Patents by Inventor André Peter Steynberg

André Peter Steynberg has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11247953
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Ivan Phillip Greager, Stephen Claude LeViness, Roger Allen Harris, Andre Peter Steynberg, Jasmeer Jaichland Ramlal, Dennis Parker, John Dolan
  • Publication number: 20210070681
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ivan Phillip GREAGER, Stephen Claude LeVINESS, Roger Allen HARRIS, Andre Peter STEYNBERG, Jasmeer Jaichland RAMLAL, Dennis PARKER, John DOLAN
  • Patent number: 10851035
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Velocys, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan Phillip Greager, Steven Claude LeViness, Roger Allen Harris, Andre Peter Steynberg, Jasmeer Jaichland Ramlal, Dennis Parker, John Dolan
  • Patent number: 10322393
    Abstract: A method of operating a slurry phase apparatus includes feeding one or more gaseous reactants into a slurry body of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a vessel. The one or more gaseous reactants are fed into the slurry body through a gas distributor having downward facing gas outlets and are fed towards a fluid impermeable partition spanning across the vessel below the gas distributor. The partition divides the vessel into a slurry volume above the partition and a bottom volume below the partition. A differential pressure is maintained over the partition between predefined limits by manipulating or allowing changes in the pressure in the bottom volume by employing a pressure transfer passage establishing flow or pressure communication between the bottom volume and a head space above the slurry body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: André Peter Steynberg, Evert Phillippus Kleynhans, Marshall Stephen Lee, Hermanus Gerhardus Nel, Jako Louw
  • Publication number: 20190016654
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Ivan Phillip GREAGER, Steven Claude LeVINESS, Roger Allen HARRIS, Andre Peter STEYNBERG, Jasmeer Jaichland RAMLAL, Dennis PARKER, John DOLAN
  • Patent number: 10065911
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ivan Phillip Greager, Steven Claude LeViness, Roger Allen Harris, Andre Peter Steynberg, Jasmeer Jaichland Ramlal, Dennis Parker, John Dolan
  • Patent number: 10058838
    Abstract: A method is provided of shutting down an operating three-phase slurry bubble column reactor (10) having downwardly directed gas distribution nozzles (30) submerged in a slurry body (19) of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a reactor vessel (12), with the gas distribution nozzles (30) being in flow communication with a gas feed line (26) through which gas is fed to the gas distribution nozzles (30) by means of which the gas is injected downwardly into the slurry body (19). The method includes abruptly stopping flow of gas from the gas feed line (26) to the gas distribution nozzles (30) to trap gas in the gas distribution nozzles (30) thereby to inhibit slurry ingress upwardly into the gas distribution nozzles (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: SASOL TECHNOLOGY PROPRIETARY LIMITED
    Inventors: André Peter Steynberg, Darrell Duane Kinzler
  • Publication number: 20180117558
    Abstract: A method of operating a slurry phase apparatus includes feeding one or more gaseous reactants into a slurry body of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a vessel. The one or more gaseous reactants are fed into the slurry body through a gas distributor having downward facing gas outlets and are fed towards a fluid impermeable partition spanning across the vessel below the gas distributor. The partition divides the vessel into a slurry volume above the partition and a bottom volume below the partition. A differential pressure is maintained over the partition between predefined limits by manipulating or allowing changes in the pressure in the bottom volume by employing a pressure transfer passage establishing flow or pressure communication between the bottom volume and a head space above the slurry body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: André Peter Steynberg, Evert Phillippus Kleynhans, Marshall Stephen Lee, Hermanus Gerhardus Nel, Jako Louw
  • Patent number: 9937476
    Abstract: A method of operating a slurry phase apparatus includes feeding one or more gaseous reactants into a slurry body of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a vessel. The one or more gaseous reactants are fed into the slurry body through a gas distributor having downward facing gas outlets and are fed towards a fluid impermeable partition spanning across the vessel below the gas distributor. The partition divides the vessel into a slurry volume above the partition and a bottom volume below the partition. A differential pressure is maintained over the partition between predefined limits by manipulating or allowing changes in the pressure in the bottom volume by employing a pressure transfer passage establishing flow or pressure communication between the bottom volume and a head space above the slurry body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: André Peter Steynberg, Evert Phillippus Kleynhans, Marshall Stephen Lee, Hermanus Gerhardus Nel, Jako Louw
