Patents by Inventor Charles B. Benham

Charles B. Benham 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: 6664302
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which low-rank coal may be processed to provide a high-energy feedstock for coal gasification and synthesis gas production. Preliminary coal, preparation, which may include washing and drying, is followed by wax-impregnation to produce a high-energy, low-moisture, stable feedstock. The wax is preferably obtained from an on-site Fischer-Tropsch reactor that also produces diesel fuel and naptha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: GTL Energy
    Inventors: Robert French, Robert A. Reeves, Charles B. Benham
  • Publication number: 20030192235
    Abstract: The invention provides a method by which low-rank coal may be processed to provide a high-energy feedstock for coal gasification and synthesis gas production. Preliminary coal, preparation, which may include washing and drying, is followed by wax-impregnation to produce a high-energy, low-moisture, stable feedstock. The wax is preferably obtained from an on-site Fischer-Tropsch reactor that also produces diesel fuel and naptha.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Robert French, Robert A. Reeves, Charles B. Benham
  • Patent number: 6534552
    Abstract: Increased hydrocarbon yields from natural gas and reduced oxygen consumption improvements are obtained by recycling hydrogen to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, which can have a catalyst exhibiting either a low water gas shift activity such as cobalt, or a high water gas shift activity such as iron. At least a portion of the remaining tail gas, either before or after the hydrogen has been removed, is recycled to the inlet of the synthesis gas production reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Publication number: 20020120017
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes for producing power, liquid hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide from heavy feedstocks, using a partial oxidation reactor to produce a synthesis gas, a Fischer-Tropsch reactor to convert the synthesis gas to hydrocarbon products and tail gases containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and a combined cycle plant to produce power from steam generated by recovering heat from the reactors and from combustible tail gases. By varying operating conditions and utilizing hydrogen for recycle to the Fischer-Tropsch reactor and/or hydrocracking wax products to produce lighter hydrocarbons, the process can selectively maximize the production of power, hydrocarbons or carbon dioxide. In preferred embodiments, the Fischer-Tropsch reactor can be a slurry reactor and can employ an iron-based catalyst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Mark S. Bohn, Charles B. Benham
  • Publication number: 20020032244
    Abstract: Increased hydrocarbon yields from natural gas and reduced oxygen consumption improvements are obtained by recycling hydrogen to a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, which can have a catalyst exhibiting either a high water gas shift activity such as cobalt, or a high water gas shift activity such as iron. At least a portion of the remaining tail gas, either before or after the hydrogen has been removed, is recycled to the inlet of the synthesis gas production reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Patent number: 6068760
    Abstract: Catalyst particles are separated from the wax in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor by feeding a portion of the reactor slurry to a dynamic settler which does not require any pump. As the slurry flows down a pipe in the center of the settler, the slurry flows into the surrounding annular region at the bottom of the settler. The heavier catalyst particles settle down and are removed as the slurry at the bottom of the settler is recycled back to the reactor. The wax rises up in the annular section and this clarified wax is removed by a wax outlet pipe. In an embodiment with an expanded diameter section above the Fischer-Tropsch reactor an additional dynamic settler can be placed inside this section. The Fischer-Tropsch catalyst can be regenerated by purging the catalyst with an inert gas for a period of time and by treating the catalyst with naphtha.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Dennis L. Yakobson, Mark S. Bohn
  • Patent number: 5763716
    Abstract: A process of converting a feed of hydrocarbon-containing gases into liquid hydrocarbon products including a first reaction of converting the feed into one to 2.5 parts of hydrogen to one part carbon monoxide in the presence of carbon dioxide and then secondly reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor using a promoted iron oxide catalyst slurry to form liquid hydrocarbon products, wherein the carbon dioxide from the first and second reactions is separated from the product streams and at least a portion of the separated carbon dioxide is recycled into the first reaction feed and the hydrocarbon products are separated by distillation and a normally gaseous portion of the separated products are further reacted in another Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor to produce additional liquid hydrocarbon product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Patent number: 5645613
    Abstract: Several Fischer-Tropsch reaction schemes using a promoted iron catalyst in a slurry reactor produce oxygenated naphtha and diesel fractions on distillation that reduce particulate emissions in diesel engines. High carbon conversion efficiencies and optimum chain growth are characteristics of the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Patent number: 5620670
    Abstract: A process of converting a feed of hydrocarbon-containing gases into liquid hydrocarbon products including a first reaction of converting the feed into one to 2.5 parts of hydrogen to one part carbon monoxide in the presence of carbon dioxide and then secondly reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor using a promoted iron oxide catalyst slurry to form liquid hydrocarbon products, wherein the carbon dioxide from the first and second reactions is separated from the product streams and at least a portion of the separated carbon dioxide is recycled into the first reaction feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Patent number: 5621155
    Abstract: A process of converting a feed of hydrocarbon-containing gases into liquid hydrocarbon products including a first reaction of converting the feed into one to 2.5 parts of hydrogen to one part carbon monoxide in the presence of carbon dioxide and then secondly reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reactor using a promoted iron oxide catalyst slurry to form liquid hydrocarbon products, wherein the carbon dioxide from the first and second reactions is separated from the product streams and at least a portion of the separated carbon dioxide is recycled into the first reaction feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Patent number: 5543437
    Abstract: Several Fischer-Tropsch reaction schemes using a promoted iron catalyst in a slurry reactor produce oxygenated naphtha and diesel fractions on distillation that reduce particulate emissions in diesel engines. High carbon conversion efficiencies and optimum chain growth are characteristics of the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Patent number: 5506272
    Abstract: Several Fischer-Tropsch reaction schemes using a promoted iron catalyst in a slurry reactor produce oxygenated naphtha and diesel fractions on distillation that reduce particulate emissions in diesel engines. High carbon conversion efficiencies and optimum chain growth are characteristics of the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Patent number: 5504118
    Abstract: Several Fischer-Tropsch reaction schemes using a promoted iron catalyst in a slurry reactor produce oxygenated naphtha and diesel fractions on distillation that reduce particulate emissions in diesel engines. High carbon conversion efficiencies and optimum chain growth are characteristics of the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Patent number: 5500449
    Abstract: Several Fischer-Tropsch reaction schemes using a promoted iron catalyst in a slurry reactor produce oxygenated naphtha and diesel fractions on distillation that reduce particulate emissions in diesel engines. High carbon conversions efficiencies and optimum chain growth are characteristics of the processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson
  • Patent number: 5324335
    Abstract: An oxygen-containing diesel fuel additive for reducing particulate airborne emissions which additive is produced in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction using a promoted iron-based catalyst. The additive contains alcohols having at least five carbon atoms, and is employed in diesel fuel in an amount sufficient to provide an oxygen content in the diesel fuel of up to about 2% by weight while maintaining diesel fuel specification limits for viscosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Rentech, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Benham, Mark S. Bohn, Dennis L. Yakobson