Patents Examined by Michael L. Goldman
  • Patent number: 4377394
    Abstract: An apparatus in which a downflowing high pressure stream of hot raw synthesis gas from the reaction zone of a free flow partial oxidation gas generator at a temperature in the range of about 1800.degree. to 3000.degree. F. is passed through a first gas diversion and residue separation chamber contained in a first pressure vessel where the velocity of the gas stream is reduced, solid material and molten slag are separated by gravity from the gas stream, and the direction is diverted into a thermally insulated side transfer line. The hot gas stream is then passed through a thermally insulated gas-solids impingement separation means contained in a second pressure vessel where its direction and velocity is changed and additional residue is separated. The hot gas stream is then passed upwardly through a radiant cooler where additional solid matter is removed by gravity and the gas temperature is reduced to a temperature in the range of about 900.degree. to 1800.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Development Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Muenger, Edward T. Child, Albert Brent
  • Patent number: 4372756
    Abstract: Coal is processed first through a moving bed reactor and then through a fixed bed reactor. Hot carbonized coal char is fed from the first stage reactor to the second stage reactor via a lock hopper and gas is taken off from the reactors either in separate streams or in a common stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Mansfield Carbon Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Whitten, Robert H. Scott, Vaughn Mansfield
  • Patent number: 4372981
    Abstract: A method of smoking meat or other food products wherein a high voltage electric field is utilized to cause particles of smoke to be drawn to the food product being smoked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Inventor: Leon D. Lieberman
  • Patent number: 4372754
    Abstract: An ignition burner and a pilot burner form part of an ignition system for a fluidized stream of finely-divided coal particles in a pressurized gasifier housing having a slag overflow pipe coupled to a discharge vessel. A fuel supply pipe delivers fuel for combustion by the ignition burner and the pilot burner. A sparkplug or hot wire is used to ignite the fuel delivered to the ignition burner. The flame produced by the ignition burner is widened by a baffle so that ignition by the pilot burner occurs to produce a flame which is monitored through a thermocouple. The parts forming the ignition system are carried by a pair of levers with pivots on the inner wall of a slag overflow pipe for movement between an operative position wherein the ignition burner is situated near the slag-receiving opening of the overflow pipe and an inoperative position wherein the ignition burner is protected from contact by slag and radiation heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignees: Dr. C. Otto & Comp. G.m.b.H., Saarbergwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Paul Gernhardt, Wilhelm Danguillier, Karl Peter, Wolfgang Grams, Siegfried Pohl, Peter Schnitzler
  • Patent number: 4369044
    Abstract: In a dry seal gasholder cylindrical storage tank with a vertically-movable piston, an improved piston leveling system includes a vertically-movable weight outside the tank and connected by equal-length cables to spaced-apart support points on the piston at different distances from the weight. An array of guide sheaves on the tank define equal-length cable paths. The cables are pivotally coupled to spaced-apart points on a coupling plate to which a pair of attachment plates on the weight are also pivotally connected. Apertures in the attachment plates and the coupling plate are disposable in registry with one another for receiving a pin therethrough when the cable attachment points are in horizontal alignment, thereby to indicate equal tension in the cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: GATX Tank Erection Corporation
    Inventor: Milton W. Heisterberg
  • Patent number: 4369055
    Abstract: Fertilizers coated with coating layer having a controlled moisture permeability and a controlled temperature dependency of moisture permeability are presented by the production method which comprises ejecting hot drying air to the spout of granular fertilizer and spraying a hot solution of polyolefin type resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or vinylidene type resin upon said fertilizer granules and drying said fertilizer granules upon being sprayed with solution having the property capable of forming a solution while it is hot but turning into jelly-like gel when it is cooled but as a most characteristic feature of this method uniformly dispersed fine powder is incorporated in said drying air or in said solution so as to have a coated layer of said resin containing uniformly distributed fine powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Chissoasahi Fertilizer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshio Fujita, Chigo Takahashi, Shigemitsu Yoshida, Hirozo Shimizu, deceased
  • Patent number: 4367077
