Patents by Inventor Andreas Apfelbacher

Andreas Apfelbacher 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: 11891572
    Abstract: A method for producing a pyrolysis oil is described. In said method, a feedstock to be treated is first pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis zone, in which the feedstock is heated to a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius; and pyrolyzed solids and pyrolysis vapors are formed. The pyrolysis vapors are then reformed at a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius to 1,200 degrees Celsius in a post-conditioning zone, in which the pyrolysis vapors are brought into contact with a catalyst bed, wherein the pyrolysis oil is formed. In this case, the catalyst comprises a pyrolyzed solid, which can be obtained according to the pyrolysis, described above. Finally the pyrolysis oil is separated from the additional pyrolysis products, which are formed, in a separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher, Miloud Ouadi, Johannes Neumann
  • Publication number: 20220081620
    Abstract: A method for producing a pyrolysis oil is described. In said method, a feedstock to be treated is first pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis zone, in which the feedstock is heated to a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius; and pyrolyzed solids and pyrolysis vapors are formed. The pyrolysis vapors are then reformed at a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius to 1,200 degrees Celsius in a post-conditioning zone, in which the pyrolysis vapors are brought into contact with a catalyst bed, wherein the pyrolysis oil is formed. In this case, the catalyst comprises a pyrolyzed solid, which can be obtained according to the pyrolysis, described above. Finally the pyrolysis oil is separated from the additional pyrolysis products, which are formed, in a separation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas HORNUNG, Andreas APFELBACHER, Miloud OUADI, Johannes NEUMANN
  • Patent number: 11066604
    Abstract: A method for producing a pyrolysis oil is described. In said method, a feedstock to be treated is first pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis zone, in which the feedstock is heated to a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius; and pyrolyzed solids and pyrolysis vapors are formed. The pyrolysis vapors are then reformed at a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius to 1,200 degrees Celsius in a post-conditioning zone, in which the pyrolysis vapors are brought into contact with a catalyst bed, wherein the pyrolysis oil is formed. In this case, the catalyst comprises a pyrolyzed solid, which can be obtained according to the pyrolysis, described above. Finally the pyrolysis oil is separated from the additional pyrolysis products, which are formed, in a separation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher, Miloud Ouadi, Johannes Neumann
  • Patent number: 10414987
    Abstract: Systems and methods for thermocatalytic treatment of material are provided. The system can have a charging region to supply starting material, a preconditioning zone in which preconditioned material is formed from the starting material, a pyrolysis zone in which pyrolyzed material is formed from the preconditioned material, and a separation unit for separation of the pyrolyzed material. In the preconditioning zone and the pyrolysis zone, a heater can be provided for heating of the material. Also provided in the pyrolysis zone are recirculation means with which a solid portion of the pyrolyzed material can be recirculated directly into the region of the pyrolysis zone facing toward the preconditioning zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Samir Binder, Michael Jakuttis, Andreas Apfelbacher, Andreas Hornung
  • Publication number: 20170362512
    Abstract: A method for producing a pyrolysis oil is described. In said method, a feedstock to be treated is first pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis zone, in which the feedstock is heated to a temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to 700 degrees Celsius; and pyrolyzed solids and pyrolysis vapors are formed. The pyrolysis vapors are then reformed at a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius to 1,200 degrees Celsius in a post-conditioning zone, in which the pyrolysis vapors are brought into contact with a catalyst bed, wherein the pyrolysis oil is formed. In this case, the catalyst comprises a pyrolyzed solid, which can be obtained according to the pyrolysis, described above. Finally the pyrolysis oil is separated from the additional pyrolysis products, which are formed, in a separation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher, Miloud Ouadi, Johannes Neumann
  • Patent number: 9663733
    Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis process is provided in which biomass feedstock is mixed with a heat carrier. The heat carrier at least partly comprises char. The ratio by weight of biomass to char is in the range 1:1 to 1:20. The process may be carried out by in a screw/auger pyrolysis reactor in which the solid feedstock components are conveyed along the reactor by a first screw. A second screw conveys at least a portion of the solid products of the biomass pyrolysis back to a heat transfer medium input port. Thus, the heat transfer medium includes char from the biomass pyrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Aston University
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher
