Patents by Inventor Brian G. Sellars
Brian G. Sellars 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: 10653995Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. Certain embodiments of the method are particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments of the method convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by hydropyrolysis. Catalytic conversion of the resulting pyrolysis gas to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide occurs in the presence of hydrogen and steam over a CO2 sorbent with simultaneous generation of the required hydrogen by reaction with steam. A gas separator purifies product methane, while forcing recycle of internally generated hydrogen to obtain high conversion of the biomass feedstock to the desired hydrocarbon product. While methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product, liquid hydrocarbon products also can be delivered.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: G4 Insights Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Brian G. Sellars, Edson Ng
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Patent number: 10190066Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. The method is particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by fast pyrolysis. The resulting pyrolysis gas is converted to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen and steam while simultaneously generating the required hydrogen by reaction with steam under prescribed conditions for self-sufficiency of hydrogen. Methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product. A system also is disclosed for cycling the catalyst between steam reforming, methanation and regeneration zones.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: G4 Insights Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Brian G. Sellars, Edson Ng
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Publication number: 20180214815Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. Certain embodiments of the method are particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments of the method convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by hydropyrolysis. Catalytic conversion of the resulting pyrolysis gas to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide occurs in the presence of hydrogen and steam over a CO2 sorbent with simultaneous generation of the required hydrogen by reaction with steam. A gas separator purifies product methane, while forcing recycle of internally generated hydrogen to obtain high conversion of the biomass feedstock to the desired hydrocarbon product. While methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product, liquid hydrocarbon products also can be delivered.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2017Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: G4 Insights Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Brian G. Sellars, Edson Ng
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Publication number: 20160304799Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. The method is particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by fast pyrolysis. The resulting pyrolysis gas is converted to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen and steam while simultaneously generating the required hydrogen by reaction with steam under prescribed conditions for self-sufficiency of hydrogen. Methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product. A system also is disclosed for cycling the catalyst between steam reforming, methanation and regeneration zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: G4 Insights Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Brian G. Sellars, Edson Ng
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Patent number: 9394171Abstract: Certain aspects of the system and method concern producing hydrocarbons from biomass. The method is particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. A biomass feedstock may be converted into a product hydrocarbon by fast pyrolysis. The resulting pyrolysis gas is converted to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen and steam while simultaneously generating the required hydrogen by reaction with steam under prescribed conditions for self-sufficiency of hydrogen. Methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product. A system also is described for cycling the catalyst between steam reforming, methanation and regeneration zones.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: G4 Insights Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Brian G. Sellars, Edson Ng
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Patent number: 8674153Abstract: A method for converting lignocellulosic biomass to a useful fuel is disclosed in a process sequence resulting in low levels of depositable tars in an output gas stream. One disclosed embodiment comprises performing a sequence of steps at elevated pressure and elevated hydrogen partial pressure, including fast (or flash) hydropyrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass feed followed sequentially with catalytically enhanced reactions for the formation of methane operating at moderate temperatures of from about 400° C. to about 650° C. under moderately elevated pressure (about 5 atm to about 50 atm). A temperature rise in the catalyst above pyrolysis temperature is achieved without the addition of air or oxygen. Gas residence time at elevated temperature downstream of methane formation zones extends beyond the time required for methane formation. This sequence results in low tar deposit levels. The catalyst promotes preferential formation of methane and non-deposit forming hydrocarbons, and coke re-gasification.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: G4 Insights Inc.Inventors: Brian G. Sellars, Matthew L. Babicki, Bowie G. Keefer, Edson Ng
