Patents by Inventor Antoine Hernandez

Antoine Hernandez 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: 11965694
    Abstract: In a process of the separation of a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane, the mixture is sent to a scrubbing column, a bottom liquid withdrawn at the bottom of the scrubbing column is depleted in hydrogen with respect to the mixture and is sent to a stripping column, a bottom liquid from the stripping column is sent to a separation column and a liquid enriched in methane withdrawn from the bottom of the separation column is vaporized in order to form a final product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Manon Cortale, Bertrand Demolliens, Antoine Hernandez, Guillaume Teixeira
  • Patent number: 11680747
    Abstract: In a process for the combined production of a) a hydrogen-enriched gas and a carbon monoxide-enriched gas and/or b) a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide by cryogenic distillation and scrubbing, a still liquor is extracted from a scrubbing column and sent to a stripping column, a still liquor is extracted from the stripping column and sent to a separating column for carbon monoxide and methane and a cooling fluid is used at a pressure greater than that of the head of the separating column for cooling at least one fluid extracted at an intermediate level from the scrubbing column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean Billy, Axelle Gaertner, Antoine Hernandez, Jean-Marc Tsevery, Marie-Pascal Victor
  • Publication number: 20220356060
    Abstract: In a process for the separation of a mixture containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide to produce gaseous hydrogen, the mixture is cooled down to a temperature below ?180° C. and then separated at a temperature below ?100° C. to produce a gas enriched in hydrogen and a fluid enriched in carbon monoxide, at least a part of the gas enriched in hydrogen is sent to a pressure swing adsorption separation apparatus operating at a temperature above 0° C. to produce a gas rich in hydrogen at a pressure of at least 20 bars, and at least a part of the gas rich in hydrogen is cooled in the heat exchanger down to a temperature below ?100° C., reduced in pressure in a turbine down to a pressure of at least 8 bars and reheated in the heat exchanger to constitute a product rich in hydrogen at a pressure of at least 8 bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Bertrand DEMOLLIENS, Antoine HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20220233994
    Abstract: A process for separating two gaseous streams, including purifying a first gaseous stream in a first acid gas removal absorber, purifying in a first temperature swing adsorption unit, and then separating at a cryogenic temperature in a separation unit to produce a stream of fluid enriched in carbon monoxide and a stream of fluid enriched in hydrogen, sending a second gaseous stream containing at least carbon monoxide, hydrogen and at least one acid gas to a shift reaction unit, the shifted second stream is purified in a second acid gas removal absorber to remove carbon dioxide and the purified second stream is sent as a feed stream to a pressure swing adsorption unit to produce a hydrogen enriched stream, and sending at least part of the stream enriched in hydrogen from the separation unit as a feed stream to the pressure swing adsorption unit to produce the hydrogen-enriched stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Antoine HERNANDEZ, Wei GUAN
  • Patent number: 11235974
    Abstract: A process and a plant for the continuous conversion of a hydrocarbonaceous feed gas into a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, wherein the H2/CO molar ratio of the product gases can be varied within a wide range. This is achieved in that at least a part of a methane-rich gas obtained during the fractionation of the raw synthesis gas is admixed to the feed gas mixture, and that in the alternative at least a part of the H2 product gas and/or a fraction of a hydrogen-rich gas increased with respect to the normal operation of the process is admixed to the heating gas mixture, in order to lower the H2/CO ratio, or at least a part of the CO product gas and/or a fraction of a carbon monoxide-rich gas increased with respect to the normal operation of the process is admixed to the heating gas mixture, in order to increase the H2/CO ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Société Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bernd Polster, Antoine Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20210354987
    Abstract: In a helium purification process, a stream containing at least 10% of helium, at least 10% of nitrogen in addition to hydrogen and methane is separated to form a helium-enriched stream containing hydrogen, a first stream enriched in nitrogen and in methane and a second stream enriched in nitrogen and in methane, the helium-enriched stream is treated to produce a helium-rich product and a residual gas containing water, the residual gas is treated by adsorption (TSA) to remove the water and the regeneration gas from the adsorption is sent to a combustion unit (O).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Erwan LE GULUDEC, Antoine HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20210214218
