Patents by Inventor Darren D. Schmidt

Darren D. Schmidt 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: 8460413
    Abstract: A carburetion system and method for adapting a low-Btu gas source with a low-Btu gas consumer. Pressure-based air-gas mixers geometrically appropriate for the carburetion system and method. The carburetion system comprises a low-Btu gas inlet, a gas outlet, a zero-pressure regulator, and at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer capable of maintaining a volumetric air to low-Btu gas ratio of no more than about 2:1. The method comprises diverting a low-Btu gas to a gas outlet when the gas consumer is off. The method further comprises, during operation of the consumer, diverting low-Btu gas to a zero-pressure regulator in order to balance low-Btu gas pressure with air pressure, passing low-Btu gas to at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer capable of maintaining a volumetric air to low-Btu gas ratio of no more than about 2:1, mixing the low-Btu gas with air in the at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer to form an air-gas mixture, and sending the air-gas mixture to the consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventor: Darren D. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8418457
    Abstract: A system for controlling the emission of associated gas produced from a reservoir. In an embodiment, the system comprises a gas compressor including a gas inlet in fluid communication with an associated gas source and a gas outlet. The gas compressor adjusts the pressure of the associated gas to produce a pressure-regulated associated gas. In addition, the system comprises a gas cleaner including a gas inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the gas compressor, a fuel gas outlet, and a waste product outlet. The gas cleaner separates at least a portion of the sulfur and the water from the associated gas to produce a fuel gas. Further, the system comprises a gas turbine including a fuel gas inlet in fluid communication with the fuel gas outlet of the gas cleaner and an air inlet. Still further, the system comprises a choke in fluid communication with the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Energy & Enviromental Research Center Foundation
    Inventor: Darren D. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20090031708
    Abstract: A system for controlling the emission of associated gas produced from a reservoir. In an embodiment, the system comprises a gas compressor including a gas inlet in fluid communication with an associated gas source and a gas outlet. The gas compressor adjusts the pressure of the associated gas to produce a pressure-regulated associated gas. In addition, the system comprises a gas cleaner including a gas inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the gas compressor, a fuel gas outlet, and a waste product outlet. The gas cleaner separates at least a portion of the sulfur and the water from the associated gas to produce a fuel gas. Further, the system comprises a gas turbine including a fuel gas inlet in fluid communication with the fuel gas outlet of the gas cleaner and an air inlet. Still further, the system comprises a choke in fluid communication with the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
    Inventor: Darren D. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20090007488
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for use in a fixed-bed gasification system for the disengagement of gas and the removal of ash and charcoal. In one example, the invention includes an auger system, a water seal system, and a gas disengagement system. The gas disengagement mechanism prevents plugging and blinding of the gas offtake system and simultaneously limits particulate entrainment in the gas produced by the gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Darren D. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20070209642
    Abstract: A carburetion system and method for adapting a low-Btu gas source with a low-Btu gas consumer. Pressure-based air-gas mixers geometrically appropriate for the carburetion system and method. The carburetion system comprises a low-Btu gas inlet, a gas outlet, a zero-pressure regulator, and at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer capable of maintaining a volumetric air to low-Btu gas ratio of no more than about 2:1. The method comprises diverting a low-Btu gas to a gas outlet when the gas consumer is off. The method further comprises, during operation of the consumer, diverting low-Btu gas to a zero-pressure regulator in order to balance low-Btu gas pressure with air pressure, passing low-Btu gas to at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer capable of maintaining a volumetric air to low-Btu gas ratio of no more than about 2:1, mixing the low-Btu gas with air in the at least one pressure-based air-gas mixer to form an air-gas mixture, and sending the air-gas mixture to the consumer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventor: Darren D. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20070210012
    Abstract: A system comprising a slurry trap including a trap inlet and a trap outlet. In addition, the system comprises a slurry tank including a slurry inlet and a slurry outlet. The slurry inlet of the slurry tank is in fluid communication with the trap outlet. Further, the system comprises a separator including a slurry inlet in fluid communication with the slurry outlet of the slurry tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Applicant: ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Darren D. Schmidt, Kyle E. Martin