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Patent number: 8541637Abstract: A system and method for converting biomass into fluid hydrocarbon products to minimize the use of fossil fuels, provide energy and chemical feedstock security, and sustainable and/or carbon neutral electric power, are disclosed. For example, fast pyrolysis can be performed on biomass to produce pygas and char using a maximum processing temperature of about 650° C. The pygas is provided to an independent reactor without the addition of an oxidizing agent for catalytically converting the pygas to hydrocarbons using a maximum processing temperature of about 650° C. A system comprising fast pyrolysis means producing a pygas and char, independent catalytic conversion means downstream of the fast pyrolysis for converting the pygas to hydrocarbons, and a hydrogen source, external to the system and/or produced by a steam reformer by steam reformation of at least a portion of the hydrocarbons, coupled to catalytic conversion means, also are described.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: G4 Insights Inc.Inventors: Matthew L. Babicki, Brian G. Sellars, Bowie G. Keefer, Edson Ng
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Patent number: 8383871Abstract: Embodiments of a thermochemical method to convert lignocellulosic biomass to a useful fuel are disclosed in a process sequence resulting in low levels of depositable tars in the output gas stream. One disclosed embodiment comprises performing a sequence of steps at elevated pressure and elevated hydrogen partial pressure, including fast (or flash) hydropyrolysis of a lignocellulosic biomass feed followed sequentially with catalytically enhanced reactions for the formation of methane operating at moderate temperatures of from about 400° C. to about 650° C. and under moderately elevated pressure (about 5 atm to about 50 atm). A temperature rise in the catalyst above pyrolysis temperature is achieved without the addition of air or oxygen. Gas residence time at elevated temperature downstream of methane formation zones is extended well beyond the time required for methane formation. This sequence results in low depositable tars in the output gas stream.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Inventors: Brian G. Sellars, Matthew L. Babicki, Bowie G. Keefer, Edson Ng
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Publication number: 20130023707Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. The method is particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by fast pyrolysis. The resulting pyrolysis gas is converted to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide in the presence of hydrogen and steam while simultaneously generating the required hydrogen by reaction with steam under prescribed conditions for self-sufficiency of hydrogen. Methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product. A system also is disclosed for cycling the catalyst between steam reforming, methanation and regeneration zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Brian G. Sellars, Edson Ng
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Publication number: 20130017460Abstract: Disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass. Certain embodiments of the method are particularly useful for producing substitute natural gas from forestry residues. Certain disclosed embodiments of the method convert a biomass feedstock into a product hydrocarbon by hydropyrolysis. Catalytic conversion of the resulting pyrolysis gas to the product hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide occurs in the presence of hydrogen and steam over a CO2 sorbent with simultaneous generation of the required hydrogen by reaction with steam. A gas separator purifies product methane, while forcing recycle of internally generated hydrogen to obtain high conversion of the biomass feedstock to the desired hydrocarbon product. While methane is a preferred hydrocarbon product, liquid hydrocarbon products also can be delivered.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Brian G. Sellars, Edson Ng
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Patent number: 8303683Abstract: Guard layers are employed in the adsorbent beds of rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption (RCPSA) devices to protect the adsorbent therein from certain contaminants (e.g. water vapour). Conventional PSA devices typically pack the guard layer with as much guard material as is practical. In RCPSA devices however, the performance of the guard layer can be improved by using a reduced amount of guard material and increasing access to it. Such embodiments are characterized by guard layers with a channel fraction of greater than 50%.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2008Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.Inventors: Andre Jason Boulet, Amy Chiu, Brian G. Sellars, Andrea C. Gibbs
