Patents Examined by Peter Kratz
  • Low inlet gas velocity high throughput biomass gasifier
    Patent number: 4828581
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel method of operating a gasifier for production of fuel gas from carbonaceous fuels. The process disclosed enables operating in an entrained mode using inlet gas velocities of less than 7 feet per second, feedstock throughputs exceeding 4000 lbs/ft.sup.2 -hr, and pressures below 100 psia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Battelle Development Corporation
    Inventors: Herman F. Feldmann, Mark A. Paisley
  • Quench ring insulating collar
    Patent number: 4828580
    Abstract: Reactor for gasifying a carbonaceous fuel to produce a usable gas, and comprising an insulated outer shell. A reaction chamber within the shell receives a fuel mixture from an injection burner. The products or effluent of gasification include hot produced gases which are passed through a constricted throat to be cooled in a liquid bath. A dip tube, which guides the hot effluent into the bath, is provided with a stream of coolant from a quench ring. The latter is supported below the reaction chamber and is provided with a thermal barrier along its surface that is exposed to the hot produced gas. The barrier will reduce thermal stress in the quench ring and reduce drain of heat from the gasifier throat, thus avoiding premature chilling of the slag component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Dach
  • Thermally insulated quench ring for a gasifier
    Patent number: 4828579
    Abstract: Reactor for gasifying a carbonaceous fuel to produce a usable gas, and comprising an insulated outer shell. A reaction chamber within the shell receives a fuel mixture from an injection burner. The products or effluent of gasification include hot produced gases which are passed through a constricted throat to be cooled in a liquid bath. A dip tube, which guides the hot effluent into the bath, is provided with a stream of coolant from a quench ring. The latter is supported below the reaction chamber and is provided with a thermal barrier along its surface that is exposed to the hot produced gas. The barrier will reduce thermal stress in the quench ring and reduce drain of heat from the gasifier throat, thus avoiding premature chilling of the slag component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventors: Michael W. Becker, Allen M. Robin, John S. Stevenson
  • Production of methane containing gases
    Patent number: 4824440
    Abstract: Heterocyclic and O-substituted aromatic species, for example those obtained as a by product of coal gasification, may be gasified by reaction with steam in the presence of a nickel-alumina containing catalyst to produce methane-containing gases. The reforming reaction is carried out at temperatures of not greater than 500.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: British Gas plc
    Inventor: Reginald G. S. Banks
  • Production of synthesis gas using convective reforming
    Patent number: 4824658
    Abstract: A convective reformer device is provided which is useful for partially reforming a feed mixture of hydrocarbons and steam. The device includes an outer shell enclosure and a tubular inner core assembly and is specifically adapted to support heat exchange between a heating fluid, which may be an effluent from downstream, and the hydrocarbon-steam feed mixture. The convective reformer is used in a system and process for the steam reformation of hydrocarbons, in which the partially reformed effluent from the convective reformer is further reformed in a steam reforming furnace, or an auto-thermal reformer, or a steam reforming furnance followed by an auto-thermal reformer. The fully reformed effluent from the steam reformer, or auto-thermal reformer, is directed back to the convective reformer to supply the heat of reaction for the partial reformation of the feed mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Maxim Karafian, Irving C. Tsang
  • Arrangement for gasifying finely divided particularly solid fuel under high pressure
    Patent number: 4818252
    Abstract: An arrangement for and a method of gasifying finely divided, particularly solid fuel under increased pressure with a multi-pipe wall having a plurality of pipes arranged to be supplied with a cooling medium, the multi-pipe wall limiting a gas-collecting chamber and also limiting a plurality of recesses which form combustion chambers, wherein each of the recesses having a plurality of parameters including a depth, a width and an angle of inclination of a peripheral wall and being such that at least one of the parameters is changeable
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Krupp Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Kohnen, Hans Niermann, Hans C. Pohl
  • Reactor for fluidized bed silane decomposition
    Patent number: 4818495
    Abstract: An improved heated fluidized bed reactor and method for the production of high purity polycrystalline silicon by silane pyrolysis wherein silicon seed particles are heated in an upper heating zone of the reactor and admixed with particles in a lower zone, in which zone a silane-containing gas stream, having passed through a lower cooled gas distribution zone not conducive to silane pyrolysis, contacts the heated seed particles whereon the silane is heterogeneously reduced to silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: Sridhar K. Iya
  • Device for gasifying finely divided fuels under increased pressure
    Patent number: 4818253
    Abstract: The gasification device includes a pipe wall structure assembled of a plurality of pipe circuits enclosing in a gas tight manner a reactor space. A pressure jacket surrounds at a distance the pipe wall structure and delimits therewith a water filled interspace. All inlet conduits for supplying cooling water to individual pipe circuits pass through the jacket whereas the outlets of the pipe circuits open into the interspace. A common discharge conduit for cooling water is provided in the pressure jacket and communicates with the interspace. The pressure jacket is assembled of two parts interconnected by a releasable flange connection. All inlet conduits and common outlet conduits are attached to the upper part so as to enable the lifting of the entire pipe wall structure upon the lower part together with the upper part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Krupps Koppers GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Kohnen, Hans Niermann, Norbert Ullrich
  • Process for preparing shrimp
    Patent number: 4816276
    Abstract: An improved shrimp peeling, deveining and blanching process that is effective in removing the entire vein from the shrimp and that ensures that the entire exterior surface of the shrimp undergoes a desired color change. The vein is removed by making a longitudinal cut into the backside of only a few intermediate body segments and by pulling on the exposed portion of the vein, to remove that portion as well as the portions located in the uncut body segments. A subsequent blanching of the shrimp and the retention of uncut body segments at opposite ends of the shrimp ensure that the shrimp will retain its general shape and eliminate the possibility that portions of the shrimp will remain at their unappetizing blue-grey color when later cooked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: ZB Industries
