Patents by Inventor Brian S. Higgins

Brian S. Higgins 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: 11255576
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing thermal or electrical power from geothermal wells. Power is produced from a working fluid circulating in a closed loop within a geothermal well. Geothermal steam or brine at depth transfers heat at higher temperature than at the surface to the working fluid. The working fluid is then used to produce power directly or indirectly. The geothermal production fluid may be stimulated through use of gas lifting or submersible pumps to assist in bringing such fluids to the surface or through the use blockers to encourage the downhole steam advection and brine recirculation through the resource in a connective loop. The working fluid may be compatible with existing direct heat or power generation equipment; i.e., water for flash plants or hydrocarbons/refrigerants for binary plants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: GreenFire Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Joseph A. Scherer, Dan Hoyer
  • Publication number: 20210062682
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing thermal or electrical power from geothermal wells. Power is produced from a working fluid circulating in a closed loop within a geothermal well. Geothermal steam or brine at depth transfers heat at higher temperature than at the surface to the working fluid. The working fluid is then used to produce power directly or indirectly. The geothermal production fluid may be stimulated through use of gas lifting or submersible pumps to assist in bringing such fluids to the surface or through the use blockers to encourage the downhole steam advection and brine recirculation through the resource in a connective loop. The working fluid may be compatible with existing direct heat or power generation equipment; i.e., water for flash plants or hydrocarbons/refrigerants for binary plants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: GreenFire Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Joseph A. Scherer, Dan Hoyer
  • Patent number: 10527026
    Abstract: A method or apparatus that uses a fluid in a closed loop well system to extract heat from geothermal resources that are located in or near high-temperature, low-permeable geologic formations to produce power. In some embodiments, the closed loop system may include one or more heat exchange zones, where at least a portion of the one or more heat exchange zones may be disposed within a subterranean region having a temperature of at least 350° C. The subterranean region may be within a plastic zone or within 1000 meters of the plastic zone, the plastic zone having a temperature gradient of at least 80° C. per kilometer depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GreenFire Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. Muir, Brian S. Higgins, Joseph A. Scherer, Alan D. Eastman
  • Publication number: 20190055930
    Abstract: A method or apparatus that uses a fluid in a closed loop well system to extract heat from geothermal resources that are located in or near high-temperature, low-permeable geologic formations to produce power. In some embodiments, the closed loop system may include one or more heat exchange zones, where at least a portion of the one or more heat exchange zones may be disposed within a subterranean region having a temperature of at least 350° C. The subterranean region may be within a plastic zone or within 1000 meters of the plastic zone, the plastic zone having a temperature gradient of at least 80° C. per kilometer depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: GreenFire Energy Inc
    Inventors: Mark P. Muir, Brian S. Higgins, Joseph A. Scherer, Alan D. Eastman
  • Patent number: 8900354
    Abstract: A boosted no-lance injection system (BNLS) and methods of operating a combustion system to reduce acid gas or metal emissions in the flue gas is shown and described. In one embodiment, a BNLS includes an injection device, a high volumetric flow air mover, a transport air mover, a sorbent hopper and a mounting apparatus. In other embodiments, a method of operating a combustion system includes positioning the BNLS to inject into the ductwork, applying transport air and sorbent into the ductwork, and applying the high volumetric flow air into the ductwork. The result is methods and systems for reducing acid or metal emissions in the flue gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Power Industrial Group Ltd.
    Inventors: Lewis B. Benson, Brian S. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8449288
    Abstract: A method for reducing NOx formation, including the steps of: providing a furnace with a plurality of secondary air injection ducts, asymmetrically positioned in an opposing manner; injecting fuel with primary air through a first stage prior to injection of a second air; injecting secondary air and aqueous urea solution through the plurality of reagent injection ducts; controlling the asymmetrical injection to produce a high velocity mass flow and a turbulence resulting in dispersion of the urea solution into the combustion space, thereby providing reduced NOx formation in the combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nalco Mobotec, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian S. Higgins
  • Publication number: 20130125749
    Abstract: A boosted no-lance injection system (BNLS) and methods of operating a combustion system to reduce acid gas or metal emissions in the flue gas is shown and described. In one embodiment, a BNLS includes an injection device, a high volumetric flow air mover, a transport air mover, a sorbent hopper and a mounting apparatus. In other embodiments, a method of operating a combustion system includes positioning the BNLS to inject into the ductwork, applying transport air and sorbent into the ductwork, and applying the high volumetric flow air into the ductwork. The result is methods and systems for reducing acid or metal emissions in the flue gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Lewis B. Benson, Brian S. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8251694
    Abstract: A method for of reducing the acidity and lowering the acid dewpoint of flue gas, the method steps including partially combusting the fuel in a first stage to create a reducing environment; maintaining the reducing environment for a sufficient time period such that reducible acids are reduced to achieve a desirable acidity concentration in the flue gas; and combusting the remainder of the fuel and combustion intermediates in a second stage with oxidizing environment; thereby decreasing the acidity and lowering the acid dewpoint of the flue gas by reducing the acid concentration of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Nalco Mobotec, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian S. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8142548
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a coal combustion flue gas. In one embodiment, the method includes injecting a halogen into a flue gas, and injecting partially combusted, carbon enriched alkaline coal ash solid particles into the flue gas ahead of a particulate collection device. In another embodiment, the method includes exposing partially combusted, carbon enriched alkaline coal ash solid particles to a halogen containing atmosphere, and injecting the halogen atmosphere treated alkaline carbon containing solid particles into the flue gas ahead of a particulate collection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nalco Mobotec, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Klaus Oehr, Eric Fischer