  • Publication number: 20170114284
    Abstract: Systems and methods for thermocatalytic treatment of material are provided. The system can have a charging region to supply starting material, a preconditioning zone in which preconditioned material is formed from the starting material, a pyrolysis zone in which pyrolysed material is formed from the preconditioned material, and a separation unit for separation of the pyrolysed material. In the preconditioning zone and the pyrolysis zone, a heater can be provided for heating of the material. Also provided in the pyrolysis zone are recirculation means with which a solid portion of the pyrolysed material can be recirculated directly into the region of the pyrolysis zone facing toward the preconditioning zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Samir Binder, Michael Jakuttis, Andreas Apfelbacher, Andreas Hornung
  • Publication number: 20140331556
    Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis process is provided in which biomass feedstock is mixed with a heat carrier. The heat carrier at least partly comprises char. The ratio by weight of biomass to char is in the range 1:1 to 1:20. The process may be carried out by in a screw/auger pyrolysis reactor in which the solid feedstock components are conveyed along the reactor by a first screw. A second screw conveys at least a portion of the solid products of the biomass pyrolysis back to a heat transfer medium input port. Thus, the heat transfer medium includes char from the biomass pyrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher
  • Patent number: 8835704
    Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis process is provided in which biomass feedstock is mixed with a heat carrier. The heat carrier at least partly comprises char. The ratio by weight of biomass to char is in the range 1:1 to 1:20. The process may be carried out by in a screw/auger pyrolysis reactor in which the solid feedstock components are conveyed along the reactor by a first screw. A second screw conveys at least a portion of the solid products of the biomass pyrolysis back to a heat transfer medium input port. Thus, the heat transfer medium includes char from the biomass pyrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Aston University
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher
  • Patent number: 8658414
    Abstract: A biomass processing system is disclosed, with an algae biomass growth container and a pyrolysis reactor for pyrolysis processing of the algae biomass. A conveying apparatus links the pyrolysis reactor and the biomass growth container for conveying at least part of at least one of the pyrolysis products from the reactor to the biomass growth container for promoting algae biomass growth. The pyrolysis product is a nutrient-rich aqueous phase produced directly or indirectly through pyrolysis processing to the biomass growth container, e.g. an aqueous phase derived from the vapor products of the pyrolysis, or a char wash obtained by washing the char product of the pyrolysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aston University
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher
  • Publication number: 20110278149
    Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis process in which biomass feedstock particles (having a d5o mean particle size of at least 1 mm) are thermally treated substantially in the absence of oxygen to pyrolyse the biomass feedstock particles. The thermal treatment of the biomass feedstock particles includes a heat treatment drying step at a temperature in the range 100° C. to 250° C. Then, at a pre-pyrolysis heating location in a heat treatment system, the biomass feedstock particles are heated to a temperature in the range 280° C. to 350° C., held within the same temperature range for a time of at least 5 seconds and then moved from the pre-pyrolysis heating location to a pyrolysis heating location by a conveyor system for heating to a temperature above 350° C. for pyrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher
  • Publication number: 20110070628
    Abstract: A biomass processing system is disclosed, with an algae biomass growth container and a pyrolysis reactor for pyrolysis processing of the algae biomass. A conveying apparatus links the pyrolysis reactor and the biomass growth container for conveying at least part of at least one of the pyrolysis products from the reactor to the biomass growth container for promoting algae biomass growth. The pyrolysis product is a nutrient-rich aqueous phase produced directly or indirectly through pyrolysis processing to the biomass growth container, e.g. an aqueous phase derived from the vapour products of the pyrolysis, or a char wash obtained by washing the char product of the pyrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher
  • Publication number: 20110067991
    Abstract: A biomass pyrolysis process is provided in which biomass feedstock is mixed with a heat carrier. The heat carrier at least partly comprises char. The ratio by weight of biomass to char is in the range 1:1 to 1:20. The process may be carried out by in a screw/auger pyrolysis reactor in which the solid feedstock components are conveyed along the reactor by a first screw. A second screw conveys at least a portion of the solid products of the biomass pyrolysis back to a heat transfer medium input port. Thus, the heat transfer medium includes char from the biomass pyrolysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Andreas Hornung, Andreas Apfelbacher