Patents by Inventor Christopher S. Bence

Christopher S. Bence 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: 8764885
    Abstract: Condensable vapors such as carbon dioxide are separated from light gases in a process stream. The systems and methods employ a direct exchange heat exchanger to desublimate the condensable vapors from the process stream. The condensable vapors are condensed by directly contacting a heat exchange liquid in the direct contact heat exchanger while the uncondensed light gases from the process stream form a separated light-gas stream. The separated light-gas stream can be used in a recuperative heat exchanger to cool the process stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sustainable Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Larry L. Baxter, Christopher S. Bence
  • Publication number: 20120297821
    Abstract: Methods and systems of the current invention separate condensable vapors such as carbon dioxide from light gases or liquids in a mixed process stream. The separation is carried out in a cryogenic process using one or more external cooling loops (ECLs) that first cool down a mixed process stream containing condensable vapors and light gases or liquids, causing the condensable vapors to desublimate and form solids. Next, the solids are separated from the light gases or liquids, forming a solid stream and a light gas or liquid stream. Then the refrigerants of the ECL are cooled by warming the separated solid stream and light gas or liquid stream, efficiently recovering energy used in cooling and desublimating the condensable vapors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Larry L. Baxter, Christopher S. Bence
  • Publication number: 20120153514
    Abstract: Condensable vapors such as carbon dioxide are separated from light gases in a process stream. The systems and methods employ a direct exchange heat exchanger to desublimate the condensable vapors from the process stream. The condensable vapors are condensed by directly contacting a heat exchange liquid in the direct contact heat exchanger while the uncondensed light gases from the process stream form a separated light-gas stream. The separated light-gas stream can be used in a recuperative heat exchanger to cool the process stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Larry L. Baxter, Christopher S. Bence