    Abstract: Process for converting a relatively high boiling point crude oil fraction, such as a 500.degree.+F. initial boiling point topped crude to synthetic natural gas. In the process, a lower boiling point fraction of the feedstock is hydrogasified while a residual oil fraction of the feedstock is partially oxidized to produce hydrogen for use in the process. A mid-cut fraction between the gasification fraction and the partial oxidation fraction is converted in a combined steam reforming-methanation stage, along with some by-product aromatics, to produce additional synthetic natural gas products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Tao
  • Patent number: 4367098
    Abstract: A relative heavy immiscible fluid is used with water or a relatively light treating fluid in a treating tank under ultrasonic vibrating conditions and objects to be treated are immersed in the treating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Inventor: James W. McCord
  • Patent number: 4365974
    Abstract: Methane is produced from peat by solubilizing the phenolic polymers therein, and oxidizing the solute to produce short chain molecules. The short chain molecules are fermented to produce a gas that this scrubbed to remove CO.sub.2 to produce methane. Solubilizing takes place in a vertically oriented pressurized vessel that is circular in cross-section and divided into a number of regular vertically elongated compartments, each comprising a circular sector in cross-section, and extending the majority the height of the vessel. Slurried peat is fed into the top of one compartment while another compartment is being emptied from the bottom, the compartment being filled or emptied being progressively changed in response to rotation of a central shaft in the vessel. Oxidation of solubilized peat takes place in a structure that transports the solubilized peat in a substantially vertical wave path from an inlet to an outlet with oxygen being introduced at the bottoms of segments of the wave path, and CO.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl L. Elmore, Erwin D. Funk, Ted M. Poulin
  • Patent number: 4366004
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for cleaning the interiors of risers of coking chambers of a coke oven wherein a head provided with scrapers, hydraulic cleaning means or oxygen supply for burning off deposits, is introduced laterally into the coking furnace below the riser and caused to elevate through the riser. Thereafter the head is lowered and the apparatus withdrawn laterally through the coking chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Gewerkschaft Schalker Eisenhutte
    Inventors: Karl Gregor, Kurt Asmus
  • Patent number: 4364745
    Abstract: Process for production and recovery of fuel gases and organic liquids from biomass by use of an upflow furnace, wherein said biomass is preheated at a temperature of from 100.degree. C. to 1500.degree. C. and thermally converted at a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. in a reducing atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)
    Inventor: Thomas A. Weil
  • Patent number: 4363674
    Abstract: This invention is a method and apparatus for cleaning stoves, furnaces, fireplaces and the like, which is characterized by a vacuum system having a specially designed pickup member insertable into a stove, furnace, fireplace or the like, in such manner that, when being inserted or removed, ashes and the like, will not escape from the stove, furnace, fireplace or the like, and also which has sufficient protective characteristics that it will not accept large burning objects and the like, and wherein means are provided to drop material evacuated from the stove, furnace, fireplace or the like, into the water or other suitable bath for quenching as required. The method and apparatus incorporate the providing of a specially designed connection opening between the interior and exterior of the stove or the like, which opening and its elements are cooperable with a specially designed vacuum pickup attachment, together with an exterior mounted quenching medium to receive the material evacuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Inventor: John T. Fullenwider
  • Patent number: 4360361
    Abstract: Coal hydrogenation vessel has hydrogen heating passages extending vertically through its wall and opening into its interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: United States Department of Energy
    Inventor: Charles K. Nagy
  • Patent number: 4359326
    Abstract: A process and pressurized, gasification reactor apparatus for converting combustible carbon containing materials such as coal char and other carbonaceous solids or carbonaceous solids/heavy oil combinations to an intermediate heating value fuel gas. The gasification reactor includes an insulated fluidized bed reactor chamber, an upper reactor housing for a freely suspended bayonet bundle type heat exchanger for (a) superheating incoming saturated steam and (b) cooling outgoing high temperature product gas, and a lower reactor housing structure which includes a free-floating, conically-shaped perforated plenum chamber. The superheated steam and oxygen are premixed with the plenum chamber before being pressure directed into the fluidized bed reactor chamber for mixture and combustion with the incoming combustible carbon containing materials such as coal char. After reaction of the superheated steam, oxygen and coal char in the fluidized bed reactor at temperatures ranging from 900.degree. F. to 1750.degree. F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1982