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Patent number: 7902114Abstract: Using zeolites as the active adsorbent, adsorbent laminates have been fabricated with various sheet supports. These adsorbent laminates have been successfully operated for oxygen enrichment at high PSA cycle frequencies, such as upwards of at least 150 cycles per minute. Methods for making suitable adsorbent laminates are described. The methods generally involve forming a slurry comprising a liquid suspending agent, an adsorbent and a binder. Laminates are made by applying the slurry to support material or admixing support material with the slurry. The slurry can be applied to support material using a variety of techniques, including roll coaters, split roll coaters, electrophoretic deposition, etc. One method for making laminates by mixing support material with the adsorbent slurry comprises depositing the slurry onto a foraminous wire, draining the slurry material, and pressing the material to form a ceramic adsorbent paper. Spacers can be formed on adsorbent laminates to space one laminate from another.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Xebec Adsorption Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Alain A. Carel, Brian G. Sellars, Ian S. D. Shaw, Belinda C. Larisch, David G. Doman, Frederick K. Lee, Andrea C. Gibbs, Bernard H. Hetzler, James A. Sawada, Aaron M. Pelman, Carl F. Hunter
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Publication number: 20100300288Abstract: Guard layers are employed in the adsorbent beds of rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption (RCPSA) devices to protect the adsorbent therein from certain contaminants (e.g. water vapour). Conventional PSA devices typically pack the guard layer with as much guard material as is practical. In RCPSA devices however, the performance of the guard layer can be improved by using a reduced amount of guard material and increasing access to it. Such embodiments are characterized by guard layers with a channel fraction of greater than 50%.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2008Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: Andre Jason Boulet, Amy Chiu, Brian G. Sellars, Andrea C. Gibbs
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Publication number: 20100228062Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for converting biomass into fluid hydrocarbon products to minimize the use of fossil fuels, provide energy and chemical feedstock security, and sustainable and/or carbon neutral electric power. One disclosed embodiment comprises performing fast pyrolysis on biomass to produce pygas and char using a maximum processing temperature of about 650° C. The pygas is provided to an independent reactor without the addition of an oxidizing agent for catalytically converting the pygas to hydrocarbons using a maximum processing temperature of about 650° C. The present invention also concerns a system comprising fast pyrolysis means producing a pygas and char, independent catalytic conversion means downstream of the fast pyrolysis for converting the pygas to hydrocarbons, and a hydrogen source, external to the system and/or produced by a steam reformer by steam reformation of at least a portion of the hydrocarbons, coupled to catalytic conversion means.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2010Publication date: September 9, 2010Inventors: Matthew L. Babicki, Brian G. Sellars, Bowie G. Keefer, Edson Ng
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Publication number: 20090311420Abstract: An inventive method for making a parallel passage contactor structure comprising multiple sheet material layers is provided. A substantially continuous printing device, such as a rotary screen printer, or optionally alternative suitable substantially continuous printing means including for example repeated non-rotary screen or stencil printing, may be used to affix printed spacers comprising a printed spacer ink onto a substantially continuous web of a chosen sheet material, which may subsequently be spirally wound about a mandrel to form a spiral parallel passage contactor structure with multiple sheet material layers spaced apart from each other by the affixed printed spacer means to form fluid flow channels.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2006Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventors: Mark Drlik, Andrew Koutsandreas, Brian G. Sellars
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Publication number: 20090025553Abstract: Using zeolites as the active adsorbent, adsorbent laminates have been fabricated with various sheet supports. These adsorbent laminates have been successfully operated for oxygen enrichment at high PSA cycle frequencies, such as upwards of at least 150 cycles per minute. Methods for making suitable adsorbent laminates are described. The methods generally involve forming a slurry comprising a liquid suspending agent, an adsorbent and a binder. Laminates are made by applying the slurry to support material or admixing support material with the slurry. The slurry can be applied to support material using a variety of techniques, including roll coaters, split roll coaters, electrophoretic deposition, etc. One method for making laminates by mixing support material with the adsorbent slurry comprises depositing the slurry onto a foraminous wire, draining the slurry material, and pressing the material to form a ceramic adsorbent paper. Spacers can be formed on adsorbent laminates to space one laminate from another.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Alain A. Carel, Brian G. Sellars, Ian S.D. Shaw, Belinda C. Larisch, David G. Doman, Frederick K. Lee, Andrea C. Gibbs, Bernard H. Hetzler, James A. Sawada, Aaron M. Pelman, Carl F. Hunter
