for producing synthesis gas from biomass in which biomass is contacted with oxygen and steam, wherein the oxygen is present in an amount effective to oxidize the biomass partially and to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 500° C. and no greater than 750° C. At least a portion of the partially oxidized biomass then is treated with oxygen and steam to heat the biomass to a temperature of at least 800° C., thereby producing a synthesis gas, which then is recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Enerkem Inc.
    Inventors: Esteban Chornet, Boris Valsecchi, Sébastien Rheault, Martin Gagnon
  • Patent number: 8187568
    Abstract: A method and system produce a synthesis gas from a biogas. The method provides a more economic process control and a higher yield. For this purpose hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide of the biogas are nearly completely separated in separate cleaning steps before a catalytic conversion of the biogas, wherein hydrogen sulfide is biologically removed by the admixture of oxygen and/or oxidation agents containing oxygen. The oxygen, or the oxidation agent, is dosed such that an excess of oxygen of at least 1.0 vol.-% is present in the cleaned biogas (methane gas). The biogas is concentrated without any dehumidification, heated, and mixed with superheated steam. Due to the excess of oxygen, thermal energy is additionally created during the reforming process by an exothermal oxidation of oxygen contained in the biogas together with hydrogen in the catalyst bed for the endothermal conversion of methane to the synthesis gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: DGE Dr. Ing. Guenther Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Günther
  • Patent number: 8173044
    Abstract: Biomass is processed through a biomass fractioning system that creates, through the application of selective temperature ramps and pressure shocks, a series of useful volatile components and BMF char, wherein the BMF char is reacted sacrificially with any one stream of methane, carbon dioxide, steam or oxygen to create highly pure synthesis gas with a controllable range of compositions. The resulting synthesis gas may be used in any desired manner, including conversion to oxygenates such as methanol and dimethyl ether, and to hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Cool Planet Biofuels, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cheiky, Rajashekharam Malyala, Ronald A. Sills
  • Patent number: 8137655
    Abstract: A method of producing and treating synthesis gas in which a biomass-rich material is gasified in a gasifier containing a fluidized bed at a temperature that does not exceed 750° C. to produce a crude synthesis gas product. The crude synthesis gas then is quenched, scrubbed, and then subjected to at least one adsorption step to provide a clean synthesis gas. The clean synthesis gas then may be reformed catalytically to provide a synthesis gas with a desired H2:CO ratio, and/or may be employed in the synthesis of desired chemicals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Enerkem Inc.
    Inventors: Esteban Chornet, Boris Valsecchi, Guillaume Drolet, Martin Gagnon, Betty Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8124049
    Abstract: A high thermal efficiency process for hydrogen recovery is provided. The present invention includes combusting a first fuel stream to a reforming furnace, producing reforming heat and a hot exhaust stream. Then exchanging heat indirectly between the hot exhaust stream and a first feed water stream, producing a first steam stream. Then providing a hydrocarbon containing stream and a feed steam stream to the reforming furnace, utilizing the reforming heat and producing a hot raw syngas stream. Then exchanging heat indirectly between the hot raw syngas stream and second feedwater stream, producing a second steam stream and a cooled, raw syngas stream. Then introducing the cooled, raw syngas stream to a CO shift converter, producing a shifted syngas stream. Then introducing the shifted syngas stream into a pressure swing adsorption unit, producing a hydrogen product stream and a tail gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Air Liquide Process & Construction, Inc.
    Inventor: Bhadra S. Grover
  • Patent number: 8119098
    Abstract: A process for conversion of coal in a reaction vessel comprises steps of: admixing coal and powdered alumina clay to form reactants; injecting the reactants with a high-pressure steam jet into the reaction vessel; and producing aluminum oxalate ash and hydrogen. Preferably, the reaction vessel is pressurized to maximize the production of aluminum oxalate and hydrogen. Optionally, the process includes adding calcium carbonate if not present in the clay. The reactants in the reaction vessel are typically maintained a temperature of about 2,000 degrees Kelvin and a pressure of about 1 mega Pascals. To save energy, the process may include preheating water with the aluminum oxalate ash to aid in creating pressurized steam. The hydrogen may be mixed with air and burned in a combustion chamber, such as is found within a gas turbine-generator unit to produce electricity. Optionally the reactants may include an aqueous sodium hydroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: HCE, LLC
    Inventors: Udo von Wimmersperg, Laurinel Owen, legal representative
  • Patent number: 8110175
    Abstract: A system and process are provided for extracting a substance from a molecular combination. The process comprises heating the molecular combination to dissociate the molecular combination into cations and anions, moving the cations and anions through a magnetic field to separate cations and anions, and isolating cations from anions with a barrier. The system comprises a non-conductive conduit for guiding an ionized particle stream, a magnetic field source for creating a magnetic field through which the ionized particle stream moves, and a barrier located in the conduit. The ionized particle stream has a velocity relative to the conduit, and the magnetic field source is oriented relative to the velocity of the ionized particle stream so that cations are separated from anions as the ionized particle stream moves through the magnetic field. The barrier is oriented in the conduit so that cations are isolated from anions after separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy O. Nichols
  • Patent number: 8110174
    Abstract: Disclosed is a reactive working material for use in a process of producing hydrogen by splitting water based on a two-step thermochemical water-splitting cycle through the utilization of solar heat, industrial waste heat or the like, which comprises a ferrite fine powder and a cubic zirconia supporting the ferrite fine powder. This reactive working material makes it possible to prevent scaling off of the ferrite fine powder from the zirconia fine powder due to volumetric changes of the ferrite fine powder during repeated use, and suppress growth of FeO grains due to repetition of melting and solidification when used as a reactive working material for a cyclic reaction under a high temperature of 1400° C. or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Krosakiharima Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Kodama
  • Patent number: 8092778
    Abstract: A method for producing a hydrogen enriched fuel and carbon nanotubes includes the steps of providing a flow of methane gas, and providing a catalyst mixture comprising a Fe based catalyst and carbon. The method also includes the steps of pretreating the catalyst mixture using microwave irradiation and exposure to CH4, heating the catalyst mixture and the methane gas using microwave irradiation at a selected microwave power, directing the flow of methane gas over the catalyst mixture, and controlling the microwave power to produce a product gas having a selected composition and the carbon nanotubes. For producing multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) only a flow of methane gas into the reactor is required. For producing single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), a combination of hydrogen gas and methane gas into the reactor is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Eden Energy Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhonghua John Zhu, Jiuling Chen, Gaoqing Max Lu, Gregory Solomon