Patents by Inventor Ann Forret

Ann Forret 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: 9638412
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to an improved method for chemical looping combustion of at least one liquid hydrocarbon feed, comprising: mixing the liquid feed with an atomization gas so as to feed it into a metal oxide particle transport zone (2), upstream from combustion zone (3), through atomization means (6) allowing to form finely dispersed liquid droplets in the atomization gas; vaporization of the liquid feed in form of droplets into contact with at least part of metal oxide particles in transport zone (2), the operating conditions in transport zone (2) being so selected that the superficial gas velocity after vaporization of the liquid feed is higher than the transport velocity of the metal oxide particles; sending all of the effluents from transport zone (2) to a combustion zone (3) allowing reduction of the metal oxide particles, said combustion zone (3) comprising at least one dense-phase fluidized bed. The invention can be advantageously applied to CO2 capture and energy production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES, TOTAL SA
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Ali Hoteit, Ann Forret
  • Patent number: 9556024
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated method for gasification and indirect combustion of a solid hydrocarbon feedstock in a chemical loop, comprising: contacting solid hydrocarbon feedstock (1) with water (2) in a gasification reaction zone RG in order to discharge ashes (9) and to produce a gaseous effluent (3) comprising syngas and water, supplying reduction reaction zone RR of a redox chemical loop with at least part of gaseous effluent (3) produced in the gasification reaction zone in order to produce a CO2 and H2O-concentrated gaseous effluent (4), reoxidizing the oxygen-carrying solid particles from reduction reaction zone RR of the chemical loop in oxidation reaction zone RO by means of an oxidizing gas (6) and discharging fumes (7). The invention also relates to a plant allowing said integrated method to be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: TOTAL SA, IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Mahdi Yazdanpanah, Ann Forret, Thierry Gauthier
  • Patent number: 9297528
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for upgrading heavy liquid fractions resulting from oil refining, by combustion in a fluidized-bed chemical looping process. The method according to the invention allows energy to be produced by oxidizing totally the heavy liquid feeds while allowing direct capture of the CO2 emitted in the combustion fumes. The method according to the invention also allows a synthesis gas to be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES, TOTAL S.A.
    Inventors: Ann Forret, William Pelletant, Ali Hoteit
  • Patent number: 9090832
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for synthesising hydrocarbons starting from a feedstock containing synthesis gas. In the process a solid Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is employed in a three-phase reaction section operated so that the catalyst is maintained in suspension in a liquid phase by the circulation of a gaseous phase from the bottom to the top of the reaction section. The process utilizes conditions to control and maintain the homogeneity of the concentration of catalyst particles in the reaction section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignees: ENI S.P.A., IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Jean Philippe Heraud, Ann Forret, Jeremy Gazarian, Marie Claire Marion, Vincent Lecocq, Sebastien Boucher, Chiara Della Torre, Elsa Mignone
  • Patent number: 9050569
    Abstract: The present invention describes a thin layer fixed bed reactor intended for chemical treatments, in particular reduction of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst. The reactor is designed in the form of similar, compact modules and operates with a ratio of linear pressure drop to outlet pressure which falls within certain limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: -ENI S.P.A., -IFP Energies Nouvelles
    Inventors: Damien Douziech, Gilles Causse, Eric Caprani, Jean Christophe Viguie, Jean Marc Schweitzer, Ann Forret
  • Publication number: 20150013575
    Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated method for gasification and indirect combustion of a solid hydrocarbon feedstock in a chemical loop, comprising: contacting solid hydrocarbon feedstock (1) with water (2) in a gasification reaction zone RG in order to discharge ashes (9) and to produce a gaseous effluent (3) comprising syngas and water, supplying reduction reaction zone RR of a redox chemical loop with at least part of gaseous effluent (3) produced in the gasification reaction zone in order to produce a CO2 and H2O-concentrated gaseous effluent (4), reoxidizing the oxygen-carrying solid particles from reduction reaction zone RR of the chemical loop in oxidation reaction zone RO by means of an oxidizing gas (6) and discharging fumes (7). The invention also relates to a plant allowing said integrated method to be implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Mahdi Yazdanpanah, Ann Forret, Thierry Gauthier
  • Patent number: 8916128
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energetically self-sufficient syngas production method in at least one chemical loop. The chemical loop involves at least three distinct oxidation, reduction and gasification reaction zones: 1. at least one air-supplied oxidation reaction zone R1, referred to as “air” reactor, where the reaction of oxidation of the metallic oxides takes place after reduction, 2. at least one combustion reduction reaction zone R2, referred to as “fuel” reactor, where the feed combustion reaction takes place in the presence of the oxygen present in the metallic oxides, 3. at least one gasification reaction zone R3, referred to as “gasification” reactor, for gasification of the solid and/or liquid feeds in order to produce a syngas, said gasification being catalyzed by the at least partly reduced metallic oxides from R2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignees: IFP Energies nouvelles, Total SA
    Inventors: Ali Hoteit, Florent Guillou, Ann Forret, Thierry Gauthier
  • Patent number: 8771549
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved plant and method for chemical looping combustion of at least one hydrocarbon feed with independent control of the circulation of the solid active mass particles between the fluidized bed reaction zones, by means of one or more non-mechanical valves of L-valve type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: IFP Energies Nouvelles, Total SA
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Ali Hoteit, Ann Forret