    Abstract: In a process for separating a mixture containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, the mixture cooled in a heat exchanger is contacted by a stream of liquid methanol at a temperature below ?40° C. to produce carbon dioxide enriched methanol and a carbon dioxide depleted gas relative to the cooled mixture, the carbon dioxide depleted gas is cooled in the heat exchanger and is sent to a separation unit to produce a carbon monoxide enriched stream and a hydrogen enriched stream and the streams enriched in carbon monoxide and hydrogen are heated in the heat exchanger by exchanging heat with the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l?Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Erwan LE GULUDEC, Antoine HERNANDEZ, Guillaume TEIXEIRA, Benoit DAVIDIAN, Matthias LINICUS
  • Patent number: 11021366
    Abstract: In a helium purification process, a stream containing at least 10% of helium, at least 10% of nitrogen in addition to hydrogen and methane is separated to form a helium-enriched stream containing hydrogen, a first stream enriched in nitrogen and in methane and a second stream enriched in nitrogen and in methane, the helium-enriched stream is treated to produce a helium-rich product and a residual gas containing water, the residual gas is treated by adsorption (TSA) to remove the water and the regeneration gas from the adsorption is sent to a combustion unit (O).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Erwan Le Guludec, Antoine Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20210080175
    Abstract: A method for separating a gas mixture comprising carbon monoxide, nitrogen and hydrogen involves sending a hydrogen-depleted fluid to a denitrification column (K2) having a top condenser (C1) and a bottom reboiler (R2) in order to produce a nitrogen-enriched gas at the top of the column and a nitrogen-depleted liquid at the bottom of the column, cooling the condenser of the denitrification column by means of a nitrogen cycle using a nitrogen compressor (V1, V2, V3), vaporising, in the heat exchanger of the condenser, the liquid nitrogen (53) from the nitrogen cycle, and returning the nitrogen (55) vaporised in the heat exchanger to the nitrogen compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: Antoine HERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20210055048
    Abstract: A process for separating a mixture of hydrogen, methane and carbon monoxide by cryogenic distillation. The mixture is cooled in a first heat exchanger and is partially condensed in at least one second heat exchanger which is a bottom reboiler of a first or second column of the column system and at least one portion of the liquid produced by the partial condensation is sent to an intermediate level of the first column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: Antoine HERNANDEZ
  • Patent number: 10899614
    Abstract: In a method for producing a gaseous mixture of CO and H2, a first gas comprising at least 50% CO is compressed in a first compressor to form a first compressed gas cooled to a first temperature and mixes with a second gas comprising at least 50% hydrogen in order to form the gaseous mixture, at least one of the first and second gases originating from a cryogenic distillation separation unit in which a feed gas containing H2 and CO cools in a first heat exchanger and is separated in at least one distillation column and at least one part of the second gas heats in the separation unit to a third temperature lower than the first temperature and is then sent to mix with the first gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Angela Fernandez, Antoine Hernandez, Jean-Marc Tsevery
  • Patent number: 10890376
    Abstract: In a method for separating a synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, a synthesis gas flow from a synthesis gas source is compressed in a compressor and separated into at least three gaseous products. If there is insufficient synthesis gas, at least three separation products are recycled in the compressor in order to separate said products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bertrand Demolliens, Antoine Hernandez, Jean-Marc Tsevery
  • Publication number: 20200385269
    Abstract: In a helium purification process, a stream containing at least 10% of helium, at least 10% of nitrogen in addition to hydrogen and methane is separated to form a helium-enriched stream containing hydrogen, a first stream enriched in nitrogen and in methane and a second stream enriched in nitrogen and in methane, the helium-enriched stream is treated to produce a helium-rich product and a residual gas containing water, the residual gas is treated by adsorption (TSA) to remove the water and the regeneration gas from the adsorption is sent to a combustion unit (O).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Erwan LE GULUDEC, Antoine HERNANDEZ
  • Patent number: 10753682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a facility for producing liquid helium from a source gas mixture substantially comprising nitrogen and helium. The facility includes a cryogenic purifier including a system for separating the nitrogen from the source gas mixture with a view to producing helium at a temperature lower than the temperature of the source gas. The facility also includes a helium liquefier that subjects the helium to a work cycle including, in series: compressing the helium, cooling and decompressing the compressed helium, and reheating the cooled, decompressed helium. The facility includes a helium transfer pipe connecting an outlet of the purifier to an inlet of the liquefier in order to transfer helium produced by the purifier into the work cycle of the liquefier. The facility is characterized in that the cryogenic purifier includes a decompression system that includes an inlet to be connected to a source of pressurized nitrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bertrand Demolliens, Jean-Marc Bernhardt, Rawia Ali Said, Delphine Pichot, Antoine Hernandez, Jean-Marc Tsevery, Jean-Marc Peyron