    Inventor: John Z. Blazevich
  • Process for secondary fibre processing
    Patent number: 4812205
    Abstract: A method of processing baled secondary fibre furnish is provided. The method includes the steps of breaking the baled furnish, dry screening the furnish to remove abrasive contaminants, and then repulping the dry screened furnish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Beloit Corporation
    Inventors: Luigi Silveri, Stavros Paraskevas
  • Process for treating raw soybeans
    Patent number: 4810513
    Abstract: A process for producing a full-fat flaked soybean product having 18% soybean fat and a urease activity of 0.02-0.1 is provided. Raw soybeans with hulls in tact are subjected to steaming at temperatures greater than 220.degree. F., followed by flaking in a roller mill having grooved rollers. The flaked soybeans are thereafter dried in a forced air dryer by the alternating application of superheated air at temperatures in excess of 300.degree. F. and cooled to ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Inventor: Merle Van Liere
  • Quench ring for a gasifier
    Patent number: 4808197
    Abstract: A gasifier for producing a usable gas by combusting a particulated carbonaceous fuel in a combustion chamber which is communicated to a cooling zone. A dip tube conducts an effluent flow of gas and slag to the bath by way of an upright guide passage. A segmented quench ring communicated with a pressurized source of a liquid coolant such as water, directs a flow thereof against the dip tube guide surfaces to maintain the latter in a wetted condition. The respective segments of the manifolded quench ring are supported in a manner to cooperate with each other, yet to maintain lateral interspacing therebetween. A shield disposed across the interspace permits the latter to adjust in response to thermal expansion and contraction of the respective ring or manifold segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Harold J. Ayers
  • Environmentally safe method for disposing of asbestos containing materials
    Patent number: 4808198
    Abstract: Asbestos-containing hazardous waste materials are known causes of cancer and other serious diseases. By the subject process, asbestos-containing wastes are rendered harmless by altering the physical form of the fibers, by (i) melting the asbestos, and by (ii) incorporating the molten asbestos into the slag phase produced by the partial oxidation of ash-containing liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel and/or solid carbonaceous fuel. Further, gaseous mixtures comprising H.sub.2 +CO e.g. synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas, are simultaneously produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: George N. Richter
  • Method for melting fluorophosphate glass
    Patent number: 4806138
    Abstract: A high quality fluorophosphate laser glass free from bubbles, inclusions and coloring can be obtained by melting a fluorophosphate glass having a total oxide content of 5 to 30% in terms of cationic %, in a carbon container under a non-oxygen gas atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Miura, Tetsuro Izumitani, Toshiharu Yamashita
  • Gasification process for coal gasification furnace and apparatus therefor
    Patent number: 4806131
    Abstract: This invention relates to a gasification process for a coal gasification furnace in a coal gasification plant and to an apparatus therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Morihara, Tomohiko Miyamoto, Shuntaro Koyama, Shunsuke Nogita, Yukio Hishinuma
  • Asymmetric heat-exchange reaction apparatus for effecting chemical reactions
    Patent number: 4803054
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a reaction apparatus having an externalized heat exchange mechanism by which heat may be added to or withdrawn from a reactant mixture. In one aspect, the present invention includes a cased well which extends approximately 5000 feet vertically into the earth in which at least one reaction vessel is suspended from a support plate at substantially ground level surface. The reaction vessel comprises an outer closed-end tube in which an inner open-end tube is disposed in a concentric manner to define an annulus which is in flow communication with the bore of the inner tube. Substantially parallel to the reaction vessel and also suspended from the ground level support plate, is a conduit which extends into the chamber defined by the well-casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: VerTech Treatment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean R. Sillerud, Hermann W. Peterscheck
  • Process for contacting particulate solids with a fluid
    Patent number: 4795547
    Abstract: Process for contacting solid cracking catalyst with a hydrocarbons-comprising mixture by introducing said fluid as a, preferably single, annular stream into a stream comprising the particulate solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Peter H. Barnes
  • Gas reactant reservoirs for cyclic gas with solid reactors
    Patent number: 4794729
    Abstract: Reactant gas reservoir systems are described for use in combination with solid with gas reaction plants using cyclic compression and expansion of the reactant gas. During compression reactant gases are stored in the reservoir systems. During expansion these stored reactant gases emerge from the reservoir systems to react with gaseous products formed from the solid reactant during compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventor: Joseph C. Firey
  • Process for partial oxidation of a hydrocarbon-containing fuel
    Patent number: 4789384
    Abstract: A process for the partial oxidation of fuel using a multi-orifice burner comprising a central channel, and three concentric channels encircling the central channel, is disclosed, fuel being supplied through the second concentric channel at a specific velocity and oxygen being supplied through the other channels at specific mass flow distribution and velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Franciscus J. A. Martens, Hendrikus J. A. Hasenack
  • Fluidized bed reactor with microwave heating system for preparing high-purity polycrystalline silicon
    Patent number: 4786477
    Abstract: An apparatus for preparing high-purity polycrystalline silicon is constructed with a heating applicator, a vertical fluidized bed quartz reactor within the applicator, a microwave generator, microwave guide tubes for conveying microwaves from the microwave generator to the applicator, a reacting gas inlet and outlet, a gas distribution device for distributing reacting gas within the reactor, a silicon seed inlet for introducing silicon seed into the reactor, and an outlet for withdrawing polycrystalline silicon from the reactor. The microwaves provide the heat for the fluidized bed reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Poong Yoon, Yongmok Song