  • Patent number: 8069824
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed boiler having improved reactant utilization. The circulating fluidized bed boiler includes a circulating fluidized bed having a dense bed portion and a lower furnace portion above the dense bed portion. At least one secondary air and recirculated flue gas injection device is downstream of the circulating fluidized bed for providing mixing of the reactant and the flue gas in the furnace above the dense bed. The present invention also includes methods of operating a fluidized bed boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Mobotec, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian S. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8069825
    Abstract: A method of operating a furnace having a circulating fluidized bed is described. Fuel is combusted in the fluidized bed. The fluidized bed includes a dense bed portion and a lower furnace portion adjacent to the dense bed portion. Reactant is injected in the furnace to reduce the emission of at least one combustion product in the flue gas. Secondary air is injected into the furnace above the dense bed. Using this method, the amount of reactant needed to reduce the emission of the at least one combustion product is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Mobotec, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian S. Higgins
  • Patent number: 8021635
    Abstract: An injection device for humidifying a reactor space and injecting and dispersing reagents into the humidified reactor space, including an exterior injection duct for high-velocity gas injection and at least one interior injector for reagent and humidifying agent injection as droplets with a droplet environment. The high-velocity gas ensuring the humidification of the liquid droplet environment and mixing and dispersion of the liquid reagent droplets into the reactor. A multiple injection device system and a method for operating the system are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Mobotec, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Goran Moberg
  • Patent number: 7967894
    Abstract: A combustion system having improved mercury collection. The system includes a combustion chamber for burning a fuel containing mercury, whereby burning produces a flue gas stream containing mercury and a device for removing mercury from the flue gas stream. The device includes a thermopolymer substrate; and a mercury-receptor attached to the substrate. In one embodiment, the system may further include a collector downstream of the device for collecting the mercury attached to the thermopolymer. The inventions further include alternative methods of mercury removal and preparation of the polymer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Nalco Mobotec, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Klaus Oehr
  • Publication number: 20110017110
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and kits directed to improving combustion processes. In one embodiment, a method includes applying air to an internal surface of a combustion system. The air may be applied with a velocity chosen from about 50 m/s to about 300 m/s, and a volumetric flow chosen from about 50 ACFM to about 4000 ACFM. At least one FCT chemical may be optionally fed with the injected air in this embodiment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, J. David Martin
  • Publication number: 20100159406
    Abstract: An injection device for humidifying a reactor space and injecting and dispersing reagents into the humidified reactor space, including an exterior injection duct for high-velocity gas injection and at least one interior injector for reagent and humidifying agent injection as droplets with a droplet environment. The high-velocity gas ensuring the humidification of the liquid droplet environment and mixing and dispersion of the liquid reagent droplets into the reactor. A multiple injection device system and a method for operating the system are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Goran Moberg
  • Patent number: 7670569
    Abstract: An injection device for humidifying a reactor space and injecting and dispersing reagents into the humidified reactor space, including an exterior injection duct for high-velocity gas injection and at least one interior injector for reagent and humidifying agent injection as droplets with a droplet environment. The high-velocity gas ensuring the humidification of the liquid droplet environment and mixing and dispersion of the liquid reagent droplets into the reactor. A multiple injection device system and a method for operating the system are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Mobotec USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Goran Moberg
  • Publication number: 20100031818
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a coal combustion flue gas. In one embodiment, the method includes injecting a halogen into a flue gas, and injecting partially combusted, carbon enriched alkaline coal ash solid particles into the flue gas ahead of a particulate collection device. In another embodiment, the method includes exposing partially combusted, carbon enriched alkaline coal ash solid particles to a halogen containing atmosphere, and injecting the halogen atmosphere treated alkaline carbon containing solid particles into the flue gas ahead of a particulate collection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Klaus Oehr, Eric Fischer
  • Publication number: 20090314226
    Abstract: A circulating fluidized bed boiler having improved reactant utilization. The circulating fluidized bed boiler includes a circulating fluidized bed having a dense bed portion and a lower furnace portion above the dense bed portion. At least one secondary air and recirculated flue gas injection device is downstream of the circulating fluidized bed for providing mixing of the reactant and the flue gas in the furnace above the dense bed. The present invention also includes methods of operating a fluidized bed boiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Brian S. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7537743
    Abstract: A method of controlling SO3 flue gas concentration in a combustion process utilizing a SCR using a sulfurous fuel, the method steps including: providing a combustion system with low NOx burners and SCR; partially combusting the fuel in a first stage to create a reducing environment; maintaining the reducing environment for a sufficient time period such that SO3 is reduced to SO2 to achieve a desirable level of SO3; combusting the remainder of the fuel and combustion intermediates in a second stage with oxidizing environment; reducing the remaining NOx with the SCR; thereby reducing emissions NOx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Mobotec USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian S. Higgins
  • Patent number: 7473303
    Abstract: A combustion system having improved mercury collection. The system includes a combustion chamber for burning a fuel containing mercury, whereby burning produces a flue gas stream containing mercury and a device for removing mercury from the flue gas stream. The device includes a thermopolymer substrate; and a mercury-receptor attached to the substrate. In one embodiment, the system may further include a collector downstream of the device for collecting the mercury attached to the thermopolymer. The inventions further include alternative methods of mercury removal and preparation of the polymer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Mobotec USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian S. Higgins, Klaus Oehr