Patents by Inventor Brent A. Detering

Brent A. Detering 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).

  • Hydrogen and elemental carbon production from natural gas and other hydrocarbons
    Patent number: 6395197
    Abstract: Diatomic hydrogen and unsaturated hydrocarbons are produced as reactor gases in a fast quench reactor. During the fast quench, the unsaturated hydrocarbons are further decomposed by reheating the reactor gases. More diatomic hydrogen is produced, along with elemental carbon. Other gas may be added at different stages in the process to form a desired end product and prevent back reactions. The product is a substantially clean-burning hydrogen fuel that leaves no greenhouse gas emissions, and elemental carbon that may be used in powder form as a commodity for several processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho LLC
    Inventors: Brent A. Detering, Peter C. Kong
  • Thermal device and method for production of carbon monoxide and hydrogen by thermal dissociation of hydrocarbon gases
    Patent number: 6187226
    Abstract: Carbon monoxide is produced in a fast quench reactor. The production of carbon monoxide includes injecting carbon dioxide and some air into a reactor chamber having a high temperature at its inlet and a rapidly expanding a reactant stream, such as a restrictive convergent-divergent nozzle at its outlet end. Carbon dioxide and other reactants such as methane and other low molecular weight hydrocarbons are injected into the reactor chamber. Other gas may be added at different stages in the process to form a desired end product and prevent back reactions. The resulting heated gaseous stream is then rapidly cooled by expansion of the gaseous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Brent A. Detering, Peter C. Kong
  • Fast quench reactor method
    Patent number: 5935293
    Abstract: A fast quench reaction includes a reactor chamber having a high temperature heating means such as a plasma torch at its inlet and a means of rapidly expanding a reactant stream, such as a restrictive convergent-divergent nozzle at its outlet end. Metal halide reactants are injected into the reactor chamber. Reducing gas is added at different stages in the process to form a desired end product and prevent back reactions. The resulting heated gaseous stream is then rapidly cooled by expansion of the gaseous stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Brent A. Detering, Alan D. Donaldson, James R. Fincke, Peter C. Kong, Ray A. Berry
  • Fast quench reactor and method
    Patent number: 5749937
    Abstract: A fast quench reaction includes a reactor chamber having a high temperature heating means such as a plasma torch at its inlet and a restrictive convergent-divergent nozzle at its outlet end. Reactants are injected into the reactor chamber. The resulting heated gaseous stream is then rapidly cooled by passage through the nozzle. This "freezes" the desired end product(s) in the heated equilibrium reaction stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Brent A. Detering, Alan D. Donaldson, James R. Fincke, Peter C. Kong