Patents by Inventor Blaine Edward Herb
Blaine Edward Herb 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).
-
Publication number: 20170115246Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining a heating value of a sample hydrocarbon-containing mixture having hydrocarbons and non-hydrocarbons as mixture components. The sample is reacted with an excess amount of oxidant gas in a reaction chamber to form a product gas containing residual oxygen. The molecular weight of the sample is measured and the residual oxygen concentration of the product gas is measured. The heating value is calculated from the measurements of the molecular weight and the residual oxygen concentration. Pure component hydrocarbon gases may be used to calibrate the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Blaine Edward Herb, Matthew H. MacConnell, Xiang-Dong Peng
-
Patent number: 9381460Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process for an adsorption system having 12 adsorption beds, the process having a cycle with 5 pressure equalization steps. Background is provided for the various pressure swing adsorption cycle steps.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Edward Landis Weist, Jr., Dingjun Wu, Jianguo Xu, Blaine Edward Herb, Bryan Clair Hoke, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20140373713Abstract: A pressure swing adsorption process for an adsorption system having 12 adsorption beds, the process having a cycle with 5 pressure equalization steps. Background is provided for the various pressure swing adsorption cycle steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Edward Landis Weist, JR., Dingjun Wu, Jianguo Xu, Blaine Edward Herb, Bryan Clair Hoke, JR.
-
Patent number: 8709287Abstract: A process for producing a H2-containing product gas and purified water from an integrated catalytic steam-hydrocarbon reforming and thermal water purification process. Raw water, such as salt water, is heated by indirect heat transfer with reformate from the catalytic steam reforming process for purifying raw water in one of a multiple effect distillation process and a multi-stage flash process.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, Geoffrey Colling Achilles, Blaine Edward Herb, Eric Howard Klingenberg, Derek Miller
-
Publication number: 20130309163Abstract: A process for producing a H2-containing product gas and purified water from an integrated catalytic steam-hydrocarbon reforming and thermal water purification process. Raw water, such as salt water, is heated by indirect heat transfer with reformate from the catalytic steam reforming process for purifying raw water in one of a multiple effect distillation process and a multi-stage flash process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, Geoffrey Colling Achilles, Blaine Edward Herb, Eric Howard Klingenberg, Derek Miller
-
Patent number: 8300880Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for acquiring temperature data from a plurality of features in a chamber including capturing a first image of an interior area of the chamber, capturing a second image of the interior area of the chamber, identifying a plurality of features within the data for the first image and the data for the second image, generating an interior area representation based on the first image data, the second image data, and the identification of each feature of the plurality of features in the interior area, and correlating the interior area representation to temperature information related to the interior area.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Inventors: Ali Esmaili, Xianming Jimmy Li, William Robert Licht, Kevin Boyle Fogash, Oliver Jacob Smith, IV, Blaine Edward Herb, Thomas Joseph Bzik
-
Patent number: 7871826Abstract: A method for determining a carbon content value of a hydrocarbon-containing mixture. At least one composition-dependent bulk property of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture is measured and optionally at least one non-hydrocarbon component concentration is measured with the resulting measurements used in a carbon content correlation for calculating the carbon content of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture. The carbon content may be used in a hydrogen and/or synthesis gas production process for calculating a target flow rate of steam to be combined with the hydrocarbon-containing mixture to form a mixed feed having a target steam-to-carbon ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, Blaine Edward Herb, Matthew H. MacConnell, Winfried Stephen Hoglen
-
Publication number: 20100310113Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for acquiring temperature data from a plurality of features in a chamber including capturing a first image of an interior area of the chamber, capturing a second image of the interior area of the chamber, identifying a plurality of features within the data for the first image and the data for the second image, generating an interior area representation based on the first image data, the second image data, and the identification of each feature of the plurality of features in the interior area, and correlating the interior area representation to temperature information related to the interior area.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2009Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Ali Esmaili, Xianming Jimmy Li, William Robert Licht, Kevin Boyle Fogash, Oliver Jacob Smith, IV, Blaine Edward Herb, Thomas Joseph Bzik