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Patent number: 7300905Abstract: Using zeolites as the active adsorbent, adsorbent laminates have been fabricated with various sheet supports. These adsorbent laminates have been successfully operated for oxygen enrichment at high PSA cycle frequencies, such as upwards of at least 150 cycles per minute. Methods for making suitable adsorbent laminates are described. The methods generally involve forming a slurry comprising a liquid suspending agent, an adsorbent and a binder. Laminates are made by applying the slurry to support material or admixing support material with the slurry. The slurry can be applied to support material using a variety of techniques, including roll coaters, split roll coaters, electrophoretic deposition, etc. One method for making laminates by mixing support material with the adsorbent slurry comprises depositing the slurry onto a foraminous wire, draining the slurry material, and pressing the material to form a ceramic adsorbent paper. Spacers can be formed on adsorbent laminates to space one laminate from another.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Assignee: QuestAir Technologies Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Alain A. Carel, Brian G. Sellars, Ian S. D. Shaw, Belinda C. Larisch, David G. Dornan, Frederick K. Lee, Andrea C. Gibbs, Bernard H. Hetzler, James A. Sawada, Aaron M. Pelman, Carl F. Hunter
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Patent number: 6902602Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for adsorptive gas separations where a first gas mixture including components A and B is to be separated so that a first product of the separation is enriched in component A, while component B is mixed with a third gas component C contained in a displacement purge stream to form a second gas mixture including components B and C, and with provision to prevent cross contamination of component C into the first product containing component A, or of component A into the second gas mixture containing component C. The invention may be applied to hydrogen (component A) enrichment from syngas mixtures, where dilute carbon dioxide (component B) is to be rejected such as directly to the atmosphere, and with preferably nitrogen-enriched air as the displacement purge stream containing residual oxygen (component C).Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: QuestAir Technologies Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Andre Jason Joseph Boulet, Aaron M. Pelman, Brian G. Sellars, Surajit Roy
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Publication number: 20040011198Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and processes for adsorptive gas separations where a first gas mixture including components A and B is to be separated so that a first product of the separation is enriched in component A, while component B is mixed with a third gas component C contained in a displacement purge stream to form a second gas mixture including components B and C, and with provision to prevent cross contamination of component C into the first product containing component A, or of component A into the second gas mixture containing component C. The invention may be applied to hydrogen (component A) enrichment from syngas mixtures, where dilute carbon dioxide (component B) is to be rejected such as directly to the atmosphere, and with preferably nitrogen-enriched air as the displacement purge stream containing residual oxygen (component C).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Applicant: QuestAir Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Matthew L. Babicki, Andre Jason Joseph Boulet, Aaron M. Pelman, Brian G. Sellars, Surajit Roy
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Publication number: 20020170436Abstract: Using zeolites as the active adsorbent, adsorbent laminates have been fabricated with various sheet supports. These adsorbent laminates have been successfully operated for oxygen enrichment at high PSA cycle frequencies, such as upwards of at least 150 cycles per minute. Methods for making suitable adsorbent laminates are described. The methods generally involve forming a slurry comprising a liquid suspending agent, an adsorbent and a binder. Laminates are made by applying the slurry to support material or admixing support material with the slurry. The slurry can be applied to support material using a variety of techniques, including roll coaters, split roll coaters, electrophoretic deposition, etc. One method for making laminates by mixing support material with the adsorbent slurry comprises depositing the slurry onto a foraminous wire, draining the slurry material, and pressing the material to form a ceramic adsorbent paper. Spacers can be formed on adsorbent laminates to space one laminate from another.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2002Publication date: November 21, 2002Inventors: Bowie G. Keefer, Alain A. Carel, Brian G. Sellars, Ian S.D. Shaw, Belinda C. Larisch, David G. Doman, Frederick K. Lee, Andrea C. Gibbs, Bernard H. Hetzler, James A. Sawada, Aaron M. Pelman, Carl F. Hunter