  • Publication number: 20140155500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for synthesising hydrocarbons starting from a feedstock containing synthesis gas. In the process a solid Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is employed in a three-phase reaction section operated so that the catalyst is maintained in suspension in a liquid phase by the circulation of a gaseous phase from the bottom to the top of the reaction section. The process utilizes conditions to control and maintain the homogeneity of the concentration of catalyst particles in the reaction section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicants: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES, ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Jean Philippe HERAUD, Ann FORRET, Jeremy GAZARIAN, Marie Claire MARION, Vincent LECOCQ, Sebastien BOUCHER, Chiara DELLA TORRE, Elsa MIGNONE
  • Patent number: 8673131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing synthetic crude oil from a heavy crude reservoir, comprising: (a) extracting the heavy crude oil using a steam technology; (b) separating the crude extracted and the water; (c) separating the crude into at least one light cut and one heavy cut; (d) converting said heavy cut to a lighter product and a residue; (e) optionally, partially or totally hydroprocessing the converted product and/or the light cut(s) obtained upon separation (c); (f) burning and/or gasifying the conversion residue in the presence of metal oxides in at least one chemical looping cycle producing CO2-concentrated fumes in order to allow CO2 capture, the optionally hydroprocessed converted product and light separation cut(s) making up the synthetic crude oil, said combustion allowing to generate steam and/or electricity, and said gasification allowing to generate hydrogen, the steam and/or the electricity thus generated being used for extraction (a), and/or the electricity and/or the hy
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignees: IFP Energies Nouvelles, Total SA
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Ali Hoteit, Ann Forret
  • Publication number: 20120148484
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improved plant and method for chemical looping combustion of at least one hydrocarbon feed with independent control of the circulation of the solid active mass particles between the fluidized bed reaction zones, by means of one or more non-mechanical valves of L-valve type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Ali Hoteit, Ann Forret
  • Publication number: 20110303875
    Abstract: The invention relates to an energetically self-sufficient syngas production method in at least one chemical loop. The chemical loop involves at least three distinct oxidation, reduction and gasification reaction zones: 1. at least one air-supplied oxidation reaction zone R1, referred to as “air” reactor, where the reaction of oxidation of the metallic oxides takes place affer reduction, 2. at least one combustion reduction reaction zone R2, referred to as “fuel” reactor, where the feed combustion reaction takes place in the presence of the oxygen present in the metallic oxides, 3. at least one gasification reaction zone R3, referred to as “gasification” reactor, for gasification of the solid and/or liquid feeds in order to produce a syngas, said gasification being catalysed by the at least partly reduced metallic oxides from R2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Ali Hoteit, Florent Guillou, Ann Forret, Thierry Gauthier
  • Publication number: 20110266196
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing synthetic crude oil from a heavy crude reservoir, comprising: (a) extracting the heavy crude oil using a steam technology; (b) separating the crude extracted and the water; (c) separating the crude into at least one light cut and one heavy cut; (d) converting said heavy cut to a lighter product and a residue; (e) optionally, partially or totally hydroprocessing the converted product and/or the light cut(s) obtained upon separation (c); (f) burning and/or gasifying the conversion residue in the presence of metal oxides in at least one chemical looping cycle producing CO2-concentrated fumes in order to allow CO2 capture, the optionally hydroprocessed converted product and light separation cut(s) making up the synthetic crude oil, said combustion allowing to generate steam and/or electricity, and said gasification allowing to generate hydrogen, the steam and/or the electricity thus generated being used for extraction (a), and/or the electricity and/or the hy
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Ali Hoteit, Ann Forret
  • Publication number: 20110171588
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to an improved method for chemical looping combustion of at least one liquid hydrocarbon feed, comprising: mixing the liquid feed with an atomization gas so as to feed it into a metal oxide transport zone (2), upstream from combustion zone (3), through atomization means (6) allowing to form finely dispersed liquid droplets in the atomization gas; spraying the liquid feed in form of droplets into contact with at least part of the metal oxides in transport zone (2), the operating conditions in transport zone (2) being so selected that the superficial gas velocity after spraying the liquid feed is higher than the transport velocity of the metal oxide particles; sending all of the effluents from transport zone (2) to a combustion zone (3) allowing reduction of the metal oxides, said combustion zone (3) comprising at least one dense-phase fluidized bed. The invention can be advantageously applied to CO2 capture and energy production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Thierry Gauthier, Ali Hoteit, Ann Forret
  • Publication number: 20110097673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for upgrading heavy liquid fractions resulting from oil refining, by combustion in a fluidized-bed chemical looping process. The method according to the invention allows to produce energy by oxidizing totally the heavy liquid feeds while allowing direct capture of the CO2 emitted in the combustion fumes. The method according to the invention also allows a synthesis gas to be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Ann Forret, William Pelletant, Ali Hoteit
  • Publication number: 20110070149
    Abstract: The present invention describes a thin layer fixed bed reactor intended for chemical treatments, in particular reduction of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst. The reactor is designed in the form of similar, compact modules and operates with a ratio of linear pressure drop to outlet pressure which falls within certain limits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicants: ENI S.P.A., IFP
    Inventors: Damien Douziech, Gilles Causse, Eric Caprani, Jean Christophe Viguie, Jean Marc Schweitzer, Ann Forret