  • Publication number: 20180072643
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Ivan Phillip GREAGER, Steven Claude LeVINESS, Roger Allen HARRIS, Andre Peter STEYNBERG, Jasmeer Jaichland RAMLAL, Dennis PARKER, John DOLAN
  • Patent number: 9822049
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Velocys Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Ivan Phillip Greager, Steven Claude LeViness, Roger Allen Harris, Andre Peter Steynberg, Jasmeer Jaichland Ramlal, Dennis Parker, John Dolan
  • Publication number: 20160310925
    Abstract: A method is provided of shutting down an operating three-phase slurry bubble column reactor (10) having downwardly directed gas distribution nozzles (30) submerged in a slurry body (19) of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a reactor vessel (12), with the gas distribution nozzles (30) being in flow communication with a gas feed line (26) through which gas is being fed to the gas distribution nozzles (30) by means of which the gas is injected downwardly into the slurry body (19). The method includes abruptly stopping flow of gas from the gas feed line (26) to the gas distribution nozzles (30) to trap gas in the gas distribution nozzles (30) thereby to inhibit slurry ingress upwardly into the gas distribution nozzles (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: SASOL TECHNOLOGY PROPRIETARY LIMITED
    Inventors: André Peter Steynberg, Darrell Duane Kinzler
  • Publication number: 20160107962
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Ivan Phillip GREAGER, Steven Claude LeVINESS, Roger Allen HARRIS, Andre Peter STEYNBERG, Jasmeer Jaichland RAMLAL, Dennis PARKER, John DOLAN
  • Publication number: 20140371334
    Abstract: A method of operating a slurry phase apparatus includes feeding one or more gaseous reactants into a slurry body of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a vessel. The one or more gaseous reactants are fed into the slurry body through a gas distributor having downward facing gas outlets and are fed towards a fluid impermeable partition spanning across the vessel below the gas distributor. The partition divides the vessel into a slurry volume above the partition and a bottom volume below the partition. A differential pressure is maintained over the partition between predefined limits by manipulating or allowing changes in the pressure in the bottom volume by employing a pressure transfer passage establishing flow or pressure communication between the bottom volume and a head space above the slurry body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: SASOL TECHNOLOGY (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED
    Inventors: André Peter Steynberg, Evert Phillippus Kleynhans, Marshall Stephen Lee, Hermanus Gerhardus Nel, Jako Louw
  • Patent number: 8552073
    Abstract: A process (10) for co-producing power and hydrocarbons includes gasifying (16, 70) coal to produce a synthesis gas (36) and a combustion gas (86) both comprising at least CO1H2 and CO2 and being at elevated pressure, separating CO2 (18, 48) from the synthesis gas, and synthesizing (20, 22) hydrocarbons from the synthesis gas. Power (1 14) is generated from the combustion gas, including by combusting (78) the combustion gas in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of at least a portion of the separated CO2 as moderating agent to produce a hot combusted gas (106) which includes CO2. The CO2 is recycled (1 12) or recovered from the combusted gas. In certain embodiments, the process (10) produces a CO2 exhaust stream (134) for sequestration or capturing for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Jan Hendrik Duvenhage Boshoff, Isabella Lodewina Greeff, Andre Peter Steynberg
  • Publication number: 20130071293
    Abstract: Method of operating a three-phase slurry reactor includes feeding at a low level at least one gaseous reactant into a vertically extending slurry body of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the slurry body being contained in at least two vertically extending shafts housed within a common reactor shell, each shaft being divided into a plurality of vertically extending channels at least some of which are in slurry flow communication and the slurry body being present in at least some of the channels. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react as it passes upwardly through the slurry body present in at least some of the channels of the shafts, thereby to form a non-gaseous and/or a gaseous product. Gaseous product, if present, and/or unreacted gaseous reactant is allowed to disengage from the slurry body in a head space above the slurry body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Andre Peter Steynberg, Berthold Berend Breman, Derk Willem Frederik Brilman