  • Publication number: 20200033055
    Abstract: In a process of the separation of a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane, the mixture is sent to a scrubbing column, a bottom liquid withdrawn at the bottom of the scrubbing column is depleted in hydrogen with respect to the mixture and is sent to a stripping column, a bottom liquid from the stripping column is sent to a separation column and a liquid enriched in methane withdrawn from the bottom of the separation column is vaporized in order to form a final product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Manon CORTALE, Bertrand DEMOLLIENS, Antoine HERNANDEZ, Guillaume TEIXEIRA
  • Publication number: 20190368810
    Abstract: In a process for the combined production of a) a hydrogen-enriched gas and a carbon monoxide-enriched gas and/or b) a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide by cryogenic distillation and scrubbing, a still liquor is extracted from a scrubbing column and sent to a stripping column, a still liquor is extracted from the stripping column and sent to a separating column for carbon monoxide and methane and a cooling fluid is used at a pressure greater than that of the head of the separating column for cooling at least one fluid extracted at an intermediate level from the scrubbing column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean BILLY, Axelle GAERTNER, Antoine HERNANDEZ, Jean-Marc TSEVERY, Marie-Pascal VICTOR
  • Patent number: 10302357
    Abstract: A process to produce at least carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide from a feed gas containing carbon dioxide, hydrogen and carbon monoxide; comprises separating at least part of the carbon dioxide from the compressed feed gas by partial condensation and/or distillation producing a carbon dioxide product and a carbon dioxide depleted stream, treating the carbon dioxide depleted stream in a treatment unit to produce a feed stream containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, less rich in carbon dioxide than the carbon dioxide depleted stream and feeding at least part of the feed stream containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen to a separation unit operating at cryogenic temperatures to produce a carbon monoxide product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Antoine Hernandez, Paul Terrien
  • Publication number: 20190154332
    Abstract: A method for separating a synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen including compressing a flow of synthesis gas received from a source of synthesis gas in a compressor, purifying the compressed synthesis gas in a purification unit to purify it of water and/or carbon dioxide, cooling the compressed and purified flow of synthesis gas, separating the cooled flow of synthesis gas by washing and/or distillation at a cryogenic temperature and optionally by adsorption in a separating unit, and producing at least the following three gases in the separating unit: a carbon monoxide-enriched gas, a hydrogen-enriched gas, a residual gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen that is less pure with respect to carbon monoxide than the carbon monoxide-enriched gas and less pure with respect to hydrogen than the hydrogen-enriched gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Bertrand DEMOLLIENS, Antoine HERNANDEZ, Jean-Marc TSEVERY
  • Publication number: 20180320959
    Abstract: In a method for separating a synthesis gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, a synthesis gas flow from a synthesis gas source is compressed in a compressor and separated into at least three gaseous products. If there is insufficient synthesis gas, at least three separation products are recycled in the compressor in order to separate said products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bertrand DEMOLLIENS, Antoine HERNANDEZ, Jean-Marc TSEVERY
  • Publication number: 20180282159
    Abstract: A process and a plant for the continuous conversion of a hydrocarbonaceous feed gas into a synthesis gas comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, wherein the H2/CO molar ratio of the product gases can be varied within a wide range. This is achieved in that at least a part of a methane-rich gas obtained during the fractionation of the raw synthesis gas is admixed to the feed gas mixture, and that in the alternative at least a part of the H2 product gas and/or a fraction of a hydrogen-rich gas increased with respect to the normal operation of the process is admixed to the heating gas mixture, in order to lower the H2/CO ratio, or at least a part of the CO product gas and/or a fraction of a carbon monoxide-rich gas increased with respect to the normal operation of the process is admixed to the heating gas mixture, in order to increase the H2/CO ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour I'Etude et I'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Bernd POLSTER, Antoine HERNANDEZ