    Assignee: Hydrocarbon Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Franklin D. Hoffert, John D. Milligan, Jose M. Marina, Jose M. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 4356004
    Abstract: A process for forming charging fuel into agglomerates for the pressure gasification of coal, comprises the steps of mixing fine, granular charging fuel with a binder outside the pressure reactor, subjecting the mixture, in a pressure vessel, to the pressure prevailing in the reactor, and feeding agglomerates produced from the mixture to the fixed bed of the reactor from above. The mixture is made with a binder which hardens when heated and is kept below hardening temperature during subsequent subjection to pressure until fed to the reactor, the agglomerates being produced by hardening of the binder in the heat prevailing in the reactor above the fixed bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Inventor: Artur Richter
  • Patent number: 4356209
    Abstract: A process for converting defatted wheat germ to a brown cocoa-like flavoring agent for foods which can serve as a replacement of 50% or more cocoa or chocolate without deleterious effect on expectable flavor and color, but with cost reduction of better than 50% cost of ingredient replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: A. H. Robins Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh D. Bryan, Judy A. Carter, Donald B. Trimble
  • Patent number: 4343626
    Abstract: The reactor for the production of CO and H.sub.2 containing gases by means of a partial oxidation of powdery or liquid high ash fuels in a carburation fluid including free oxygen, at high temperatures and increased pressure, includes a pressure vessel enclosing a gas-tight housing whereby an interspace is formed between the inner wall of the vessel and the outer surface of the housing. Within the housing is arranged a cooling wall enclosing the reaction chamber proper. The cooling wall includes a coil of cooling pipes embedded in a mass of refractory material such as silicium carbide. The pipes are partially supported on web sections projecting from the inner surface of the housing into the refractory lining. The web sections prevent propagation of leaking hot gas from the reaction chamber along the inner surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignees: Brennstoffinstitut Freiberg, Gosudarstwennyi Nautschno-Issledowatelskij i Projektnyi Institut Astonoj Promyschlennosti i Produktow Organitscheskogo Sintesa
    Inventors: Helmut Peise, Wolfgang Heinrich, Peter Gohler, Friedrich Berger, Klaus Lucas, Manfred Schingnitz, Dieter Konig, Aleksander Jegorow, Vasilij Fedotov, Vladimir Gavrilin, Ernest Gudumov, Vladimir Semenov, Igol Achmatov, Nikolaj Majdurov, Evgenij Abraamov
  • Patent number: 4337096
    Abstract: An implement and method for cleaning sanitary, industrial or the like drains, said implement having a carriage hub with radially extending cutting means and a correspondingly radially extending plunger means, together with means for wetting the debris in the drain in advance of the cutting means, said plunger means comprising a plurality of fan shaped elements pivoted between said radially extending cutting means and which are folded backwardly when the implement is pulled forwards through a drain in a direction parallel to the axis of the hub and which are expanded into a plate when the implement is pulled backwards in an opposite direction. Depending on the configuration of the fan shaped elements, the implement is capable of cleaning drains of various configurations including box culverts and tubular pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Assignees: Paul L. Pratt, John T. Pierce, Jr.
    Inventor: Jack R. Clifford
  • Patent number: 4333773
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for internal washing or cleaning and rinsing or drying of tubular materials.Particularly the invention relates to a method for washing or cleaning of tubular materials when a washing or a cleaning medium is brought to circulate in a washing or a cleaning system. Furthermore a purification of the washing or cleaning medium and a rinsing or drying medium is effected in a tank for the washing or cleaning medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Inventor: Bengt Fjallstrom
  • Patent number: 4331451
    Abstract: A process for catalytic gasification of heavy oil of a specific gravity of higher than 0.7 with steam or steam/oxygen-containing gas characterized in that the heavy oil is contacted with chromium oxide catalyst or a catalyst comprising a mixture of chromium oxide and one or more of alkaline earth metal oxides, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, nickel oxide and cobalt oxide.More particularly, the present invention relates to a process for catalytic gasification of heavy oil of a specific gravity of higher than 0.7 characterized in that the heavy oil is contacted with a gasification catalyst comprising calcium aluminate, an alkali aluminate or tungsten-containing nickel and then the heavy oil is further contacted with said chromium oxide catalyst or chromium oxide-containing catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignees: Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Inc., Toyo Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Isogaya, Eiiti Sugiyama, Kenji Yoshida, Katsutoshi Kikuchi