Patents by Inventor Billy Freeman Hopper
Billy Freeman Hopper 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).
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Patent number: 10662386Abstract: A downdraft gasifier and method of gasification with high yield biochar that utilizes a plurality of high throughput, vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. A rotating and vertically adjustable rotating grate is located beneath the reduction zone of the gasifier. In addition, a drying zone is located above the pyrolysis zone so the heat of the gasifier can be used to dry feedstock before it enters the gasifier. By optimizing the grate height and rpm, feedstock retention time in the drying zone, the drying zone temperature and feedstock moisture content, the result is gasification of biomass with a high yield and continuous biochar production.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Aries Gasification, LLCInventors: Renus Kelfkens, Brandon Davis, Matthew Newman, Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Publication number: 20200109342Abstract: A downdraft gasifier and method of gasification with high yield biochar that utilizes a plurality of high throughput, vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. A rotating and vertically adjustable rotating grate is located beneath the reduction zone of the gasifier. In addition, a drying zone is located above the pyrolysis zone so the heat of the gasifier can be used to dry feedstock before it enters the gasifier. By optimizing the grate height and rpm, feedstock retention time in the drying zone, the drying zone temperature and feedstock moisture content, the result is gasification of biomass with a high yield and continuous biochar production.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Applicant: Aries Gasification, LLCInventors: Renus Kelfkens, Brandon Davis, Matthew Newman, Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Publication number: 20200040268Abstract: A downdraft gasifier and method of gasification with high yield biochar that utilizes a plurality of high throughput, vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. A rotating and vertically adjustable rotating grate is located beneath the reduction zone of the gasifier. In addition, a drying zone is located above the pyrolysis zone so the heat of the gasifier can be used to dry feedstock before it enters the gasifier. By optimizing the grate height and rpm, feedstock retention time in the drying zone, the drying zone temperature and feedstock moisture content, the result is gasification of biomass with a high yield and continuous biochar production.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: Aries Gasification, LLCInventors: Renus Kelfkens, Brandon Davis, Matt Newman, Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Patent number: 10465133Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Aries Gasification, LLCInventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Publication number: 20160348015Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Deon John POTGIETER, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Patent number: 9375694Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: PHG ENERGY, LLCInventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Patent number: 8829262Abstract: A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: PHG Energy, LLCInventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Publication number: 20140219874Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: PHG Energy, LLCInventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Publication number: 20140209446Abstract: A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: PHG Energy, LLCInventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Patent number: 8721748Abstract: A downdraft gasifier that utilizes a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth), which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: PHG Energy, LLCInventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Patent number: 8546636Abstract: A method of gasification using a downdraft gasifier having a plurality of vertically positioned tubes to create a pyrolysis zone, an oxidation zone beneath the pyrolysis zone and a reduction zone beneath the oxidation zone. The shape of the tubes eliminates the need for a restriction (hearth) in the gasifier, which limits the maximum achievable throughput. A rotating and vertically adjustable grate is located beneath, but not attached to, the reduction zone of the gasifier.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: PHG Energy, LLCInventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper, Jeffrey Scott Brown, Mark Oliver Loftin
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Patent number: 8070480Abstract: A method and device for combustion of liquid fuels is presented which uses a plurality of rotating hydrogen flames to blast atomize and ignite a mechanically dispersed stream of the liquid fuel. This combustion method and device are particularly suited for heavy oil fuels, such as vegetable oils, which are not well burned using conventional burner technologies. This combustion method involves establishing a zone of combusting hydrogen and projecting a mechanically atomized dispersion of the liquid fuel into and through this zone of combusting hydrogen. The combusting hydrogen partially vaporizes and ignites the liquid fuel while the intense turbulence of the hydrogen combustion zone further disperses any remaining liquid fuel droplets. Once ignited and dispersed, the fuel oil continues to burn as it moves away from the hydrogen combustion zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Associated Physics of America, LLCInventors: Deon John Potgieter, Billy Freeman Hopper