  • Patent number: 8283386
    Abstract: Method of operating a three-phase slurry reactor includes feeding at a low level at least one gaseous reactant into a vertically extending slurry body of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the slurry body being contained in at least two vertically extending shafts housed within a common reactor shell, each shaft being divided into a plurality of vertically extending channels at least some of which are in slurry flow communication and the slurry body being present in at least some of the channels. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react as it passes upwardly through the slurry body present in at least some of the channels of the shafts, thereby to form a non-gaseous and/or a gaseous product. Gaseous product, if present, and/or unreacted gaseous reactant is allowed to disengage from the slurry body in a head space above the slurry body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Andre Peter Steynberg, Berthold Berend Breman, Derk Willem Frederik Brilman
  • Patent number: 8247462
    Abstract: A process (10) for co-producing power and hydrocarbons includes in a wet gasification stage (70), gasifying coal to produce a combustion gas (86) at elevated pressure comprising at least H2 and CO; enriching (72) a first portion of the combustion gas with H2 to produce an H2-enriched gas (88); and generating power (77) from a second portion of the combustion gas. In a dry gasification stage (16), coal is gasified to produce a synthesis gas precursor (36) at elevated pressure comprising at least H2 and CO. At least a portion of the H2-enriched gas (88) is mixed with the synthesis gas precursor (36) to provide a synthesis gas for hydrocarbon synthesis, with hydrocarbons being synthesized (20, 22) from the synthesis gas. In certain embodiments, the process (10) produces a CO2 exhaust stream (134) for sequestration or capturing for further use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Jan Hendrik Duvenhage Boshoff, Isabella Lodewina Greeff, Andre Peter Steynberg
  • Patent number: 8106102
    Abstract: A process (10) for the preparation and conversion of synthesis gas includes reforming a feed gas (34) comprising methane in a reforming stage (18) to produce synthesis gas (46) which includes hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Some of the hydrogen and carbon monoxide is converted to a Fischer-Tropsch product (48) in a Fischer-Tropsch hydrocarbon synthesis stage (24). A tail gas (52), including unreacted hydrogen and carbon monoxide, methane and carbon dioxide, is separated from the Fischer-Tropsch product (48). In a tail gas treatment stage (28,30), the tail gas (52) is treated by reforming the methane in the tail gas (52) with steam (66) and removing carbon dioxide to produce a hydrogen rich gas (56). The tail gas treatment stage (28,30) may be either a combined tail gas treatment stage (28,30) or a composite tail gas treatment stage. The carbon dioxide from the tail gas treatment stage (28,30) is fed to the reforming stage (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Sasol Technology (Proprietary) Limited, Haldor Topsøe A/S
    Inventors: Andre Peter Steynberg, Ib Dybkjaer, Kim Aasberg-Petersen
  • Publication number: 20110311402
    Abstract: A method of operating a three-phase slurry reactor includes feeding at a low level at least one gaseous reactant into a vertically extending slurry body of solid particles suspended in a suspension liquid, the slurry body being contained in a plurality of vertically extending horizontally spaced slurry channels inside a common reactor shell, the slurry channels being defined between vertically extending horizontally spaced divider walls or plates and each slurry channel having a height, width and breadth such that the height and breadth are much larger than the width. The gaseous reactant is allowed to react as it passes upwardly through the slurry body present in the slurry channels, thereby to form non-gaseous and/or gaseous product. Gaseous product and/or unreacted gaseous reactant is allowed to disengage from the slurry body in a head space above the slurry body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventors: André Peter Steynberg, Berthold Berend Breman, Derk Willem Frederik Brilman