-
Publication number: 20100224834Abstract: A method for determining a carbon content value of a hydrocarbon-containing mixture. At least one composition-dependent bulk property of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture is measured and optionally at least one non-hydrocarbon component concentration is measured with the resulting measurements used in a carbon content correlation for calculating the carbon content of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture. The carbon content may be used in a hydrogen and/or synthesis gas production process for calculating a target flow rate of steam to be combined with the hydrocarbon-containing mixture to form a mixed feed having a target steam-to-carbon ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, Blaine Edward Herb, Matthew H. MacConnell, Winfried Stephen Hoglen
-
Patent number: 7790059Abstract: A staged steam hydrocarbon reformer is disclosed having a chamber within which convectively heated reformer stages are enclosed. The reformer stages are tubes containing steam reforming catalyst. The stages are in serial fluid communication with one another through mixing vessels positioned between each stage. The first reforming stage is fed a mixture of steam and a gaseous hydrocarbon. Partially reformed gases having increased hydrogen concentration are produced at each stage and are mixed with additional gaseous hydrocarbon and optionally steam in the mixing vessels. Collection and distribution manifolds provide fluid communication between the reformer stages and the mixing vessels. A method is also disclosed in which partially reformed gases from a preceding stage are mixed with gaseous hydrocarbon and steam having a lower steam to carbon ratio than the fresh feed to the previous stage.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2007Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, John Michael Repasky, Blaine Edward Herb
-
Patent number: 7695708Abstract: A method for generating hydrogen in a production facility having a catalytic steam reformer, a boiler downstream of the catalytic steam reformer, optionally having a prereformer, and optionally having a shift reactor, wherein the reformer feed gas mixture is formed using a steam-containing recycle gas mixture which was formed from boiler effluent. The boiler generates steam which may be used to form the reformer feed gas mixture, used elsewhere in the production facility, and/or used for export steam.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, James Richard O'Leary, Blaine Edward Herb, Krishnakumar Jambunathan
-
Publication number: 20090104110Abstract: A staged steam hydrocarbon reformer is disclosed having a chamber within which convectively heated reformer stages are enclosed. The reformer stages are tubes containing steam reforming catalyst. The stages are in serial fluid communication with one another through mixing vessels positioned between each stage. The first reforming stage is fed a mixture of steam and a gaseous hydrocarbon. Partially reformed gases having increased hydrogen concentration are produced at each stage and are mixed with additional gaseous hydrocarbon and optionally steam in the mixing vessels. Collection and distribution manifolds provide fluid communication between the reformer stages and the mixing vessels. A method is also disclosed in which partially reformed gases from a preceding stage are mixed with gaseous hydrocarbon and steam having a lower steam to carbon ratio than the fresh feed to the previous stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2007Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, John Michael Repasky, Blaine Edward Herb
-
Patent number: 7510696Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of hydrogen-rich gas are provided. The method and apparatus prevent over-reduction of iron oxide-based shift catalyst by introducing an oxidative stream along with a carbon monoxide containing gaseous feed stream from a catalytic steam reformer to the catalyst bed region and thereby limits structural deterioration of the catalyst. Various sources may provide the oxidative stream including a shift catalyst bed region and a selective oxidation catalyst region.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Blaine Edward Herb, Shoou-I Wang, Xiang-Dong Peng, William Carl Rooney, Kevin Boyle Fogash, David Hon Sing Ying
-
Publication number: 20090078912Abstract: A method for determining a carbon content value of a hydrocarbon-containing mixture. At least one composition-dependent bulk property of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture is measured and optionally at least one non-hydrocarbon component concentration is measured with the resulting measurements used in a carbon content correlation for calculating the carbon content of the hydrocarbon-containing mixture. The carbon content may be used in a hydrogen and/or synthesis gas production process for calculating a target flow rate of steam to be combined with the hydrocarbon-containing mixture to form a mixed feed having a target steam-to-carbon ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2007Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, Blaine Edward Herb, Matthew H. MacConnell, Winfried Stephen Hoglen
-
Patent number: 7491260Abstract: Method of operating a pressure swing adsorption system having a plurality of parallel adsorber vessels and a plurality of valves and gas manifolds adapted to introduce gas into each adsorber vessel and withdraw gas from each adsorber vessel in a cyclic series of sequential process steps. A leaking valve may be identified by (1) determining a value of an operating parameter that is a function of the mass of gas provided to a receiving adsorber vessel or withdrawn from an adsorber vessel during a selected process step, portion of a process step, or series of process steps; (2) determining the deviation of the value of the operating parameter from a predetermined reference value; and (3) using the magnitude and direction of the deviation to determine whether any valves are leaking.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Blaine Edward Herb, Charles Franklin Watson, Edward Landis Weist, Jr., Theodore Michael Sabram, Kuo-Kuang Hsu, Winfried Stephen Hoglen
-
Publication number: 20080241059Abstract: A method for generating hydrogen in a production facility having a catalytic steam reformer, a boiler downstream of the catalytic steam reformer, optionally having a prereformer, and optionally having a shift reactor, wherein the reformer feed gas mixture is formed using a steam-containing recycle gas mixture which was formed from boiler effluent. The boiler generates steam which may be used to form the reformer feed gas mixture, used elsewhere in the production facility, and/or used for export steam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.Inventors: Xiang-Dong Peng, James Richard O'Leary, Blaine Edward Herb, Krishnakumar Jambunathan
-
Patent number: 7377951Abstract: A steam-hydrocarbon reforming process generating a process gas containing a first amount of heat and a flue gas containing a second amount of heat includes: providing a water heater, a boiler feed water (BFW) preparation system, a boiler, and a BFW heater; feeding water to the water heater; feeding water to the BFW preparation system from the water heater; feeding a first stream of water to the boiler from the BFW preparation system; feeding a second stream of water from the BFW preparation system to the BFW heater; heating at least part of the second stream of water fed to the BFW heater with a first part of the first amount of heat; heating water in the boiler with a second part of the first amount of heat; generating steam at 5-60 psig in the boiler; and heating the BFW preparation system or another internal system with the steam.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Hoanh Nang Pham, Blaine Edward Herb, Geoffrey Colling Achilles
-
Publication number: 20050158678Abstract: An apparatus for heating a fluid in a process having a process heat requirement includes a shell, at least one tube having a design temperature inside the shell, a plurality of burners adjacent the inner wall of the shell, and transfer means whereby flue gas flows from a first interior region to a second interior region of the shell. A first portion of the tube is in the first interior region and a second portion of the tube is in the second interior region. The first and second portions of the tube are adapted to contain a flow of the fluid. The burners produce the flue gas in the first interior region and a variable heat flux approximating the process heat requirement and simultaneously maximizing the heat flux to the first portion of the tube while maintaining substantially all of the first portion of the tube at the design temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2005Publication date: July 21, 2005Inventors: Shoou-I Wang, David Ying, Hoanh Pham, Blaine Edward Herb, Xianming Li
-
Publication number: 20020110505Abstract: An apparatus for heating a fluid in a process having a process heat requirement includes a shell, at least one tube having a design temperature inside the shell, a plurality of burners adjacent the inner wall of the shell, and transfer means whereby flue gas flows from a first interior region to a second interior region of the shell. A first portion of the tube is in the first interior region and a second portion of the tube is in the second interior region. The first and second portions of the tube are adapted to contain a flow of the fluid. The burners produce the flue gas in the first interior region and a variable heat flux approximating the process heat requirement and simultaneously maximizing the heat flux to the first portion of the tube while maintaining substantially all of the first portion of the tube at the design temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Shoou-I Wang, David Hon Sing Ying, Hoanh Nang Pham, Blaine Edward Herb, Xianming Li